Services
The townspeople depend on snowmobilers throughout the long snow season and accommodations here are great (see itinerary), as are other services available in town. This is small town hospitality at its best.
While on a map the Cooke City riding area may look small, we rode a full three days and still left plenty of unridden powder behind-unfortunately. If you're looking for a nice weekend getaway, needing to get away from the office or are just wanting to do some great mountain riding, Cooke City has what you're looking for.
Elevation 7,000-10,000 feet
Snowfall 225 inches
Miles of Groomed Trails 60
Full Service Town Cooke City
Nearest Airport Bozeman (135 miles)
Getting Started Cooke City Chamber of Commerce 406-838-2495
Getting There Cooke City is located right on the Montana/Wyoming border just outside Yellowstone National Park. In the winter, you can only access Cooke City from the west. From Interstate 90 you take exit 33 and head south on U.S. Highway 89 toward Gardiner. At Gardiner you enter Yellowstone National Park. At Mammoth Hot Springs, you head east on U.S. Highway 212 and drive until you get to Cooke City, where plowing of the highway ends. It's about 110 miles from where you leave the interstate to Cooke City.
Getting Around Contact the chamber for a list of snowmobile rental agencies.
Bedding Down During our visit to the Cooke City we stayed at the Antlers Lodge (406-838-2432), located on the very end of Main Street. Owners Bill and Kay Whittle are avid snowmobilers and know the Cooke City backcountry better than most know their own house.
The accommodations at the Antlers Lodge, while quaint, were cozy and very comfortable. Cabins are filled with all the amenities you'll need throughout your stay. With home cooked breakfasts and dinners, you'll eat like kings at the Antlers Lodge. The kitchen and main lodge area are open bright and early every morning until 10 a.m. for breakfast (we recommend the biscuits and gravy). Dinners at the Antlers were nothing short of amazing also. The atmosphere here is very relaxing.
If you happen to make the trip to Cooke City, be sure to visit the Antlers. Bill can update you on riding conditions and doesn't mind telling you how to get to the best riding spots. We were even lucky enough to tag along with the Whittles for a day on the hill..
Eating Out Cooke City offers numerous other places to eat and relax after a long day of riding.