What's Gardiner, MT like? (Livingston, Hot Springs: RV park, how much, motel)

[TexasNick]

Hey guys,
I have been offered a volunteer opportunity at Yellowstone and they wanna put me at a Gardiner campground (they will pay for it). I was wondering what that place is like and whether there are any places to get groceries, etc. I have no idea about this area--never been there. Thanks.

P.S> I have an RV

[tigergal]

Originally Posted by TexasNick

Hey guys,
I have been offered a volunteer opportunity at Yellowstone and they wanna put me at a Gardiner campground (they will pay for it). I was wondering what that place is like and whether there are any places to get groceries, etc. I have no idea about this area--never been there. Thanks.

P.S> I have an RV

We vacation at Yellowstone every year, staying in Gardiner. It's a small town, but it does have a grocery store. The prices are pretty high, though. It's only about an hour's drive to Livingston where there's a much better selection in terms of groceries and prices. There are a few restaurants - the town cafe is good home-cooking. There's a really good pizza place there - Outlaw Pizza and there's a wonderful fly-shop. Otherwise, it's mostly a tourist kind of town. But it's pretty there and not crowded by any means. Would you be staying at a campground in the park or in the town of Gardiner? The campground in the park nearest Gardiner is right at Mammoth Hot Springs and it's really pretty there.

[grizzfan]

Yeh, I'm not aware of a campground in Gardiner; there is an RV park just before one pulls into town from the North, down by the river.

Not a bad place to spend the summer in that area.

[TexasNick]

Originally Posted by grizzfan

Yeh, I'm not aware of a campground in Gardiner; there is an RV park just before one pulls into town from the North, down by the river.

Not a bad place to spend the summer in that area.

RV park. I guess that's what they meant. I'll find out more specifics later. The question, though, is how much is gas going to cost me to drive a dinky old camper from San Antonio all the way to Yellowstone?

[grizzfan]

TexasNick says:

RV park. I guess that's what they meant. I'll find out more specifics later. The question, though, is how much is gas going to cost me to drive a dinky old camper from San Antonio all the way to Yellowstone?

Let's see, 10 mpg, 1500 miles, $3.50 per gallon. 1200 / 10 x 3.5 = $525, more or less!

[rangerider]

I think you'll kinda like Gardiner; for a tourist town it's okay. I spent a ton of time down there several years ago when they were re-opening the gold mine in Jardine and we were going into the park a lot, too. Stayed in the old Flamingo motel and ate at the Town Cafe all the time. Used to be first rate pizza at the K-Bar, and Chico's down the road a few miles if you want to soak - or for that matter, just hike down to the Boiling River in the park.

I'd way rather spend a summer there than in the other gateway communities. If you nose around enough, there's a lot of interesting characters to be found.

[rubydi]

great answer rangerider. I agree Gardiner would be a nice place to stay. Livingston's not that far away and you are so close to the PARK. I live in an RV fith wheel and would love to spend time (in the summer) in Gardiner.

[jimj]

If you can afford the position I'd say go for it! It'll be an experience you'll never forget and one that many would kill for!
Even though we live outside Glacier I'd love to be able to spend a summer in Gardner and tour Yellowstone the whole time.