Located at the northwest entrance of Yellowstone National Park, with just 100 full-time residents, the incongruously named Cooke City is nevertheless vibrant, friendly and buzzing with activity. A key entry point to Yellowstone National Park, Cooke City is open for business almost all year round, drawing visitors to the National Park’s many sights and attractions. In summer, visitors can access Beartooth Highway, a breathtaking driving route through the nearby Absaroka Mountains. In winter, Cooke City is popular for its array of snow sports. After a cold day on the slopes, you’ll find there is no warmer place to lift your spirits!
Areas & Neighbourhoods in Cooke City
Main Street — Main Street is Cooke City’s central hub, containing a small but charming selection of shops and places to eat. Be sure to check out the local saloon. This rustic and well-rooted establishment offers a small but excellent taste of Cooke City’s no fuss grub. It is definitely reminiscent of the wilder days of the old west.
Old Faithful — Head from Cooke City to the centre of Yellowstone National Park to witness the spectacle that is Old Faithful. Faithful by nature as well as by name, this hot geyser erupts reliably and frequently – approximately 16 times a day. For this reason it is the undoubtedly Yellowstone’s most popular geyser.
Absaroka Mountains — Forming the eastern border of Yellowstone National Park, Cooke City’s proximity to the 150-mile long Absaroka Mountain Range is another reason why so many visitors come here. The mountains offer skiing, rock climbing and mountaineering opportunities, not to mention some of the most magnificent views in Montana.
Things to See in Cooke City
The main reason for Cooke City’s continued existence is the roaring tourist trade that funnels through here into Yellowstone National Park. Take self-guided driving tours of Yellowstone’s Upper Loop, its Lower Loop or Yellowstone’s ‘little sister’, Grand Teton National Park. You’ll find endless beautiful landscapes to snap, such as the Grand Canyon of Yellowstone, one the park’s most popular attractions. 24 miles long, the gorge offers some of the most colourful and unique landscapes in the park. Yellowstone is also abundant with hot springs. Be sure to check out Steamboat – the tallest geyser in the world.
Things to Do in Cooke City
It might be surprising to learn that a place as small as Cooke City has a museum, but if that’s the case, prepare to be surprised! Cooke City Montana Museum is a charming visitor’s centre with exhibits and artefacts relating to the town’s history as a centre of gold and silver mining. It also has free WiFi, which may be handy in this remote mountain region. You could also pay a visit to Yellowstone Trading Post. Unashamedly tourist-focused, it has a broad and appealing selection of souvenirs.
