West Yellowstone, Montana
At the north end of U.S. 20 is the small southwestern Montana town of West Yellowstone. You may have reached the end of the road, but the end is at the “Snowmobile Capital of the World.”
West Yellowstone is the gateway to Yellowstone National Park. It is also the hub of 400 miles of snowmobile trails and a recipient of about 150 inches of annual snowfall. Nestled in the Hebgen Lake District of the Gallatin National Forest, its trail system stretched out to the Beaverhead, Targhee and Custer National Forests, offering a great versatility in terrain and scenic beauty.
The town offers extensive services and accommodations for visitors. It allows snowmobile use on most of the roads to provide direct access from motels to trailheads. Trails are groomed from December through March. Many businesses offer package deals for winter vacations. Snowmobile rentals are readily available. West Yellowstone is also popular entrance for guided trips into Yellowstone National Park.
Some of the more popular sites include the towering mountains of Two Top and Lionshead—both reach elevations above 9,000 feet. But there are also countless open play areas where snowmobilers can challenge their skills in the deep powdery snow. The trails are well marked so visitors can easily navigate their way throughout the system.
During the winter season West Yellowstone holds several special events, including ice fishing tournaments, dog sled races and snowmobile events. It’s no wonder that SnoWest Magazine has kept West Yellowstone on the top of its list for best snowmobiling locations since our readers started ranking snowmobile destinations in 1996.