Montana is one of the most beautiful places that I’ve ever been. There is something magical about those mountain views that has you saying, “this is so beautiful!” around every corner. With the Absaroka mountains as a dramatic backdrop and the Yellowstone River running right through the town, Livingston is absolutely one of the most beautiful small towns in America. Livingston is the stuff that old-fashioned western fairytales are made of! If you are going to Montana I highly recommend staying in this area, so here is your Complete Guide To Livingston, Montana.
You May Also Like –
One Day In Yellowstone National Park
Complete Guide To Lamar Valley
The Basics: Livingston, Montana Edition
Where Is Livingston, Montana? –
Livingston, Montana is located in southwestern Montana about an hour North of Yellowstone National Park. The Yellowstone River runs right through the edge of town. And Livingston is often affectionately referred to as the Northern Gateway to Yellowstone.
How Do I Get To Livingston, Montana? –
Air – The closest airport to Livingston can be found in Bozeman. It’s about 30 miles away and is a smaller airport.
The closest large airport would be Salt Lake City, Utah, but it’s about 435 miles away from Livingston and would require both an air travel and a road trip.
Will I Need A Rental Car? –
Absolutely! Montana is a large state and everything is fairly spread out. For example, if you stay in Livingston and want to visit Yellowstone you will have to drive an hour south. To visit Bozeman you will have to drive about 30-40 mins west on i-90.
Where Should I Stay In Livingston, Montana? –
Livingston has an option for everyone! But know that this is a pretty expensive area to stay in and that hotels, especially for more than a few days are going to be pricey!
For Something A Little Different:
The Historic Murray Hotel
- 201 W Park St Corner of Second and Park streets, Livingston, MT 59047-2628
- Cost: $$ Rooms generally range from $259+
- The Murray Hotel is an authentic Western hotel with modern amenities in a beautiful location. They even have a rooftop patio for enjoying those gorgeous mountain views!
- Plus it’s the only hotel in downtown Livingston!
- Find out more here.
Yellowstone Valley Lodge An Ascend Hotel Collection
- 3840 Us Highway 89 South, Livingston, MT, 59047, US
- Cost: $$$ Rooms generally between $249-$289
- You’ll be on the gorgeous waterfront in a cozy cabin with a stay at Yellowstone Valley Lodge, and each room has a private patio to enjoy those views! Honestly, this place sounds amazing!
- Find out more here.
A More Affordable Hotel Stay:
Travel Lodge By Wyndham Livingston
- 102 Rogers Ln, Livingston, MT 59047-4020
- Cost: $ Rooms generally run about $184 a night
- Although it’s not located downtown this is a fairly centrally located hotel. Only 1.3 miles to the Yellowstone Gateway Museum and half a mile from Sacajawea Park makes this a great spot to stay.
- Find out more here.
Livingston Inn
- 5 Rogers Ln, Livingston, MT 59047-4005
- Cost: $ Rooms generally run around $137 a night when shopping around
- This locally owned and operated motel is newly remodeled and has a laundromat on site. This place is rated number 3 of budget-friendly places to stay in Livingston!
- Find out more here.
For More Of A Local Feel Try These Airbnbs:
And this great place I stayed in Pray –
What should you do on your trip to Livingston, Montana? Well, let’s dig in…
13 Fun Things To Do In Livingston, Montana
1. Get Out And Explore The Town Of Livingston
You have to explore downtown Livingston, with its lively restaurants and shops, some of these have been around since the 1800s. For example, the iconic Sax & Fryer Co. bookstore and stationary store opened in 1883. And it’s the oldest stationary store in Montana.
2. Check Out The Yellowstone Gateway Museum
- 118 W Chinook St, Livingston, MT 5904
- Admission: Seniors (62+) $4, Adults $5, 13-18 $4, Kids under 12 Free
The Yellowstone Gateway Museum is on the Lewis and Clark National Historic Trail. So any of my fellow National Park nerds – you can actually get a special cancellation in your National Park Passport book! The museum houses and preserves more than 50,000 items. These include objects, photographs, manuscripts, books, and oral histories. Collection items date from over 12,000 years ago to present. The permanent exhibits include native cultures, pioneer culture, and transportation history. Find out more here.
3. Enjoy The Yellowstone River
The Yellowstone River is the longest undammed river in the United States. It remains a fishermans paradise and I would say it’s on most avid fisherman’s bucketlist! But that’s not all you can do on the Yellowstone River. You can rent kayaks, rafts, paddleboards and other watercraft from Rubber Ducky River Rentals.
