Everyone Talks About Yellowstone — But These 8 Spots Nearby Deserve Just as Much Hype
Yellowstone gets all the love.
The geysers, the bison, the same overlooks you’ve seen in a thousand photos.
And yeah, it’s beautiful.
But while everyone’s fighting for a spot at Old Faithful, some of the best scenery in the region is sitting just down the road.
Almost empty.
If you’re already making the trip out there, skipping these would be a mistake.
1. Grand Teton National Park, Wyoming
It’s literally right next door, and somehow people still treat it like an afterthought.
The Tetons rise straight up from the valley floor with no foothills, no gradual buildup. Just jagged peaks exploding out of the earth like they’re showing off.
Jenny Lake, the Snake River Overlook, Cascade Canyon — any of these would be the highlight of another trip. Here, they’re just Tuesday.
2. Beartooth Highway, Montana/Wyoming
Charles Kuralt called it the most beautiful drive in America, and he wasn’t being dramatic.
This 68-mile route climbs nearly 11,000 feet, passing alpine lakes, snowfields that stick around until July, and views that make you pull over every few minutes.
It’s only open in summer, so time it right. And bring a jacket, even in August.
3. Paradise Valley, Montana
The Yellowstone River cuts through this valley just north of the park, with the Absaroka Range rising on one side and the Gallatin Range on the other.
Hot springs dot the area, ranches stretch to the horizon, and the whole thing feels like a movie set for a modern Western.
Chico Hot Springs is the spot everyone recommends, and they’re right. Go for the pool, stay for the restaurant.
4. Red Rock Lakes National Wildlife Refuge, Montana
This is one of the most remote refuges in the lower 48, which is exactly why it’s so special.
Trumpeter swans, moose, and elk roam a high-altitude wetland surrounded by mountains.
There’s no gift shop, no visitor center worth mentioning, just raw wilderness and almost no one around to share it with.
5. Cody, Wyoming
Named after Buffalo Bill himself, Cody leans hard into its Wild West roots and somehow makes it feel genuine instead of gimmicky.
The Buffalo Bill Center of the West is one of the best museums you’ll find anywhere, five museums in one covering everything from Plains Indian culture to Western art.
Plus, the drive from Cody to Yellowstone’s east entrance is stunning in its own right.
6. Island Park, Idaho
Most people blow through here on their way to Yellowstone’s west entrance without stopping.
Big mistake.
Mesa Falls is one of the last undisturbed waterfalls in the region. Harriman State Park has incredible wildlife and fly fishing. And the whole area has a quiet, off-the-beaten-path feel that the main park lost decades ago.
7. Lamar Valley, Wyoming (Inside Yellowstone, But Often Overlooked)
Technically this is inside the park, but most visitors stick to the geyser basins and miss it entirely.
Lamar Valley is where you go if you want to see wolves.
The wide-open grasslands are prime wildlife territory, especially at dawn and dusk. Bring binoculars, find a pullout, and wait. The show is worth it.
8. Hebgen Lake and Quake Lake, Montana
In 1959, an earthquake triggered a massive landslide that dammed the Madison River and created Quake Lake almost instantly.
Today, you can still see the ghost trees standing in the water and the scars on the mountainside.
It’s eerie, beautiful, and a reminder that this landscape is still very much alive and unpredictable.
Yellowstone Is Just the Beginning
Don’t get me wrong, Yellowstone is incredible. It earned its reputation.
But the region around it? That’s where you find breathing room. That’s where you stand at an overlook alone instead of jostling for space with 50 other people.
If you’ve already booked the trip, build in a few extra days.
The best parts might be just outside the gate.
