The Town of West Yellowstone Parks, Recreation & Facilities Department oversees and maintains the designated park areas in Town, the Historic District and historical structures, as well as a year around recreation program. There are currently nine areas in West Yellowstone that have been designated as park areas. The most prominent park in Town is Pioneer Park, often referred to as the “City Park.” Pioneer Park is a full city block located between Canyon Street and Dunraven Street. It contains a well–maintained playground, public bathrooms, a basketball court, baseball diamonds, and a large grassy area commonly used for ultimate Frisbee games. The Town hopes to build a timber–framed pavilion in Pioneer Park within the next couple of years. Heritage Park, also known as the Oregon Short Line Terminus Historic District, is the area between Canyon Street and Electric Street that houses the historic Union Pacific buildings. This area is listed on the National Register of Historic Places. All of the buildings in the district are primarily of timber framed construction and stone and every effort is being made to protect and preserve their historic integrity. The Museum of the Yellowstone is located on the corner of Canyon and Yellowstone and was formerly used as the Depot by the railroad. The building is leased from the Town and operated independently. The Police Department, formerly the Baggage Claim for the railroad, sits between the Depot and the Dining Lodge. The Dining Lodge is perhaps the most impressive building in the district. Used as an elegant dining facility for railroad travelers, the Dining Lodge today can be rented for weddings, receptions, conferences, or other large events. The building also houses the West Yellowstone Library, Social Services Center, and the Court. The West Yellowstone Historic Center has erected signs to allow visitors to take a self–guided tour through the district. The rest of the parks in West Yellowstone are mostly undeveloped except for walking or biking trails. See the map below for the location of all the parks.

The Town of West Yellowstone’s Recreation Program has evolved dramatically over the past couple of years. The Summer Recreation Program was run by volunteer parents until the Town took over the responsibility for the program in 2001. Children between the ages of 6 and 12 can participate in the program which is held for ten weeks during the summer. Each week has a different theme such as Zoo Week, Summer Fun Week, Survival Week, Theatre Week, and Old West Week. There is an awesome adventure each week where the kids get to go on a field trip out of town such as to a climbing wall or the zoo. The Town employs a year–round Recreation Coordinator and two seasonal counselors to run the program. The Recreation Coordinator also organizes senior citizen activities and after–school activities for the youth.

West Yellowstone Map

Contact Information:

Town of West Yellowstone
Parks & Recreation10 S. Geyser
P.O. Box 1570
West Yellowstone, MT 59758

Phone: (406) 646-7715
Fax: (406) 646-7511
E-mail: kwilson@townofwestyellowstone.com