Things to do in Yellowstone

There are two safe (and legal) options for entering the scenic waters of Yellowstone National Park. Hot springs at the Boiling River near Mammoth provide an opportunity for a relaxing soak. There you can arrange boulders to mix cool river water to adjust the temperature to your liking.

The Firehole River Swim Area provides a swimming experience the whole family will enjoy, surrounded by evergreens.

Tour the Museum of the Yellowstone and add an educational component to your stay. Museum tickets are good for two days, and the museum offers free guided tours of the Yellowstone Historic District.

Adrenaline seekers test their mental and physical balance against high flying obstacles at Zipline Adventure Park. Those who enjoy a less demanding but equally exciting experience visit Grizzly & Wolf Discovery Center for year-round face time with Yellowstone National Park’s apex predators. 

Would you like to stretch your legs and take in the wilds of Yellowstone National Park? Walk across Yellowstone Avenue to the head of Riverside Ski Trail. According to the National Park Service—and the stories of our guests—bison and elk frequent the area. Be sure to maintain at least 100 yards (91 meters) distance between them or any other animals you encounter in the park.

Other nearby hikes provide increasing lengths and difficulties, from casual day trips to a multiple overnight adventures.

West Yellowstone is home to unique galleries, boutiques, and trading posts. The Yellowstone Trading Post Gift Shop, located next door inside the Yellowstone Giant Screen Theatre, offers everything from apparel to unique, handmade collectibles from artisans far and wide. 

Your next meal is a short walk from your home at Buffalo Crossing, and with twenty restaurants, cafes, and lounges, West Yellowstone provides dining options for all tastes and budgets.

In addition to showing the latest Hollywood blockbuster, the Yellowstone Giant Screen Theatre offers a rare educational opportunity next door to Buffalo Crossing. Through the film “Yellowstone” and displays located in the lobby, visitors can see the true Yellowstone as it is today and as it was a hundred and 100,000 years ago.

Dubbed a world-class hub for cycling, West Yellowstone offers winding roadways and trails to suit mountain and road bikers alike. Visit in early spring when roads are clear—and Yellowstone is closed to automobiles—to ride the National Park’s highways without traffic, or join one of many yearly cycling events.