There’s never a bad time of year to make your way to Yellowstone in the name of vacation fun. That said, there’s something wonderfully exciting about a summer trip this way, especially if you happen to be enjoying your surroundings alongside family and friends. Whether you’re looking to make the most of relaxation in the sunshine, amazing views to admire, or adventure at its best, Yellowstone has something wonderful waiting for you in the summertime. Feel free to use the following as your ultimate guide to summer in Yellowstone when you can’t wait for travel plans to bring you this way this year!
There Are So Many Reasons to Love Yellowstone in the Summertime
While winter in Yellowstone is a treat and fall and spring come with colorful scenery to infuse into your itinerary with ease, summer is absolutely packed with opportunities for travelers who are looking to get out and explore more. During the summer, visitors to Yellowstone will be thrilled by the fact that there simply aren’t any barriers to adventure. Unlike wintertime when many Yellowstone roads are closed in the name of accessibility and safety, summer is a time when nearly every trail, facility, park entrance, and road is open and waiting to be discovered.
This is a time of year for exploring without restriction, and iconic landmarks like the Grand Prismatic Spring are perhaps at their photographic best as well. There’s no shortage of options in Yellowstone in the summertime in the way of outdoor fun, whether you’re one for fishing, boating, camping, hiking, biking, or wildlife watching alike. Summer also means Yellowstone visitors are treated to the longest hours of sunlight of the year, providing options for extending outdoor adventures in the event you find yourself here with a crowd of others and want to slow things down. Some of the area’s most scenic drives like the Beartooth Highway and the Grand Loop are easy to navigate this time of year without any snow or ice to contend with, and the wildlife are typically out in abundance, including bears, bison, elk, and more.
Visit Yellowstone Lake During Your Summer Stay
Yellowstone spans over two million acres of terrain, and within those impressive parameters, there are a long lineup of iconic landmarks that many visitors understandably want to see for themselves. When you make your way here in the summertime, one of the landmarks you simply won’t want to leave off the must-visit list is Yellowstone Lake. This body of water showcases no less than 141 miles of shoreline and at its deepest plummets 400 feet. It also enjoys the unique distinction of being the largest high-elevation lake in all of North America. There are many options for visiting the lake in the summertime with some guests opting to drive around the shoreline to reach great viewpoints and take photos. The other option is to cool off on the waters on a warm summer day and a good way to do this is to head over to the Bridge Bay Marina and rent a boat to enjoy at your own preferred pace.
If you prefer to make the most of summer sightseeing on the water alongside a guide, consider booking your place on a one-hour guided tour onboard the Lake Queen II. This vessel departs from the Bridge Bay Marina throughout the summer season and includes unique area history and insight along the way. Be sure to bring your binoculars for the experience because there’s a good chance you’ll spot elk and bison on the shoreline and eagles overhead this time of year.
Summer Tours Not to Miss When You’re Here
One of the best routes to maximizing your time in Yellowstone is to sign up for as many area tours as possible during your stay. This is a great way to get a comprehensive view and understanding of your surroundings when the weather is on your side. It’s also a strategic way to avoid long lines and crowds when you hold tickets for sightseeing adventures that have access to places in Yellowstone you might otherwise miss out on. The “Wake Up to Wildlife” tour offered at Yellowstone focuses on time exploring the Lamar Valley alongside your guide. These tours head out at dawn in the summertime when many of Yellowstone’s most impressive wildlife are out and about and the crowds haven’t yet made their way in the various entrance points.
It’s an inspiring opportunity to see eagles, elk, bison, moose, and bears free roaming in their natural habitats in a setting that’s tranquil and wonderfully scenic. There are also options to book a unique stagecoach adventure that’s hosted through Yellowstone National Park Lodges in the summertime. This is a fun way to step into the past alongside family and friends as you board a replica Tally-Ho stagecoach and ride along a road that takes you through the heart of Pleasant Valley. These tours are typically 45 minutes long and narrated once you depart from the Roosevelt Corral.
Top Summer Hikes to Enjoy When Adventure Is the Ultimate Goal
It’s hard to imagine anything more refreshing than hiking your way to fun in Yellowstone in the summertime, and those who head this way with boots laced tight will love the sheer variety of trail options to pick and choose from. If you’re visiting with the entire family in tow and looking for routes that can be navigated by hikers of all skill levels, sticking to pathways that are rated moderately difficult is typically a good choice. A few of these include the Beaver Ponds Loop near Mammoth, the trail leading to the Natural Bridge close to Yellowstone Lake, and the Fairy Falls Trail, which offers up the unique opportunity to stop on the overlook out over the Grand Prismatic Geyser.
Must-See Attractions
Perhaps the most difficult part of planning a summer getaway to Yellowstone is trying to narrow down your list when you have a limited timeframe to work with and want to make sure you see as much of this fascinating area as possible. We highly recommend making sure to add fan-favorite landmark stops to the lineup like Old Faithful. Yes, there’s a good chance you’ll find plenty of others have the same idea this time of year, but the crowds are there for a reason. Old Faithful is truly an inspiring sight to see among the world’s largest concentration of active geysers. Witnessing its power for yourself is something you won’t regret, and if you’re traveling with kids, it’s an experience they’ll remember for long after you’ve left Yellowstone behind as well.
