Assets

• For more information on Gardiner, Montana and Gardiner business please visit the Chamber web site at the address below.
  Email address is: info@gardinerchamber.com.
  
• http://www.gardinerchamber.com
• Gardiner Chamber
  PO Box 81
  222 Park Street
  Gardiner, MT 59030
  406-848-7971
  
  
• LOCATION:  Gardiner is located in south-central Montana at the North Entrance to Yellowstone National Park.  It is nestled in the Upper Yellowstone Valley surrounded by National Park Land and Forest Land with the Yellowstone River running through the center of town.  Gardiner is the Original Entrance to Yellowstone National Park and the only Entrance open year round to the park accessed by a car.
  
  ELEVATION:  Gardiner is located at 5,280 feet above sea level.
  
  CLIMATE:  As in very mountainous areas, you will have micro weather patterns.  With the variation in elevation and character of exposure, some areas will receive more precipitation than others.  The Gardiner area has a cool semi-arid climate.  This means annual temperature varies with altitude as does precipitation.  For example, the Gardiner area receives between 10 and 14 inches of rain, while the Jardine area, approximately 1,000 feet higher in elevation, receives 18 to 20 inches.  Temperatures will vary as much as 10-15 degrees with altitude.  The growing season ranges from 90 - 110 days in the Gardiner area and is less at higher elevations.  Summers are generally pleasant with warm days and cool nights, with an occasional afternoon thundershower.  The warmest month is probable July, with daily temperatures averaging 85 degrees.  Humidity is rare and dense fog seldom occurs.  Most summer rain falls as showers and is sometimes accompanied by thunder, lightning, and hail.  Winters generally have some cold spells.  Monthly average temperatures range from about 23.0 F. degrees.   In the winter months, high winds can occur.  In general terms, the climate of the Gardiner area may be described as high desert.  Annual snowfall: 40" - Annual precipitation: 10-14".
  
  POPULATION:  Approximately  850  residents year round in Gardiner, Montana.
  
  GOVERNMENT:  Gardiner is located in Park County.  Livingston, Montana is the county seat for Park County.  City Council/City Manager form of government.
  
  EDUCATION:  Gardiner has one school which houses grades kindergarten to 12th grade.  The High School has adult education classes offered throughout the year.  Located 7 miles north of Gardiner is a preschool- Montessoi Children's Village.  Located 5 miles in Yellowstone Park is another preschool- Little People's Learning Center and a grade school from kindergarten to grade 6.
  
  HOSPITALS/ CLINICS:  The nearest hospital is in Livingston, Montana 54 miles north of Gardiner.  During the summer months in Yellowstone National Park, there is a hospital at the Lake area.  Mammoth Hot Springs has a full service clinic open year round.
  
  BANKS:  First Interstate Bank in Gardiner.  First National Bank of The Rockies at Emigrant 30 miles north of Gardiner.  The Yellowstone Federal Credit Union at Mammoth Hot Spring, Yellowstone Park.  406-848-7474.
  
  CHURCHES:  Gardiner Baptist Church, Gardiner Community Church (non-denominational),The Church of Jesus Christ Church of Latter Day Saints, The Church Universal & Triumphant and St. William's Catholic Church.
  
  ELECTRICITY:  Northwestern Energy handles the electricity in this area.  Telephone number for local service is 888-467-2669.  Our local agent is Mike Hayes.
  
  PROPANE:  Gardiner has no natural gas, contact AmeriGas for cylinder refill, bulk propane or appliances.  Glen Howie is the manager of AmeriGas.   406-848-7271.
  
  WATER:  Contact the Gardiner Water District at 406-848-7734.  Contact person is Ron Shorter.  
  
  COMMUNICATIONS:  The Gardiner Chamber prints a weekly newsletter delivered every Wednesday morning.  The Livingston Enterprise, The Bozeman Chronicle, and The Billings Gazette.  There are no radio stations located in Gardiner, but you can pick up several throughout the area.
  
  CABLE TV:  To get Gardiner cable call George Buffington at 848-7561 and leave a message.  Our local installer is Paul Anderson at 848-7739.  You can also purchase a satellite dish for more cable choices.
  
  POST OFFICE:  Hours are Monday-Friday 8:30 am-5 pm.  Mail is distributed by 11am.  Mail goes out at 3 pm.  It is closed on all holidays.   406-848-7579.
  
  LIBRARY:  We have a community library that is staffed by volunteers.  The library is open on Tuesday from 10 am -5pm and 6 pm-8 pm  & Thursday s from 6 pm-8 pm.   406-848-7835.
  
