Travel Reference
In-Depth Information
Key to the Approach Roads
The Gallatin Canyon opens out a few miles north of the park boundary.
This entrance gives geyser enthusiasts the closest access to the unique geysers and hot
springs in the western half of the park. It's about 90 miles (145 km) from Bozeman to the West
Entrance; then 30 miles (48 km) farther to Upper Geyser Basin in Old Faithful Village, or 27
miles (43 km) to Norris Geyser Basin.
Besides U.S. 191 from Bozeman, you can reach the West Entrance from the northwest (on
U.S. 287) and from the southwest (on U.S. 20 and Interstate 15). Montana towns northwest of
the park include two where vacationers might want to linger, Ennis and Virginia City. Ennis is
a center for trout fishing, and Virginia City and Alder Gulch were famous for gold mining in
the nineteenth century. In Virginia City, the capital of the Territory of Montana from 1865 to
1876, you can visit several restored historical buildings. The town boasts two small museums
and performances all summer in an opera house and a former brewery.
A little known but beautiful area that is easily reached from West Yellowstone or from
Ashton, Idaho, stretches from Big Springs, Idaho, down U.S. Highway 20 and Idaho 47 to the
two Mesa waterfalls and into the water-rich Bechler Region. These sights are described on
Idaho towns somewhat farther from Yellowstone but with lodgings and other visitor facil-
ities include Rexburg and St. Anthony on U.S. 20, and Idaho Falls and Pocatello on Interstate
15. While the latter two are served by major airlines and car rental companies and have many
accommodations, both of these towns of more than 50,000 people exceed 100 miles (160 km)
from Yellowstone's West Entrance.
