History of Gardiner and Yellowstone

Yellowstone National Park is full of rich history, and you will learn all about it once you check out the park. The interpretive signs do a great job of telling about the history, wildlife, and geology of this special area.

The only year-round entrance to Yellowstone

Just north of Gardiner is Livingston, Montana, the one and only original entrance to Yellowstone. Gardiner is located just south of Livingston and is now the only year-round entrance to Yellowstone.

Gardiner has a colorful history. Gardiner was officially founded in 1880, however fur trappers were known to be traveling the area since 1830 and Native Americans have occupied the area for at least 10,000 years.

Gardiner started off as a rough little frontier town boasting 15 saloons and three stores for only a handful of people. It's grown a bit since then, we now have galleries, restaurants, hotels, and oh, yes, the Flying Pig!

Featured Activity

1 Day Yellowstone Activity Package

Also known as the Flying Pig's Paddle and Saddle - this trip gives each customer a taste of the best we have to offer. A combination of the half day raft trip, lunch, and a two hour horseback ride everyone goes home happy.

Rafting the Yellowstone River

The half day raft trip gives you about 2 hours on the river. Your group will have to fight over which member will get to "ride the bull" through the class 2 and 3 rapids!

Next, head up to the ranch have some hamburgers from the grill before heading out into the most beautiful country you'll ever set your eyes on. You'll ride for two hours through open meadows filled with wild flowers, a clear view 18 miles in the distance of Mammoth Hot Springs, cross a creek, ride through the forest and finally back to the ranch. This is a must do, not to be missed combination of the quintessential Yellowstone activities.

Paddle and Saddle departs daily:
9am (rafting first, riding second)
11am (riding first, rafting second)

 •  1 Day Yellowstone Activity Package

Local History and Beauty

On your way down to Gardiner, make sure you give yourselves time to take in the wonderful history that abounds before you even hit Yellowstone.

Yellowstone National Park

Stops to make:

Livingston, MT: (52 miles out of Gardiner)
The original entrance to Yellowstone. The end of the train line was in Livingston, and visitors then hopped on stagecoaches to get down to Yellowstone. Livingston's down town, is full of historic buildings with 2 museums, the Livingston Depot Center and the Yellowstone Gateway Museum. There are lots of good eats in Livingston. Our recommendation for a great burger at a really great price is the 50's relic, Marks In & Out (on Fridays and Saturdays their servers are on roller skates!).

East River Road: (50 -20 miles out of Gardiner)
Most people take the straight shot of highway 89 down to Gardiner from Livingston. But if you've got an extra 15 minutes and you don't mind spending on a beautiful drive, take the left onto East River road just as you exit Livingston. You'll drive along parts of the Yellowstone River on this scenic windy road. If it's a hot day, stop at Carters Bridge for a quick swim! You'll pass the Pine Creek Café where they have live music on weekends, and great food. You'll also pass Chico Hot Springs, a great place to come back one night for a soak in the springs. Keep following the road and as you come up on the banks of the Yellowstone keep an eye out for ospreys, pelicans, and bald eagles soaring above the river. The road will again meet up with highway 89 for the rest of the way down to Gardiner.

Gardiner, MT: (North Entrance to Yellowstone)
First stop, The Flying Pig Camp Store. Stop in, say hi and ask us about the best routes to take when viewing Yellowstone, or get an idea for a great hike. Check out our "office" view where we look at our own private boat put-in on the Yellowstone River. It's a view that takes many people's breath away daily. While you're here we'll be able to give you the rundown on white water rafting, horseback riding, and the wildlife safari.