You’ll also want to make sure you make time on the summer itinerary for exploring the Canyon Village. It will act as a base camp if hiking to the summit of Mt. Washburn is one of your summer goals, but all summer long, it’s a terrific place for wildlife watching and enjoying Hayden Valley views. The Lamar Valley is another top destination in Yellowstone that you deserve to enjoy for yourself this summer. From the wildlife that linger along the Lamar River to the stunning open hillsides to admire, you might end up lingering here longer than you originally planned to. The travertine terraces at Mammoth Hot Springs are also well worth your while to take time to discover this summer. The landscape here is wonderfully surreal and a visual treat that’s sure to inspire. The geothermal activity in this area is unsurpassed and whether you focus your time on the Upper or Lower Terraces, you might just find that it’s a highlight of your visit.
Finally, don’t leave your summer Yellowstone trip behind without taking some time to enjoy the Norris Geyser Basin. This is both the most ancient and the hottest geyser basin within Yellowstone National Park and proudly boasts the Steamboat Geyser which sprays water 300 to 400 feet up in the air. The geysers here are relatively unpredictable, making every visit a unique experience. There are trails to follow that offer up one-of-a-kind vantage points on these natural wonders and plenty of signage that directs you where to go.
Make Sure Wildlife Watching Is Part of Your Summer Getaway Experience
When it comes to wildlife watching adventures, summer in Yellowstone is an experience you simply can’t top anywhere else on the map. Yellowstone National Park is well-known for the impressive population of bison that call its landscapes home, and some of the top areas to check out with binoculars in hand for the best spotting opportunities in the summertime include Hayden Valley and Lamar Valley as well. The Lamar Valley is also a great place to be when you’re looking forward to potentially setting your sights on black bears and grizzly bears in Yellowstone with added options for viewing around Tower Falls, Roosevelt, and Petrified Tree.
Many visitors are delighted to learn that Yellowstone hosts a robust population of wolves, and while they typically linger further from the main roads, there are chances to spot them in the Lamar Valley too. If you’re hiking in the Bechler River region of Yellowstone this summer, you might have the opportunity to see a moose or two, and for those who are spending quality time in the Mammoth Hot Springs area, options to spot bighorn sheep, elk, and pronghorn are vast and varied. Other creatures you might be lucky enough to see as you make your way through Yellowstone in the summertime include mountain lions, badgers, lynx, bobcats, foxes, and coyotes as well.
Treat Yourself to an Old West Cookout
No matter how you spend your time in Yellowstone this year, there will come a time when you’ll have cravings to curb along the way. A fun option that’s sure to please the entire family is to sign up to be a part of an Old West cookout experience during your stay! This dining experience is paired up with a one-hour horseback ride, stagecoach ride, or covered wagon trip to Yancy’s Hole departing from the Roosevelt Lodge. After you’ve had time to enjoy the serene views along the way, you’ll feast in good company in the fresh air, enjoying selections like baked beans, beef steaks, corn bread, watermelon, potato salad, and campfire-brewed coffee too. Your meal ends on a sweet note as homemade cobbler is served up before you head back to your point of origin in Old West style.
Summer Safety Tips
Your summer in Yellowstone is sure to be a thrill, but keeping some of the following tips in mind will make sure your getaway is smooth, successful, and safe too. If you’re heading out on hiking adventures this time of year, you’re going to want to make sure to pack plenty of water, have bear spray on hand and always travel in groups of three or more. In the event you come into contact with wildlife, you’re required to stay a minimum of 100 yards away from wolves and bears and 25 yards away from all other wildlife.
Here, it’s prohibited to feed wildlife you encounter, and you must leave wildflowers where they are as well. If you’re driving through Yellowstone, the park speed limit is 45 mph, and guests should never wander off trails or designated boardwalks, especially around the park’s geothermal features. Do be sure to bring your camera so you can capture your amazing moments on camera, and if you want the best chances of spotting wildlife, early morning outings are a must.
Book a Stay Near the Best of Your Summer Adventures
Making the most of every moment in Yellowstone this summer means booking comfortable and stylish accommodations that keep you close to the fun with amenities in place that make you feel right at home. That’s what you’ll find and so much more when you reserve your place in a rental through the team of property professionals at Sweet Home Montana. While we handle the details of your stay, you’ll be free to focus on the fun and adventure ahead. Reach out today to learn more about our ideal getaway options in West Yellowstone for small and large groups alike. We look forward to helping you make it a summer to remember and can’t wait to see you in Montana soon.
No matter when you have the opportunity to visit Yellowstone, it’s a trip well-worth taking. Here, both nature lovers and scenery seekers alike will find reasons to relish in their one-of-a-kind surroundings from the moment they set foot within its parameters. Yellowstone is packed with amazing wildlife, gorgeous landscapes, and mesmerizing geothermal features across its two million acres of terrain, making every visit a unique experience. That said, the time of year you arrive here can certainly affect what you’re able to do and how long you can spend exploring the places you’re more interested in seeing for yourself. The following is a month-by-month breakdown designed to help you and your traveling crew decide when is the best time to visit Yellowstone this year.
