West Yellowstone, Montana Short Term Rental Regulations
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Reviewed by Karolyn Hutson
Last updated August 23, 2023
West Yellowstone Short-Term Rental Regulations
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Short Term City Rating5.2
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Competition
3.7 -
Real Estate Cost
4.9 -
STR Regulations
N/A -
Seasonality
2.9 -
Rental Rates
9.2
West Yellowstone, Montana Quick Stats
Short-term rentals have gained a lot of traction in the last few years. The trends and statistics of this sector are constantly changing, and having access to accurate data is essential for making sound investment decisions.
- Population
- 1,272
- STR License Required
- No
- Tourist Season
- June through Aug.
- County
- Gallatin
- Airports
- Yellowstone Airport (WYS)
- Bozeman Yellowstone International Airport (BZN)
Want to learn more about West Yellowstone?
Hostscouts has you covered. Our guides for this city cover topics that can help you research cities across the US quickly and easily.
Check out our West Yellowstone rental analytics guide if you're interested in data on the West Yellowstone rental market.
Review the popular activities that hosts include in their property positing in West Yellowstone.
The most popular local and regional landmarks hosts usually include in their Airbnb or Vrbo property listings.
Explore nightly rates that hosts list their properties and the average fees for pets and additional guests.
What are the most popular property sizes for rent? Research whether a 1, 2, or 3 bedroom best fits West Yellowstone guests.
Interested in other Montana cities?
Check out the Montana Airbnb rules directory
What makes West Yellowstone a great place to invest?
- Gateway to Yellowstone National Park: West Yellowstone, Montana, serves as the ideal starting point for exploring the world-renowned Yellowstone National Park. Just a stone's throw away from the park's West Entrance, visitors can easily access famous attractions such as Old Faithful, the Grand Canyon of the Yellowstone, and Mammoth Hot Springs.
- Spectacular Wildlife Viewing: West Yellowstone offers abundant opportunities to observe iconic American wildlife. The area is home to species such as bison, elk, wolves, and grizzly bears. Visitors can embark on guided tours or explore independently to witness these majestic creatures in their natural habitat.
- Rich History and Culture: The town boasts an intriguing history and vibrant cultural scene. Museums such as the Yellowstone Historic Center and the Museum of the Yellowstone offer insight into the region's past and the formation of the national park. The Grizzly & Wolf Discovery Center, a not-for-profit wildlife park, educates visitors about the importance of preserving these species and their habitats.
- Outdoor Adventures for All Ages: West Yellowstone is a paradise for outdoor enthusiasts, offering activities for every skill level and interest. Hiking, mountain biking, fishing, and horseback riding are popular in the warmer months, while cross-country skiing, snowshoeing, and snowmobiling draw visitors in the winter. The nearby Gallatin National Forest also provides additional recreation options.
- Thrilling Sporting Events: The town plays host to a variety of sporting events throughout the year, such as the West Yellowstone Ski Festival, Rendezvous Mountain Bike Race, and the Yellowstone Half Marathon. These events attract both participants and spectators, contributing to West Yellowstone's lively atmosphere.
- Scenic Natural Parks: West Yellowstone is surrounded by breathtaking natural parks like Hebgen Lake and Henry's Lake, which offer a tranquil escape from the bustling town center. Visitors can enjoy fishing, boating, or simply relaxing by the water's edge while admiring the picturesque landscapes. The nearby Custer Gallatin National Forest and Red Rock Lakes National Wildlife Refuge also provide ample opportunities to immerse oneself in Montana's pristine wilderness.
West Yellowstone Nearby Cities
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40 miles away
- Rating: 4.1
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69 miles away
- Rating: 5.7
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Local Real Estate
How expensive is the real estate in West Yellowstone?
The cost of real estate can vary widely depending on the location, size, and features of the property, as well as market conditions. The median home value in West Yellowstone has decreased -4% over the past year, and the average price per square foot is $318, which is higher than the national average.
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Median Sale Price
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$574,151
-4% YoY
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Median per Square Foot
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$318
2% YoY
The most common terms hosts include in their listings for West Yellowstone, Montana
Common terms for West Yellowstone short term rental listings.
When potential guests are scrolling through listings on Airbnb, they’re looking for certain essential information to help them decide if your property is the right fit for their needs. As a host, ensuring that your listing includes all the relevant information that guests will be looking for is vital.
Some of the must-have elements of a property description include:
- Location: Guests will want to know where your property is located in relation to popular attractions, public transportation, and other points of interest.
- Amenities: What amenities does your property offer? Be sure to list all features guests can access, such as a pool, hot tub, parking, etc.
- Informative: The average listing in West Yellowstone has a description approximately 2,480 words long. Make sure yours is long enough to describe your property but doesn't require your potential guest to read a novel.
After reviewing more than 536 listings in West Yellowstone, we've consolidated the most common terms on the word cloud. The larger text represents a term that is used more often. The top ten mentioned terms are Resort, West Yellowstone, Yellowstone National, Cabin, Town, Yellowstone, Hotel, Block, Desk, and Hot tub.
What are the most popular tourist activities in West Yellowstone?
Whether renting a house, an apartment, or a room, you should include popular tourist activities in your posting. The most common choices mentioned on property listings in West Yellowstone involve Hiking, Horseback Riding, Mountain Biking, Hunting, and Cross Country Skiing. When you write your listing, have a section with recommended activities near the property to give your guests an idea of what is available.
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Hiking
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Horseback Riding
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Mountain Biking
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Hunting
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Cross Country Skiing
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Rafting
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Wildlife Viewing
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Snowmobiling
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Cycling
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Sledding
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Snow Skiing
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Museums
Local Attractions
What attractions do hosts highlight to guests?
There are quite a few popular attractions in West Yellowstone, including Yellowstone National Park, Yellowstone Park West Entrance, Old Faithful, Yellowstone National Park North Entrance, and Grand Canyon of Yellowstone. Below we've included the most popular local and regional landmarks hosts usually include in their Airbnb or Vrbo property listings. Many hosts like to show off lesser-known regional landmarks visitors might not have heard of.
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Well Known Attraction
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Yellowstone Park West Entrance
Included on nearly all listings
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Local Landmark
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Grizzly and Wolf Discovery Center
Included on nearly all listings
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Local Landmark
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Gallatin National Forest
Included on nearly all listings
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Local Landmark
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Hebgen Lake
Included on nearly all listings
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Local Landmark
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Henrys Lake
Included on 59% of listings
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Well Known Attraction
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Old Faithful
Included on 59% of listings
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Regional Landmark
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Grand Prismatic Spring
Included on 59% of listings
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Well Known Attraction
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Yellowstone National Park
Included on 41% of listings
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Regional Landmark
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Grand Canyon of Yellowstone
Included on 22% of listings
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Regional Landmark
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Yellowstone Lake
Included on 22% of listings
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Well Known Attraction
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Yellowstone National Park North Entrance
Included on 5% of listings
What’s the weather like in West Yellowstone, Montana?
The weather is generally milder than the national average, with an average high temperature of around 48°, while the average low is about 26°. It has normal rainfall, averaging about 11 inches per year, compared to the national average of about 27 inches. Snowfall can be rather heavy, averaging less than 59 inches per year. The humidity levels in West Yellowstone are generally lower than the national average, and the city has a mix of clouds and sunshine for most of the year.
Winter
December through February
9° Low 25° High
Spring
March through May
25° Low 45° High
Summer
June through August
43° Low 72° High
Fall
September through November
28° Low 50° High
Cities Near West Yellowstone
West Yellowstone, Montana, is located in Gallatin County. Some cities that are located nearby include:
