Travel Reference
In-Depth Information
free of charge at the BLM Carbella and Paradise fishing access areas, but the limited and
primitive sites get snapped up quickly. All other access areas are day-use only.
Paradise Valley has some of the best
cycling
in the Yellowstone region. The paved East
River Rd from the junction with Hwy 89 to Chico Rd and Chico Hot Springs is a scenic
and smooth ride of 24 miles. For something more suited to fat tires, try the 17-mile gravel
Gardiner Back Rd between Gardiner and Tom Miner Rd. This route starts from just be-
hind the Yellowstone Heritage and Research Center and follows the old railroad bed and
stagecoach road to take you past the Devil's Slide, the narrows of Yankee Jim Canyon and
several primitive camping spots. To shorten the ride, turn off at Corwin Springs after 8
miles. Combine these routes, and you'll get a complete traverse of the valley.
Bearpaw Outfitters
( 406-222-6642;
www.bearpawoutfittersmt.com
; 136 Deep Creek Rd)
This operation,
8 miles south of Livingston, organizes horse-pack trips in the Absaroka-Beartooth Wilder-
ness (half day $90) and day rides in Yellowstone Park (from $160), plus fly-fishing in Yel-
lowstone's Slough Creek.
HORSE TRIPS
Sleeping
There are several campgrounds (sites $14) in the Paradise Valley. About 4 miles south of
Livingston on East River Rd, Luccock Park Rd heads 3 miles east to 25-site
Pine Creek
Campground
, with pit toilets, water and hiker/cyclist sites. Both this and the 10-site
Snowbank Campground
, 17 miles south down Mill Creek Rd, serve as springboards to
local hikes and are open May to September. (Snowbank closes first, early in September.)
Call the
Livingston Ranger District
( 406-222-1892;
www.fs.fed.us/r1/gallatin
)
for
information. Both are reservable through
Recreation.gov
(
877-444-6777;
The roadside, 18-site
Canyon Campground
(sites $7)
in Yankee Jim Canyon, 16 miles
from Yellowstone, is waterless but does have picnic tables, fire rings and an accessible
toilet. It's open year-round
For a cheaper, less-known option than the pricier ranches, the USFS operates the year-
round
Big Creek Cabin
(cabin $50).
The cabin sleeps 10 and is set a half-mile from the
ranch in the Gallatin National Forest. There's also
Mill Creek Cabin
(cabin $45)
, which
sleeps four, on the east side of the valley 12 miles up E Mill Creek Rd, near Snowbank
Campground. It has an electric stove and lights but no mattresses. Reserve either from six
months to three days in advance at
Recreation.gov
(
877-444-6777;
