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Best things to do in Gardiner, Montana — Yeehaw! Welcome to Gardiner, Montana: population 833.

Every small town has a story, which is part of why I love them so much.

Gardiner, Montana's story is one of grit and courage these last three years. The tiny tourist town of just over 800 people was hit heavily by Covid AND a fire that claimed three of their historic buildings in 2020, and this year a thousand-year flood of the Yellowstone River affected the infrastructure and dwellings of the town. It also shut down the north entrance into Yellowstone National Park, one of the main incentives for tourists to visit and stay in Gardiner.

Many visitors canceled their trips, and the local businesses either scrambled to keep going or decided to shutter their doors early for the season. That's THREE years of hardship in a row, y'all. As one shopkeeper told me, "We're making in one week what we used to make in one shift. So, thank you for buying this t-shirt."

If you're unfamiliar with the flood I'm talking about, it's worth taking three minutes to check out the video above. If you are familiar with the flood, the oft-played video of the house collapsing into the river took place in Gardiner, Montana.

That being said, despite some of the businesses being closed early for the year, we still had a wonderful time in this little cowboy town. We stayed at the Absaroka Lodge, a centrally-located no-frills hotel with million-dollar balcony views of the Yellowstone River. Read on for some of our favorite things to do in Gardiner, Montana.

The Vibe:

The wild-west town of Gardiner, Montana is home to 800 people and welcomes thousands of tourists each year. This outdoors-loving community spans the roaring Yellowstone River, and there's a warmth to the people and a playfulness about the tourism-driven activities here. While I'm sure it's usually a much more lively place to be when the summer season is in full, unfettered swing, we loved the cozy and laidback feel.

The Charm Factor:

Yee-haw! If wagon-chic is your cup of tea, you're about to be happier than a pig in mud. Wagon wheel benches line storefronts and restaurants, live edge wood is heavily incorporated into the decor, rearing horse stools bedeck the casino, and a giant bull-riding cowboy statue is… pretty hard to miss. It could be a little touristy or over-the-top, but there's genuine small-town heart and soul to this town that lends a fun and self-aware quality rather than that money-grubbing undertone you see in some places. Of course, the 360-degree sweeping vistas of Montana's most picturesque rivers, mountains, and plains are a great reminder that this genuinely is ranch country.

Drone Footage of Gardiner, Montana

The History:

Gardiner, Montana has served as the main entrance to Yellowstone National Park since its creation in 1872, and the town was officially founded in 1880. Historical references to the area date back to 1805, however, and Gardiner gets its name from Johnson Gardner, a fur trapper who operated in the area in the early 1830s.

Though not much is known of Johnson Gardner, an article about him in a 1903 issue of the Gardiner Wonderland newspaper rated him as "an outlaw and in general a worthless, dissolute character." The Washburn Expedition inadvertently altered the spelling from Gardner to Gardiner through a phonetic error, and the name stuck.

Best things to do in Gardiner, Montana: The Roosevelt Arch — Take a cheesy selfie at the Roosevelt Arch in Gardiner, Montana.

Also of note, the Roosevelt Arch, one of Yellowstone's most celebrated man-made structures was constructed at Gardiner's entrance to Yellowstone in 1903. (Did you know that a time capsule was built into the arch?)

If you're interested in a more extensive history of Gardiner, you may enjoy the information on the town website. Click here to learn more about the Roosevelt Arch.

13 Best Things to Do in Gardiner, MT:

Note: Many local businesses are open seasonally, so plan your trip accordingly.

Do a Yellowstone Wolf Tracker Excursion.

I cannot say enough great things about this experience. Our Wolf Tracker Tour was the absolute highlight of our 10-day trip to Yellowstone National Park, and the guided excursions leave directly from the parking lot of the Absaroka Lodge. Every tour is unique, but our experienced guide found us a once-in-a-lifetime view of adult wolves and their adolescent pups feeding, a bear, a pine marten, pronghorns, and a giant herd of bison. We learned tons of information about the animals, history of the park, indigenous people, and thermal features, and the Wolf Tracker even provided coffee and breakfast. Our guide also showed us some of Yellowstone's most beautiful views and sights at the end of our tour.

Visit Mammoth Hot Springs in Yellowstone National Park.

Gardiner is a beautiful jumping-off point for a visit to Yellowstone National Park thanks to its proximity to Mammoth Hot Springs, one of the park's most dramatic and unique thermal attractions. The ever-changing complex system of vibrant hot springs lays on a terraced hill of travertine, and an extensive boardwalk system winds around and over the area.

Wear comfortable shoes, bring a reusable water bottle, and bring your camera to wander this stunning natural wonder with comfort and ease.

Go Whitewater Rafting.

