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!
The magic of the holidays comes from more than the gifts you give and get. It’s the feeling you get when you see the sparkle in your children’s eyes, it’s the way the snowy landscape seems to bring peace to your soul, and it comes from that child hidden deep inside you, the one that still believes in Santa Claus. West Yellowstone is a small town, and the families that live here year round celebrate the holidays in much the same ways they are celebrated all around the world and when your journey brings you to our doorstep for Christmas, you will discover a magic that speaks louder than gifts. This guide to our holiday events in West Yellowstone and your stay in our Sweet Home Montana holiday hideaways will show you how this Christmas will shine bright with all the magic it brings to those who believe.
Decorated for the Holidays
The shops and boutiques of West Yellowstone are special during normal times. But at Christmas? All decked out for the holidays, their colorful lights shimmering against the snow covered landscape and the sales they offer will make it easy to cross all the names off your Christmas shopping list. Buy your sister the homemaker something for the home from Sweet Pea Living, fill all your stockings with treats purchased from the Sweet Palace (they call themselves the World’s Greatest Candy Store and we wholeheartedly agree) and bring everyone home a souvenir tee shirt from Yellowstone T-shirt Company, all of which are open year round. Dancing Moose Gifts offers a great selection of toys, supplementing those that Santa leaves for your children.
West Yellowstone Christmas Stroll
The West Yellowstone Christmas Stroll is an event we can’t help but love, looking forward to it 364 days out of the year. (On the 365th day we are too busy enjoying all the fun we are having at this wonderful event.) Offering all the magic of Christmas, visitors can expect to find holiday backdrops in front of which the most festive of family selfies will be taken, arts and crafts booths that will allow your children to discover the joy of creating gifts for their parents, and maybe even meet Sparky, the Fire Dog. Rumor has it Santa is scheduled to take a break from his very busy Christmas preparations, and the games and activity booths will bring their own joy to the celebration. Also offering firemen reading Christmas stories and holiday food that includes S’mores stations set up throughout the area, the West Yellowstone Christmas Stroll is a magical event that offers moments that glimmer for everyone who attends.
Your Christmas with Sweet Home Montana
For many visitors, the choice to travel at Christmas lies in the realization that Christmas at home has lost its sparkle. Stores that start hawking Christmas before summer has even ended, the days spent trying to outdo the neighbor’s holiday displays (when did holiday decorating become a competition instead of a natural display of our love for Christmas?) and the cleaning, the cooking, the shopping, and fighting the crowds. The magic may have faded long ago, but in West Yellowstone you will find it once again. Our town is a small one, serving as the gateway to one of the most famous parks in the world, and at Christmas, the crowds will be gone, leaving behind happy families celebrating in all the best ways, and you and yours will be celebrating right alongside them, discovering beauty in simplicity and adding new traditions to your holiday adventures.
The Differences Are Clear
Even as many of your holiday traditions will stay the same, reading Christmas stories before bed, staying up late to put together complicated toys, and the sound of excited whispers when your kids awaken before the sun and discuss amongst themselves when it will be ok to wake you and start opening presents, the differences will be clear and wonderful. Your Sweet Home Montana escape will be in pristine condition, eliminating the need to deep clean for grumpy extended family members who never appreciate your efforts in the first place. You will have the choice of preparing your Christmas feast or skipping the tradition altogether and heading to local restaurants that will be open. (Hank’s Chop Shop is one of our favorites and is usually open on Thanksgiving and Christmas.) And for our guests who are not fortunate to live in an area where snow falls, waking to a landscape blanketed in snow will add an extra layer of festive to your Christmas celebrations.
Reserve Your Favorite Sweet Home Montana Holiday Hideaway Today
Magic and memories await you in our cozy escapes, starting a tradition that will be cherished for years to come.
