Snowmobile West Yellowstone

The West Yellowstone snowmobile trail system, outside of Yellowstone Park, will keep you busy with over 400 miles of groomed trails in the Gallatin and Targhee National Forests.  West Yellowstone has a great varity that is available from flat trails that have little elevation gain to trails that take you up to spectacular vistas-and a little of something everywhere in between.  What makes West Yellowstone so appealing is that regardless of whether you decdie to just trail ride or explore the off trail possibilities - or both - it can be as ild or wild as you like.  As you get more confident (daring?) you can choose the terrain that best challenges you.  There is something for every kind of riding skill.

Today, the West Yellowstone trail system ranks as one of the best anywhere in the snowbelt.  And some of the off trail riding is some of the best you will find anywhere too, with challenging mountains, awesome boondocking and terrain that is as varied as those who come to ride it.  And becasue West Yellowstone is an established tourist destination, you will find all the services you ever need while on a snowmobile trip.

The elevation of the trial system ranges from 6,666 -10,000 with snowfall averating 143 inches a year.  The town is surrounded by mountains, some of which top out at more than 10,000 feet.  it is not hard to pick out Lionhead (elevation 9,574 feet) Horse Butte (7,077) or Mount Two Top (8,710) from the streets of town.  Below is some information on some of the trails in our system.

Click on this link to see a map of the trails next to West Yellowstone in Gallatin & Targhee national forest.  For current snow depth in the West Yellowstone area click here..

For Trail conditions in Yellowstone National Park and for the groomed trails in the West Yellowstone area click here.

Madision Arm Loop:  Is located just north of town and is 20 miles long.  As the name suggests, this trail is a loop, rather than a go from point A to point B trail.  It's pretty tough to get lost on this trail, which makes it an excellent trail for beginners or anyone looking for a sweet, smooth ride throgh the forest.  The northern edge of the madison Arm Loop skirts along the edge of Hebgen lake (the ice is unsafe to ride on) while the west edge of the loop goes along the South Fork of the madison River.  There's not a lot of off-trail riding available on this trail.  Once you make the loop, though, and want more of a challenge, then hit the Little Snowy Trail, which takes you to the Two Top Loop.

South Plateau Trail:  Is located South of town off of Iris Street and is 13-16 miles long.  The South Plateau Trail gives sledders lots of options.  You can ride out to the end of the trail and then head back to town or make your ride longer, depending on which route you choose to come back to town.  there is also plenty of off-trail riding in this part of Montana and idaho but know where you are because the Sooth Plateau Trail skirts the western edge of Yellowstone National Park and it is illegal to ride into the Park from this trail.

Soon after you leave West Yellowstone on the South Plateau, you gain elevation and hit some haripin turns on your wat to the madison Plateau.  This trail also winds through a section of burned out forest (great off-trail riding here), which creates some great scenery.

Now here are some options on getting back to West yellowstone.  At the end of the South plateau Trail, you can head west on the Black Canyon Trail to where it meets the BPA Powerline Trail or go a little farther to the Railroad Trail, turn north and head to the Two Top Loop and take the back to town.  its about a 45 mile trip.  Taking the Black Bear Cutoff  off the the South Plateau Trail to where it meets the Black Canyon Trail shaves off six miles.  You can make the trip even longer if you take the western part of the Two Tow opt Loop back to West Yellowstone.

Two Top Loop:  Is located West of town accessed from Iris street at the old airport and is 28 miles long.  this just might be the most famous snowmobile trail in North america.  First, its a great trail with lots of elevation changes and second, the view from the top is awesome.  from the top of Two Top you can see three states:  Idaho, Montana and Wyoming.  On a clear day you can see the madison River Canyon in Yellowstone National Park, the Teton Mountains, Mt. Sawtelle and Mt. jefferson and more.

Then there's the snow ghosts on top.  Snow ghosts are wind-driven snow plastered trees that take a form all their won during the winter.  The trai has plenty of charger too, with steep grades, windy, twisty sections and lots of off-trail opportunities.  You can extend your ride by taking one or more rouges that leave the Two Top Loop.  Or you can cut a little of the trail off by taking the Mosauito Cutoff.  The western edge of the Two Top Loop crossess the Montana/idaho border serveral times.

Lionhead Trail/Loop:  This trail is located about 10 miles west of West Yellowstone and is about 10 miles in lenght.  The Lionhead Trail and Loop is accessed from the northwest edge of the Two Top Loop.  this area is a favorite for hillclimbers and off-trail riders because of its challenging terrain and deep snows.  The trail itself is one of the more challenging ones near West Yellowstone, although it's more undoable by riders of most skill levels.  Some parts of the trail make you feel like you're going straight up or straight down.  the adventuresome head off trail once they get to the back part of the loop where they can do some serious boondocking and hillclimbing.

There is a reason the area is named Lionhead.  The mountain really does look like a lion's head but its best viewed fro mthe east and a mile or so from the mountain, like from U.S. Highway 20 ad you're driving toward Targhee Pass.  Targhee pass, which crosses the idaho/Montana border on the Contiental Divide, is also where the west part of the lionhead Loop corsses the highway.   it's also here where you can hoop up with idaho's Valley View Trail.

Horse Butte Trail/Loop:  This trail is located about four miles north of West Yellowstone and is about 12 miles long.  Much like the Lionhead Trail and Loop, you take a trail (Horse Butte Trail: 4.8 miles) to the loop part of the system.  You access the Lionhead Trail from the Madison Arm Loop.  You can add another 15 or so miles to this trip by taking the Cougar Creek Trail.

This is another gentle, easy trail ride, even if you decide to clim Horse Butte (elevation 7,077 feet), where a fire lookout is located.  The loop portion of the trail hugs Hebgen lake's eastern shore and give some great views of the mountains nort of the lake.  The loop also nearly completely circles the Horse Butte Peninsula.

There is some off-trail riding through the trees and meadows on the trail portion of Horse butte.  Be sure to pay attention to the posted sogns as off-trail riding is prohibited in some spots.

Big Sky Trail:  Is located about 8 miles morth of West Yellowstone and is 8 miles long.  to get to the Big Sky Trail, take the madison Arm Loop to the Cougar Creek Trail to where it meets with beginning of the big Sky Trail.  this junction is just sought of the U.S. Highway 191 and U.s. Highway 287 junction.

This is the trail aggressive riders take to hit some of the best backcountry riding this part of Montana has to offer.  Most are headed to Carrot Basin and Skyline Ridge.  There is some off-trail riding even before you get to Carrot Basin but the really good stuff begins after you leave the groomed portion of the trail.

The trail itself isn't too difficult, although it does have some ups and downs that are fun. 

In addition our trail system will connect with many of the trails in Island Park, Idaho.  Stay tunned for more information on the Island park snowmobile trails.