West Yellowstone

This western gateway to the park is where the open plains of southwestern Montana and northeastern Idaho come together along the Madison River Valley. Affectionately known among winter recreationists as the "snowmobile capital of the world," this community of 1,400 has a rather bland downtown but is a good base for fishing, horseback riding, and downhill skiing and has a couple of noteworthy attractions that tap into the area's natural and cultural history.