  ORGANIZATIONS:  Eagles Lodge, Eagles Auxiliary, American Legion, Boy Scouts, Club Scouts, Girl Scouts, 4-H, Bear Creek Council, Electric Peak Arts Council, Entre Nous, Upper Yellowstone Roundup Association, Big Brothers Big Sisters, and Buffalo Days Committee.
  
  POLICE:  Local law enforcement is provided by Park County Deputies: Gary Tanascu, Doug Wonders, and Scott Hamilton.  Call 911 for emergencies or the sheriff office at 406-848-7212.
  
  FIRE:  We have a volunteer Fire Department - Gateway Hose Company - Call 911.  Mammoth Hot Springs in Yellowstone Park also has a NPS Fire Department -  Call 911.
  
  AMBULANCE:  Gardiner Ambulance Service is a volunteers service with fully trained as paramedics.  Call 911.
  
  AIRPORTS:  The closest airport is Gallatin Field located between Bozeman and Belgrade, Montana - 80 miles north west of Gardiner.  The airport is serviced by Delta, Northwest, Frontier, Horizon, Sky West, and Big Sky Airlines.  The Gallatin Field has several rental car agencies available at the airport.  
  
  FACILITIES:  Modern hotels and motels, along with cabins, and bed & breakfasts can accommodate the visitors to Gardiner.  There are several campgrounds in the area also.  Local restaurants and lounges have that western flair for old-fashioned hospitality.
  
  PUBLIC TRANSPORTATION:  Gardiner has no public transportation.  Xanterra has bus tours in Yellowstone in the summer and snow coach tours in the winter.  There are taxi's from Livingston and Bozeman and rental cars from the Gallatin Field Airport.
  
  RECREATION:  May- Park to Paradise Triathlon Race.  July- 4th of July Fireworks Celebration.  August- Buffalo Day's Celebration.  September-  Annual Brewfest Celebration.  Yellowstone National Park right next door to Gardiner offers public fishing access and public campgrounds.  There are many outfitters with horseback riding, white water rafting, fishing trips, hunting trips, overnight trips, and western cookouts; several day hikes within 5 miles.  Snowmobiling, cross country skiing, and snow shoeing during the season.
  
  FISHING:  World class fishing is the distinguishing mark of Park County.  Some 103 miles of our rivers and streams are designated as "Blue Ribbon" and some of the best streams carry 3,000 fish per mile.  With all this and the magnificent Yellowstone River at our front door, it is no wonder that some of the finest fishing in the country is right here in our backyard.  Fly fishing is at it's best from late June through October, though the months just prior to spring run off yield some excellent results.  Fishing licenses can be obtained in the Sinclair gas station or Park's Fly Shop.  You can also purchase Yellowstone Park fishing licenses at the Sinclair gas station or any visitor center in Yellowstone Park.
  
  HUNTING:  Wildlife diversity and hunting opportunities are abundant in Montana, and the area surrounding Gardiner has more than it's fair share.  There's something for everyone;  from those who enjoy hunting a host of big game  to the abundant and challenging birds.  Elk, deer, moose, antelope, mountain goat, big horn sheep, bear and mountain lion are some of the game you can hunt in the area.  Montana's commitment to wildlife and it's conservation is strong, and hunting regulations are strictly enforced.  You can pick up hunting regulations at the Sinclair gas station, Elk Inc., or the Chamber office.
  
  ABSAROKA-BEARTOOTH WILDERNESS:  This 930,584 acre wilderness area is only minutes from Gardiner, and contains some of Montana's most rugged mountains.  This wilderness in south central Montana lies north of Yellowstone National Park.  It is a high rugged area containing glacier covered plateaus and jagged peaks.  Much of it is forested, interspersed with high mountain meadows.  Elevations range from a low 5,300 feet to 12,799 feet on Granite Peak (Montana's highest point).  Much of the wilderness is served by trails that originate in the major drainage's leading into the area.  For more information, consult a visitor's map of the area. The tract contains more than 340 lakes and many miles of streams.  Many plateaus are above the timberline and resemble arctic tundra. The Absaroka unit contains most species of wildlife common to Montana. The Beartooth's, however, do not support nearly as much. The Absaroka - Beartooth is subject to extreme and rapid weather changes. Even during the summer months, be prepared. Weather is generally best between July and September. This is Grizzly Country.
  
  GALLATIN NATIONAL FOREST:  The Gallatin National Forest is one of the 154 National Forests and contains 1,735,000 acres of National Forest land and 415,000 acres of private land.  The checkerboard ownership resulted from railroad land grants.  The railroads were given every other section of land as an incentive to build railroads into the West.  Approximately 600,000 acres of the Absaroka - Beartooth wilderness are in the Gallatin National Forest.  1,800,000 recreation visitor per year.  37 campgrounds, 14 picnic areas, 7 National Recreation trails, 426 miles of marked snowmobile trails, 100km of cross country ski trails, 2 ski areas:  Bridger Bowl and Big Sky.  1,800 miles of trails and 810 miles of Forest System trails.
  
  YELLOWSTONE NATIONAL PARK:  The crown jewel of the national park system, Yellowstone National Park is beautiful as it is dramatic.  Located on the border of Gardiner, the only entrance to Yellowstone that is open year round, the area was designated as the First National Park in 1872 by President Ulysses S. Grant.  The park encompasses over 2 million acres (3,472 square miles) and is filled with a multitude of natural wonders: geysers, hot springs, falls, canyons, and wildlife; to mention only a few.  There are over 200 geysers located in the park, the largest accumulation of geysers in the world, a major attraction to the park, with Old Faithful being the most famous.  The park also boasts over 3,000 boiling, bubbling hot springs and a multitude of other thermal features which literally burst with a variety of color.  These natural wonders are located in the western half of the park and can be seen at various points along the drive between Mammoth Hot Springs and Grant Village.  The 24 mile long, 1200 foot deep Grand Canyon of the Yellowstone is undoubtedly one of the most beautiful areas in the park.  The characteristic yellow color of the canyon walls are what gave Yellowstone National Park it's name.  It is here that the Yellowstone River pounds and thunders it's way over the 109 foot drop of the Upper Falls and the spectacular 308 foot drop of the Lower Falls.  Another natural wonder of the park is it's 50- plus species of wildlife which enjoy a protected status and roam freely.  Viewed in the wild, there is no more thrilling sight than watching elk, deer, buffalo, bears, wolves, moose, antelope, and big horn sheep, to name only a few, in their natural habitat.  This is Yellowstone National Park and this is Bear Country.
• Elevation: 5,280
  Population: 851
  Established: 1880
  
  Facilities
  
  11 Motel / Hotel 459  Rooms
  10 Bed & Breakfasts 2 Guest Ranches / Dude Ranches
  6 Vacation Homes / Cabins 2 RV Parks & Campgrounds
  9 Restaurants 6 Lounges
  4 Coffee Shops 1 Public Park
  
  Other Services
  
  3 Galleries 2 Salons
  1 Tire Shop 1 Small Airport
  1 Chiropractor 1 Propane provider
  5 Churches 16 Gift Shops
  1 Hardware Shop 1 Fishing Shop
  4 Raft Companies 8 Outfitters
  3 Gas Stations 2 ATM machines
  1 Car Wash 1 Lock Smith
  1 Horse Stable 1 Bank
  2 Newspapers 1 Public Library
  
  Visitation
  
  520,000  visitors entering Yellowstone Park through Gardiner Entrance
  
  
  Yellowstone Park Facts
  
  3,472 Square Miles 370 miles of Paved Roads
  91% in Wyoming 1,210 miles of Trails
  7.6% in Montana 50 Picnic Areas
  1.4% in Idaho 15 Restaurants
  5 Entrances 930 Hotel Rooms
  6 Visitor Centers 1,187 Cabins
  11 NPS Campgrounds 1 RV Park
• Gardiner Montana’s History
  
