PineCone Corner Guesthouse

06/06/2024

Looking for a day *not* spent in the car? Take a break from hours of driving and enjoy the Yellowstone Shortline Trail by hike or by bike.
Bicycle rentals available at Freeheel and Wheel on Yellowstone Ave.

Map showing the route of the Yellowstone Shortline Trail. Green dashes indicate the path of the trail between West Yellowstone and Reas Pass. Brown dashes to the left show the Montana-Idaho Border and brown dashes to the right show a portion of the Montana-Wyoming border in Yellowstone National Park...

06/06/2024

Looking for a day *not* spent in the car? Take a break from hours of driving and enjoy the Yellowstone Shortline Trail by hike or by bike!
Bicycle rentals available at Freeheel and Wheel on Yellowstone Ave.

Map showing the route of the Yellowstone Shortline Trail. Green dashes indicate the path of the trail between West Yellowstone and Reas Pass. Brown dashes to the left show the Montana-Idaho Border and brown dashes to the right show a portion of the Montana-Wyoming border in Yellowstone National Park...

04/17/2024

Save the date! This coming Saturday, in celebration of National Park Week, the National Park Service will waive entrance fees so everyone can explore our country's vast history and beauty.

There is a national park closer than you think — find yours today: https://www.nps.gov/findapark

Photo at Badlands National Park by Donna Schneider

04/02/2024

(News Release) Beginning Tuesday, April 2, bicyclists willing to brave the unpredictable weather of spring in Yellowstone can ride 49 miles between the West Entrance in West Yellowstone, Montana, and Mammoth Hot Springs.

The following park roads between the West Entrance and Mammoth Hot Springs will open to bicycling:
▪ West Entrance to Madison Junction
▪ Madison Junction to Norris Junction
▪ Norris Junction to Mammoth Hot Springs

As conditions allow, bicycles will also be permitted from the East Entrance to the east end of Sylvan Pass (6 miles). Bicycles are not allowed on the remaining park roads until they start to open to public automobiles on Friday, April 19.

For more information, visit: go.nps.gov/24011

03/16/2024

It's time to start thinking about your summer trip to Yellowstone!

03/06/2024

Winter was a little stubborn this year, but now in full swing 🌬❄️
Check out the trail reports at http://www.skirunbikemt.com/grooming-report.html !

02/05/2024

Fun to watch and a great service to the community

At the Grizzly and Wolf Discovery Center in West Yellowstone, bears are turned loose on garbage cans, coolers and other containers to see if these products can get certified as "bear resistant."

01/15/2024

01/12/2024

We have ❄️❄️❄️
and a last-minute cancellation!
Who wants to play this weekend?

01/03/2024

It's beginning to look a lot like Winter!
If you've been holding off on making plans for a winter visit, the wait is over and there's still availability in January, February and March for a cozy stay right in the ❤️ of West Yellowstone!

12/28/2023

West Yellowstone makes the list! (Of course, we knew this all along)

Not every national park has an interesting town next door, but the ones here have sufficient character, history, and natural beauty to make them worth visiting.

12/04/2023

Winter has arrived. Let the fun begin!

4 inches of fresh snow. 7.5 K rolled and combed. Early season conditions with some dirt “clods” and grass. No classic track, 25F and flurries. In and Out, Purple Haze, 3 Ring Circus, Rendezvous to Spencer Cutoff to Washburn to Deja View to Blue Biathlon. Drewski also groomed.

11/10/2023

It's official!
PineCone Corner has been designated a "Guest Favorite" by Airbnb.

Enjoy the magic of Montana Holidays in West Yellowstone and stay at this cozy townhouse with all the comforts of home!
https://www.airbnb.com/rooms/4418663

10/29/2023

10/25/2023

Closing the chapter on another amazing summer season. Looking forward to hosting winter visitors!

(News Release) Most entrances and roads in Yellowstone National Park will be closed Nov. 1; Last day for visitors to enjoy most of the park will be Oct. 31

The West, South and East entrances and nearly all roads in Yellowstone will be closed to regular vehicle traffic Nov. 1. The park annually closes roads at this time of year to prepare them for the winter season and snowmobile and snowcoach travel, which will begin Dec. 15. The last day for visitors to drive most park roads will be Tuesday, Oct. 31.

The only roads open year-round are between the North Entrance in Gardiner, Montana, and the Northeast Entrance in Cooke City/Silver Gate, Montana (via Mammoth Hot Springs, Tower Junction and Lamar Valley).

