3 Days Exploring Livingston, Paradise Valley, and North Yellowstone
While Bozeman might be the better-known base camp for a Southwest Montana experience, it’s Livingston that truly encapsulates the best of a small, old western town. Along the Yellowstone River and nestled between stunning mountain ranges, Livingston is bursting with charm. In every direction the view is bounded by lofty mountain ranges and towering cliffs. To the south lies the Absaroka-Beartooth Range, to the east are the Gallatins, and to the north lie the almost year-round snowcapped Crazy Mountains.
Downtown Livingston, Montana
In recent decades, Livingston has become a hub of arts, entertainment, and outdoor recreation. For this itinerary, we recommend starting your trip in Livingston before heading off on your Yellowstone Park adventure. This gives you the opportunity to experience Montana from a local’s perspective, and see firsthand Yellowstone’s original gateway community.
Photo: Steven Cordes
Itinerary at a Glance:
Day One – Boulder River Valley
Bozeman Yellowstone Airport to Livingston 35 miles
Livingston to Natural Bridge Falls 45 miles
Day Two - Paradise Valley
Natural Falls Bridge to Emigrant 85 miles
Day Three - North Yellowstone
Emigrant to Mammoth, WY 45 miles
Day One
Destination - Boulder River Valley
Stop through Livingston on your way to the Boulder River. Grab lunch and essentials in town then head east on a stunning backcountry drive over to Natural Falls Bridge State Monument and the Boulder River. In Livingston, we recommend Matt’s Deli for sandwiches (or cuts of meat for your camp grill) or Foodworks for a unique hot bar selection, daily rotating soups and grab-and-go desserts. Pick up groceries at Town & Country Foods and fishing beta or equipment at Dan Bailey’s Outdoor Store.
After an easy hike exploring the waterfall, head south into the valley and make camp along the river. The Boulder River Valley is filled with hiking trails that provide access into the Absaroka-Beartooth Wilderness Area. For anglers, an evening of fly fishing along the Boulder River is hard to beat. Always carry bear spray (stocked in each of our vans) and travel cautiously when recreating in the Greater Yellowstone Ecosystem or other bear country.
Day Two
Destination – Paradise Valley
Enjoy breakfast and a slow morning at camp, then hit the trail or the road back towards Paradise Valley. July through September is a great time to float the Yellowstone River, so grab a paddleboard at Rubber Ducky Rentals in Livingston or add one to your camper van reservation with us. Then head into the valley for a day of fun and spectacular scenery. If you need to arrange a shuttle, we recommend calling Digger Driver Shuttle.
A river float could end our day and we’d be completely satisfied, but summer in Paradise Valley has so much to offer. After your float or hike, grab BBQ and baked goodies from Follow Yer Nose BBQ & Wildflour Bakery in Emigrant, or have a drink and catch live music at The Old Saloon or Pine Creek Lodge. There’s on-site camping available at Pine Creek Lodge or a couple drainages south at Mill Creek.
Day Three
Destination – North Yellowstone
On your third day around Paradise Valley, our hike recommendations are Palisades Falls in the Mill Creek drainage, Gallatin Petrified Forest Interpretive Trail in Tom Miner Basin, or Sphinx Creek Trail in Yankee Jim Canyon. End your day with a refreshing soak at either Chico Hot Springs (closer to Mill Creek) or Yellowstone Hot Springs (closer to Tom Miner & Yankee Jim). We enjoy Yellowstone’s naturally landscaped setting and diversity of pool temps… hello cold plunge!
For your last campsite on this leg of your journey, head towards Gardiner to spend the night near North Yellowstone. Dispersed camping is available in Jardine (five miles outside of Gardiner) or at the Mammoth Campground, Yellowstone’s only campground that doesn’t require a reservation. If you’re visiting during the busy season, you’ll want to factor in your arrival time as sites could fill up by 4pm. For camp recommendations outside of the north entrance, check out this summary.
Mammoth Hot Springs
Photo: Morgan Newnham
There are numerous recreational opportunities in Paradise Valley and North Yellowstone for all different types of travelers. Although three days doesn’t feel like quite enough time, it’s a perfect way to kick off a multi-day excursion into Yellowstone National Park. Read through our summary of Yellowstone highlights starting with the Grand Loop as you journey south into the park.