Although Thanksgiving falls in the fall months, November in Yellowstone can be more closely described as winter with the snow season beginning the end of September. Offering a blanket of snow as a backdrop to your Thanksgiving adventures, you will learn all that you have to be thankful for as you relax, play, and enjoy the comforts found in our Sweet Home Montana holiday hideaways. Offering serenity, quiet, and that peaceful vibe that will come in handy during these chaotic holiday months, below we have listed the reasons we believe West Yellowstone is the perfect Thanksgiving destination.
Find Your Joy
In the past, Thanksgiving may not have been as wonderful as you may have hoped it could be. Working full time and still having to get the house cleaned, groceries bought, and all of that cooking made for a rough holiday. The workload increased, but the amount of time you have available in each day still stayed the same, adding to the chaos that often characterizes this holiday, but in West Yellowstone, you will find your joy once more. Wake up early to catch the sun rising over the mountains and then crawl back in bed for a few more zzz’s, knowing you don’t have to be anywhere or do anything anytime soon may be the biggest gift you give yourself. But if sleep eludes you or you just happen to be an early riser at any time of the year, the Macy’s Day Parade starts at 8:30 in New York, which means it will be on television sometime around 5:30 here. Our state of the art televisions will make you feel as if you are standing on the sidelines of the parade, but the fire in the fireplace and the blanket you have tucked around you will ensure you stay cozy and warm.
The Feast of the Day
As you begin to add up your blessings, your next item added to your list may be the one about not having to work your fingers to the bone making a meal for your family to love. Even as West Yellowstone is a small town and many businesses and restaurants will be closed so employees can celebrate with their families, there are generally at least a couple of restaurants open and serving delicious feasts, as listed below.
- The Branch Restaurant & Bar, 315 Yellowstone Avenue – Serving a special Thanksgiving meal with a Montana twist, the Branch has served a roasted quail dinner that delighted the taste buds of everyone who tried it. If quail is a little far out for your own palate, their Apple Brandy Glazed Ham never fails to excite, and the whisky glazed carrots served with both main dishes are something we dream about for the remaining 11 months and 364 days we have to wait until NEXT Thanksgiving!
- Happy Hanksgiving at Hank’s Chop Shop, 221 N Canyon Street – Although Hank’s Chop Shop is known for its wild game menu, they stay completely traditional offering a choice between turkey and ham. Creamy mashed potatoes, homemade pie, and someone else creating, serving, and clearing away the table? Your turkey day meal at Hank’s will be memorable and full of flavor, both things we want to experience on this grateful day of deliciousness in November.
Black Friday Shopping
If it seems like you have barely finished your last piece of pie and Christmas begins, well, it seems that way because it is true! Black Friday shopping, however, is a great way to get into the holiday spirit, even if the shops around here wait until Friday morning to open their doors. We like the less frenetic energy of spending Thanksgiving night at home, watching Christmas movies and playing games with the family, making sure to get a good night’s sleep so as to have plenty of energy for the next morning. Every store in town will be open on Friday, November 29th (Can you believe that Thanksgiving is so late this year?), and whether you choose to shop the big box stores or to explore what the downtown shops and boutiques have to offer, we can promise a good time will be had! Dancing Moose Gift Shop, located at 108 N Canyon Street, is sure to have unusual gifts that your friends and family will fall in love with.
Happy Thanksgiving from Sweet Home Montana
Of course, some of your best moments will be the ones you spend within the confines of your Sweet Home Montana holiday haven. Inside these four walls lies a world of comfort and joy, and if you do choose to make your holiday meal in our fully equipped kitchens, you will soon learn that cooking can be fun. Reserve your favorite holiday escape today and discover your own reasons for enjoying a West Yellowstone Thanksgiving this year!
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Gather your group and enjoy the beauty of West Yellowstone in a spacious 4-bedroom rental, offering comfort and convenience, or indulge in even more space with a 5-bedroom vacation home, perfect for large families and group getaways.