Make It a Winter Journey to Remember
If you don’t mind the snow and cold and you’re up for some bundled-up seasonal fun, visiting Yellowstone in the wintertime could be your ideal time of year to travel this way. December officially kicks off the cold-weather season here, and many of the snow coach and snowmobile tours that thrill-seekers can book through the park begin on or around the 15th. While you won’t have opportunities to drive your own vehicle through the park as freely as you would in the summertime due to multiple feet of snow and closed roadways, December is a time of year that’s well adapted to snowshoes in Yellowstone instead. The team at Yellowstone Safari Company begins their guided snowshoe outings this month, and there’s a good chance you’ll spot some incredible elk along the way if your route takes you to higher elevations.
January and February Are Ideal for Those Who Enjoy Off-Season Adventures
Winter is a terrific time to head to Yellowstone when you want to avoid crowds, and you’re willing to pack the extra gear needed to make the most of the great outdoors. January is a particularly popular month for taking in the scenery, as it’s covered in frost and ice. Yes, it’s bound to be frigid, but if you have your hat, boots, thermal gloves, multiple layers, and parkas readily available; there’s no reason you can’t head out in insulated covers and enjoy a stroll through the snow. The average high this time of year is typically around 28 degrees Fahrenheit, which keeps some visitors away, but it is a great time for those who are looking to spot wildlife like wolves, which are easier to spot in the distance against the white snow.
By February, things warm up slightly across Yellowstone’s fascinating ecosystem, but you’re still going to need to pack warm apparel if you want to head out and make the most of winter wildlife watching. February is a great time of year to spot bison sporting their thickest seasonal coasts moving around Mammoth Hot Springs, and it’s also a prime season for spotting coyotes, gray wolves, and red foxes as they begin to emerge in the name of an early breeding season in Yellowstone. If you head this way this time of year, you’ll likely find yourself in the company of dedicated wildlife photographers intent on capturing these snowy shots of amazing creatures at their finest.
Spring Brings New Life, Color, and Adventures to Yellowstone
March marks the beginning of the spring season in Yellowstone, and travelers who are looking to enjoy slightly warmer temperatures at the park compared to winter will be thrilled to find daily highs typically linger around 39 degrees Fahrenheit. That means a bit of snow will start melting away, but not enough to completely thaw out the terrain. Waterproof boots are still very much necessary here in March, and snowmobile tours are typically one of the most popular routes to relishing the scenery with ease alongside a local and knowledgeable guide. If you’re here to see elk, it’s a unique time of year to travel this way because it’s when elk begin to shed their seasonal antlers across Yellowstone. These grow back within 150 to 170 days, but if you happen to see one shedding its antlers in real-time, it’s an incredible scene you won’t soon forget.
By April, more visitors will be making their way to Yellowstone as things warm up, but it’s still very much considered a shoulder travel season in the area. If you decide to lace up your boots and hit the still slightly snowy trails, there’s a good chance you’ll notice melt-off beginning to create noticeable streams along the way. The West entrance of the park opens in April, and more routes are open to four-wheel-drive vehicles this month as well. Wildlife watching only gets better and better by April, as elk and deer alike make their way back to familiar grounds.
May Is a Must for Bear Watching
If you’re someone who has a true passion for spotting bears in the wild, the grizzlies who call Yellowstone home begin coming out from hibernation by May. Many consider this the “true” start to spring, and the viewing opportunities from a safe distance abound. From under the snowy terrain, visitors will also begin to notice spots of green as vegetation makes a seasonal reappearance across the park as well. May is also the month for baby bison to begin making their way into the world at Yellowstone, and their orange coats stand out strikingly in the herd. If you’re traveling to Yellowstone in May and intent on seeking out wildflowers, some of the early bloomers to expect this month include Glacier Lilies, Biscuitroot, Spring Beauties, and Arrowleaf Balsamroot as well. Finally, many visitors this time of year are delighted to find that roads that were closed all winter and early spring are now open for travel. Early May sees the East entrance of the park open up to the public, while mid-May welcomes travelers to use the South Entrance once again. By the end of May, Dunraven Pass to Tower Falls is accessible as well, making the park a place where you can more easily customize your entrance and exit points when planning your trip.
Spend Summer Embracing Amazing Surroundings in Yellowstone
By June, summer is officially in session across Yellowstone, but because some schools let out a bit late, you can possibly still avoid the mid-summer crowds that are guaranteed here by July. Daily highs hit the low 60s this month and there’s typically plenty of sunshine to go around which inevitably melts off any remaining snow at a faster rate. Still, if you want to cool down, hiking higher elevation trails in Yellowstone this time of year comes with access to fresh powder. At lower elevations, wildflowers are in bloom and among the lupine and Indian paintbrush, you’ll likely see baby deer, moose, and elk roaming.
By July, temperatures are typically at their warmest across Yellowstone, reaching upwards of 90 degrees by midday. The snow has long since gone from the trails so if you’re a hiking enthusiast, this is the time of year to find yourself here with gear in hand. Lines at entrance stations are bound to be significantly longer by July, so planning your entrance times is a must. A good way to ensure your place is to book your spot on a wildlife or nature tour so you can not only avoid crowds but perhaps set your sights on areas you might otherwise overlook. July is a terrific time to get up close to the park’s many geothermal features as well, because higher temperatures dissipate steam, which can block your view in the winter season.
