Yellowstone Trip Planner - Lamar Valley
Based in Silver Gate, MT – Your Gateway to Lamar Valley
Maximize your adventure with our expert yellowstone trip planner tips for an unforgettable experience.
Planning a summer trip to Yellowstone? Staying in Silver Gate puts you in the perfect position for unforgettable wildlife encounters, quiet mountain landscapes, and effortless access to the "Serengeti of North America" - Lamar Valley. Use this guide to plan your days, find activities, and make the most of your yellowstone trip planner vacation.
Why Stay in Silver Gate
Silver Gate sits directly outside Yellowstone’s Northeast Entrance, just minutes from the heart of Lamar Valley. Guests choose Silver Gate for:
- The closest lodging to Lamar Valley
- Quiet, peaceful surroundings away from the crowds of West Yellowstone & Gardiner
- Walkable restaurants, shops, coffee, and mountain views
Easy access to both wildlife viewing and high-alpine hikes.
DAY-BY-DAY SUMMER ITINERARY
Day 1 – Arrive & Settle Into Silver Gate
- Check in to your cabin and enjoy the surrounding views of the Beartooth Mountains.
- Walk to Silver Gate General Store or Sexy Goat Coffee for beverages and snacks.
Take a short, scenic stroll to welcome yourself to the edge of Yellowstone.
Light wildlife viewing along Soda Butte Creek or a short drive toward Pebble Creek.
Day 2 – Sunrise Wildlife Tour with Silver Gate Guides
Start your Yellowstone vacation with the activity the area is most famous for: wildlife.
Sunrise Tour (Highly Recommended)
Book a guided experience with Silver Gate Guides, offering:
- Private guide and vehicle
- Premium optics (Swarovski/Vortex spotting scopes & binoculars)
- A custom itinerary focused on wolves, bears, bison, moose, pronghorn, and more
- A light Breakfast, Drinks, and Snacks included
Nothing compares to seeing Lamar Valley wake up — your guide puts you in the right place at the right time.
Suggested Afternoon:
- Relax back at your cabin
- Hike Trout Lake, Warm Creek, or Cascade Lake
Visit Cooke City Museum or enjoy a drink at the Royal Wulff Tavern.
Day 3 – Grand Loop Adventure
Spend the day exploring highlights along the Northern and Lower loops.
Suggested Route:
Lamar Valley → Tower Junction → Canyon → Hayden Valley → Norris → Mammoth → Lamar → Silver Gate
Stops to consider:
- Tower Fall
- Grand Canyon of the Yellowstone
- Artist Point
- Hayden Valley for bison & waterfowl
- Mammoth Hot Springs Terraces
Tip: Leave early and pack snacks. This is a full, scenic day with incredible variety.
Day 4 – Scenic Hikes & Local Silver Gate Experiences
Stay closer to home and enjoy the quiet side of Yellowstone.
Top Nearby Hikes:
- Trout Lake (easy, family-friendly)
- Slough Creek
- Lamar River Trail (as far as you like — phenomenal open landscapes)
- Yellowstone Picnic Area
Local Activities:
- Shopping & souvenirs from Silver Gate and Cooke City
- Coffee or iced drinks at Sexy Goat Coffee
- Fishing along Soda Butte Creek
- Local hikes to several easily accessible waterfalls, walking distance from Silver Gate Cabins
Optional Evening:
Book a Sunset Wildlife Tour with Silver Gate Guides — perfect for bears, bison, and evening wolf activity.
Day 5 – Beartooth Highway Day Trip
Take one of the most scenic roads in America.
- Drive the Beartooth Highway toward Red Lodge
- Stop at Gardner Lake, Beartooth Pass, and the high-alpine overlooks.
- Enjoy cool temperatures even in midsummer
Keep an eye out for mountain goats and pikas - Return to Silver Gate for a relaxing final evening.
Other Helpful Tips
Best Time for Wildlife
- Sunrise: wolves, bears, coyotes, moose
- Sunset: bears, bison herds, foxes, otters
- Midday: great for landscapes and exploring thermal areas elsewhere in the park
What to Pack
- Layers (mornings can be 35–45°F even in July)
- Binoculars
- Reusable water bottle
- Rain shell
- Comfortable hiking shoes
- Bear spray (required for trails; can be rented locally)
Driving Tips
- Expect long distances and low cell service
- Always pull over in designated areas
- Wildlife jams are normal — be patient
- Carry snacks and plenty of water
Book Your Wildlife Experience
For the most reliable—and often unforgettable—wildlife encounters, consider booking a Sunrise or Sunset Tour with Silver Gate Guides. Their guides live in the valley, track wolf activity daily, and tailor each experience to you.