Yellowstone via the North Entrance: Gardiner, Mammoth and More
The girls made a trip to Yellowstone this week. Since the West Entrance doesn’t open for another week or so their mission was to explore what the North had to offer in April.
April is the middle of shoulder season in Montana and the greater Yellowstone area, but locals know it can be one of the best times of year. Shoulder season means milder weather and less visitors in the park. The last winter has been unseasonably warm, bringing in an early spring.
The day started off at the Explore Rentals office, Blue was hoping to join in on the fun.
Livingston is one of out favorite hidden gems! Right at the mouth of Paradise Valley, you can find good eats, entertainment, shopping and more. This Montana town certainly has it’s own unique charm.
The drive through Paradise Valley between Livingston and Gardiner is truly beautiful. Paradise Valley sits between the Absaroka mountain range and the Gallatin range. It’s known for its stunning mountain landscape, hot springs, and fly fishing access. Highway 89 follows the Yellowstone River all the way from Livingston to Gardiner.
We stopped at Cowboy’s Lodge and Grille for a bite to eat and we were not disappointed. The food was great and the vibes were even better. We especially loved the giant cowboy boot by the entrance!
*The American Flag toothpick became a feature in many of the photos later in the day
At the southernmost end of Gardiner you will find Yellowstone’s North entrance, marked by Roosevelt’s Arch. The top of the arch reads “For the benefit and enjoyment of the people”.
The entrance fee for the park is $35 and the pass is valid for one week. From December to mid April the only part of the road that remains open is the section between Mammoth and Cooke City. However it does provide access to upper Mammoth and Lamar Valley.
A short drive down the road from Gardiner is Mammoth. It serves as the headquarters for the park and is full of history as well as geothermal activity.
Geothermal Terraces!
We continued down Grand Loop Road towards Lamar Valley.
On the way we hit a buffalo traffic jam, which is a common occurrence in Yellowstone.
We spotted more bison along the way and we stopped to check out Undine Falls.
Finally we were able to stop and set up the Spotting scope to get a better look at the valley.