One of my favorite things about Montana is Yellowstone. Here is their webcam link: http://www.nps.gov/yell/tours/livecams/index.htm
Here is the official site link and info: http://www.nps.gov/yell/index.htm
Experience Old Faithful, the most popular geyser in the world, or view the colorful Grand Canyon of the Yellowstone. View bears and wolves, elk and buffalo in the Lamar and Hayden valleys. Learn about the history of national parks and the National Park Service. Hiking, camping, fishing, or attending a Ranger-led program or a Yellowstone Institute class, are also popular activities.
Here is a link to the official concessionaire site: http://www.travelyellowstone.com/
Xanterra Parks & Resorts is your direct in-park source for national park reservations at Yellowstone, but quite difficult to get reservations unless during the winter. They offer accommodations, dining, gift shops and activities throughout the entire park and offer great Winter Getaways for under $300 a weekend for a couple.
Ideally you would want to spend 2 or more days in the park. If you are coordinating an overnight stay with us and coming from the east you might want to check out the Pahaska Lodges ($70-100) very close to the east park entrance which will give you an early morning start. http://www.pahaska.com/ . After touring the lower half of the park you could spend your next night outside Mammoth Hot Springs in Gardiner. We enjoyed a clean, comfortable stay in at the Best Western Mammoth Hot Springs. http://www.bestwestern.com . That would put you headed north to I-90 or an easy return to the park for another day to see the northern park areas. With all the RVs and activity you will be going 5-18 MPH so deciding which section you want to explore is very important to trip planning. If you have a third day to enjoy the Old Faithful area you may wish to exit the park at West Yellowstone. This entrance is more commercialized but in bad weather it provides you with the options of IMAX, local arts & craft shopping and meals. When I took a Japanase group of teens there we enjoyed at the Golden west Motel on our last night. http://www.goldenwestmotel.com/index.htm Leaving West Yellowstone you can reach us from either I-90 or by way of HWY 87 or 287.
I would caution that if you try to enter from West Yellowstone the lines can be very long. The East entrance is not quite as bad but allow for up to 30 minutes if arriving before 8AM and longer lines after 9 AM. Most lodges in and around the park (except for West Yellowstone) do NOT have coffee/tea makers in the rooms so you may wish to plan accordingly. Also the park food, even in the restaurants is mediocre. If at all possible, pack a cooler with fresh fruits, snacks, "sandwich makings" and beverages. There are so many outdoor spots to enjoy eating that it is a shame to waste it indoors, in-line or waiting for service. If staying in the Gardiner entrance your options are limited to the Mammoth Inn restaurant (make reservations in advance!) or a pizza/sandwich/small grocery shop in town. Nothing at the East Entrance area except for the restaurant at the Pahaska Lodges. West Yellowstone provides a grocery store and many eating options (along with a "resort tax"). From either exit you can reach us in under 4 hours.
