Inspiring travel stories, tips, and guides from a couple exploring the world one destination at a time.
Gardiner is a popular destination for visitors to Yellowstone, as it offers easy access to many of the park’s most popular attractions, including Mammoth Hot Springs, Norris Geyser Basin, the Lamar Valley and plenty of animals.
Last Updated: May 25, 2026
We spent a full week in Gardiner, Montana, at the north entrance to Yellowstone National Park. It was the perfect base — a short drive to the entrance gate, and each morning we were greeted by elk and pronghorn antelope right along the road. We explored the park on multiple days, covering the Lamar Valley, Mammoth Hot Springs, Norris Geyser Basin, the Madison River corridor, and more thermal features than we could fit into one visit.