August brings summer to a close with temperatures that still linger in the upper 80s and plenty of sunny days to enjoy. The one disadvantage to an August visit is that the park doesn’t typically see a lot of rain this time of year, so if you’re looking for options to cool off among all that heat, you’re a bit out of luck. As a result, there are also strict fire restrictions in place to be aware of no matter where you roam. That said, August visitors to Yellowstone will be right on time to witness the bison breeding season, which sees competing males putting on an incredible show of strength if you’re lucky enough to witness these matches in real-time.
Fall in Love with Yellowstone This Autumn
With school back in session and summer fading into fall, autumn is a great time to enjoy cooler temperatures across Yellowstone and fewer crowds too. Daily highs in September average around 70 degrees Fahrenheit, with the one disadvantage being the increased chances for storms. The cooler weather does come with more active wildlife during the daytimes as opposed to what you might see in the summer, and bull elk and moose will be putting their impressive antlers to use showing off their strength and skills to attract a mate. Grizzly bears are on the hunt for local berries this time of year as they ramp up for an oncoming hibernation once again, and while the daylight time you can set aside to explore Yellowstone is shorter, it’s equally impressive.
It’s fair to say that October is a fan-favorite time of year in Yellowstone among those who have a passion for leaf peeping. Deciduous trees like cottonwood and aspen are the first to turn yellow, while the first week of October typically encompasses the very best time for spotting the most drastic change in hues. You will want to check on road status ahead before heading into Yellowstone in October, because while it’s not a guarantee, a pop-up storm or snowfall can cause some access points to close earlier in the season than originally anticipated.
November brings fall to a close in Yellowstone, and the 7th of the month typically marks the final opportunity for travelers to take full advantage of exploring the park’s roads on their own in a standard highway vehicle. After that, many routes are closed for the wintertime in the name of safety with the exception of the North and Northeast entrance. Of course, even if you arrive later in November, you can simply take a winter-style approach to visiting and plan a snow tour with a guide or head in on foot on your own. Places like the Lamar Valley are extremely active with bison and elk well into November, and bighorn sheep breeding season gets underway this month as well. Long before the largest snowfalls of the year happen, November presents a wonderful chance to explore geothermal features without having to contend with snow on the boardwalks or surrounding trails.
Book a Stay within Easy Reach of Yellowstone Through Sweet Home Montana
The best way to make sure you make the most of your Yellowstone experience, no matter what month or season you arrive, is to book inviting and conveniently located accommodations that keep you close to the fun and living in style! That’s exactly what you can expect and more when you partner with Sweet Home Montana for your rental the next time you’re here. We live where we work, and our team of property professionals always pairs incredible rental options for our guests with exceptional and insightful customer service standards as well. We can just as easily help you find the right home away from home for your stay as we can advise you about local events, activities, and attractions to check out that are sure to make your stay even more memorable. We offer terrific lodging options in every season and know where to go whether the snow is falling or the sun is up and temperatures are on the rise across Yellowstone.
No matter when you arrive, how long you have to spare in the name of vacation fun, or how many others you’re traveling alongside, we’re ready and waiting to help you enjoy your journey in comfort, convenience, and style. Reach out today to learn more about our portfolio of property options in West Yellowstone and how we can help you customize the details of your accommodations and trip that matter most to you. We’ll handle the details while you focus exclusively on the fun ahead and we very much look forward to seeing you in Yellowstone soon!
Every once in a while, it’s important to set aside time on the calendar to let go of stress and focus on what you love doing most in life. If you’re someone who finds their way back to the balanced center when traveling to new and exciting destinations, making your way to West Yellowstone, Montana to relax, unwind, and enjoy life to the fullest is always the right choice!
This stunning vacation destination on the map is one that’s known and loved by visitors from near and far as a picture-perfect playground for outdoor thrills. That said, there’s just as much to experience in West Yellowstone, Montana when it comes to slowing down and relaxing in style at your very own preferred pace.
West Yellowstone works as a convenient gateway to iconic places like Yellowstone National Park where world-class hiking, biking, and wildlife watching are always at your fingertips. Whether you’re a landscape photographer looking for incredible backdrops designed by Mother Nature herself, or you can’t wait to get up close to world-renowned geysers and hot springs, your time in Yellowstone National Park is bound to be unforgettable.
In the summer, Yellowstone greets its visitors in full bloom and with opportunities to make the most of fishing and boating fun. In the wintertime, a trip this way can include activities like cross-country skiing, guided tours, and snowmobiling excursions as well.
While Yellowstone National Park is certainly a big draw for adventurers heading this way, time in West Yellowstone itself is equally appealing. Here, guests can embrace the best of small-town charm while exploring cozy restaurants, boutique shops, or participating in one of the many fun festivals hosted here throughout the year.
At Sweet Home Montana, we believe that every traveler who spends time in West Yellowstone deserves to have an amazing stay that includes accommodations customized to a personal sense of travel style. That’s why our portfolio of property options available to book in town is vast and varied!
We make sure our guests always have the options they deserve whether they’re looking for a cozy room for two in West Yellowstone, or can’t wait to make the most of time in a luxurious private retreat that spans levels when they’re traveling this way with a large group of family and friends.
Either way, booking your stay through Sweet Home Montana means you’ll have choices when it comes to including our Yellowstone vacation rental amenities into your vacation experience. The following are just a few of the many we offer our guests that we think you shouldn’t skip the next time you travel this way.