Get your feet wet with a whitewater rafting adventure on the Yellowstone River! Wild West Rafting offers full, half-day, and overnight excursions, and while the experience is exciting and out of most people's comfort zones, it's also a family-friendly affair. (They also offer Saddle & Paddle and Float & Soak!) The intensity of the rapids may vary with the water level of the river, but the most challenging part of the adventure will be your guide's dad jokes. Enjoy surging over the rapids, take a brisk dip to cool off, and keep an eye out for an up-close encounter with wildlife: we spotted osprey, an eagle, and an elk with her calf.

Grab a Breakfast Sandwich and Local Guidebook at Tumbleweed Bookstore & Cafe.

This homey, dog-friendly breakfast and coffee spot also has a reading nook and shelves of books for sale. We added avocado and sprouts to our egg and cheese sandwich, which I highly recommend, and picked up a book called Yellowstone in a Day, which ended up being an indispensable resource for planning our trip.

Visit the OTO Ranch.

On the outskirts of Gardiner lies the OTO Homestead Ranch, the first dude ranch in the state of Montana. James and Nora Randall purchased squatters' rights on a small cabin on Cedar Creek, which they expanded into an impressive lodge by the 1920s. "During the OTO's heyday, guests escaped the pressures of modern life while enjoying good food, horseback riding, ranch work, and music in the evenings."

The Forest Service is in the process of restoring the ranch, but you can take the 2.6-mile roundtrip trail to the historic buildings and wander the ranch.

Drive to the Old Saloon.

The doors have been swingin' behind patrons at the Old Saloon in neighboring Emigrant, Montana, since 1902. This charming historic watering hole is a short 30-minute drive from Gardiner, but it's absolutely worth the scenic drive for bison fajitas with a side of some local history. Hunting mounts line the walls around the pool table across from the vintage bar (the back bar dates to 1907), and both local and national acts frequent the outdoor stage. Spend the evening tapping your toes or dancing the night away under the big Montana sky!

Go Horseback Riding.

Saddle up and explore the countryside around Gardiner, Montana with one of the Big Sky state's most time-revered and authentic pastimes: riding on horseback. There are a number of established tour companies that offer horseback riding excursions of various lengths and intensities.

Enjoy a Soak in a Pool Heated by Local Hot Springs.

The cure for a long day is a hot soak, and the Gardiner area has two naturally heated hot spring pools. The first, and closest to town, is Yellowstone Hot Springs. For $12 per person, you can enjoy the natural 104-degree flow-through mineral water pools at Yellowstone Hot Springs.

The second, Chico Hot Springs, is 30 minutes from Gardiner and is a part of the Chico Resort. You don't have to be a guest of the resort (day passes are $10) to enjoy a soak in the warm, natural waters of their pools. We picked Chico because it offered poolside food and beverages (but that was before we discovered the Old Saloon on the way!), as well as live music inside.

Note: Please note the intentional use of the phrase "pool heated by hot springs." Though this area of the world is incredibly beautiful, natural thermal features are incredibly dangerous. Do not, under any circumstances, venture off trails or boardwalks in thermal areas and stay out of the natural hot springs. A lot of people have died excruciating, horrible deaths from falling or jumping into hot springs in the Yellowstone area, so many that there's even a book about it.

Get an Elk or Bison Burger.

Game meats are a menu mainstay in Gardiner, from bison chili and the above-mentioned bison fajitas to elk burgers and meatloaf. For a substantial, tasty burger, hit The Corral, a colorful spot on Gardiner's main drag. The prices are right, the portions are hearty, and the elk burger recently won an award in USA Today.

Go Hiking.

Life in Gardiner is about one thing: getting outdoors. Lace up your hiking boots and head into Yellowstone National Park to take advantage of the unparalleled hiking opportunities, but don't forget your bear spray!

Stop in Montana Goods & Grindz.

Pop into Montana Goods & Grindz for a curated selection of quality gifts, take-and-bake meals, snacks, and made-to-order coffee drinks. This cute store is both a shopping destination and a community hub.

Try Fly Fishing.

Fly fishing is one of the most popular activities in Gardiner, Montana, which lies between the stunning Gardiner and Yellowstone rivers. There are a number of companies to equip and guide you if you're feeling fishing-curious (no experience necessary!). Opt for a half-day excursion if you've got even more adventures to squeeze in, or relax under that big sky with a full-day fishing trip.

Visit the Yellowstone Wild Art Gallery.

Ok, as a professional photographer, my standards are pretty high when it comes to fine art photography galleries, and I was blown away by the talent on display at the Yellowstone Wild Art Gallery. Even if you don't take a print or book home (and you should), you can help but feel a little rush about all the animals you're about to have in this amazing part of the world.