The Southwest Montana city of Livingston was originally established as a railroad town along with existing and growing numbers of ranch settlements in the area. The town soon became a central point of the North Pacific Railway in the Rocky Mountains region of the state in the vicinity of the Yellowstone River.
Today Livingston offers what many consider an authentic taste of the Old West, and its surrounding areas attract multitudes of visitors looking for outdoor pursuits.
This is so much of a tall order when considering the many hiking and mountain biking trails that surround the town. Likewise, the entire region offers plenty of skiing and snowshoeing opportunities with the onset of winter, which has all helped to put Livingston on the map.
To be fair Livingston isn’t that much of a tourist town compared to some of the more obvious tourist hot spots in the state. It is home to an interesting combination of folks including those from a strong agricultural community as well as a fair few artists, writers, and other creative types.
So the town is more likely to attract anyone seeking out some of that real Montana character, and there are plenty of options in Livingston when it comes to accommodation.
With the intention of helping you plan a potential visit to this vibrant little spot in Montana, let’s take a closer look at the best Bed and Breakfasts in Livingston.
The 5 Best Bed and Breakfasts in Livingston
For anyone looking for an alternative to a regular hotel, there aren’t actually that many traditional-style B & B’s around in the town, but there are a few motels and a couple of guesthouse-type accommodations offering something different.
1. The Livingston Inn
Livingston Inn is a residence providing affordable yet comfortable, motel-type accommodation in the town. Guests will find 16 themed rooms to choose from and they all include air-conditioning and private bathrooms.
On top of that, all rooms feature a flat-screen TV, coffee-making facilities, and Wi-Fi, and some have spacious seating areas.
This is a family-run business where the owners take great pride in providing friendly hospitality and service. The Livingston Inn is just 25 miles from Bozeman and the nearest airport is Bozeman Yellowstone International.
If you are driving you can easily access the Inn off the I-90, exit 333.
2. Country Motor Inn
Country Motor Inn is located in the vicinity of the Yellowstone River, and the rooms feature views of the mountains. The nearest airport is Bozeman Yellowstone International Airport, which is 29 miles from the residence.
Rooms at the inn are air-conditioned and include a flat-screen TV. For your comfort, Free Wi-Fi is available and toiletries and a hair dryer are also provided in each room.
The Inn has a 24-hour front desk and is close to all the best restaurants, cafes, bars, and other downtown attractions of Livingston.
3. Erik’s Ranch
The Stable Rooms at Erik’s Ranch offers guesthouse–type accommodation in an authentic ranch setting. If the idea of rustic accommodation featuring a bedroom right next to the horses tickles your fancy, then read on.
The residence is full of Western flair and is set in the Absaroka Mountains surrounded by 100 acres of private land. Amenities include a fully-equipped gourmet kitchen and a living room, along with a large decking area where guests can take in the views.
Guests will also find a library complete with a floor-to-ceiling built-in bookcase, a lower-level great room, and a pool table in a room surrounded by impressive sweeping vistas of the mountainous landscape.
Four ensuite guest rooms are available on the lower level and there is one master suite on the main level complete with two luxurious full baths, and an outdoor deck with wooden rocking chairs full Montana.
The stable rooms all come with the use of a fully-equipped kitchen and two bathrooms with showers that are shared. Towels and bed linens are provided, as is a hearty, home-cooked breakfast made with home-grown produce.
One of the main features offered by this accommodation is the trail ride tours. There are also two hikes by way of Chimney Rock and Antelope Butte. These activities are all included in a stay and three more trail rides and a few other tours are also offered at an additional cost.
4. Super 8 by Wyndham Livingston
Livingston Super 8 hotel is located less than 2 miles from the famous Yellowstone Gateway Museum. The accommodation can be accessed directly off the I-90 at exit 333.
At the Super 8 Livingston, you’ll find a modern, Motel-style stop-off ideal for short stays. The air-conditioned rooms are brightly decorated and feature a workstation area. Both double and quadruple rooms are available, and cable TV and free Wi-Fi are included.