Find Time to Unwind in West Yellowstone in Front of a Cozy Fireplace
Yes, making time to enjoy a great getaway to West Yellowstone is sure to include plenty of time adventuring in the beautiful great outdoors, as well it should. However, at Sweet Home Montana, we also know that our guests deserve just as many opportunities on the relaxation front when they’re spending time here.
That’s why we always recommend booking one of our gorgeous getaway properties that includes a fireplace on-site. Those who choose to enjoy a home-away-from-home in West Yellowstone booked through Sweet Home Montana that comes with a luxurious fireplace included can count on their stay being elevated at every turn!
After a full day of hiking, biking, and wildlife watching in nearby Yellowstone National Park, it’s hard to imagine anything more refreshing than returning to your vacation rental and knowing you have options to cozy up in front of the fireplace alongside those you love most.
Your in-rental fireplace is a great feature to have at your fingertips when you’re looking to relax with a glass of wine, you’ve booked a winter stay in town and you want to thaw out after snowy fun, or you simply want a place where everyone in your group can gather and socialize.
A fireplace in your rental has a way of creating an inviting ambiance during your vacation that’s truly hard to top. It can be the stress reliever you need when your trip to West Yellowstone is all about self-care, or it could be the feature in your rental that gives you a place to settle in with a good book and forget all your worries.
There’s something decidedly romantic about having a fireplace available when you’ve booked a trip for two to West Yellowstone and have plans to stay in as much as possible. A fireplace is a great amenity to have in your rental in every season and adds that little something extra to your stay that’s sure to make your West Yellowstone trip truly unforgettable.
Book a Scenic Stay with Balcony Access Included
Yet another terrific amenity to make sure is included with your West Yellowstone accommodations booked through Sweet Home Montana is an inviting and spacious balcony. West Yellowstone is a vacation destination that’s earned a reputation for excellence around its stunning scenery and views.
When you book a stay through us with a balcony included, you’ll be treating yourself to access to those amazing vistas day and night without having to go anywhere at all. Your balcony is a great place to wake up each and every day of your stay in Montana to a gorgeous sunrise while enjoying a hot cup of coffee from the comfort of a cozy lounger.
It’s the place where you can connect with nature, enjoy tranquility, and gift yourself those views that remind you of just how much there is to discover in this amazing place! Depending on the home-away-from-home you select, your balcony might also naturally be set up for some great wildlife watching opportunities while you’re in town.
It’s also a wonderful amenity to have access to when you want to gather with family and friends and enjoy socializing in the fresh air. For those who can’t wait to serve up their own home-style meals while traveling, a furnished balcony means an al fresco meal is always an option too. It can provide a great space for relaxing, or even stargazing in the evening hours on a clear night.
Emphasize a Mountain View Stay in West Yellowstone
The landscapes across West Yellowstone are dominated by beautiful mountains year-round. When you book a stay in the heart of those stunning surroundings, you only have more to gain from your well-deserved trip this way!
At Sweet Home Montana we highly recommend booking a vacation rental through us that’s surrounded by gorgeous mountain views to enjoy every day you’re here. There’s nothing more inspiring than waking up to a sunrise over the peaks, and it’s just as thrilling to watch the sun go down over the mountains in the evening hours while spending time with those you love most.
If you have a passion for photography, booking a mountain view stay in West Yellowstone means you won’t have to go anywhere at all to find the perfect backdrop for your hobbies. In the event you’re planning to enjoy a fresh-air meal with family and friends, the mountains provide an idyllic view to pair with every plate too.
Booking a mountain view stay enhances the serenity of your next trip to West Yellowstone and has a wonderful way of giving our guests a stronger connection to nature while they’re here. Our mountain view rentals are often within easy reach of nature trails, so if the view inspires you to get out and explore more, the opportunities are truly endless.
Get Everyone in on the Vacation Fun in a Pet-Friendly Rental
Every traveler has a unique vision in mind when it comes to planning the perfect trip to West Yellowstone. For many guests who book their stay through Sweet Home Montana, a trip here that didn’t include the company of beloved family pets just wouldn’t feel right. That’s why we always recommend those heading this way with a canine companion included in the traveling group book one of our beautiful, comfortable, and inviting pet-friendly properties!
This is an amazing choice when you want to be sure everyone you love gets in on the Montana fun and can be a part of the meaningful vacation experience. Our pet-friendly rentals are spacious and comfortable, ensuring people and pets alike will feel right at home from the moment they arrive. It’s common to find our pet-friendly rentals located within easy reach of other pet-friendly destinations in town like nature trails, tour companies, or restaurants.
When you book a pet-friendly stay in West Yellowstone, you can keep more money in your travel fund as well when you don’t have to worry about paying for a pet sitter or boarding while you’re here. Your pet can feel more at ease in a rental designed for everyone and you certainly can too. Be sure to ask us about our pet friendly rentals that might just come with convenient added features in place like bowls, treats, or cozy beds.
Reserve a Large Group Getaway with a Focus on Space and Style
West Yellowstone is a terrific vacation destination for solo travelers, couples, and small groups alike but it’s just as inviting when you’re heading here with a large group of others. When West Yellowstone is your vacation destination of choice for your next family reunion, special event, or corporate retreat, Sweet Home Montana has the large group getaway rentals that are designed just for you!
