10 Best Montana Towns Near Glacier & Yellowstone

10 Best Montana Towns Near Glacier & Yellowstone

Gateway Communities to America's Crown Jewels

Glacier and Yellowstone are two of the most visited national parks in America, drawing millions of visitors each year. But the towns near these parks are destinations in their own right — vibrant communities with their own character, dining, lodging, and outdoor offerings. Whether you're planning a park visit or looking for a place to call home near wild country, these are the best gateway towns.

#1
East GlacierGateway to Glacier National Park
Pop. 354

East Glacier is just 0 miles from Glacier National Park (East Glacier). Known as "Gateway to Glacier National Park," this community of 354 serves as an ideal base camp with 352 recreation sites nearby.

Nearest Park: Glacier National Park (East Glacier)
Distance: 0 mi
Rec Sites: 352
Population: 354
#2
West GlacierThe Door to Glacier
Pop. 221

West Glacier is just 0 miles from Glacier National Park (West Glacier). Known as "The Door to Glacier," this community of 221 serves as an ideal base camp with 421 recreation sites nearby.

Nearest Park: Glacier National Park (West Glacier)
Distance: 0 mi
Rec Sites: 421
Population: 221
#3
West YellowstoneThe Yellowstone Gateway
Pop. 1,272

West Yellowstone is just 1 miles from Yellowstone National Park (West Entrance). Known as "The Yellowstone Gateway," this community of 1,272 serves as an ideal base camp with 137 recreation sites nearby.

Nearest Park: Yellowstone National Park (West Entrance)
Distance: 1 mi
Rec Sites: 137
Population: 1,272
#4
GardinerThe North Gate to Yellowstone
Pop. 791

Gardiner is just 2 miles from Yellowstone National Park (North Entrance). Known as "The North Gate to Yellowstone," this community of 791 serves as an ideal base camp with 452 recreation sites nearby.

Nearest Park: Yellowstone National Park (North Entrance)
Distance: 2 mi
Rec Sites: 452
Population: 791
#5
BrowningHeart of the Blackfeet Nation
Pop. 1,000

Browning is just 12 miles from Glacier National Park (East Glacier). Known as "Heart of the Blackfeet Nation," this community of 1,000 serves as an ideal base camp with 297 recreation sites nearby.

Nearest Park: Glacier National Park (East Glacier)
Distance: 12 mi
Rec Sites: 297
Population: 1,000
#6
Columbia FallsThe Gateway to Glacier
Pop. 5,308

Columbia Falls is just 13 miles from Glacier National Park (West Glacier). Known as "The Gateway to Glacier," this community of 5,308 serves as an ideal base camp with 439 recreation sites nearby.

Nearest Park: Glacier National Park (West Glacier)
Distance: 13 mi
Rec Sites: 439
Population: 5,308
#7
WhitefishStumptown
Pop. 8,915

Whitefish is just 17 miles from Glacier National Park (West Glacier). Known as "Stumptown," this community of 8,915 serves as an ideal base camp with 435 recreation sites nearby.

Nearest Park: Glacier National Park (West Glacier)
Distance: 17 mi
Rec Sites: 435
Population: 8,915
#8
KalispellThe Gateway to Glacier Country
Pop. 29,886

Kalispell is just 25 miles from Glacier National Park (West Glacier). Known as "The Gateway to Glacier Country," this community of 29,886 serves as an ideal base camp with 400 recreation sites nearby.

Nearest Park: Glacier National Park (West Glacier)
Distance: 25 mi
Rec Sites: 400
Population: 29,886
#9
BigforkA Village by the Bay
Pop. 5,000

Bigfork is just 30 miles from Glacier National Park (West Glacier). Known as "A Village by the Bay," this community of 5,000 serves as an ideal base camp with 389 recreation sites nearby.

Nearest Park: Glacier National Park (West Glacier)
Distance: 30 mi
Rec Sites: 389
Population: 5,000
#10
Big SkyThe Biggest Skiing in America
Pop. 3,591

Big Sky is just 33 miles from Yellowstone National Park (North Entrance). Known as "The Biggest Skiing in America," this community of 3,591 serves as an ideal base camp with 282 recreation sites nearby.

Nearest Park: Yellowstone National Park (North Entrance)
Distance: 33 mi
Rec Sites: 282
Population: 3,591

How We Ranked These Towns

Ranked by distance to the nearest entrance of Glacier National Park or Yellowstone National Park. Distances are straight-line estimates to the nearest park entrance (West Glacier, East Glacier, West Yellowstone entrance, or Gardiner/North entrance).

Data last collected: Zillow Research (Jan 2026), U.S. Census ACS (Jan 2026), FBI UCR (Jan 2026), Montana OPI/NCES (Jan 2026), Montana DPHHS (Jan 2026), EPA NPL (Jan 2026). Rankings are updated when data is refreshed. Check individual town profiles for details.

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