Just a short driving distance from Salt Lake City, West Yellowstone, Montana is the perfect place to catch up with friends over a three-day weekend, plan a family reunion, hold a corporate retreat, host a bachelor/bachelorette party, or even throw a birthday celebration. Minutes from Yellowstone National Park, West Yellowstone offers both exhilarating adventures and a variety of comfortable accommodations – making it the ideal place for any gathering.
Still not convinced? These five reasons will have you packed and ready to go by the end of the week. Enjoy your trip! We won’t tell you we told you so.
1) Unlimited Outdoor Adventure
180 seconds. That’s how close West Yellowstone is to the world’s first (and best) national park. With Yellowstone National Park just outside your doorstep, there’s no telling where a day might take you. Gather your family and watch Old Faithful erupt from just feet away. Hop in your car and venture around the park’s most iconic locations such as the Grand Canyon of the Yellowstone and Lamar Valley. Or grab a friend or two and trek through the mountains. When you stay in West Yellowstone, the adventures are limitless.
Exploring the South Rim Trail with a view of the Grand Canyon of the Yellowstone.
2) Just a Drive Away!
Wake up before breakfast and be there by lunch – now that’s our kind of trip! If you’re looking for an affordable getaway and a fun place to meet, consider West Yellowstone. Only five hours from Salt Lake City, West Yellowstone is just a hop, skip, and morning drive away. No expensive plane tickets. No limit on luggage. Just you, your car, and a trip to remember.
Plan a gathering at the beautiful historical Union Pacific Dining Lodge.
3) Modern Meeting Spaces
West Yellowstone may be on the border of wilderness, but that doesn’t mean you have to meet in the wild. Whether you’re searching for a place to host a dinner party or a venue for a family retreat, West Yellowstone has modern facilities that can host groups as small as 15 or as large as 1,800. Rustic. Elegant. By the water. The meeting space you’re dreaming of is here in West Yellowstone. And it’s affordable! Take a look at two of the many options, the Three Bear Lodge and Holiday Inn and Conference Center, to see just what we mean.
Bison calve in the spring.
4) Unbelievable Scenery & Wildlife
Did we mention there are mountains? And wildflowers, and valleys, and never-ending rivers, too. When you stay in West Yellowstone, you don’t have to be an adventurer to experience the scenery. It’s all around you. Sleep in, have breakfast on the patio, read a book by the water – the beauty will follow you no matter where you go.
And that goes for the wildlife, too! Take a drive through the park come spring and see bison roaming the fields, elk nurturing their young, antelope playing tag, and bear cubs rolling in the meadows. Or stay in West Yellowstone and experience grizzly bears up close at the Grizzly & Wolf Discovery Center – open all year long!
Shopping the quaint and charming boutiques in West Yellowstone.
5) One-of-a-Kind Shopping & Dining
Shopaholics and foodies welcome! Take a break from the adventure and head downtown for a true Montana experience. Visit with the locals and shop your heart out at the many boutiques, galleries, and specialty shops that line the streets or treat yourself to an unforgettable meal at one of the several restaurants serving regional specialties like elk, bison, or trout. Whatever experience you choose, you can count on it being memorable and one of a kind.