These luxurious and spacious accommodations offer a cost-effective solution for keeping everyone together and enjoying beautiful surroundings while you’re here. Our large group rentals are packed with inviting and comfortable furnishings and give guests options to balance social time in large living spaces with downtime in plenty of private rooms and restful areas as well. Not to mention the options offered with our Yellowstone vacation rental amenities.
Our guests will find that our large group getaway rentals often come with balconies, fireplaces, and large yards in place while also framing breathtaking views designed to inspire. When you book a large group rental that comes with a full kitchen included, you can pick and choose between dining out or in depending on everyone’s preferences.
From dedicated workspaces and impressive entertainment setups to easy access to area fun in the outdoors, a large group getaway rental is a must when you’re excited to spend time in West Yellowstone as part of a big traveling crew!
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Reach Out Today to Learn More
Now is the very best time to make your way to West Yellowstone and at Sweet Home Montana, we’re here and ready to help when you want to make sure you have an amazing vacation rental in place to top off your stay in style. Reach out today to learn more about our many property options available and how we can help you turn your trip into a memorable experience every step of the way that you won’t soon forget.
A new holiday has entered the picture in February, but it isn’t one with decorations or special meals, and it isn’t even one that you get together with your family during, nor will you get an extra day off work for it. February 5th is Book Direct Day, and although it doesn’t have any of the things you normally attribute to holidays, it may become your favorite, especially as it leads you on a journey to West Yellowstone and helps you cut costs while doing so. This guide to all the reasons you should book directly with Sweet Home Montana (that’s us!) on February 5th will literally change the way you reserve your vacation accommodations forever.
February 5th Is Book Direct Day
You may not think of vacation rental websites as local sources, and if you stick with those other third-party platforms, you would be right, they’re not. But at Sweet Home Montana, we aren’t just a tiny office located somewhere else in the world as we pretend to be knowledgeable about the town of West Yellowstone. We work here and play here, and the team we put together for cleaning, maintenance, and setting up the comfortable spaces you will be residing in during your visit are proud residents of the area. When you book direct, you are shopping local, and the money you put towards your vacation activities will be funneled back into the community, stimulating the local economy, and doing its part to help the nation’s economy as well.
Flexibility Matters
Life happens when you make other plans, and although you fully intended to arrive at your retreat at a certain hour and you clearly intended on leaving at the end of your stay prior to check-out time, you had no idea that planes would be late or that your alarm may not work, and that’s ok. There are rules, and other websites will make you abide by them, but you booked direct (hopefully!), and we are flexible. We understand that life likes to throw a curveball more often than not, and we will work with you to try and find a solution to your situation that will work for both the company and for you, the guest. Flexibility matters in all aspects of life, and booking direct will help you find the flexibility you may need.
The Personal Touch
When a company grows so big, so fast, it can lose that personal touch, and just as Sweet Home Montana is a local company, it is one that has stayed on the smaller side, growing just as large as it needs to do to ensure that we can stay up with the times and still provide you a vacation experience you will never forget. A part of that vacation experience involves exploring all that this part of paradise has to offer, and when you book direct, you will discover that we also work as a sort of concierge. We can lead you to the restaurants we go to when we are celebrating a special occasion, and we can guide you to the areas where the pictures you take will make all your friends the most jealous when you post them on your page. We love our hometown, and we love sharing it with the guests who flock to our doorsteps every day, and when you don’t book directly with us, you lose that personal touch.
Transparency in Advertising
When you are scrolling through the listings on our websites, there will be that one picture that stops you in your tracks and invites you to explore further. And when you discover that property is exactly what you dreamed about when you first started to imagine a Yellowstone vacation, you may find yourself returning to our page over and over again, taking a mini vacation as you pore over the pictures, imagining yourself in them in the weeks that lead up to your Montana journey. Now imagine that you finally arrive at the vacation rental of your dreams and it looks nothing like what you have been staring at. Would you shrug your shoulders and say, oh well, and continue on with the getaway, or would you be disappointed and feel like the vacation has suddenly lost its luster? Fortunately for those that book directly with us, this is never going to be an issue, as what you see will be what you get.
Book Direct, Save Money, Live the Dream
The number one reason for choosing to book direct is the realization that you will save money when you do. No fees will be assessed for the privilege of booking direct, and when you book, you may discover last-minute bargains, holiday sales, and all manner of discounts that the third-party platforms won’t offer. Book Direct on February 5th and start planning a vacation that will be comfortable, relaxing, and filled with peace and joy!
It can be difficult to discover all there is to do when visiting a new place, especially a place like Yellowstone where the most popular activity is simply stopping where the wildlife is and checking them out. From our own travels, however, and the experiences we have enjoyed providing comfortable vacation spaces for travelers visiting our town, we have learned that participating in the tours and expeditions of the region being visited, helps create a vacation experience that will never be forgotten. This guide to the top aerial tours of Yellowstone will help you discover the rich and beautiful world we live in, made even better when you come home to our Sweet Home Montana vacation escapes every night of your stay.
Top Aerial Tours Of Yellowstone
You’re going to spend a lot of time grounded during your Yellowstone vacation, exploring geysers, animal habitats, and the sweetly serene landscape of our Montana home, but our favorite tour company, Fly Yellowstone, located at 629 Airport Road in West Yellowstone, will keep your head in the clouds. Offering a variety of tours that last 30, 45, and 60 minutes, the tours they offer give guests a greater understanding of the area, while providing bird’s eye views of places you may want to return to when your feet are back on terra firma. The airplanes are safe and comfortable Cessna 182’s, offer a bargain price (especially in comparison with helicopter tours, and their pilots offer over 30 years in aviation, making these tours the perfect choice for thrill seekers who still want to feel safe. Up to 3 people can fly and guests must be over 18 to book.
