Whether used just as a quick stopover for supplies and a good meal or treated as a main attraction on their own, the gateway towns to Yellowstone and Grand Teton play a vital role. Five Guide chapters are dedicated to detailing everything there is to see and do in each of them.
Jackson, Wyoming
The region’s most cosmopolitan city, Jackson plays host to high-end hotels, art galleries and large chunk of Wyoming’s finest restaurants. But while Teton County boasts some of the most expensive real estate in the country, there’s still plenty for the average visitor to see and do. Along with reviews on the best places to eat and sleep both in town and in nearby Teton Village, the Guide includes descriptions of the National Museum of Wildlife Art, National Elk Refuge, and downtown’s Jackson Hole Museum. There’s also in-depth looks at the many outdoor activities on offer, from skiing and snowboarding at the renowned Jackson Hole Mountain Resort or laid-back Grand Targhee Resort, to fly-fishing Flat Creek and mountain biking from the Cache Creek Trailhead.
West Yellowstone, Montana
The commercialized core of West Yellowstone can’t claim to be the prettiest spot in the region, but it’s an undeniably handy place on Yellowstone’s western border. Along with reviews of West Yellowstone’s family friendly inns and motels, the Guide covers the best places for a filling meal and to stock up on fishing and camping gear. Learn all about the town’s attractions – particularly the Grizzly and Wolf Discover Center, Yellowstone Historic Center and nearby Quake Lake – plus the superb fly-fishing, cross-country skiing and, especially, snowmobiling to be had in the area. Also included in the chapter is beautiful Big Sky to the north, home to the massive Big Sky ski resort plus intense whitewater rafting on the Gallatin River.
Gardiner, Montana
Friendly Gardiner sits due north of Yellowstone. The Guide will help you decided if the town’s laidback vibe is right for you and, if so, where to grab a meal and bed for the night. Read all about the recently opened Yellowstone Heritage and Research Center, along with the highlights of the beautiful Paradise Valley stretching out to the north of town along the Yellowstone River.
Cooke City, Montana
The most isolated of the gateway towns, Cooke City is also the smallest. The reviews of the best places to stay and eat both here and in smaller Silver Gate nearby will get you settled, while the sections on the thrilling Beartooth Highway and rugged Absaroka-Bearthooth Wilderness surrounding the town will get you back on your feet. Outdoor options detailed in the area include hiking, snowmobiling and backcountry skiing.
Cody, Wyoming
Yellowstone’s eastern gateway, Cody – named after William “Buffalo Bill” Cody – retains an authentic Western vibe. It’s a bustling place, particularly in the summer high season, and with the Guide in hand you can be sure of picking the top hotels and restaurants. The town’s Buffalo Bill Historical Center is an essential stop, and the Guide breaks down its five individual museums in detail. Also worth a visit is the Historic Trail Town, plus the nightly rodeo. Driving tours of both the Wapiti Valley to the west en route to Yellowstone and the Chief Joseph Scenic Byway to the north are included in the chapter.