Spring hits differently in West Yellowstone as winter lingers in the early part and the promise of a beautiful sunny day is celebrated later on in the season, generally with the first sightings of baby animals serving as a harbinger that spring has officially sprung! Offering fields blanketed with snow and meadows filled with the colorful beauty of wildflowers, this is a season of contrasts and all you have to decide is which version of spring you prefer. We at Sweet Home Montana have created this guide to the best outdoor spring activities in West Yellowstone which will paint a picture of a vacation that you will never forget, especially when you come home to our seasonal sanctuaries every night of your stay.
Wildlife Adventures
In the early part of spring, March and early April, the babies won’t be out as of yet, but it can still be fun figuring out to whom the tracks you see in the snow belong. Hiking is a great way to get out and explore and although you won’t need to practice your new snowshoeing skills, there will be snow and if you are out early enough you may catch sight of the tracks of the shyer animals, such as cougar, bobcats, lynx, and badgers. In the late spring, however, April and May, the chances of seeing all manner of baby animals are indeed excellent and can include bear cubs, baby bison, and elk, simply by driving through the area or maybe even during your hikes. Just remember to view from a distance and no matter how adorable the babies are, their mamas are that much more protective and they will not be happy if you appear to be threatening their children, even if you aren’t trying to be threatening. Stay further back and use the telephoto lens on your camera to get the close ups you crave.
Mush Puppies
No, we didn’t make a typo there, we really did mean mush as dog sledding is a popular activity in the area in March. Yellowstone Dog Sled Adventures, 406-223-5134, is going to be the closest to your Home Sweet Montana spring sanctuary, offering 2.5-hour dog sledding trips (Learn to Mush) through April 1st. Anyone over 120 pounds can drive their own sled, and a heated base camp, campfire, snacks, and hot beverages will add to your joy in this adventure, but of course, nothing will excite you more than the beautiful furry puppies who will be leading you through the snow! Also offering a Dog Sled Immersive Experience that you can add on to your tour for an additional fee, participants will get to enjoy a hands on experience with the fur babies, learning about their food, how to harness and unharness them, and the tricks of the trade on how to handle them.
Take Pretty Pictures
Once you arrive, you will see how we downplayed that sentence there, as the pictures you take will be thrilling, stunning, extraordinary, and far more than just pretty. It will be impossible to take bad pictures, even with just a phone camera, so if you don’t have a fancy camera with all the bells and whistles, that’s ok, the pictures you take will still be frame worthy whether you are standing at the lookout spot that overlooks Gibbon Falls (which will be spectacularly swollen with water from the snow melt) or you simply pulled over on the side of the road to capture that shot of mama and baby bison strolling down the street together. Another popular spot, the Horse Butte Overlook, offers panoramic views of the Gallatin Mountain Range that surrounds you and Hebgen Lake, which leads us to our next outdoor spring adventure.
Fishing at Hebgen Lake
Although summer is primarily thought of as prime fishing season, after the ice melts on Hebgen Lake in the spring is an awesome time to catch some trout, especially as they will be really hungry after lying low through the window. Fly fishing for trout is legendary at this wonderful lake and fishermen and women make their way to the shores from all over the world to catch their limit. And when you catch yours, bringing your catch home to cook on the grill in the backyard of your seasonal escape, adding an extra element of wonderful to your outdoor experiences during your spring shenanigans in West Yellowstone!
Savor the Sunset
After spending your daylight hours exploring the grandeur of Mother Nature during your West Yellowstone trip of a lifetime, coming home to Sweet Home Montana will give you more ways to enjoy her bounty. Watching the sun set over the mountains from comfy chairs on the back deck can also bring more wildlife adventures as timid animals step from the safety of the tree line, perhaps with babies in tow. Reserve your favorite escape today!