30 Minute Flights To Remember
Fly Yellowstone’s 30 minute tours stay closer to your West Yellowstone vacation sanctuary while offering an educational and entertaining experience. Choose between two flights, the Yellowstone Seismic which explores the history of earthquakes and how they made Yellowstone what it is today, and the Yellowstone Skyline tour. This flight offers a clearer view of the beauty of Yellowstone, showing off a side you would never have seen if you hadn’t taken to the skies. Prices start at $179 per person.
45 Minutes of Wonder and Beauty
Plane rides can be addictive, so if their 30 minute tours whet your appetite, their 45 minute tours cement your understanding that there is no better way to explore a new area. Also offering two 45 minute tours, Fly Yellowstone delves deeper into the rugged beauty of this part of Montana. Their Rugged Mountain flight will make you forget humans have ever touched the landscape, with the countryside looking wild and untamed from your perch inside the plane. Their Continental Divide flight flies along the rivers that will eventually end at the Atlantic and the Pacific Oceans, showing off the serenity that can only be found in large bodies of water. Prices for the 45 minute flights start at $224 per person.
An Hour you will Never Forget
Saving the best for last, the hour long tours provided by Fly Yellowstone offer an experience that visitors will never forget, and even as you are spending 60 minutes in the clouds, we can tell you it will never be long enough. They also offer two hour long flights, starting with the Border Tour that takes guests on a flight around the entirety of Yellowstone National Park, or as much of the park as possible due to flight restrictions. This first flight provides a stunning overview of the vastness of Yellowstone, but it is their final hour long tour that may become the epicenter of your favorite Montana vacation memories. Their Combo Flight is exactly as it sounds, a flight that combines the Skyline, Rugged Mountain, and Continental Divide flights, showing off the best parts of each flight and making guests fall in love with the skies and the expansive views they are enjoying of the ground below! Prices for this tour start at $269 per person.
Comfortable Adventures with Sweet Home Montana
However you spend your daylight hours during your West Yellowstone vacation, coming home to Home Sweet Montana will ensure that this vacation is one that will spoil you against all others. Relax on balconies overlooking the most scenic spots in Yellowstone, keeping your eyes open to more wildlife encounters, create home cooked meals in fully equipped kitchens, and spend every night dreaming happy dreams in the most comfortable beds in the state. And when you fall asleep each night, don’t be surprised if, after your daylight adventures, you find yourself flying through the night skies in your dreams. A Yellowstone getaway hits differently especially when enjoyed from the comfortable confines of our Montana vacation rentals, providing peace, serenity, and an innate quiet that will help quiet the chaos of your soul. Contact us to reserve your favorite haven today! Search our rentals by bedroom here!
Family traditions are important, often becoming an essential part of the memories created when the structure of your family changes. We all remember the golden days of our youth, when every year Mom and Dad loaded us up in the station wagon, driving us across the miles, enduring multiple renditions of 99 bottles of beer on the wall, the never ending game of slug bug (we still have bruises on our arms from that game) and numerous queries of “are we there yet?” often being asked within minutes of pulling out of the driveway. We always stayed in hotels or motels during those long ago trips, but when you want to continue that tradition with your own family during your summer vacation in Montana, staying in the suites and rooms we provide will offer an updated and far more comfortable vacation experience.
Why Stay In The Suites And Rooms At Sweet Home Montana
Chances are you never stayed in a suite during your childhood travels, but the luxuries we provide in our Sweet Home Montana escapes will make you never want to travel with family any other way. These beautiful and spacious retreats are located right where you want to be, offering sweeping views of the Montana landscape and separate bedrooms that ensure mom and dad can get in all the private time they need while the siblings can enjoy late night giggles that will largely go ignored, but not unheard, as parents realize that the kiddos deserve this extra bonding time. Also knowing that it won’t be too long before the call of the sandman is heeded, due to daytime adventures that ensured the wild ones are properly exhausted. Perhaps the best part of our beautiful suites, however, will be the ones that come with fully equipped kitchens or kitchenettes, allowing the vacation budget to sigh a breath of relief with the realization that not every meal has to be eaten at the admittedly very delicious, but potentially expensive restaurants that dot our landscape.
Room for Romance
In the age of vacation home rentals, the standard hotel room has been pushed aside, sneered at, and often disregarded, but our Montana rooms are not standard hotel rooms. Again, located exactly where you want to be, these spacious rooms are ideal for honeymooners, small families, and maybe adventurers who want to spend a little less, saving their vacation dollars for more important things like delicious meals enjoyed with an entire bottle of wine or admission into Yellowstone National Park for another day of naturally wonderful fun. The rooms that we offer do not resemble those roadside shelters in any way, shape, or form (aside from offering beds and tv’s!) and will be the ideal spots to relax and recharge in after a long day of explorations. Premium beds topped with the softest of linens, large windows that look out onto the Yellowstone landscape, and those state of the art televisions that will help ease the transition from wide awake to sound asleep, all work together to ensure that your stay will be comfortable, welcoming, and relaxing.
