Montana’s springboard into Yellowstone National Park, Gardiner is a small but pretty mountain village located on the Yellowstone River in the south of the state. With around just 900 residents, the local economy relies mostly on the tourist trade, but visitors will find the hospitality from the locals unfailingly warm. You’ll find all you need here to stock up before you venture into Yellowstone National Park to see the sights. The village also has some of some of its own attractions, including the rustic Roosevelt Arch (which marks the entry into Yellowstone) and a number of quirky ‘old town’ shops and establishments that make this special location charmingly memorable.
Areas & Neighbourhoods in Gardiner
Main Street — It has to be said, there aren’t many streets in Gardiner, but Main Street is the one to visit if you need anything! Packed with the small town charm that makes this busy mountain village so unique, it has over 30 bars, restaurants and shops, making it is very well stocked for its size.
Yellowstone River — To see the west at its wildest, without even entering Yellowstone National Park, take a white water rafting trip on the Yellowstone river. Gardiner’s professional guides will ensure you enjoy yourself and you can rest assured – they always put safety first.
Boiling River — One of the only places in Yellowstone National Park where you can swim, Boiling River is a hot spring which mixes with the cool waters of the Gardiner river to create a temperate hot tub effect along the river’s banks. Better yet, it is just inside the north entrance to the National Park, meaning it is practically on Gardiner’s doorstep.
Norris Geyser Basin — Home to the tallest geyser in the world, Steamboat, the Norris Geyser Basin is a must-see. As well as Steamboat, its main attraction, the area also boasts some beautiful thermal formations and its own museum, where you can learn all about these ancient, active geothermal vents.
Things to See in Gardiner
Explore Yellowstone at your own pace with a self-guided tour of the park’s Lower Loop, which sets off from Gardiner and takes you through some tremendous landscapes. You’ll pass through the famous Roosevelt Arch, which marks the northern entrance to the National Park. It’s worth stopping here to take a photograph. What’s more, steaming vents come in abundance in this heart-stoppingly beautiful region of the world. These are perfect for a distinctive holiday snap – just be careful not to get too close!
Things to Do in Gardiner
Open all year round, Gardiner guarantees natural beauty whenever you choose to visit. Take a self-guided driving tour of Yellowstone’s pretty Upper Loop, experience some of Gardiner’s adventure sports, or just get out on foot in Yellowstone. Fishing is a popular pastime here too, and this gentle activity is perfectly in keeping with Montana’s tranquil surrounds. Pay a visit to Gardiner’s historic but fully functioning angling store, which offers not just equipment but insider knowledge about the best places to cast your line.