4. Fly Fish On The Yellowstone River
In the summer, rafts and drift boats dot the river from the access sites. There are several outfitters where you can buy the gear you need if you’re a beginner. And there are many guiding services to choose from if you could use a little help. Some of the most sought after guides can be found at Sweetwater Fly Shop.
- Sweetwater Fly Shop
- 5082 US-89, Livingston, MT 59047
5. Keep An Eye Out For Celebrities
Did you know that Livingston has been featured in multiple productions including “A River Runs Through It” and “The Horse Whisperer.” It’s no wonder with all of the natural beauty and the old west feel! But many celebrities still call Livingston home! For instance, singer John Mayer has been known to show up at the Murray Hotel bar with his guitar.
6. Hike To Pine Creek Falls
- Distance: 2.5 miles
- Rating: Moderate
- Elevation Gain: 390 ft
This waterfall hike is beautiful! Bonus – it’s dog friendly and in early summer keep an eye out for the huckleberries!
7. Take In Some History At Livingston Depot Center
- 200 W Park St, Livingston, MT 59047
Reopening May 8, 2021 (be sure to wear a mask here). And generally open May – September the Livingston Depot Center offers a museum, as well as, event space. The museum give you the history of the railroads that made Livingston and the west what they are today.
Did you know that three of the nation’s five transcontinental railroads ran through just Montana? Well, they did! And that’s important because the railroads played a key role in the growth of the American West and modern Montana. Find out more here.
8. Shop Downtown
Downtown Livingston is exactly what you picture an old western town to be, but don’t let that old west feel, fool you into thinking that the shopping isn’t great – because it is! Be sure to check out…
Calamity’s Boutique /All Blinged Out, Out Of The Blue Antiques, Junk & Disorderly, and Elk River Books. But you really can’t go wrong no matter where you shop in downtown Livingston!
9. See A Live Show At Music Ranch Montana
- 4664 Old Yellowstone Trail N, Livingston, MT 59047
*Pandemic willing there are shows scheduled from mid-summer on at Music Ranch Montana. This small venue has an up close and personal feel that makes it special. Not only do you get fantastic views during live performances but the entire experience is unlike any other you will have in the area. For schedule and more information click here.
10. Take A Ride With Bear Paw Outfitters
- 136 Deep Creek Rd, Livingston, MT 59047
Livingston and the surrounding Paradise Valley are incredibly stunning and there is no better way to see the area than on horseback. Not only do they offer Montana horseback riding trips but they also offer Yellowstone trips. They also offer special packages that include lunch and private rides.
Rates:
- 1hr – $75 per person
- 2hr – $100 per person
- 1/2 Day (approx 3hrs) – $145 per person
For more click here.
11. Stroll Through Sacajawea Park
- W Butte St, Livingston, MT 59047
Sacajawea Park is also on the Lewis and Clark National Historical Trail. During the Lewis and Clark expedition’s return journey, Clark separated at the Three Forks of the Missouri with a party of twelve to explore the Yellowstone River. His party arrived at the Yellowstone River valley on July 15, 1806, near what is now the city of Livingston. The party then camped along the Yellowstone that evening and began the arduous 19-day journey downriver to
Sacajawea Park is about a half a mile from where the Clark party camped along the Yellowstone River. You can find a statue of Sacajawea on her horse, holding her son, in a wayside exhibit.
12. Drive An Hour South To Yellowstone
You can’t be this close to Yellowstone without making the drive down to check out America’s first National Park. The drive itself if gorgeous, although I have to warn you that if you end up leaving early in the morning or later in the evening there will be elk on the side of the road.
Coming from Livingston you will be entering Yellowstone through the Northern Entrance at Gardiner. This was where I entered during my trip too! Make sure to stop and take in the Roosevelt Arch. And honestly you will hit way less traffic entering the park here then you will at most other entrances.
Check Out: One Day In Yellowstone, Yellowstone National Park Bucketlist, First-Timers Guide To Yellowstone National Park, Is Yellowstone National Park Dog Friendly?
13. To Go Along With 12 – You HAVE To Visit Lamar Valley At Yellowstone –
Since you will be entering through the North gate, it would be an absolute crime if you didn’t visit Lamar Valley during your trip to Yellowstone. I highly recommend you visit for sunrise or sunset. Trust me, you won’t be disappointed. Lamar is often referred to as America’s Serengeti and there is something wild about it. You can spot wolves, bison, elk, moose, both black and grizzly bears, coyotes, and more in Lamar Valley. It’s a can’t miss!