The Adventures You Will Never Forget
The joy of a summer vacation in Montana spent in our Home Sweet Montana escapes is one that must be experienced to be believed and as you spend every night nestled in cozy rooms and suites, dreaming about the adventures you had while knowing that the next day’s adventures will be even greater, this vacation will move up the list to “best vacation ever” status faster than you could imagine. You probably won’t spend many of your daylight hours at home with us, but that’s ok, there is just so much to explore here that we wouldn’t want it any other way. Maybe Dad will wake up early every morning to get in a few hours behind the pole at Hebgen Lake or maybe your adventures will include a visit to Old Faithful geyser, erupting up to 20 times a day. A variety of tours of Yellowstone, including Easy Tours Yellowstone and Back Country Adventures, will give you a greater understanding as to why this first National Park is the one that will stay in your heart forever.
A Taste of the Town
Now, not all our suites offer fully equipped kitchens, and of course, the rooms will generally only offer microwaves, mini fridges, and coffee makers, but even if you planned ahead and rented a suite with the kitchen, we do recommend exploring the tasty delights served at the Wild West Pizzeria & Saloon, located at 14 Madison Avenue. A local tradition for 25 years and providing an authentic Western experience, only with pizza, parents will love the beer, wine, and live entertainment.
Come Home to Sweet Home Montana
Welcoming travelers and making them feel comfortable is what we do; contact us today to reserve your favorite suite or room today!
Once upon a time, travelers looked upon hotel rooms as simply a place to rest and recuperate from their daily adventures while vacationing, not caring that the entire family often had to share a solo bath, that the two beds four or more people had to sleep on were bumpy and hard, and perhaps not noticing that the money they thought they were saving by sharing the room was being eaten up by the expense of eating out for every meal. Today’s travelers, however, seek something more. They want comfort, they want luxury, and they want the space they deserve and for those preparing for a vacation in Montana, they want the comforts found in our Sweet Home Montana vacation rentals. So what exactly makes Sweet Home Montana’s properties better than hotel rooms?
The Entire Family Is Invited
Unless your pet is a support animal, most hotels won’t allow you to bring them along, but many of our properties are pet friendly ones, ensuring that your entire family will be able to enjoy this vacation in Big Sky Country. Cozy and comfortable, these escapes will provide lush green areas in which your sweet fur babies will be able to frolic and roam.
Budget Friendly
It seems hard to believe, but choosing one of our Sweet Home Montana escapes can actually end up saving you money on this vacation, and who doesn’t like to save money? The math is easy, as some of the savings come from something you understand very well at home: Being able to eat at home instead of being forced into dining out every meal saves you money!
The cost of dining out grows higher every year and although we don’t expect you to cook every night, our fully equipped kitchens will help you save money and make the chore of meal prep not so bad. Chef quality appliances and a cheerful vibe make these spaces popular, even when only being used to brew coffee and keep your cold beverages cold.
Of course, we aren’t suggesting you eat in every meal, as this part of Montana is known for its comfort food and down-home cooking, and it would be a shame to not venture out at least a few times during your stay, but the money you can save from eating in can go towards souvenirs, adventures, or perhaps be put towards another vacation somewhere down the line.
The Space You Crave
Family vacations are meant to be a time to help draw parents and children closer together, but even with those we love, there can always be a little too much togetherness making the extra space something that appeals to all. Retreat onto porches lined with rocking chairs, waiting for the sun to set the sky on fire at sunset, as your teens play video games at the dining room tables and your tweens turn the state of the art televisions to their favorite shows. For a few minutes, at least, the squabbles will cease, and peace will reign supreme.
The Family That Plays Together
We’ve talked about having the space you need to enjoy some quiet time after the end of a long day of Yellowstone fun, but what about those moments when you really want to hang out with the family? Yes, you will be living it up as you explore the natural beauty of the area, but our cozy cabins offer all the ways to enjoy a deeper family vacation experience.
Gather around the large dining room tables in the sanctuary you chose, playing the board games that are often found on bookshelves or cabinets throughout the space. This was something you probably did many times with your own parents as a child, and the memories have become treasured ones that you want to share with your family. On rainy nights, is there anything more comforting and relaxing than popping some popcorn in the microwave and sharing the fluffy white kernels as you watch a movie together? Our state-of-the-art televisions will make you feel as if you are an extra in the movie, are seated courtside at the big basketball game, or in many cases, will actually feel like you are seated in a theater, only the seats will be more comfortable and the concessions will be a heck of a lot cheaper!
Privacy and Peace
There can be a time and a place when a hotel room will make more sense, but during your vacation in Montana, the privacy of having your own space and the peace and quiet you will experience will very likely be one of your favorite parts of your vacation. No unruly guests laughing or playing the television too loudly and no door slams or arguments in the wee hours of the morning will disrupt the night’s sleep you have been waiting for all day. Just stunning views, quiet nights, and the joy of sharing a vacation with the people you love most.
The Comfort You Deserve
You work hard every day of your life, too hard to accept lumpy mattresses and rock-hard sofas, and our Sweet Home Montana family sanctuaries provide the comfort that you deserve, something your basic hotel room often cannot. Relax and rest easily in every room we offer and wake up ready to face a new day of Montana adventures; reserve your favorite property and contact us today!