The annual fall break is beginning to reach levels of popularity that heretofore were only met by summer or spring, but when you choose to travel to West Yellowstone over Halloween, there may be some members of your family that take issue with the trip. Of course, we are talking about your tiniest travelers, the ones who start anticipating next Halloween’s goodies and costumes before they have even completely looked through this year’s stash, and when they ask, “What about trick-or-treating?” you can answer with complete assurance that the Halloween hijinks will not have to be skipped. We at Sweet Home Montana have created this guide to the best places to trick-or-treat in West Yellowstone, while also offering ideas on how to celebrate for the whole family.
Trunk or Treat, Date TBD, Povah Community Parking Lot
The information isn’t complete as of yet, but in previous years, the Povah Community Parking Lot has held a trunk or treat event guaranteed to thrill the kiddos. Generally held the Friday before Halloween, (that would be October 25th this year) they offer all the fun of Halloween while allowing parents to feel safe as their kids race from trunk to trunk begging for the candy they crave. Costumes are key to the fun, so be sure to bring your kiddo’s along for the trip, or if you forgot, you could always pick up something at our local stores. In any case, this fun Halloween activity offers candy, hot chocolate, (it can get cold at night this time of year) and family photo opportunities that will provide the most amazing souvenir of your West Yellowstone vacation.
Neighborhood Trick-or-Treating in West Yellowstone, October 31
West Yellowstone is a small town located at the edge of Yellowstone Park, and unlike larger towns, there aren’t a lot of Halloween events, but we have kids too, and we invite you to join in the neighborhood fun. We love the small-town closeness of neighbors who are always looking out for each other, and your kids will be safe too as you make the door-to-door trek that brings them joy. Even better, your Sweet Home Montana escape will be located close to where you are trick-or-treating, and parents won’t have far to trudge when returning with exhausted toddlers in their arms or on their shoulders! And after you get them in bed, they will be sleeping so soundly, they won’t hear when you sneak some candy from their goody bags. With the guide to candy and wine pairings listed below, we can promise your night of spooks, thrills, sweets, and fun will be one you never forget.
Candy and Wine Pairings for the Parents
Whether you chose to dress in your own costume or simply donned coat and sneakers to chaperone your little goblins and ghouls, you too deserve a little treat (but no tricks!) in the form of stolen candies paired to perfection with your favorite wines. We have listed a few of our favorites below, but a simple tip to remember when choosing a wine, chocolates pair best with red wines and fruity candies pair best with white wines.
- Reese’s Peanut Butter Cups – Reese’s is always going to taste best when paired with either a dark cabernet sauvignon or a rich merlot, again sticking with chocolate and red as the theme of the pairing.
- Snicker’s – Yep, you guessed it, a rich and smooth cabernet sauvignon will bring out the highlights of this nougat and peanut rich candy bar. Hopefully some of the neighbors are overachievers and will provide the full sized ones so you can sip, sample, and savor in style on All Hallows Eve.
- M&M’s – It’s a red again for the treats that melt in your mouth and not in your hands, but because there are many different types of M&M’s, you may want to sample the reds you have on hand to try and determine which goes best with which. For your standard M&M’s we highly recommend a pinot noir, for peanut butter ones we suggest a cabernet sauvignon, and for all the others, well, as long as you stay in the red category you should be just fine.
- Starburst – The blast of fruit enjoyed in every piece will best be accompanied by a glass of bubbly Moscato with this treat being one that carries over into real life!
- Candy Corn – This last candy is for the traditionalists out there; a chilled and crisp chardonnay enhances the waxy sweetness of this sugary blast that has been around for over 100 years.
Your Halloween Hideaway
After the trick-or-treating has completed and you have sipped and sampled your way through your kiddo’s goody bags, the best night’s sleep will be had in our Sweet Home Montana Halloween hideaways. Reserve your favorite today!
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Experience the charm of West Yellowstone with a stay in our inviting 2-bedroom vacation rentals, perfect for a cozy retreat, or upgrade to a spacious 3-bedroom rental, ideal for families and small groups seeking adventure and relaxation.
