Overview
Cooke City-Silver Gate is in Park County, Montana, at the north east entrance to Yellowstone National Park, and is a convenient stop when visiting the area. In 2020, 77 people lived there.
2 things to do · 2 places to eat · 1 bars & cafés · 3 places to stay
Updated from Wikivoyage on 1 October 2026 · Something wrong or missing? Improve it on Wikivoyage
Best things about Cooke City
Absaroka-Beartooth Wilderness Area
Covering 920,310 acres, is an administrated unit of the Gallatin National Forest, Custer National Forest and the Shoshone National Forest and is named for its jagged peaks resembling bears teeth and for Native Americans …
Cooke City Exxon & Polaris Ski-Doo
being at the end of the road during the winters makes Cooke City an excellent place to launch off on a snowmobile adventure. Many trails for advanced and beginner riders means snowmobiling can be a thrilling experience o…
Plan your trip
Best time to visit & weather
Most comfortable: Jun–Sep. Summer highs reach about 81°F; winter lows dip to about 12°F. Cold months (Jan, Feb, Nov, Dec) can bring snow and ice; check road conditions. Wettest: Jun and May. (climate data from nearby Yellowstone National Park)
Blue bars: average daily high and low (°F). Purple columns: average monthly rain and melted snow (inches).
Getting there
- From you: to see whether to drive or fly, and how long it takes.
- COD Yellowstone Regional Airport, Cody — 56 mi away. Directions
- WYS Yellowstone Airport, West Yellowstone — 62 mi away. Directions
You must have a car to reach Cooke City. The nearest airport is in Billings.
Full “Get in” guide ↓Budget & where to stay
No prices are listed for this place yet. See the Sleep guide ↓ for options.
Sample 1-day itinerary
Day 1
- Morning Cooke City Exxon & Polaris Ski-Doo
- Lunch Bearclaw Bakery
- Afternoon Absaroka-Beartooth Wilderness Area
- Dinner Log Cabin Cafe
- Evening Miners Saloon
Stops are grouped by area so each day needs little backtracking. Check opening hours before you go.
Food for you
Cuisine (tap to filter)
What to ask about, for your diet
Diet labels come from each listing's description and cuisine; “likely” means the cuisine usually has good choices, not a promise. Check with the restaurant. Open the food finder
Photos
Map
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Understand
Get in
You must have a car to reach Cooke City. The nearest airport is in Billings.
Cooke City is at the west end of U.S. Highway 212 (US-212), the Beartooth Highway. It has been called "the most beautiful drive in America," by late CBS correspondent Charles Kuralt. Because of heavy snowfall at the top, the pass is usually open each year only from mid May through mid October, weather conditions permitting.
Get around
Cooke City is small enough that it can all be reached on foot. Several trailheads into the surrounding wilderness start near town.
See
The Greater Yellowstone Ecosystem is one of the last remaining large, nearly intact ecosystems in the northern temperate zone of the Earth.
Do
Cooke City is at the center of many outdoor sports for every season.
- During the winter, US-212 eastbound is closed to traffic and Cooke City becomes a popular area for snowmobiling. Other winter activities include cross country skiing, snowboarding and snowshoeing.
Do Cooke City Exxon & Polaris Ski-Doo
being at the end of the road during the winters makes Cooke City an excellent place to launch off on a snowmobile adventure. Many trails for advanced and beginner riders means snowmobiling can be a thrilling experience or just a way to tour the area in the winter.
Eat
Eat Bearclaw Bakery
This busy bakery is a great place to start the day with a tasty treat and some good coffee.
Eat Log Cabin Cafe
Rustic breakfast, lunch, and dinner. Trout, pancakes, burgers, steaks, salads. Locally owned and operated, known for their big portions. This is a great place to fuel up in the morning before heading into the park. The pumpkin cake is to die for. Vegetarian options available.
Drink
Drink Miners Saloon
Rub elbows with the locals in this little bar that also serves a nice variety of food.
Sleep
Campgrounds
Stay safe
Do not feed wildlife. Though many of the animals in the park area are used to seeing humans, the wildlife is nonetheless wild. Stay at least 100 m away from bears and 25 m from all other wild animals! No matter how docile they may look, bison, elk, moose, bears, and nearly all large animals can attack, and every year dozens of visitors are injured because they didn't keep a proper distance. These animals are large, wild, and potentially dangerous, so give them their space.
The weather can change rapidly and with little warning. A sunny, warm summer day can quickly become a cold, rainy or even snowy experience. Hypothermia can be a concern. Be prepared for a variety of weather conditions by bringing along appropriate clothing. Lightning can and does injure and kill people in the park area, so watch the sky and take shelter in a building if you hear thunder.
Be aware of snow conditions before heading out in winter. Check online with Gallatin National Forest Avalanche Center.
Lock your car doors and exercise sensible precautions with valuables. With so many people visiting the park each year, petty crimes are something to be vigilant against.
Go next
- Greenough Lake: this small lake is 13 miles west of Red Lodge. There are a few campgrounds along the road. You will need to park in the Greenough Lake campground then take a ¼ mile walk to access the lake.
Nearby
Red Lodge
City / town · 20 listings · 35 mi away
Gardiner
City / town · 36 listings · 38 mi away
Yellowstone National Park
Park · 177 listings · 41 mi away
Stillwater County
Rural area · 13 listings · 50 mi away
Livingston
City / town · 20 listings · 54 mi away
Cody
City / town · 21 listings · 55 mi away
Big Timber
City / town · 10 listings · 56 mi away
Powell
City / town · 8 listings · 60 mi away
My experience
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