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 105 recreation sites nearby.

Nearest Park: Glacier National Park (East Glacier)The closest Glacier or Yellowstone entrance area to this town.Distance: 0 miHow far that nearby attraction is from town, in miles (straight-line estimate).Rec Sites: 105Count of mapped recreation places within about 30 miles—trailheads, parks, lakes, fishing access, and more.Population: 354How many people live in the community. Smaller populations usually feel quieter; larger ones tend to have more services.
#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 303 recreation sites nearby.

Nearest Park: Glacier National Park (West Glacier)The closest Glacier or Yellowstone entrance area to this town.Distance: 0 miHow far that nearby attraction is from town, in miles (straight-line estimate).Rec Sites: 303Count of mapped recreation places within about 30 miles—trailheads, parks, lakes, fishing access, and more.Population: 221How many people live in the community. Smaller populations usually feel quieter; larger ones tend to have more services.
#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 52 recreation sites nearby.

Nearest Park: Yellowstone National Park (West Entrance)The closest Glacier or Yellowstone entrance area to this town.Distance: 1 miHow far that nearby attraction is from town, in miles (straight-line estimate).Rec Sites: 52Count of mapped recreation places within about 30 miles—trailheads, parks, lakes, fishing access, and more.Population: 1,272How many people live in the community. Smaller populations usually feel quieter; larger ones tend to have more services.
#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 119 recreation sites nearby.

Nearest Park: Yellowstone National Park (North Entrance)The closest Glacier or Yellowstone entrance area to this town.Distance: 2 miHow far that nearby attraction is from town, in miles (straight-line estimate).Rec Sites: 119Count of mapped recreation places within about 30 miles—trailheads, parks, lakes, fishing access, and more.Population: 791How many people live in the community. Smaller populations usually feel quieter; larger ones tend to have more services.
#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 70 recreation sites nearby.

Nearest Park: Glacier National Park (East Glacier)The closest Glacier or Yellowstone entrance area to this town.Distance: 12 miHow far that nearby attraction is from town, in miles (straight-line estimate).Rec Sites: 70Count of mapped recreation places within about 30 miles—trailheads, parks, lakes, fishing access, and more.Population: 1,000How many people live in the community. Smaller populations usually feel quieter; larger ones tend to have more services.
#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 213 recreation sites nearby.

Nearest Park: Glacier National Park (West Glacier)The closest Glacier or Yellowstone entrance area to this town.Distance: 13 miHow far that nearby attraction is from town, in miles (straight-line estimate).Rec Sites: 213Count of mapped recreation places within about 30 miles—trailheads, parks, lakes, fishing access, and more.Population: 5,308How many people live in the community. Smaller populations usually feel quieter; larger ones tend to have more services.
#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 202 recreation sites nearby.

Nearest Park: Glacier National Park (West Glacier)The closest Glacier or Yellowstone entrance area to this town.Distance: 17 miHow far that nearby attraction is from town, in miles (straight-line estimate).Rec Sites: 202Count of mapped recreation places within about 30 miles—trailheads, parks, lakes, fishing access, and more.Population: 8,915How many people live in the community. Smaller populations usually feel quieter; larger ones tend to have more services.
#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 186 recreation sites nearby.

Nearest Park: Glacier National Park (West Glacier)The closest Glacier or Yellowstone entrance area to this town.Distance: 25 miHow far that nearby attraction is from town, in miles (straight-line estimate).Rec Sites: 186Count of mapped recreation places within about 30 miles—trailheads, parks, lakes, fishing access, and more.Population: 29,886How many people live in the community. Smaller populations usually feel quieter; larger ones tend to have more services.
#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 176 recreation sites nearby.

Nearest Park: Glacier National Park (West Glacier)The closest Glacier or Yellowstone entrance area to this town.Distance: 30 miHow far that nearby attraction is from town, in miles (straight-line estimate).Rec Sites: 176Count of mapped recreation places within about 30 miles—trailheads, parks, lakes, fishing access, and more.Population: 5,000How many people live in the community. Smaller populations usually feel quieter; larger ones tend to have more services.

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 (Jul 2026), FBI UCR (Mar 2026), Montana OPI/NCES (Jul 2026), Montana DPHHS (Jul 2026), EPA NPL (Jul 2026). Rankings are updated when data is refreshed. Check individual town profiles for details.

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