Overview
Livingston is a city in the Yellowstone Country of Montana. It is the northern entrance to Yellowstone National Park. Livingston is commonly called "The Gateway City" because it was the original entrance to Yellowstone.
3 sights · 5 things to do · 3 places to eat · 4 bars & cafés · 3 places to stay
Updated from Wikivoyage on 1 October 2026 · Something wrong or missing? Improve it on Wikivoyage
Best things about Livingston
Livingston Depot Center
Railroad history and art museum in a historic railroad station built in Italiante style in 1902.
Chico Hot Springs
Natural hot springs. 2 pools average 96F and 103F. Dining and lodging available.
Roundup Rodeo
Part of the "Gateway Rodeos", the others are held the same time in Cody, Wyoming and Red Lodge, Montana.
Yellowstone Gateway Museum
Park County and Yellowstone National Park history.
Sandalwood Disc Golf
Beautiful 18 hole disc golf course along the riverside. Can be difficult to navigate.
Treasure Lanes
Bowling, pool tables. League games on weekday nights.
Plan your trip
Best time to visit & weather
Most comfortable: May–Sep. Summer highs reach about 82°F; winter lows dip to about 14°F. Cold months (Jan, Feb, Dec) can bring snow and ice; check road conditions. Wettest: Jun and May. (climate data from nearby Bozeman)
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.
- BZN Bozeman Yellowstone International Airport, Bozeman — 30 mi away. Directions
- WYS Yellowstone Airport, West Yellowstone — 72 mi away. Directions
Livingston is at the junction of Interstate 90 and US 89 along the banks of the mighty Yellowstone River and at the northern edge of Gallatin National Forest and 54 miles north of Yellowstone National Park.
Full “Get in” guide ↓Budget & where to stay
No prices are listed for this place yet. See the Sleep guide ↓ for options.
Sample 2-day itinerary
Day 1
- Morning Livingston Depot Center, Dan Bailey Fly Shop, Yellowstone Gateway Museum
- Lunch Northern Pacific Beanery
- Afternoon Treasure Lanes, Yellowstone District
- Dinner Pinky's Cafe
- Evening Katabatic Brewing Company
Day 2
- Morning Chico Hot Springs
- Lunch Yellowstone Valley Grill
- Afternoon Sandalwood Disc Golf
- Evening Whiskey Creek 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
Every listing with a location. Tap a pin for its Google Maps link.
Understand
Livingston retains much of its Old West history. 436 buildings in it are on the National Historic Register.
The railroad was the main economic power for over a century. It is the reason the towns of Wilsall and Clyde Park to the north were created. Another nearby town is Springdale, 20 miles east.
Get in
Livingston is at the junction of Interstate 90 and US 89 along the banks of the mighty Yellowstone River and at the northern edge of Gallatin National Forest and 54 miles north of Yellowstone National Park.
Get around
The wind rider provides limited public transportation. Ride shares are also present in limited numbers. Biking is an option in good weather. Otherwise all travel needs to be by car or on horse back.
See
Do
Fishing
World famous area for fly fishing, outfitters can be found in most cities and many towns and rural areas. Ask at local fly shops and check river conditions online. June is high water month due to snow melting at higher elevations so can make rivers treacherous and water muddy and difficult to fish.
Outfitters
Hiking
There are a huge number of day and over night hikes in the area. Check with local forest service offices for details and trail conditions before heading out and maybe more importantly remember to report back to them if you see something noteworthy. A fresh elk kill on the trail could mean that a bear is nearby for example. Know the 10 basics needed for all back country camping and that cell phones are not one of them, cell phones often don't work in rural mountainous areas. Topo maps are also available in local camping and fishing stores.
Regional forest service offices
Do Yellowstone District
Buy
Eat
Eat Northern Pacific Beanery
Cafe with home-style cooking.
Eat Pinky's Cafe
Upscale cafe.
Eat Yellowstone Valley Grill
Gourmet dining near the river.
Drink
Drink Katabatic Brewing Company
Craft beer locally brewed. Also has wine available. Can find on tap and in cans throughout Montana.
Drink Neptune's Brewery
Visit their taproom and restaurant. Featuring 6 flagship beers and a good selection of rotators.
Sleep
Stay Absaroka Guest House
A historical building converted into a cosy guesthouse. Rooms are clean and big enough.
Stay safe
When you're out exploring remember this is bear country. Be bear aware while fishing or camping. Plenty of other wildlife may come close. Remember they are wild and can react badly to people. Keep your distance and enjoy watching.
Even though the streams look crystal clear, giardia parasites can be present. Do not drink from the stream (unless you boil the water) or you could be very sick.
Go next
- Bridger Bowl Ski Area (29 miles northwest) is a highly popular ski area with 2,000 acres of skiable terrain.
Nearby
Bozeman
City / town · 48 listings · 23 mi away
Belgrade
City / town · 6 listings · 31 mi away
Big Timber
City / town · 10 listings · 32 mi away
Gardiner
City / town · 36 listings · 44 mi away
Big Sky
City / town · 10 listings · 47 mi away
Three Forks
City / town · 12 listings · 50 mi away
Cooke City
City / town · 9 listings · 54 mi away
Stillwater County
Rural area · 13 listings · 57 mi away
My experience
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