Visitors planning to drive in the park during the fall and winter should:
▪ Prepare for changing weather conditions.
▪ Have flexible travel plans.
▪ Expect limited services. Check our Operating Dates webpage for details: https://www.nps.gov/yell/planyourvisit/operating-dates.htm
▪ Anticipate possible road closures due to inclement weather and dangerous driving conditions. Temporary travel restrictions or closures can occur at any time without notice.

Stay informed about up-to-date road conditions in Yellowstone:
▫ Visit go.nps.gov/YELLroads.
▫ Receive Yellowstone road alerts on your mobile phone by texting “82190” to 888-777 (an automatic text reply will confirm receipt and provide instructions).
▫ Call (307) 344-2117 for a recorded message.

👉 All communities near Yellowstone are open year-round, with local businesses offering a wide range of fall and winter recreation opportunities. For more information, visit: go.nps.gov/23039

09/24/2023

08/11/2023

https://www.worldatlas.com/cities/12-small-towns-in-montana-were-ranked-among-us-favorites.html

12 Small Towns in Montana Were Ranked Among US Favorites Discover the remarkable natural and cultural treasures of Montana's top twelve favored towns in the US, where its beautiful landscapes and rich heritage await. Montana is renowned for its vast and breathtaking vistas, majestic mountains, prist...

08/09/2023

Do you know how to prepare for a potential bear encounter? 🐻

ALL of Yellowstone is bear habitat — from the deepest backcountry to the boardwalks around Old Faithful. Protect yourself AND bears by:

▪ Keeping at least 100 yards (93 m) from bears at all times and never approaching a bear to take a photo.

▪ Carrying bear spray and knowing how to use it!

▪ Never feeding bears. Bears that become dependent on human food may become aggressive toward people and have to be killed.

▪ Honking your horn and driving away if a bear approaches or touches your car to discourage this behavior.

👉 Planning to camp or hike during your park visit? Check out our additional bear safety guidelines on our website: go.nps.gov/YELLbearsafety

03/25/2022

(News Release) Beginning Friday, March 25, bicyclists willing to brave the unpredictable elements of spring in Yellowstone National Park can ride 49 miles between the West Entrance and Mammoth Hot Springs.

The following sections of the Grand Loop Road between the West Entrance and Mammoth Hot Springs will open to cycling:
- West Entrance to Madison Junction
- Madison Junction to Norris Junction
- Norris Junction to Mammoth Hot Springs

As conditions allow, bicycles will also be permitted from the East Entrance to the east end of Sylvan Pass. Check the Spring and Fall Bicycling web page for road status. go.nps.gov/YellSpringFallBiking

Bikes are not allowed on the remaining interior park roads until they start to open to public automobile access at 8 a.m. Friday, April 15. Check park roads for 2022 spring opening dates.

A spring bicycle trip in Yellowstone must be taken seriously for the following reasons:
- Snowplows and other motorized vehicles operated by park employees or construction workers on the road.
- Quickly changing weather conditions.
- Temporary road closures due to weather conditions.
- Snow and ice covering sections of road.
- Wildlife on roads.
- No services available, except limited restrooms.

Stay safe while cycling in Yellowstone by following these guidelines:
- Ride during day light hours only.
- Anticipate encountering bears, bison, elk, wolves and other wildlife.
- Stay at least 100 yards from bears and wolves and 25 yards from all other wildlife. Prepare to wait or turn around if bison or other wildlife are on the road.
- Carry bear spray and know how to use it.
- Stay out of closed areas.
- Ride single file and follow all other rules of the road.
- Plan for self-rescue or repair. Cell phone coverage throughout the park is sparse and unreliable for communicating emergencies.
- Prepare to spend an extended period in winter conditions in the event of a mechanical breakdown, injury or other emergency.

03/01/2022

Today we celebrate the 150th Birthday of the most amazing park!
Happy Birthday, Yellowstone!

Enjoy these iconic views from around the park in anticipation of a great season ahead!
https://fb.watch/bt-jnMu38r/

02/26/2022

Looking for winter adventure?
Check out the Cross-Country Skiing and Snowmobiling trail reports, courtesy of the WYS Chamber of Commerce!
https://destinationyellowstone.com/reports/

Ski Reports   UPDATED: 2/11/22 TRAIL LAST GROOMED COMMENTS: 21*F and no new snow Friday morning.The following trails were groomed: In and Out, Purple Haze, Rendezvous, Dead Dog, Volunteer, Jerry's Journey, Doug's Doodle, Drewski, Washburn Cutoff, Deja View, and Biathlon and the Stadium.All trails a...

