Photo credit Kevin Chang, CC BY 4.0
Paradise Valley stretches 55 miles along the Yellowstone River between Livingston and Yellowstone’s North Entrance in Gardiner. It’s a gateway to the park with fewer crowds, wide-open spaces, and mountain views on both sides of Highway 89.
You can pack a lot into a day here, from hot springs and hikes to whitewater rafting and fly fishing.
If You Only Have a Couple Hours
Drive Highway 89 to Gardiner
The Paradise Valley drive is part of the experience. You’ll follow the Yellowstone River with wide pullouts, open space, and mountain views with the Absaroka Mountains to the east and the Gallatin Mountains to the west.
Wide pullouts make it easy to stop for photos, stretch your legs, and scan for wildlife like elk, deer, moose, osprey, and eagles. Plan 90 minutes for the drive if you’re stopping along the way.
Grab lunch at Chico Hot Springs or in Gardiner.
Soak in Local Hot Springs
Thanks to Yellowstone’s geothermal activity, Paradise Valley has two hot spring resorts:
- Chico Hot Springs in Pray, MT (25 miles south of Livingtson) has two open-air mineral pools, a spa, a restaurant, and lodging.
- Yellowstone Hot Springs near Gardiner, MT has a hot pool, a main pool, and a cold plunge, with cabins, suites, and an RV park on site.
Want both activities in one trip? Our float and soak package combines whitewater rafting with a one-hour soak at Yellowstone Hot Springs.
Hike to Pine Creek Falls
This 3.2 mile (round-trip), family-friendly waterfall hike from Pine Creek Campground takes about 1.5 hours. Go early for easier parking and a quieter trail, especially on summer weekends.
If You Have Half a Day
Raft the Yellowstone River
Half-day whitewater rafting trips on the Yellowstone River run in the morning and afternoon, giving you time to explore afterward. Local companies like Wild West Rafting offer a variety of whitewater rafting trips for half-day, full-day, overnight, and scenic float trips, out of Gardiner.
Hike With Llamas
If you want something genuinely different (and very Montana), book a llama trek. Yellowstone Llamas runs 2.5-hour morning or afternoon treks in Paradise Valley and longer trips in Yellowstone’s northwest corner.
Take a Guided Fly Fishing Trip
The Yellowstone River has some of the world’s best fishing for Yellowstone cutthroat, rainbow, and brown trout. Hiring a guide means you’ll go where the fish are biting and get all the gear you need.
Wild West Rafting runs guided Yellowstone fly fishing trips from Gardiner, including drift boat trips on the Yellowstone River and walk-wade options in and around Yellowstone National Park.
Go Horseback Riding
Book a guided horseback ride on a private ranch in Paradise Valley for a true Montana experience. Most rides range from one to a few hours and wind through spectacular areas not visible from the road.
If you want to ride and raft, research saddle and paddle packages that combine both activities in one day.
If You Have a Full Day or More
Explore Yellowstone’s Northern Side
Get up early and drive to Yellowstone’s North Entrance in Gardiner. Start in Lamar Valley to look for wildlife like bison, elk, and wolves, then continue to Cooke City for lunch.
On the way back, stop at Mammoth Hot Springs to walk the boardwalks and see the spectacular terraces and other geologic formations.
Take an Overnight Rafting Trip
Turn your rafting day into a 24-hour river adventure with a guided overnight trip on the Yellowstone River. You’ll run a longer stretch of whitewater, then camp at a private ranch for dinner, stargazing, and a relaxed night under Montana’s big sky. Finish the trip the next morning after breakfast and a ride back to your car.
See a Concert at Pine Creek Lodge
For a fun night out with live music, check the concert schedule at Pine Creek Lodge. Arrive early for parking and dinner, then settle in for an outdoor show at this famous local venue.
Visit Paradise Valley for Montana Fun
Whether you have a few hours or a few days in Paradise Valley, there’s enough to keep you busy between the hot springs, hiking, rafting, and exploring Yellowstone.
Most activities work well together, so you can easily combine a morning rafting trip with an afternoon soak or add a trail ride or a concert to your visit. There’s plenty to choose from!