Rodeos

YAI
The nonprofit Yellowstone Association Institute offers field courses that provide an inside look at Yellowstone National Park. In this most remarkable outdoor setting, you gain new appreciation for the value of wild places.

Field seminars provide a closer look at specific subjects, from nature writing to wolf biology. These courses are based in locations throughout the park and taught by college professors, field biologists, and other experts.

Personal Ed-Ventures are tailored natural history tours for families and other small groups. An experienced Institute instructor will meet you at a predetermined location for a private introduction to park wildlife and ecology.

Group Programs are educational programs designed to meet the particular needs of your group. Day and overnight programs are offered throughout the Yellowstone area and taught by a variety of experienced Institute instructors.

Make yours a learning vacation with just the right mix of education and recreation.
https://www.yellowstone.org/

Gardiner http://www.gardiner-montana.com/ The Park’s only wheeled vehicle use year-around access.
https://www.visitgardinermt.com/
East Yellowstone
Livingston
Bozeman
Cooke City
Jackson Hole
Silver Gate
Island Park
West Yellowstone
Yellowstone National Park is America’s first national park. Established in 1872, it spans three states and is home to a number of natural geysers, including the famous Old Faithful. Travelers from all over the world visit Yellowstone each year, camping within the park itself or staying at any one of its surrounding towns. In proximity to the national park, these rural towns boast plenty of natural beauty.

Gardiner, Montana
Gardiner, Montana is located near the north entrance of Yellowstone. This entrance is the only one of the Park’s five main entrances that’s open year round. Situated in Paradise Valley, Gardiner has a quiet atmosphere complete with roaming deer, bison and elk. The town’s most famous landmark is the Roosevelt Arch which marks the original entrance to the park and is visible up to two miles away. Activities in Gardiner change with the seasons, but all of them have a distinctly outdoor focus.

Cooke City, Montana
Situated next to Yellowstone’s Silver Gate, Cooke City, Montana has a long mining tradition. Gold was first discovered in the area in 1870 and by 1882 the city began to take shape. There are only 100 year-round residents in Cooke City with another 300 arriving during the summer months. With so few residents and development, the town looks much as it did when miners first arrived seeking their fortunes.

Island Park, Idaho
Island Park, Idaho, situated near Yellowstone’s western border, sits atop the 23-mile diameter caldera of a prehistoric volcano. The town is a very rustic area that’s become a popular vacation spot for outdoor lovers. To house all of these visitors, there are a number of lodges and inns scattered throughout the town. Along with sharing a border with Yellowstone, Island Park is also home to its own state park, Lake Henry State Park. This park is extremely popular among fishing enthusiasts.

East Yellowstone, Wyoming
East Yellowstone, Wyoming borders the park at its east entrance. The town extends through the Wapiti Valley and Shoshone National Park before ending just to the west of the next nearest town, Cody. East Yellowstone has links to the famous cowboy Buffalo Bill Cody and has retained much of its Old West atmosphere. Like other towns bordering the park, East Yellowstone is full of scenic views. There are a wide variety of outdoor activities available to visitors, including a stay at a dude ranch.

Jackson Hole, Wyoming
Jackson Hole, Wyoming sits in a valley between the Teton Mountains. The area is protected from massive development and approximately 97 percent of Jackson Hole is public land. The town is situated between Yellowstone and Grand Teton National Parks, making it an ideal location for anyone intending to visit both areas. There’s plenty to see and do during the year for those who want to spend some quality time outdoors. Jackson Hole is a popular ski destination.

Robitaille, Joanne. “Towns Nearest to Yellowstone Park.” Travel Tips – USA Today, https://traveltips.usatoday.com/towns-nearest-yellowstone-park-54182.html. 24 October 2017.