Beyond the Boundaries

Hit the ATV trails with side-by-side rentals from Yellowstone ATV in West Yellowstone or with High Mountain Adventures in Island Park, Idaho.

Off-road to some of Montana’s and Idaho’s most beautiful lakes and mountains on a Polaris side-by-side. This is high-energy fun that takes you to spots that most people never get to see on a trip to the Yellowstone area.

Yellowstone ATV prides themselves on discovering and sharing the best ATV trails in the area so guests can get the experience of a lifetime. Summertime in Island Park is gorgeous with hundreds of miles of trails with a variety of terrain. This is one of our favorite ways to explore the backcountry.

The Diamond P Ranch is our go-to ranch in West Yellowstone for exploring the region on horseback. The only ranch with permission to ride into the Gallatin National Forest, and just a 12-minute drive from West Yellowstone, Diamond P Ranch offers three-hour morning, afternoon and evening rides through pristine forests and up into the mountains to look down on Yellowstone National Park, the Continental Divide and the many ranches that dot the landscape in this part of the world.

Looking to ride out to hidden lakes through towering pines and wildflower-filled mountain meadows? Parade Rest Guest Ranch is a quick, 14-minute drive from West Yellowstone and offers one-to four-hour rides guided by experienced wranglers. Experience the West authentically and saddle up. This is a core memory in the making.

Head up to Big Sky (an hour and ten minutes away) and you’ll land in one of the premier river rafting destinations in the West. With trips for multiple levels of rafting experience, Montana Whitewater Rafting and Zipline Tours offers everything from technical class IV rapids, to splashy class II and III rapids, to scenic and relaxing class I rapids. This is a full day of fun for the entire family.

Montana takes summer lake life seriously and Kirkwood Marina on Hebgen Lake delivers every time. Pack a box lunch (available for order through the hotel) and head to the lake for a water-packed day of fun and adventure. A 30-minute drive lands you in one of Montana’s top fishing spots with rainbow, brown and cutthroat trout averaging 15 to 20 inches regularly being caught. Want to get out on the water instead of the water’s edge? The marina offers rentals of everything from standup paddleboards to pontoon boats, so slap on the sunscreen and head out for a day on lake. Reservations can be made online at the link above.

*Local Tip – We love stopping at The Happy Hour Bar right on the lake!*

Deep in the Grand Targhee Forest lives the Lower Mesa Falls and Upper Mesa Falls. These two breathtaking waterfalls are easily accessible via scenic byways and viewing platforms, but this forest is one that begs to be explored. Pack a box lunch (available for purchase through the hotel) and spend a morning exploring this spectacular forest. These two waterfalls are the last prominent waterfalls on the Snake River unaffected by man-made influences and really showcase nature as it was meant to be.

The Grizzly & Wolf Discovery Center is a not-for-profit wildlife park and educational facility. It is a top-notch experience and one of our favorite recommendations for wildlife lovers. This is your opportunity to observe, understand and appreciate grizzly bears and gray wolves. These are animals that were unable to survive in the wild but have been given the chance to live out their days in this incredible facility. If you listen around dusk at the Gray Wolf and Explorer Cabins you can almost always hear the wolves howling as a pack, a sound guaranteed to give you goosebumps.

Lava Lake: This Six-mile out-and-back hike is known for a steep climb and gratifying end: Lava Lake, a stunning alpine lake in the Lee Metcalf Wilderness. The elevation increase is substantial, but due to a gradual climb, this trail has earned a difficulty rating of moderate.

Cinnamon Creek: Hike your way through wildflower meadows and pine forests south of Big Sky to Cinnamon Creek and be rewarded with spectacular views and a trail you’ll often have all to yourself.

Coffin Lakes Trail: The 11.3-mile out-and-back Coffin Lakes Trail near West Yellowstone rewards hikers with gorgeous lake views at the end and remarkable scenery the entire way.