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Major city · United States

LivingstonLivingston, Montana

Give Livingston one night as a Yellowstone gateway or a fly-fishing base: the historic Main Street takes 2–3 hours, the hot springs are 35 min south.

Not yet checkedSourcesWhat these labels mean

Livingston sits where Interstate 90 meets US 89 on the Yellowstone River, 54 miles north of Yellowstone National Park and about 30 min east of Bozeman. It is a railroad town with a compact historic core, a working fly-fishing scene and the Paradise Valley hot springs south of town. Most travellers pass through on the way to Gardiner and the park's north entrance; anglers and people who want a slower base stay two or three nights.

basic guide: no trip line yet
3 pages, for the metro and roaming-off days
Map
Google Maps Apple Maps Street View
More ways in
Print / PDF guide
Local time, weather, currency, airports
Weather
see forecast
Currency
USD
Best months
Jun–Sep for the park and rivers; Jan–Mar for skiing at Bridger Bowl
avoid Late Mar–Apr (mud season, many businesses on limited hours); Jun high water makes the rivers muddy and fast
Airports
BZN · BIL
Nights
1–2
Rules in force · 7Crossing between the US, Canada and Mexico by land needs …Cannabis is legal in Canada and in many US states, but ta…
  • North America ↗Crossing between the US, Canada and Mexico by land needs your passport even on a day trip; rental cars need the company's written permission to cross, and most US and Canadian rental insurance stops at the Mexican border.
  • North America ↗Cannabis is legal in Canada and in many US states, but taking any amount across the US, Canadian or Mexican border is a federal crime — including edibles and vapes.
  • North America ↗The busiest US and Canadian national parks need timed-entry, campsite or lodge reservations in summer; release dates are months ahead.
  • United States ↗Check whether you need an ESTA (Visa Waiver Program) or a visa on the official CBP and State Department sites; apply only through esta.cbp.dhs.gov, not third-party sites, and allow time before you book.
  • United States ↗Several popular national parks use timed-entry or vehicle reservations in peak season; check each park's page on nps.gov and book on recreation.gov before fixing your dates.
  • United States ↗Medical care is very expensive for visitors; buy travel insurance with high medical cover before you fly.
  • United States ↗Tipping is expected: about 15–20% at sit-down restaurants and bars, and a tip for taxis, hotel staff and guides.
What is in this basic guide9 covered · 4 not yet ▾

Not in this guide yet

  • Walking areas with bag rules
  • Day plans checked against opening hours
  • Airport-to-bed timings and the last safe connection
  • Field-checked times and prices
Emergency numbers for Livingston911 ▾

Tap a number to call from your phone. These are the numbers listed in this guide; a row marked check has not been verified.

EssentialsQuick answers and what things cost

Essentials

Quick answers and what things cost

Quick answers

The questions people ask first about Livingston, one line each. Tap a card for the full answer.

Show all 12 answers

Cost cheat-sheet

2026 desk estimate · check

Typical prices for the everyday things, as ranges. Your currency is shown next to the local price.

  • Coffee$3–6
  • Sit-down mealDinner main, mid-range restaurant$20–35
  • Street or quick mealBreakfast or lunch in a Main Street café$12–22
  • BeerDraught beer at a brewery$6–9
  • SIM or eSIM, a weekeSIM or data SIM, about a week$15–30
  • Budget bedHostel or guesthouse bed, a night, per personUS$45
  • Mid-range bedMotel or hotel double room, a night, per roomUS$180
  • High-end bedMotel or hotel double room, a night, per roomUS$320

A day, not counting the bed: Budget US$90 · Mid US$150 · High US$250

Prices in local money; change the currency in the header to see yours next to them. Every price and the budget calculator →

DecideWhat it is known for, and when the weather works

Decide

What it is known for, and when the weather works

At a glance

What the city is known for, how you fly in, and where to find the phrases.

