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Old Faithful Inn1

The community of West Yellowstone, Montana, marks the West Entrance to Yellowstone National Park. The main draw to this area of Yellowstone is snowmobiling, and with the trail system that begins right in town, the activity could not be more convenient. Accommodations near Yellowstone's West Entrance are also handy for visitors wishing to explore the Yellowstone Historic Center in West Yellowstone, which delves into park history and features the Oregon Short Line Historic District railroad and buildings. The gamut of geothermal wonders for which Yellowstone is famous is showcased at Fountain Paint Pot and the Upper and Lower geyser basins, must-see visitor attractions near the West Entrance. With stunning log architecture, rich heritage and easy access to the Upper Geyser Basin, Old Faithful Inn is always a popular accommodation and tourist destination. Visitors coming through the West Entrance should keep their eyes peeled for Trumpeter Swans, the largest waterfowl in the world, as they are often spotted near Seven-Mile Bridge halfway between the West Entrance and Madison.

	Yellowstone to... Distance Est. Time* Boise, ID 387 mi (623 km) 6 hr Butte, MT 162 mi (261 km) 2 hr 45 min Idaho Falls, ID 109 mi (175 km) 2 hr Missoula, MT 281 mi (452 km) 4 hr 30 min Pocatello, ID 158 mi (255 km) 2 hr 45 min Rexburg, ID 83 mi (133 km) 1 hr 30 min St. Anthony, ID 69 mi (111 km) 1 hr 15 min
	Yellowstone Distance Table (*Estimated driving time)

ACCESS

The West Entrance is frequently accessed from Butte, roughly 165 mi (266 km) away, and Missoula, roughly 280 mi (451 km) away, via I-90 to a trail of smaller U.S. or State routes that lead to U.S. Route 20, the entrance road to the park. This entrance also receives vehicle-transit visitors from Idaho, as it can be accessed directly from Idaho Falls, Rexburg and St. Anthony via U.S. Route 20, a scenic path that travels through Caribou-Targhee National Forest. From Pocatello, I-15 connects to U.S. Route 20. Idaho Falls Regional Airport is located 110 mi (177 km) from the park and is served by major airlines.

Snowmobilers by the West Entrance2

ATTRACTIONS

Snowmobiling and Winter Sports
Considered by many to be one of the best snowmobiling areas in the world, West Yellowstone attracts scores of visitors for the snowmobile season, which spans from roughly the third week of December to the end of March. West Yellowstone offers access to 180 mi (290 km) of groomed trails inside Yellowstone Park and 400 mi (644 km) outside. Snowmobilers can legally drive on most streets and alleys in West Yellowstone, offering visitors the convenience of departing right from the hotel. Each March the town hosts the World Snowmobile Expo, featuring different snowmobile events for each day of the expo, including snowcross and drag races. Accommodations at Old Faithful are also a popular starting point for many snowy adventures, including snow coach tours, skiing trips and snowshoeing, and guides are readily available from the Lodge.

	Museum at Yellowstone Historic Center3

Yellowstone Historic Center
Plotted amidst the 10-acre (4-ha) Oregon Short Line Terminus that introduced train service to Yellowstone National Park in 1908, Yellowstone Historic Center offers the ideal backdrop for learning about the park's travel history. See the eight historic buildings that make up the Oregon Short Line Terminus Historic District, including the depot, the generator room, the oil house, the men's dorm and the dining lodge. Each summer the center offers a new seasonal display related to Yellowstone National Park and the surrounding area. Permanent displays illuminate the history of the Union Pacific Railroad, the fires of 1988 and the earthquake of 1959, and also provide a general overview of the park's past. Adventure and documentary videos about Yellowstone and the surrounding area are shown in the theater, and visitors should inquire about special programs at the front desk.

Castle Geyser4

Old Faithful Geyser and the Upper Geyser Basin
The Upper Geyser Basin is home to the largest concentration of geysers in the world. Old Faithful Geyser, located adjacent to the Old Faithful Inn, erupts roughly every 70 to 90 minutes, blasting water up to 184 ft (56 m) into the air. Since the park's inception in 1872, the geyser has erupted over a million times. Several smaller geysers are also worth checking out, including Castle Geyser, which boasts the largest cone and may be the oldest geyser in the basin; and the relatively young Plume Geyser, which erupts roughly every 20 minutes and can send water soaring up to 25 ft (8 m). In addition to geyers, the area is dotted with vibrantly colored pools and hot springs, excellent fodder for photographs.

	Fountatin Paint Pot5

Fountain Paint Pot and Great Fountain Geyser
The Lower Geyser Basin, Yellowstone's largest geyser basin in terms of area, is home to Great Fountain Geyser, the only predicted geyser in Yellowstone that can be accessed via car. Predictions are posted at the Old Faithful Visitor Center and are usually acurate within an hour or two. The interval between eruptions ranges from nine to 15 hours, with erruptions lasting roughly one hour and blasting water up to 220 ft (67 m) into the air. Fountain Paint Pot Nature Trail is another popular attraction in the Lower Geyser Basin, as it allows visitors to experience all four types of thermal phenomenon found at Yellowstone—geysers, steam vents, hot springs and mud or paint pots—without traveling a great distance. The bubbling pots can be viewed by foot along the boardwalk trail or by car via the 3-mi (5-km) Firehole Lake Drive. Be sure to visit Clepsydra Geyser, which splashes out water from several vents almost without pause.


ACCOMMODATIONS

In-Park Accommodations

Madison Campground
Madison Campground is situated 14 mi (23 km) east of the West Entrance, 16 mi (26 km) north of Old Faithful Inn. Although dining is not available on site, dining options are offered at the nearby Old Faithful Inn. Amenities featured at this campground include a sanitary dump station, although showers and utility hook-ups are not available.

Old Faithful Inn Lobby6

Old Faithful Inn
With National Historic Landmark status, impressive log architecture and a massive stone fireplace, it's no wonder Old Faithful Inn is the most requested accommodation in Yellowstone Park. The lodge's position adjacent to Old Faithful Geyser, the most famous geyser in America, is another draw to the inn. The lobby of the 1904 structure is a sight to behold, as its massive log beams and open, vaulted-ceiling design dwarf all those who enter. The inn also boasts a full-service restaurant, a gift shop, a deli and interpretive tours. Situated in the southwestern portion of the park, the inn can be easily accessed by both the West and South entrances. In the winter, the Old Faithful Snow Lodge & Cabins is one of the only two accommodations remaining open.

Out-of-Park Accommodations
West Yellowstone, conveniently located right at the West Entrance to the park, has a bounty of campgrounds with various amenities, some of which also offer cabin rentals. Chain hotels, vacation rentals and lodges are also located in West Yellowstone, offering something for every traveler. Rexburg, roughly an hour-and-a-half drive away, and Idaho Falls, roughly a two-hour drive away, are Idaho cities that offer several hotel accommodations. Although much less convenient to Yellowstone's attractions because of the lengthy driving distance, both Butte and Missoula feature many well-known chain hotels and accommodations to suit a range of budgets.

Buffalo Grazing Near Madison River7

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PHOTO COURTESY

1. National Park Service; Old Faithful Inn; WY, USA
2. National Park Service; Snowmobilers by the West Entrance; West Yellowstone, MT, USA
3. Museum at Yellowstone Historic Center; West Yellowstone, MT, USA
4. National Park Service; Castle Geyser; WY, USA
5. National Park Service; Fountain Paint Pot; WY, USA
6. National Park Service; Old Faithful Inn Lobby; WY, USA
7. National Park Service; Buffalo Grazing Near Madison River; WY, USA