West Yellowstone was fun in the 70s but changed a lot after that. I love Gallatin Canyon, have skied at Big Sky, Bridger Bowl, and after loooong drives, Red Lodge. Many a fun nights in Gardiner also. Spent one of the craziest New Years of my life at Buck's T4 by Big Sky. Mission Mountain Wood Band (RIP) was playing and Bob Dylan played during an intermission. Great times in Montana.

 

Dylan played at Buck's T4?!?!?

Well, it's a little different now. Still an awesome steak to be had that the T4. Another fun place in that part of the canyon is the Half Moon.

West has become a shell of what it once was. Tourists like it as it is full of tourist schlock. Nowadays its full of tweakers, Parkies, and illegals.

But, hey, if you're ever back here skiing.....try the Black Bear up in Big Sky mountain village; the Filling Station in Bozeman (on the road back from Bridger--popular with biekrs, too); and the Snow Creek in Red Lodge.

 

Can anyone recommend a nice ($100.00 a night) place to stay in Gardiner? I did a search and found either too expensive or reviews of dives...a little help would be welcome.
Not a hijack, I just know many people search "Yellowstone", myself included. I need all the info I can get, sounds like our plan to stay in West Yellowstone may have changed.

 

A buddy and I are planning on leaving east coast in early June - headed your way. Any good (or bad ones to stay away from) campgrounds on a route that includes Sturgis, Gillette, Cody, Red Lodge, Yellowstone, Tetons, Salt Lake?

Your help and knowledge is greatly appreciated. Any pointers you can offer as far as things to definitely hit and those to avoid? I'm doing a lot of reading but local advice is always best. Thanks pal.

 

I guess I could just start a thread called "Yellowstone Trip advice from a Local"

Gardiner.....define "nice". Are you looking for affordable or comfortable, or even ample. Most of the places in Gardiner are AAA-rated type of places: clean and adequately comfortable.

But up the canyon and into Paradise Valley, there are all kinds of "nice" places.

Clarify "nice" and I can help you further.

West Yellowstone is a dump. Good for a gas stop. I wouldn't eat there, though, unless the food came wrapped in plastic. Seriously.

Gardiner is more authentically Montana. It has character and color, while being tourist-friendly. And it is in a beautiful spot.


You want to camp between Sturgis and Cody? Why? That is an easy trip. Oh, well. I'd suggest any of the Forest Service campgrounds in the Bighorns. I like the one on Clear Creek (nice fishing, too!). Stop at the USFS ranger station in Buffalo before going up. Gillette is a big mining town in the high, dry plains. If you had some image of idyllic Wyoming in mind, it ain't Gillette. That said, it is a nice enough town, that can cater to anything you need.

Again, at Red Lodge, lots of FS campgrounds in the area, within 10 minutes of town. There is a USFS ranger station just on the south edge of town that can help you. I like the FS campgrounds off the road that heads west from town and up into the Beartooths. (Good fishing there, too!).

There are also campgrounds off the Beartooth Hwy on the Wyoming side.

But maybe you like "plush"campgrounds, like KOAs. I like 'em simple.

From YNP towards Salt Lake. Well, you have options in routes. If you go south out of YNP into GTNP, there are great campgrounds in GTNP, but the further south you go in the park, the tougher it will be to find a spot (or get a reservation). The northernmost campground is great, though. Right on Jackson Lake, and still a great view of the Tetons. Some private campgrounds if you head east out of Moran Junction just outside the Park.

Or go east out of YNP at West Yellowstone. Continue into Idaho and you'll find lots of private campgrounds between Island Park and the Fork.

 

Try the Pioneer Motel. Its located a block off of the main road thru West Yellowstone. I have stayed there twice and its old but nice, clean and cheap. the parking is right outside of your room and its a short walk into town, (No DUI). And there is a great restaurant across the street for breakfast.

 

What is all this about W Yellowstone. I have been going through there for 30 yrs and I like that town. If your coming from Utah and want to see the park it is the best way in. I am not afraid of drunks and I have been one a couple of times, I don't care how other people are ruining their lives and I live in Utah if I have a problem with illegals, I would not be able to leave my house. W Yellowstone has everything from small Mom&pop motels to three Best Westerns but they fill up in the summer so get there early. Enjoy the park and stop at every bubling mud pit and all. Go out the NE gate toward Cooke City (Hwy 212) and go over Bear Tooth to Red Lodge on the way you wiil see the turn off for Chief Joseph trail (Hwy 296). I have been over Bear Tooth in a T-shirt and I have been snowed on in July. When your leave Red Lodge in the morning just go right back over Bear Tooth it is completely different in the other direction. But this time turn south on Cheif Joseph trail down to Cody. The best advice you have gotten so far is don't miss the Buffalo Bill Historical Center in Cody and plan on being in there for a while it is incredible. If you are camping with a spouse or a group there are nice KOAs everywhere, get a KOA card and it is 10% off. Plan for weather and enjoy the ride, Happy Trails

 

Road that area and those roads this summer. Unbelievable to say the least. And Bucks T4 is Kick*ss

 

Most tourists don't have a problem with West Yellowstone.

But for locals, who know the dark underbelly......I'll stay away. I go down to West for Ski Week in November, but that's about it. I'll go *through* West to get into the Park, but I's rather eat in Big Sky. (better food up there anyway)

The crime in West is nasty. Big meth hub, and all the lovely things that go with that. The era of the mom-n-pop park-town motels is almost gone.

None of the other Yellowstone "gateway" towns have the issues of West. Cody, Jackson, Bozeman, Big Sky, Ennis, Gardiner, Red Lodge, and Livingston are all great towns. Cooke City is a stoner's paradise full of new millennium hippies growing their own. But at least that keeps them pretty mellow

 

Buck's T4 does kick ***. Best steak for miles.

The Half Moon (right near the T4) ain't bad either.