Situated in Montana’s wild Paradise Valley, the small town of Gardiner (population: 900) serves as the northern gateway to Yellowstone National Park. And while Gardiner may be the park’s only open entrance in winter, the Yellowstone traffic hits in the summer season, when Gardiner’s streets fill and lines for the town’s 10 or so restaurants wrap around the block. Of course, things to do in Gardiner aren’t limited to Yellowstone, and those who venture beyond park boundaries will indeed find a “paradise” worth exploring.
Come summer, many of Yellowstone’s roughly 5 million visitors descend upon Gardiner, turning the 900-person town into a veritable metropolis; for that reason, it can be difficult to find parking and lodging. In winter, even though Gardiner is the park’s only open entrance, it’s much quieter, mostly buzzing with locals and tourists looking for snow-packed adventures. Avoid the worst of the crowds by visiting outside the busy summer season, and don’t overlook adventures in the nearby Custer Gallatin National Forest and the Absaroka-Beartooth Wilderness.
At 2.2 million acres, Yellowstone is massive. When you add in the town of Gardiner and the surrounding national forest, the best way to get around is by car—and that’s how most visitors explore this area. That being said, Gardiner is quite small: You could theoretically get around town on foot and book various tours and shuttles to explore. Rideshare services, like Uber and Lyft, are not available.
To avoid lining up at one of Gardiner’s restaurants in summer, get your food to-go (call in advance) or swing by somewhere like the Gardiner Market or Grizzly Grille (a food truck). From there, take your eats to one of the town’s picnic areas: The pavilion in Arch Park, the La Duke Picnic Area, and the Cinnabar Picnic Area all have great views. The former gets you views of the Roosevelt Arch, while the latter two overlook the Yellowstone River.
