Park County can be explored through its landscapes, Yellowstone history, and local culture. The following geographic and cultural landmarks can help you get your bearings as you plan a trip to Park County.
Landscape and geographic orientation
Park County is surrounded by four mountain ranges: the Absaroka Mountains, the Bridger Mountains, the Gallatin Mountains, and the Crazy Mountains. Paradise Valley and Shields Valley lie at its center. The Yellowstone River runs through Park County from Gardiner to Springdale. Granite Peak is also in the county: at 12,807 feet, it is Montana’s highest point. Park County borders Yellowstone National Park in part to the south. The mountains, valleys, river, and southern border with the national park offer different geographic reference points for planning your trip.
The county’s recreational offerings also include 164 recorded lakes and reservoirs, which provide opportunities for recreation. This means the landscape encompasses more than mountain ranges and river valleys. If you’d like to plan your stay around nature and recreation, you can also consider these bodies of water.
Places and specific points of interest
Livingston lies at the junction of US I-90 and US Highway 89. The city is considered the original gateway to Yellowstone National Park. This combination of a highway junction and historical role makes Livingston a clearly identifiable landmark as you consider the region’s different places and points of interest for your trip. Gardiner is also an important place in the region’s geography: the Yellowstone River runs through Park County from there to Springdale.
Park County has three county parks, each with distinct features. Arch Park offers a covered stone pavilion, picnic tables, a stage, a barbecue area, and a drinking fountain. Confluence Park is near the confluence of the Gardner River and the Yellowstone River, by Gardiner. Silver Gate Park has picnic tables, benches, playground equipment, vault toilets, and bear-resistant trash receptacles. If you’re planning a visit to the county, these details give you a specific idea of the parks mentioned and what each offers.
Museums, history, and Yellowstone connections
The Yellowstone Gateway Museum explains Park County’s historical role as a gateway to Yellowstone National Park. The museum is located along the Lewis and Clark National Historic Trail and offers a special cancellation stamp for the National Park Service Passport Book. In Livingston, the historic depot adds to this story: built in 1902, it was the original starting point of the Northern Pacific Railroad’s journeys to Yellowstone National Park. The Depot Museum features art, history, and other cultural exhibits in a restored Northern Pacific Railroad station dating to 1902. Together, the museum and depot offer different insights into regional history, from the historic gateway to the national park to rail travel and today’s exhibits.
The Roosevelt Arch near Gardiner is also connected to the region’s Yellowstone history. It is the official north entrance to Yellowstone National Park. Chico Hot Springs has two geothermal pools, and day passes allow visitors to enjoy the hot springs without an overnight stay. For those interested in culture, the annual ArtWeek Park County offers artist talks, workshops, art exhibitions, and a fine art auction. These offerings are quite distinct: a historic entrance, a visit to the hot springs, and a recurring arts program. When choosing your destination, you can combine the landscape with themes of history, culture, and recreation.
Discover more destinations: Livingston, Gardiner, Cooke City, Pray, Phillips County, Lewis And Clark, Glacier, Wibaux County.
For the broader travel overview: Montana.
