Living in Yellowstone

It's a Whole Different World Out Here

Yellowstone National Park stretches over 2.2 million acres of mountainous landscape. The vast forests, scenic valleys, and rugged canyons are spotted with over 10,000 geothermal features. Powerful geysers erupt into the sky, and hot springs, mud pots and fumaroles emerge from the ground and display fantastic colors. The rivers flow freely in Yellowstone country, cascading through canyons and forming hundreds of majestic waterfalls. These waters find way to a multitude of beautiful lakes and ponds, which are homes to world-class trout populations.

Yellowstone is a natural ecosystem that black bears, grizzly bears, bighorn sheep, elk and wolves call home. Here is the home where the buffalo roam, and the deer and antelope play! The park’s vast wild habitat supports thousands of fascinating wild creatures of all shapes, sizes and colors.

Yellowstone’s guest facilities are scattered throughout the park, with most generally clustered into six main developed areas. It is within these areas where most facilities and housing for employees exist. Employee facilities include an employee cafeteria, laundry rooms, and recreational facilities.

Recreational facilities vary depending on location. Most locations host basketball courts, volleyball courts, softball fields, and disc golf courses. Indoor facilities include weight rooms, indoor courts, and multi-purpose use areas that contain ping-pong and pool tables. Each of these six main locations has a Co-Op Employee Recreation Office that operates through the summer season. For more information on various recreational facilities, visit the Indoor Facilities or Outdoor Facilities pages on this site.

Perhaps one of the unique advantages of living in Yellowstone is being able to hike into the wilderness right out your back door. There are nearly 1000 miles of improved trails throughout Yellowstone, and many trailheads are accessible within walking distance of employee residences. Employees can easily reserve a backcountry campsites free of charge. The fishing is phenomenal throughout the park, as well as opportunities to view wildlife along the trails.

These park trails often lead to geothermal areas with boardwalks to view active hot springs and geysers. Some of these even flow into rivers where you can soak in the warm water!

Yellowstone is an environment of spontaneity – you never really know what to expect around the next corner. A geyser may begin to erupt along the trail, or a grizzly bear with cubs may cross your path unexpectedly. The hills may suddenly ring with the eerie sound of an elk bugling, or the low howl of a wolf.

It’s no wonder why the adventure seeking employees of Yellowstone National Park find this to be a home that can be compared to no other place in the world.