Nearest Entrance: North entrance, 23 miles (37 km, Northeast entrance, 29 miles (47 km)
Altitude: 6,270 feet (1,911 m)
Access Roads Open: The road from Gardiner (north entrance) to Cooke City is open all winter to automobiles, but you have to drive back to get out. Roosevelt Yellowstone Lodge open early June through end of August
Services: Gas station, visitor center, general store
Roosevelt Yellowstone Area Lodging
Roosevelt Yellowstone Area Information
Located in an area of rolling hills, Roosevelt is Yellowstone's most rustic area. Lodging here is limited to log cabins, and the main activities are horseback riding and hiking.Roosevelt Yellowstone Area Activities
- Tower Fall: A 132-foot waterfall with volcanic pinnacles, just one mile from Roosevelt Lodge. See it from the viewing area near the parking lot, or walk down a short (but steep) trail to its base.
- Slough Creek Trail: This trail follows a historic wagon route through meadows and across creeks. This is a strenuous hike for the first 1.5 miles, then it gets easier. Allow one to three hours to hike it each way, take plenty of water and food, and be on the lookout for bears and moose. The trailhead starts near the vault toilet on the road to Slough Creek Campground.
- Petrified Forest: Petrified forests were created when volcanic eruptions buried tropical plants and trees. An example is found about a mile west.
- Bannock Trail: An old Native American route that leads through the area surrounding the lodge.
- Drive South: The drive from Roosevelt Yellowstone to Canyon Village goes over some of the park's highest passes and through open meadows.
- Drive West: Drive across the Blacktail Deer Plateau, and take the self-guided Forces of the Northern Range Trail.
- Drive East: Drive about a half hour toward the northeast gate to beautiful Lamar Valley, a favorite of humans and animals alike. Go early or late in the day for the best chance of seeing elk, bison, bears, coyotes, pronghorns or wolves.
- Star-Gazing: Night at Roosevelt in Yellowstone brings out a different kind of "star," and sometimes these heavenly stars are bright enough to cast shadows.
Commercial Tours Leaving from Roosevelt Yellowstone
These tours are operated by Xanterra Resorts and leave from Roosevelt Yellowstone. Other tours leave from other locations.- Horseback Riding: One- or two-hour horseback rides through Pleasant Valley
- Stagecoach Tour: Stagecoach ride and western lunch
- Cowboy Cookout: Cowboy grub (steaks, baked beans and all the trimmings), cowboy music, wranglers and covered wagons.