Every traveler deserves that one perfect vacation spent exploring someplace wonderful, a place that offers peace, serenity, and a natural landscape that will make them long for simpler days in their own hometowns. And if that vacation happens to fall during a season that isn’t usually considered tourist season, a time when traffic jams are rare and wait times in restaurants are shortened, the only thing that could make that vacation even better is knowing that it is West Yellowstone your airplane and rental car are pointed in the direction of, and realizing that every night you will be able to rest your heads on the most comfortable pillows in the state of Montana, simply because you chose Sweet Home Montana for your vacation accommodations. This guide to a West Yellowstone vacation that occurs in the midst of our quiet season is destined to speak to your soul.
The Quiet Season Starts Soon
As summer draws ever closer to its natural conclusion, travelers are returning home in droves, lured by the siren’s song of back to school bells and the realization that the end of the year holidays are almost here. And although you may be tempted to do the same, you also know that your soul needs a few extra days where your responsibilities are few and your free moments are many. You want to sleep in late, greeting the day on your own time schedule and you need to find the moments so serene and peaceful you can tuck them away in your heart to be explored at a later time, perhaps when real life gets too harsh. In West Yellowstone, those quiet days can be found in the months of September and October—April too, but that’s a story for another day! Don’t take that quiet for boredom, however, especially in the fall months when the sounds of elk calling out for a mate may ring through the countryside, and when the call is answered, you too can sleep peacefully knowing the bull has found his cow, and when spring rolls around, new babies will be frolicking in our beautiful landscape.
Faithfully Yours
There are other geysers in Yellowstone National Park, but the first one named is the most famous of all and in the tourist season, Old Faithful can be a little more difficult to access as all the crowds want to witness its predictability. Officially known as a cone geyser, the geyser has erupted every 44 minutes to two hours since the year 2000, with the boiling water reaching heights of up to 125 feet, creating a sensation every time. Enjoy a leisurely walk along the boardwalk that takes you to other, less predictable geysers, springs, and pools known for their beautiful colors and extreme heat and feel as if the entire park belongs to you as you will encounter very few thrill seekers during your adventures. (The Biscuit Basin Interpretive Trail is currently closed due to a hydrothermal explosion, but there are still areas you can enjoy during your visit.)
Play in the Snow
Yes, you read that correctly. Although we can’t predict exactly when, the snow often starts falling sometime in September and October, and although it is chilly, we firmly believe you haven’t lived until you have seen the landscape of West Yellowstone blanketed in the white stuff. For families living in warmer areas, these early season snowstorms can be the first opportunity your children will have to make snow angels and build snowmen, creating memories they will never forget.
Delicious Meals, Little to No Waiting
Parents traveling with young children understand the frustration that can accompany long waits at restaurants, the kiddos are hungry and they don’t care who knows it, but during your late summer or early fall visit, the wait is shortened, and the hearty meals served at places such as Old Town Cafe, 128 Madison Ave, can be quickly devoured, perhaps even before the little tykes realize they are hungry. Also offering lower prices during this quiet season of wonder, your bank account is sure to thank you for visiting West Yellowstone during this most beautiful time of the year!
West Yellowstone Vacation Difference
The quiet moments spent in your Sweet Home Montana seasonal sanctuary will be the ones that help fortify you for the crazy times that lie ahead. Relaxing on large decks that overlook the West Yellowstone countryside where views of trees dressed in their autumn finest or meadows blanketed with snow remind you that it’s the simple things that can provide the largest impact on your peace of mind. Sleep late every morning, play games with the kiddos, and let the peaceful ambience of your Montana home away from home fill you with joy. Our homes will be where you make your most meaningful memories—reserve your favorite escape today!
Contact Us
Experience the charm of West Yellowstone with a stay in our inviting 2-bedroom vacation rentals, perfect for a cozy retreat, or upgrade to a spacious 3-bedroom rental, ideal for families and small groups seeking adventure and relaxation.