Yellowstone Country is known for geysers, grizzlies, and wide-open skies, but some of the region’s best stories are indoors. Its gateway towns hold museums covering dinosaur fossils, Western art, railroad history, and the creation of the world’s first national park. Whether you’re waiting out a rainy afternoon or want to understand the landscape you’ve been driving through, these seven stops are worth adding to your itinerary.

1. Carbon County Historical Museum

Red Lodge, MT

Start at the foot of the Beartooth Mountains. The Carbon County Historical Museum tells the story of Red Lodge and the surrounding area through the people who built it: miners, homesteaders, ranchers, and the immigrant families who gave the town its character. It’s a small-town museum with real local flavor, and a good warm-up before driving the Beartooth Highway.

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2. Buffalo Bill Center of the West

Cody, WY

If you only have time for one big museum, this is the one. The Buffalo Bill Center of the West is five museums under one roof, covering the life of Buffalo Bill Cody, Western art, Plains Indian cultures, natural history, and one of the world’s most comprehensive firearms collections. Give yourself several hours, and consider a two-day pass. Cody is also just under an hour from Yellowstone’s East Entrance, which makes it an easy pairing with a park visit.

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3. National Museum of Wildlife Art

Jackson, WY

Perched on a hillside overlooking the National Elk Refuge, this castle-like museum is dedicated entirely to art inspired by wildlife. The collection spans centuries and includes paintings, sculpture, and works on paper. Even the setting is part of the experience. Step outside to the sculpture trail, and in winter watch for elk on the refuge below. It’s a good stop for anyone who loves seeing wildlife, in a gallery or in the wild.

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4. The Livingston Depot Center

Livingston, MT

Livingston’s historic train depot dates to the early 1900s and was once the gateway for visitors arriving by rail to see Yellowstone. Today the Depot Center is a museum and community gathering place that explores the railroad’s role in the region’s development and the early days of Yellowstone tourism. The building itself is a beauty, so plan on lingering over the architecture as well as the exhibits.

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5. Museum of the Rockies

Bozeman, MT

Kids and adults alike will love the Museum of the Rockies. Affiliated with the Smithsonian and located on the Montana State University campus, it’s home to one of the country’s largest collections of dinosaur fossils, including impressive T. rex specimens. Beyond the dinosaurs, you’ll find exhibits on regional history, a planetarium, and a living history farm. It’s a great anchor for a day in Bozeman.

6. Museum of the Yellowstone

West Yellowstone, MT

Just steps from the park’s West Entrance, the Museum of the Yellowstone is the ideal place to get your bearings before you head in, or to dig deeper after you come out. Housed in a historic railroad-era building, it focuses on the history and natural wonders of the Yellowstone region, giving context to everything you’ll see on the road.

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7. Yellowstone Heritage & Research Center

Gardiner, MT

Gardiner sits at the park’s historic North Entrance, and the Yellowstone Heritage & Research Center is where the park keeps its history. The collections include artifacts, archives, photographs, and records documenting Yellowstone’s cultural and natural story. It’s a quieter, behind-the-scenes look at how the park is studied and preserved, and a great stop for history buffs. Because access can differ from a traditional museum, check ahead for current visiting information.

These seven stops make a natural road-trip loop through Yellowstone Country, with the gateway towns spread around the park. Pair a museum visit with a day in the park, and you’ll come away with a deeper appreciation for the place and the people who shaped it.

Before you go, check each museum’s website for current hours, admission, and any seasonal changes, as these can vary throughout the year.

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