The hotel operates a 24-hour front desk, and other amenities include a business center and onsite laundry facilities. Anyone fancying a few rounds will find the Livingston Golf and Country Club just a 10-minute drive away from this spot. Pets are allowed at the accommodation and guests staying at Super 8 enjoy a highly-rated American breakfast.
5. Travelodge by Wyndham Livingston
Travelodge is conveniently located at the intersection of the I-90 and the U.S. 89, in the vicinity of the Yellowstone River.
The accommodation is ideal for anyone traveling to Yellowstone National Park, which is just over 50 miles from this spot. Montana State University is also just a short drive from the hotel.
All air-conditioned rooms include free Wi-Fi and cable satellite TV. Coffee-making facilities are also available, and some rooms even have spa baths. Aside from that, Travelodge guests can relax in an indoor heated pool and enjoy two on-site restaurants—one specializing in Mexican and one in Thai.
The surrounding area offers a plethora of outdoor recreation activities like hiking, biking, boating, fishing, golfing, horseback riding, hiking, and skiing to name but a few. Enough to keep any outdoor enthusiast busy for days on end.
Staying in Livingston – Travel Tips and Advice
- Which areas in Livingston are best: First-time visitors to Livingston might want to check out the downtown areas that are likely to be the most accommodating to tourists. The downtown area around Main Street has something of a Western vibe to it and features taverns, saloons, breweries, restaurants, souvenir shops, and such. The downtown region has lots of amenities within walking distance, but the accommodation is also likely to work out quite a bit more expensive.
For something with more natural, outdoor features and stunning scenery head out more towards Paradise Valley. This region is a bit further out from the center but is more suited to travelers heading into the area for some outdoor recreation. - Getting Around: The town is relatively small and there are many things to see and do in the surrounding areas. This means that ultimately if you plan on going further afield than the town center, the best way to get around is via car. If you intend to fly in from Bozeman, you might consider renting a vehicle from the airport. There is a Streamline Bus service available from Bozeman to Livingston but the best way to get around is by car or on foot if you are happy to stay within the town center.
- Attractions: A large proportion of the main attractions relate to Livingston’s history and the railroad. At one point in time, it served as the main gateway point for travelers going to Yellowstone National Park. Today visitors can see artifacts from this historic bygone era at the Depot Museum. There’s plenty of art and culture in the city by way of the many galleries, and other cultural points of interest include notable historic places like the Livingston Park County Public Library which dates back to 1904.
The Bottom Line
All in all, there are some nice Bed and Breakfast-type accommodations in and around Livingston to suit a range of preferences. Options are somewhat limited as far as standard B&B-style accommodation goes, but you’ll find a few nice variations along guesthouse themes.
This means that with a touch of careful advanced planning, it won’t be too difficult to find the best Bed and Breakfast in Livingston to suit your requirements location, and itinerary-wise.
If you do plan to stay near Livingston keep in mind the volume of tourist traffic likely to be making its way towards the national park during the peak months in Montana. Many of them will be looking for stop-off points which may well include Livingston.
So if you see anywhere you like the look of and you plan on a summer trip, it may pay to book as much as 6 months in advance and you can expect it to be more expensive.
- The Best – Erik’s Ranch. This establishment seems able to provide a complete, authentic Montana experience including the outdoors which may suit families or anyone who enjoys the outdoors down to the ground. The location, the surroundings, and the activities, as well as the amenities, make it a pretty top-notch option.
- Most Affordable – It may be best to look towards the more Motel-style options, and the Livingston Inn is as good an example as any of clean and not overly-expensive accommodation. The rooms are simple but comfortable and close to all the amenities and attractions.
- Best for Families – From this selection would also have to go to Erik’s Ranch for the sheer range of outdoor activities and natural feel of getting away from city centers and regular hotels.