Check Out: Lamar Valley – The One Place You Can’t Miss At Yellowstone
BONUS:
Sips & Eats Guide: Livingston
Eat:
Faye’s Café –
- 415 E Lewis St, Livingston, MT 59047
- Mon – Thurs – 8 am – 11 am
- Closed Friday
- Sat-Sun – 8 am – 10:45 am
- Check out the menu here.
Pinky’s Cafe –
- 109 S Main St, Livingston, MT 59047
- Mon – Tues, Fri -Sat – 7:30 am – 2 pm
- Closed Wed & Thurs
- Sun- 7:30 am – 12:30pm
- For more information click here.
Mustang Fresh Food –
- 112 N Main St, Livingston, MT 59047
- Fri – Sat – 5 pm – 9 pm
- For more information click here.
Livingston Bar & Grille –
- 130 N Main St, Livingston, MT 59047
- Wed-Sun – 4:30 pm – 9 pm
- Closed Mon & Tues
- Find out more here.
Sips:
Mint Bar and Grill –
- 102 N Main St, Livingston, MT 59047
- Mon – Thurs – 4 pm – 10pm
- Fri – Sat – 4 pm – 12 am
- Sun – 9 am – 1 pm ((Brunch))
- For the menu click here.
Katabatic Brewing Company –
- 117 W Park St, Livingston, MT 59047
- Daily 12 – 8 pm
- For more information click here.
Neptune’s Brewery –
- 119 N L St, Livingston, MT 59047
- Mon – Thurs – 2 pm – 8 pm
- Fri – Sun – 12 pm – 8 pm
I love the theme here! With the slogan “drink like a god,” what’s not to love? Their Siren Song Honey Rye and Dirty Bird IPA sound amazing! Find out more here.
The Murray Bar –
- 201 W Park St, Livingston, MT 59047
- Fri – Sat – 12 pm – 10 pm
- Sun, Mon, Wed, Thurs – 12 pm – 8 pm
- Closed Tues
- Find more here.
Staying In Emigrant Or Pray Check Out:
Follow Yer’ Nose BBQ –
- 4 Overlook Rd, Emigrant, MT 59027
- Fri-Sun – 11:30 am – 8 pm
- This place was great! I highly recommend the smoked pimento chicken dip, brisket sandwich, baked beans, and loaded pasta salad! So good!
A Little History:
For centuries, this land was sacred to Native American tribes such as the Blackfoot, Crow, Flathead, Shoshone. Originally occupied for thousands of years by these tribes, this very special stretch of land along the Absaroka Mountains, was named after the Crow Indian Nation.
These tribes were here for thousands of years before the majority of the future Territory of Montana was acquired in the 1803 Louisiana Purchase. Captain William Clark’s expedition brought some of the first white men through the area. Clark, along with his men and Sacajawea, stopped here somewhere along the great bend of the Yellowstone River to rest in July 1806 (see more about this under #11 below).
The Northern Pacific Railroad
The founding of the small ranching town of Livingston, Montana was a direct result of the Northern Pacific Railroad. The town became the centralized point in the Rockies and the railroads location for railroad shops to service NPR steam trains before their ascent of the Bozeman Pass, the line’s highest point. Not only that, but Livingston was a thriving small railroad town boasting somewhere around 30 saloons, 6 general stores, 6 hotels, 6 restaurants and even a red light district.
The Gateway To Yellowstone
Livingston also became the first gateway town to America’s first National Park, Yellowstone. The Northern Pacific Railroad, of course, promoted this heavily to visitors from the East. For about 43 years, everyone traveled by rail through Livingston to Yellowstone National Park’s north entrance in Gardiner. Though the rail line is gone the Livingston Depot Center still stands as a railroad museum and a monument to a much simpler time.
Main Street Livingston and the historic districts are also reminders of the city’s golden age. The downtown buildings from the 1880s (and 90s) remain a declaration of the old west and give Livingston that special historical charm.
What should you do on your trip to Livingston, Montana? Well, let’s dig in…
Mapping Out 13 Fun Things To Do In Livingston:
Livingston has so much to offer! It’s a great place to stay during a trip to Yellowstone or as a stand-alone destination. Its natural beauty will have you oohing and ahhing around every corner while the shops and restaurants will have you wishing you lived here all year long!
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