Livingston

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.

picturesque downtown Livingston

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

Train Depot Building and Museum

• 1 Livingston Depot Center, 200 W Park St, ☏ +1 406 222-2300. Railroad history and art museum in a historic railroad station built in Italiante style in 1902. (updated Oct 2020)
• 2 Roundup Rodeo, Park County Fairgrounds, ☏ +1 406 222-3199. July 2,3,4. Part of the "Gateway Rodeos", the others are held the same time in Cody, Wyoming and Red Lodge, Montana. 
• 3 Yellowstone Gateway Museum, 118 W Chinook St, ☏ +1 406 222-4184, [email protected]. Park County and Yellowstone National Park history. (updated Mar 2021)

Do

• 1 Chico Hot Springs, 163 Chico Road, Pray (drive south on US Hwy 89 about 22 miles), ☏ +1 406 333-4933. 7AM-11PM. Natural hot springs. 2 pools average 96F and 103F. Dining and lodging available. $7.50 adult.  
• 2 Sandalwood Disc Golf, Mallards Rest, 4097 US-89, ☏ +1 406 223-3865, [email protected]. Open during daylight. Beautiful 18 hole disc golf course along the riverside. Can be difficult to navigate. Free. (updated Aug 2023)
• 3 Treasure Lanes, 1122 West Front St, ☏ +1 406 222-2566. M-Th noon-9PM, F noon-midnight. Bowling, pool tables. League games on weekday nights. $3 per game, per person. (updated Aug 2023)

Fishing

Yellowstone River just south of Livingston.

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

• 4 Dan Bailey Fly Shop, 209 W Park St, ☏ +1 406 222-1673. Established in 1938 they offer a complete line of fly fishing tackle, fly-tying tools and accessories and they even have a used Rods and closeouts section. 

Hiking

nearby Livingston in Gallatin National Forest

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

• 5 Yellowstone District, 5242 Hwy 89 South, ☏ +1 406 222-2520. (updated Jul 2021)

Buy

• 1 Windy Way Rockshop, 5237 US-89 #13, ☏ +1 406 333-3050, [email protected]. 9:30AM-5:30PM daily. Rare rocks, fossils, and minerals. (updated Aug 2023)

Eat

• 1 Northern Pacific Beanery, 108 W. Park St, ☏ +1 406 222-7288, [email protected]. 7AM-2PM. Cafe with home-style cooking. 
• 2 Pinky's Cafe, 109 1/2 S. Main St, ☏ +1 406 222-0668, [email protected]. 7AM-2PM. Upscale cafe. 
• 3 Yellowstone Valley Grill, 3840 Hwy 89 South, ☏ +1 406 333-4787, [email protected]. Hours change seasonally, check website for correct times. Gourmet dining near the river. 

Drink

• 1 Katabatic Brewing Company, 117 W Park St, ☏ +1 406 333-2855, [email protected]. Daily Noon–10PM. Craft beer locally brewed. Also has wine available. Can find on tap and in cans throughout Montana. (updated Jul 2023)
• 2 Livingston Bar & Grille, 130 N. Main St, ☏ +1 406 222-1866. 
• 3 Neptune's Brewery, 119 N L St, ☏ +1 406 222-7837, [email protected]. M-Th 2PM-8PM, F Sa Su noon-8PM. Visit their taproom and restaurant. Featuring 6 flagship beers and a good selection of rotators. (updated Jul 2023)
• 4 Whiskey Creek Saloon, 110 N. Main St., ☏ +1 406 222-0665, [email protected]. 

Sleep

• 1 The Murray Hotel, 201 W. Park St., ☏ +1 406 222-1350. 
• 2 Yellowstone Valley Lodge, 3840 Highway 89 South Livingston, ☏ +1 406 333-4787, [email protected]. Check-in: 3PM, check-out: noon. A small, off-the-beaten-path collection of contemporary cabins and one gourmet restaurant, tucked along the banks of the Yellowstone River on a ranch style property in the Paradise Valley of Montana. (updated Jun 2015)
• 3 Absaroka Guest House, 214 S 2nd St., toll-free: +1 443-553-0453. A historical building converted into a cosy guesthouse. Rooms are clean and big enough. From $90/night. 

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.

Connect

• 1 Livingston Chamber of Commerce, 303 E. Park St, ☏ +1 406 222-0850, [email protected]. 

Go next

• Bridger Bowl Ski Area (29 miles northwest) is a highly popular ski area with 2,000 acres of skiable terrain.

Routes through Livingston

Butte ← Bozeman ←	W  E	→ Big Timber → Billings
Great Falls ← White Sulphur Springs ←	N  S	→ Gardiner → Yellowstone N.P.
Yellowstone N.P. ← Bozeman ←	S  N	→ Big Timber → Lewistown