West Yellowstone
Montana
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Town of West Yellowstone
About us
West Yellowstone was incorporated in November of 1966, but “West” traces its roots back to early 1900s. The Town grew up around the west entrance of Yellowstone National Park and quickly began to provide services to travelers who came by train or stagecoach to see the Park. Today, the economy in West Yellowstone relies heavily on tourism as thousands of people from around the world pass through the most popular gateway to visit the world’s first national park.
According to the 2000 Census, the Town has a year–round population of 1,177 residents. However, that population swells dramatically during the summer and winter peak seasons. In 1985, the residents of the Town voted to institute a 3% resort tax. The resort tax enables the municipality keep up with the impacts of tourism on its essential services such as water and sewer service, fire protection, and law enforcement. In the late 1980s, a new sewer system was installed, the streets were paved for the first time, sidewalks were constructed, fire hydrants were installed, and the Town took on a new look. Over the past twenty years there has been substantial commercial growth in the community. West Yellowstone has evolved into a tourist destination and is now much more than a stopover on the way to or from Yellowstone National Park.
Today, visitors and residents alike can hike or cross country ski on the world–class Rendezvous Trail system, see an Imax movie, visit the Grizzly and Wolf Discovery Center, learn about West Yellowstone’s history at the Museum of the Yellowstone and explore the Oregon Short Line Historic District. The world famous Madison River is a short bike ride or hike from anywhere in Town and, of course, Yellowstone National Park forms the eastern boundary of the West. West Yellowstone is the center of recreational opportunities for the southern end of the Gallatin National Forest, where activities including fishing, hunting, hiking, boating, skiing, horseback riding, and snowmobiling.
The Town offers a full range of municipal services, designed to make living here and visiting West an enjoyable experience for everyone. Whether you live here or plan to visit, the staff of the Town welcomes you and hopes that you find our site useful.
West Yellowstone was incorporated in November of 1966, but “West” traces its roots back to early 1900s. The Town grew up around the west entrance of Yellowstone National Park and quickly began to provide services to travelers who came by train or stagecoach to see the Park. Today, the economy in West Yellowstone relies heavily on tourism as thousands of people from around the world pass through the most popular gateway to visit the world’s first national park.
According to the 2000 Census, the Town has a year–round population of 1,177 residents. However, that population swells dramatically during the summer and winter peak seasons. In 1985, the residents of the Town voted to institute a 3% resort tax. The resort tax enables the municipality keep up with the impacts of tourism on its essential services such as water and sewer service, fire protection, and law enforcement. In the late 1980s, a new sewer system was installed, the streets were paved for the first time, sidewalks were constructed, fire hydrants were installed, and the Town took on a new look. Over the past twenty years there has been substantial commercial growth in the community. West Yellowstone has evolved into a tourist destination and is now much more than a stopover on the way to or from Yellowstone National Park.
Today, visitors and residents alike can hike or cross country ski on the world–class Rendezvous Trail system, see an Imax movie, visit the Grizzly and Wolf Discovery Center, learn about West Yellowstone’s history at the Museum of the Yellowstone and explore the Oregon Short Line Historic District. The world famous Madison River is a short bike ride or hike from anywhere in Town and, of course, Yellowstone National Park forms the eastern boundary of the West. West Yellowstone is the center of recreational opportunities for the southern end of the Gallatin National Forest, where activities including fishing, hunting, hiking, boating, skiing, horseback riding, and snowmobiling.
The Town offers a full range of municipal services, designed to make living here and visiting West an enjoyable experience for everyone. Whether you live here or plan to visit, the staff of the Town welcomes you and hopes that you find our site useful.