When you meet Ken Herman at Wagon Wheel RV Park, you’ll understand why he keeps getting repeat customers year after year.  This is one great place to stay when you come to West Yellowstone.  Wagon Wheel RV Park is lined with pines and each RV site has complete hook-ups with 20 – 30 amps, water, electricity,  sewer, and cable television.  On the premises are cabins ranging from “camping cabins” to fully furnished 3 bedroom cabins!  Staying in one of these makes you feel like being right on the river.  The ambiance is soothing, quiet, and rustic.  Cabins come equipped with microwave, coffee maker and coffee supplies, large refrigerator, and gas cook stove/oven.  This is “home” while on vacation. 

The personnel at Wagon Wheel RV are friendly and service oriented.  After talking with Ken, you know he likes his job.  Everywhere you turn, you see Ken cleaning bathrooms, cleaning the laundry, checking out a stove, greeting incoming guests, and thanking those who are leaving while inviting them back next year in the same breath!  His personality just lends to the atmosphere of Wagon Wheel RV Park.

Settling into the cabin, we head toward the office for one last visit with Ken for the day.  He has already marked a map of West Yellowstone with the best places to eat, shop, and a list of local popular attractions.  “The Yellowstone Park itself is fantastic”, he says, “but try going out and visiting the outlying attractions also.  You won’t regret it.”  With map in hand, we trek off to discover what West Yellowstone, has to offer.

For the first time visitor to West Yellowstone there is so much to see and explore.  For the fisherman after a few hours of talking to the locals regarding fly fishing and what the trout are taking, you’ll be ready for some serious dining.   Mostly rustic in style, the restaurants in West Yellowstone offer country food, BBQ, pizza, and Mexican cuisine.  Cold drafts of beer or ice tea is also a must.  Finish off with ice cream from one of several ice cream parlors or old fashion taffy from the candy store in town and you’re ready for adventure.  Whether you’re here for fishing or exploring the geological wonders of Yellowstone, you’ll discover the vacation time you’ve set aside isn’t sufficient!  One could live a lifetime here and never see it all!

This is cowboy country; the spirit of the west resides here.  Guests can plan guided tours for almost anything.  In the summer check out www.yellowstone-guides.com where you’ll find guided fly fishing trips, horseback trips, scenic countryside viewing, guided hunting for elk, deer, bear, and moose. (see elk photo)

In town don’t miss the Yellowstone Imax Theater  www.yellowstoneImax.com , the largest motion picture system in the world!  See the movie “Yellowstone” about the geological park and its beginnings along with all it has to offer for the visitor.  In fact, this is a good place to begin your adventure into Yellowstone National Park.  Discover the Lewis and Clark trail and realize how miraculous their journey was to the West.    The Grizzly and Wolf Discovery Center is located south of the Imax theater.  Here you’ll see grizzlies that have been in captivity for various reasons:  loss of mother, rebellious troublesome bears, and those injured.  A wolf pack can be studied at the center as well.  Yellowstone Bear World is another “don’t miss” opportunity.  Open daily at 9:00 am located 5 miles south of Rexburg, Idaho on US Hwy 20 – www.yellowstonebearworld.com .  Birding is another outdoor experience!  Check up on the Swainson’s hawk which spends summers in West Yellowstone and winters in Argentina – what a journey for a summer vacation!  As you drive into the park, take your binoculars out and get a view of the bald eagle family high up in the tree on the right side of the road.  The Playmill Theatre is West Yellowstone’s only live theatre.  Entertainment is at its best provided by the local citizens with over 40 years of musical comedies.  Call 406-646-7757 for reservations and schedules.   

This is the Editor's Choice for dining in West Yellowstone (see related article under Buckaroo Bill's).

Noted events for the rest of 2005 are:  August:  35th annual Yellowstone Rod Run – street rod heaven!  Food, fun, and cruisin’.  Burnt Hole Mountain Man Rendezvous – an 1859 re-enactment of 1800’s encampment.   Knothead Jamboree – square dancing all weekend!  Rodeo West – full rodeo events just off Yellowstone Avenue.  September:  Pineneedle Stampede Foot Race – run or walk 6k – 10k for adults and kids.  Named one of the top thirteen most scenic races in the country.  October:  Old Faithful Fall Cycle Tour – ride round-trip, ride in and shuttle out, or shuttle in and ride out, your choice.  November 2005:  Yellowstone Rendezvous Nordic Ski Camp – hundreds of ski enthusiasts from all over the world will gather to learn more about the sport.  Clinics will be provided over the Thanksgiving week and races to follow!  Biathlon Races – a sport for speed, control, and your physical endurance.  www.rendezvousskitrails.com .  December 2005:  Winterbration – activities spanning two weekends with dog sled races, kid’s ski races, and the famous RMXCRS Snowmobile Sno-Cross races.  Spam Cup Cross-Country Classic and Freestyle Ski Races – www.rendezvousskitrails.com .

Whether summer of winter, you’ll find much to do at West Yellowstone.  For the RV’er there are plenty of sites to accommodate your rig – Ken Herman’s Wagon Wheel RV, Grizzly Park RV, Yellowstone Cabins & RV Park, Yellowstone RV Campground & Marina, Bakers Hole Campground, Fort Jax RV, Hide-Away RV, La Siesta RV, Lonesomehurst Campground, Madison Arm Resort Campground & Marina, Pony Express RV, Super 8 Motel & Lionshead Resort, and Rustic Wagon Wheel RV, KOA RV.   There are many more located outside the West Yellowstone area. Contact www.TravelYellowstone.com or www.westyellowstonechamber.com .   Ken Herman says, “bring in the PhotoandTravel.com coupon and receive a discount on your next stay!”  Happy Traveling!