Red Lodge is an authentic Western mountain town in Montana, near the Beartooth Highway. Besides serving as a gateway to Yellowstone Park, it’s close to the Absaroka-Beartooth Wilderness, where you can explore 10,000-ft-tall peaks, alpine lakes, glaciers, and waterfalls.
As a well-traveled town, Red Lodge has many bars, restaurants, live music venues, galleries, and museums. Check out the Yellowstone Wildlife Sanctuary, a tranquil area with an abundance of native wildlife. The Carbon County Museum is a great place to visit to learn about the town's history.
Is there a town nearYellowstone Park where can stay, approx 30 minute drive to Yellowstone Park? Thanks
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BlueBirdDay
Naples, Florida
Destination Expert
for Grand Teton National Park, Naples
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1. Re: Nearest town to stay outside Yellowstone Park
7 years ago
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The Gateway Towns would beWest Yellowstone MT from the west, Gardiner, MT from the N and Cooke City from the NE.
Jackson is 1.5 hours from the South entrance, Cody is 1 hour West of the East entrance.
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crystaldeatherage
Clovis, California
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2. Re: Nearest town to stay outside Yellowstone Park
7 years ago
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If you are seeking accommodations and see on-line that there are no vacancies, many of us suggest you call Xanterra several times a day for possible availability. There are other posters on here picking up rooms for June and July right now. Many times a vacancy hasn't made it to the computer, but by calling you can get a reservation. You often don't save money staying at the gateway towns and YNP has an assortment of rooms/cabins in all price ranges.
Good Luck!
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askalocalyokel
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3. Re: Nearest town to stay outside Yellowstone Park
7 years ago
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Jackson is 60 miles south of the south entrance. Cody is 50 miles east of the east entrance. Gardiner and Cooke City are close to the north and northeast entrances, but are a long drive to the south end of the park. West Yellowstone is located right on the western boundary and will put you in a central location to best access the major attractions.
North Entrance - Near the gateway community of Gardiner, MT, the North Entrance is the only park entrance open to wheeled vehicles all year. November through April, the North Entrance provides the only access to Cooke City, MT. Beyond Cooke City the road is closed to wheeled vehicles November through April. The road from Mammoth to Norris is open to wheeled vehicles from the third friday in April through the first sunday in November, and to tracked oversnow vehicles from the third wednesday in December to monday of the first full week in March. Services are available year around.
West Entrance - Adjacent to the town of West Yellowstone, MT, the West Entrance is open to wheeled vehicles from the third friday in April through the first sunday in November, and to tracked oversnow vehicles from the third wednesday in December to monday of the second full week in March. Services are available yar around.
South & East Entrances - Open to wheeled vehicles from the firt Friday of May through the first Sunday in November, and to tracked oversnow vehicles from the third wednesday in December to monday of the second full week in March. Limited services are available near the South & East Entrances. See our Road Construction Page for information about possible delays.
Northeast Entrance - Near the gateway community of Cooke City, MT, this entrance is open year around for wheeled vehicle access to Cooke City through Gardiner, MT and the North Entrance. Opening dates for roads east of Cooke City vary from year to year, depending on the weather. The Beartooth Highway is open from friday of Memorial Weekend to 8:00 am on the day following Columbus Day. Storms occasionally temporarily close the Beartooth Highway during this "open" period. Services are available year around.
Airline and Bus Transportation
Commercial airlines serve the following airports near Yellowstone National Park all year: Cody and Jackson, WY; Bozeman and Billings, MT, and Idaho Falls, ID. The West Yellowstone, MT airport is serviced from June to early September.
Bus service from Bozeman, MT to West Yellowstone, MT via Highway 191 is available all year. Bus service directly from Idaho to West Yellowstone is limited to the summer months. Commercial transportation from Bozeman, MT to Gardiner, MT is available during the winter and summer seasons. Commercial transportation to the park from Cody and Jackson, WY is available during the summer season.