12/29/2020

😂

Barbara and Mary Sue knew they shouldn’t feed bears, but dancing with a bear also gave them paws for concern.
⁣⁣
Answer: Don’t dance with a bear. No feeding either. Bears depend on responsible decisions by visitors like you to stay safe and healthy. Keeping human food away from bears is the most important step we can take to keep bears—and ourselves—safe. (Not to mention bears have two left feet when dancing.)⁣⁣
⁣⁣
When picnicking & hiking:⁣⁣
⁣
🐻 Always stay with your food when it’s outside your car—don’t leave a picnic, cooler, bag of trash, or backpack alone!⁣⁣
⁣
🐻 Pack it in, pack it out. Throw away all food scraps and wrappers in a bear-proof trash can or dumpster. You can find these at picnic areas, visitor centers, pullouts, and some trailheads⁣⁣
⁣
🐻 Make sure grills or fire rings are clear of trash—help a bear out & throw away any litter and food scraps you find, even if you didn’t leave them⁣⁣
⁣⁣
🐻 Always report bear activity such as bears approaching people, taking packs, begging for food, or initiating the Twist, Mash Potato, or The Bunny Hop.⁣⁣
⁣⁣
Image: Vintage “do not feed the bears” sign posted in the 1950s at Great Smoky Mountains National Park.
⁣⁣

05/28/2020

Stay safe, everyone!

The following is a news release from Yellowstone National Park. MAMMOTH HOT SPRINGS, WY – Yellowstone National Park will open its Montana entrances on Monday, June 1 at 10 a.m. The Montana entrances include West Entrance (near West Yellowstone), North Entrance (near Gardiner), and Northeast Entran...

03/23/2020

Travel isn't recommended, for now. But we can always dream, right?
Check out this list to begin planning your vacation after this all settles down!

Escape into nature without leaving your couch on these gorgeous online National Park tours.

02/27/2020

Fascinating to watch how the park roads are cleared of snow and prepared for the summer season!

07/06/2019

Great updates to make self-touring even easier!

New Additions to NPS Yellowstone App

Looking for a way to enhance your visit to Yellowstone? We are proud to announce the release of two new, self-guided audio tours. You can find them under the “Tours” tile on the app home screen.

Old Faithful and the Upper Geyser Basin explores some of the park’s most amazing hydrothermal wonders, guiding you to 25 stops along a 4.5 mile (7.2 mile) tour.

Fountain Paint Pot gives you a chance to learn more about the four main types of hydrothermal features at 8 stops along a 0.6 mile (1 km) self-guided tour.

Interested in learning more about what is coming to the app? Surf on over to https://www.nps.gov/yell/planyourvisit/app.htm -3 and see what upcoming features or sites we’ll be adding next.

05/22/2019

My kind of traffic jam!

04/22/2019

The Lego vignettes are so much fun. The history lesson is just a bonus. 😃

From nearly the inception of the National Parks the military has played both a pivotal roll in their protection, while also being avid park visitors. Did you know, in 1896, the Buffalo Soldiers of the experimental 25th Bicycle Infantry Corps were testing the viability of the bicycle for use by the military. Before riding 1900 mile from Ft. Missoula, Montana, to St. Louis, Missouri, they first took a side trip to Yellowstone National Park.
On the second day of we salute all the military and veteran families still celebrating and visiting their National Parks!

03/01/2019

Happy Birthday, Yellowstone!

On this day in 1872, Yellowstone became the world's first national park. As a studio and subject, Yellowstone has inspired art for over 147 years and continues to inspire a new generation of artists today. This timeless painting by Thomas Moran captured a landscape unknown then to a predominantly eastern US population and helped bring back glimpses of the treasures that Yellowstone held after the Hayden Expedition in 1871. Happy birthday, Yellowstone! 🎂

Learn more at: https://www.nps.gov/yell/learn/historyculture/yellowstoneestablishment.htm

02/01/2019

When you visit Yellowstone, I hope you'll take the time to wander around the Upper Geyser Basin, home to Old Faithful, and so much more!

Get to know Riverside Geyser by Janet Jones | Jan 31, 2019 | Get to Know the Geysers, Geyser Watch Riverside Geyser is a beautiful geyser that’s often more reliable than Old Faithful, sits in a lovely setting and often shows rainbows in the spray in the late afternoon. In this article, I’ll expl...