Yellowstone River fly fishingHistoric Main Street and the 1902 depotChico Hot Springs in Paradise ValleyGateway to Yellowstone's north entrance
Airports
BZN Bozeman Yellowstone International (About 30 min west on I-90; the usual arrival airport for Livingston) · BIL Billings Logan International (About 2 h 30 min east on I-90; a fallback if BZN fares are high)

Best months at a glance

From the guide's best and avoid lists

  1. Jan

    Best

    2°C (36°F)

  2. Feb

    Best

    4°C (39°F)

  3. Mar

    Care*

    9°C (48°F)

  4. Apr

    Avoid

    14°C (57°F)

  5. May

    not flagged

    19°C (66°F)

  6. Jun

    Care

    24°C (75°F)

  7. Jul

    Best

    29°C (84°F)

  8. Aug

    Best

    29°C (84°F)

  9. Sep

    Best

    23°C (73°F)

  10. Oct

    not flagged

    15°C (59°F)

  11. Nov

    not flagged

    7°C (45°F)

  12. Dec

    not flagged

    2°C (36°F)

Best: Jan–Feb, Jul–Sep. Mixed: Mar, Jun. Avoid: Apr. Month by month →

Warmest Jul (29°C (84°F)), coolest Jan (−10°C (14°F) low), wettest May (12 rain days), driest Feb (7). Averages, not a forecast.

* only part of the month (early, mid or late).

Weather and climate

Forecast from Open-Meteo · averages rounded

Livingston: next 7 days

Loading forecast…

Forecast: Open-Meteo (CC BY 4.0), model data for this point.

Air quality

Loading…

Model estimate (CAMS via Open-Meteo), not a street-level station; readings near busy roads run higher.

Jan

2°C (36°F)

−10°C (14°F)

8 rd

Feb

4°C (39°F)

−9°C (16°F)

7 rd

Mar

9°C (48°F)

−5°C (23°F)

9 rd

Apr

14°C (57°F)

−1°C (30°F)

10 rd

May

19°C (66°F)

4°C (39°F)

12 rd

Jun

24°C (75°F)

8°C (46°F)

11 rd

Jul

29°C (84°F)

11°C (52°F)

8 rd

Aug

29°C (84°F)

10°C (50°F)

8 rd

Sep

23°C (73°F)

5°C (41°F)

7 rd

Oct

15°C (59°F)

0°C (32°F)

7 rd

Nov

7°C (45°F)

−5°C (23°F)

8 rd

Dec

2°C (36°F)

−10°C (14°F)

8 rd

High / low, both scales · rd = rain days

Arrive & moveAirports are listed under At a glance; this is how to move once you are in

Arrive & move

Airports are listed under At a glance; this is how to move once you are in

Getting around

A car is the practical default: downtown is walkable, but the hot springs, trailheads and the park are all a drive away. Local public transit is limited and ride shares are few, so do not count on either for an early trailhead or a late dinner. Biking works in good weather on the flat valley roads.

See & doDay-trips, door to door

See & do

Day-trips, door to door

Day-trips

Door-to-door, not ride time
Gardiner and Yellowstone's north entrancego

Door to door: About 1 h 15 min

US 89 south through Paradise Valley, about 54 miles

The classic run from Livingston; go early in summer — the entrance queues build by mid-morning.

Bozeman

go

Door to door: About 30 min

I-90 west, about 30 miles

Bigger airport, more restaurants and the Museum of the Rockies; easy half-day.

Chico Hot Springs, Pray

go

Door to door: About 35 min

US 89 south about 22 miles, then Chico Road

Two outdoor pools; day-use entry is cheap and the drive through Paradise Valley is the point.

Cooke City and the Beartooth Highway

overnight

Door to door: 3 h+

US 89 south to Gardiner, then the park's northeast route

Too far for a return day; the Beartooth is usually open roughly late May to mid-October, check before you go.

Red Lodge

caution

Door to door: About 2 h 30 min

I-90 east, then US 212 south

A long day; better as an overnight if you want the Beartooth Highway.

West Yellowstone

caution

Door to door: 2 h 30 min+

US 89 south, then US 191 through the park

Only sensible in summer and with a park pass; the drive through the park is slow.

Eat & sleepWhich area to sleep in

Eat & sleep

Which area to sleep in

Where to sleep

Areas, not hotels: pick the one that fits your arrival time and plans.

Downtown / Main Street

Walk to the depot, museums, cafés and bars; the best choice for one night without a car.

West Front Street and the I-90 exits

Chain motels and free parking; a 5–10 min drive or a longer walk from Main Street.

Paradise Valley (US 89 south)

Riverside lodges and cabins 20–35 min south, near Chico Hot Springs; you need a car for everything.