  Gardiner is rich in history. Founded in 1880, Gardiner began as a center for services and activities for visitors to Yellowstone, which was established in 1872. This vital role has continued for 125 years and Gardiner remains the only gateway community adjacent to year-round access to the park. The Roosevelt Arch, often referred to as “the Gardiner Arch”, was dedicated by Theodore Roosevelt in 1903. This landmark is a popular stopping point for visitors, who hop out of their cars and snap photos.
  European Americans began traveling through the area in the 1800’s. They were mostly men employed by various fur companies in search for beaver. This activity continued from the early 1800’s to about 1940.
  Gold and silver strikes brought the next European Americans to the area. “Uncle Joe Brown” discovered gold at Bear Gulch, a few miles east of the present day gardiner, in the winter of 1864-65. Five years later, this precious metal was discovered in Wickiup Camp, an early name of the Gardiner town site. In August of 1870, the Washburn-Langford-Doan party, which was exploring the Yellowstone are, named the town “Gardiner” for an early trapper who frequented the area.
  Coal was also discovered in the 1800’s at the base of Devil’s Slide, a geologic feature west of Gardiner. Between 1883 - 1910, several small towns sprang up in that area. Electric, Aldridge and Cinnabar are just remnants today, but during the coal mining period, they were towns with populations boasting up to 800 people each.
  Early visitors approaching Yellowstone from the north had to pass through a narrow, steep canyon on the Yellowstone River, less than twenty miles from the park entrance. An enterprising fellow named Yankee Jim George obtained a permit in 1879 from the Gallatin County Commissioners to maintain a toll road and convenience stop for travelers through the canyon. When the Northern Pacific Railroad built a branch line through the canyon in 1883, Yankee Jim’s toll road was relocated above the rail grade. In 1912, a convict crew improved the road as part of the Yellowstone Trail network. Today, the US Forest Service is developing a hiking/biking system along Yankee Jim’s toll road, which can be seen across the Yellowstone River from highway 89.
  Even without a railroad, in June of 1883, Gardiner had 200 people, 21 saloons, 6 restaurants, 5 general stores, 2 hardware stores, 2 fruit stands, 2 barber shops, 1 blacksmith shop, 1 milk man, 1 news stand, 1 billiard hall, 2 dance halls and 4 houses of ill fame. Since there was no saw mill, it was entirely tent houses with a few log shacks. It was lively during the summer months and dormant under the snows of the long winter.
  Gardiner was named after Johnson Gardner, the misspelling of the town was caused after a conversation between Jim Bridger and N.P. Langford just before the Langford-Washburn-Doan Expedition of 1870. Jim Bridger, being from Virginia, pronounced Gardner as with an “I”. The real origin of the typo falls into doubt upon realizing that Gardner was illiterate. Gardiner - the oldest known name outside of Yellowstone Park - named by an old trapper by the name of Gardner and named “Gardner’s Hole” this was a known trappers settlement as early as 1807 - the name was passed on to the Washburn Party in that year by a surviving descendent. Nothing is known of Johnson Gardner before 1824, when he was recorded to have been with a company of trappers. He shows up monetarily here and there in records of the west for only about 10 years.
  March 25, 1885 - The town of Gardiner lost many of it’s homes and businesses to a raging fire, 13 homes and 19 businesses were lost for a total estimated loss of $ 47,750.
  July 30, 1885 - Gardiner had no church, and no church services being held here since the town was stated in 1883. Gardiner never has had a day of public school, although there is talk of one being organized.
  September 7, 1889 - Gardiner suffers another devastating fire.
  September 9, 1893 - Bridge over the Yellowstone at Gardiner completed by Gillette-Herzog Man of Minneapolis.
  June 22, 1895 - John Spiker has built a water system for the town - water is taken from a well by the Yellowstone and pumped by electric power to a storage tank; a half mile race course is built; new store built by WJ William’s; new livery barn by SM Fitzgerald; new restaurant by Mr. Fitzgerald; and a new business building by CB Scott.
  May 13, 1899 - Gardiner getting to be quite a city, 2 hotels, 2 blacksmith shops, 4 saloons, 2 stores (a millinery and a dress making shop), tailor shop, harness shop, 2 barber shops, feed store, electric lights and water works. All needed now is for the NP to continue it’s Park branch to this place to make Gardiner - The Town.
  1902 - The railroad’s branch line began delivering visitors to Gardiner and continued to bring visitors for more than 40 years. Today, the railroad remains as a ghost of a grade above the south bank of the Yellowstone River, its depot now houses the Gardiner Library and Community Offices.
  March 14, 1903 - WA Hall secured lots to build his mercantile store.
  June 20, 1903 - Major JC McCartney, owner of Mammoth Hot Springs until 1883 with partner Harry Horr, lost the spring to the government who laid claim to them while he resided in Gardiner for the winter. (20 years later the government finally recognized his ownership and paid him $3,000). Mr. Horr came to Montana in 1866 and located the coal mines (this was 1883-84). Mr. McCartney as Mayor of Gardiner introduced President Roosevelt at the cornerstone laying of the National Park Gateway.
  January 2, 1930 - replace bridge to be built over Yellowstone River at Gardiner at a cost of $ 57,000.
  April 17,1930 - The swinging bridge over the Yellowstone comes down - Built in 1914 by donations from individuals and business people.
  1933 - The OTO Ranch open’s it’s door for business, with main lodge having a private bath. 14 cabins of 1,2 and 5 rooms with detached shower rooms - meals served in the main lodge.
  
  Gardiner has survived a rough and tumble existence of gold rushes, the railroad and destructive fires. A tough little frontier town, it fed and sheltered miners, entertained early soldiers who ran Yellowstone Park and learned to host the pioneer visitor. Gardiner has matured and grown to meet the needs of today’s visitors. We believe our town is a good place to spend time rich in history, surrounded by bountiful wildlife, in the heart of some of the West’s finest country.
  

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