West Yellowstone, Montana

West Yellowstone, Montana
Name	West Yellowstone
Settlement type	Town
Pushpin label	West Yellowstone
Subdivision type	Country
Subdivision name	United States
Subdivision type1	State
Subdivision name1	Montana
Subdivision type2	County
Subdivision name2	Gallatin County
Established title	Founded
Established date	1908
Government type	Mayor-Council
Leader title	Mayor
Leader name	Jerry Johnson
Area total km2	2.11
Area land km2	2.11
Area water km2	0.00
Elevation m	2031
Elevation ft	6663
Population as of	2020
Population total	1212
Population density km2	574.4
Timezone	Mountain (MST)
Utc offset	-7
Timezone DST	MDT
Utc offset DST	-6
Postal code type	ZIP Code
Postal code	59758
Area code	406
Blank name	FIPS code
Blank info	30-79075
Blank1 name	GNIS feature ID
Blank1 info	0778408
Website	www.westyellowstonechamber.com

West Yellowstone, Montana. West Yellowstone is a town in Gallatin County, Montana, United States, situated adjacent to the western boundary of Yellowstone National Park. It serves as a primary gateway community for visitors to the park, with its economy almost entirely centered on tourism. The town is known for its proximity to iconic geothermal features like Old Faithful and the Grand Canyon of the Yellowstone.

History

The town's origins are directly tied to the development of rail access to Yellowstone National Park. The Union Pacific Railroad extended its Oregon Short Line to the park's western border, establishing the terminus station of Yellowstone Branch here in 1907. The settlement, originally known as **Riverside** and later **Yellowstone**, was formally platted by the railroad's subsidiary, the Yellowstone Park Company. It was incorporated in 1908, with the U.S. Post Office adopting the name West Yellowstone in 1920 to avoid confusion. Early visitors, including figures like Theodore Roosevelt, arrived by train before touring the park via stagecoach or later, automobiles. The historic Union Pacific Railroad Depot, built in 1909-1910, remains a central landmark and now houses the Yellowstone Historic Center.

Geography

According to the United States Census Bureau, the town has a total area of 0.81 square miles, all land. It is located at an elevation of approximately 6,667 feet on the Madison Plateau, just outside the Continental Divide. The town is surrounded by the Gallatin National Forest and lies within close proximity to the Hebgen Lake earthquake area, site of the major 1959 Hebgen Lake earthquake. The region is part of the Greater Yellowstone Ecosystem, one of the largest nearly intact temperate-zone ecosystems on Earth. The primary drainage is the Madison River, which originates in the park near Madison Junction.

Demographics

As of the 2020 United States Census, the population was 1,212. The population is highly seasonal, swelling significantly during the summer tourist season and again during the winter for snowmobile and ski tourism. The Census Bureau's American Community Survey data indicates a median age lower than the national average, reflecting a workforce largely employed in hospitality. The racial makeup is predominantly White, with small percentages of other groups including Native American and Hispanic or Latino residents. Housing units are a mix of permanent residences and numerous short-term rental properties catering to tourists.

Economy and tourism

The economy is almost exclusively driven by tourism related to Yellowstone National Park. The town functions as a major service center, featuring numerous hotels, restaurants, guided tour operators, and souvenir shops. Key attractions include the Grizzly & Wolf Discovery Center, an educational wildlife park, and the Yellowstone IMAX Theatre. Winter tourism is a major component, with the town marketing itself as "Snowmobile Capital of the World" due to direct access to over 400 miles of groomed trails into the park. Major events like the Yellowstone Rendezvous Marathon and the Christmas Stroll draw additional visitors. The U.S. Forest Service and the National Park Service are also significant employers in the area.

Transportation

West Yellowstone is primarily accessed via U.S. Route 20 (which becomes U.S. 191 and U.S. 287), connecting it to Idaho Falls and Bozeman. The West Yellowstone Airport (WYS) offers seasonal commercial flights, primarily from Salt Lake City and Denver, operated by Delta Air Lines and United Airlines. The historic Union Pacific Railroad depot is no longer served by passenger rail; the last scheduled passenger service ended with the Amtrak Pioneer in 1997. Within the town, the Yellowstone National Park entrance station is a short distance away, and various shuttle services operate to major park landmarks.

Education

Public education in West Yellowstone is administered by the West Yellowstone School District, which operates West Yellowstone Elementary School and West Yellowstone High School. The district is a member of the Montana High School Association. For post-secondary opportunities, many residents commute to or attend institutions like Montana State University in Bozeman. The town's library is part of the Gallatin County library system. Given the town's small size and seasonal economy, educational and cultural programming is often supplemented by partnerships with entities like the Grizzly & Wolf Discovery Center and the National Park Service.

Category:Towns in Montana Category:Gallatin County, Montana Category:Yellowstone National Park