PracticalWhat a day costs, what to watch out for, and the pocket card

Practical

What a day costs, what to watch out for, and the pocket card

Cost per day

2026 estimate, excluding the bed unless stated
Budget
$90–140 excl. bed
Mid
$150–230 excl. bed
High
$250+ excl. bed

Trip budget

2026 estimate · converts to your currency
Motel or hotel double room1 × 1 night × US$180US$180
Food, local transport, entries2 × 1 day × US$150US$300
Rental car, one day1 × US$90 · checkUS$90
Chico Hot Springs day use, adult2 × US$10 · checkUS$20
eSIM, about a week of data2 × US$20US$40
Buffer 10%Price creep, a taxi you did not plan, one splurgeUS$63
Trip total≈ US$347 per person per day, bed includedUS$693

2026 estimate in US dollars; park passes and flights excluded. Your choices stay in this browser.

Prices of common things

Coffee$3–6
Breakfast or lunch in a Main Street café$12–22
Dinner main, mid-range restaurant$20–35
Draught beer at a brewery$6–9
Gallon of gas$3–4 (check)
Fly-fishing guided day, per boat$500–700 (check)
eSIM or data SIM, about a week$15–30

2026 estimate; check locally.

Watch out

Safety

Livingston itself is a low-crime small town; the real risks are wildlife, cold water and mountain weather. Carry bear spray on trails, treat stream water, and tell someone your route before heading into the national forest.
  • This is bear country: carry bear spray on trails and store food properly at camp.
  • Do not drink from streams or rivers — giardia is present; boil, filter or treat first.
  • Cell service drops out in the mountains and much of Paradise Valley: download offline maps before you leave town.
  • Winter driving on I-90 and US 89 can close or slow for snow and wind; check road conditions before setting out.
  • Many restaurants and shops keep short or seasonal hours — check the day's hours before you plan around a meal.

Emergency numbers

Police, fire, ambulance
911
Park County Sheriff (non-emergency)
406-222-2050
Poison Control
1-800-222-1222

Pocket card

One page · print or save as PDF

Fill in, then print or save as PDF

Stays in this browser only; nothing is sent anywhere.

LivingstonLivingston, Montana

Pocket card · Voykit

My bed tonight

—

—

—

To this address, pleaseTo this address, please

Emergency

  • Police, fire, ambulance911
  • Park County Sheriff (non-emergency)406-222-2050
  • Poison Control1-800-222-1222

Embassy

No consulates in Livingston; the nearest are in Denver or Seattle. US visitors use their own embassy in Washington, DC.

My embassy: —

Fare anchors (2026 estimate)

  • BZN airport → Livingston, taxi or shuttle: about $80–120, 30 min (check)
  • Livingston → Gardiner, drive: about 54 miles, 1 h 15 min
  • Chico Hot Springs day use: about $10 adult (check)

Say or show

  • Where is the trailhead? — Where is the trailhead?
  • Do you take cards? — Do you take cards?
  • Is there bear activity here? — Is there bear activity here?
  • Can I get a table for two? — Can I get a table for two?
  • How far to Gardiner? — How far to Gardiner?
  • Thank you — Thank you

Tipping is expected: 18–22% at sit-down restaurants, $1–2 a drink, 15–20% for taxis.

Deep diveWhat this guide covers so far, and its sources

Deep dive

What this guide covers so far, and its sources

Not a trip line yet

This is a basic guide: no airport-to-bed contract, walking clusters or day plans are published for Livingston. Airport, fare and schedule details are unverified; check the operators before you fly.

What we know, and what is coming

On this page

  1. Best months: Jun–Sep for the park and rivers; Jan–Mar for skiing at Bridger Bowl · avoid Late Mar–Apr (mud season, many businesses on limited hours); Jun high water makes the rivers muddy and fast · month by month →
  2. 2 airports and 3 areas to sleep in
  3. Weather: a 7-day forecast and monthly averages
  4. Cost per day in 3 bands
  5. 6 day-trips, door to door
  6. 5 things to watch out for, with emergency numbers

Coming as the guide grows

  1. Airport-to-bed contract for BZN: last shuttle and rental-car desk hours, taxi fallback, overnight rung.
  2. Four walking clusters with rescue anchors: Main Street and the depot, West Front Street, the fairgrounds, and the US 89 south strip.
  3. Place pages with verified hours (Livingston Depot Center, Yellowstone Gateway Museum, Chico Hot Springs) and eat pages with last orders.
  4. Bear, giardia and winter-road fixtures so gates A–D can go green.

Meanwhile

Back to United States

Sources