Paradise Valley (Montana)

Coordinates: 45°23′47″N 110°44′9″W / 45.39639°N 110.73583°W

Paradise Valley and Absaroka Range

Paradise Valley is a major river valley of the Yellowstone River in southwestern Montana just north of Yellowstone National Park in Park County, Montana. The valley is flanked by the Absaroka Range on the east and the Gallatin Range on the west.

The Paradise Valley is separated from the Gallatin Valley and Bozeman, MT by the Bozeman Pass. Interstate 90 passes through both communities. The valley lies predominantly along a north-south axis, and is anchored to the north by Livingston, Montana and to the south by Yankee Jim Canyon, approximately fifteen miles north of Gardiner, Montana and the north entrance of Yellowstone Park. US Highway 89 passes through the valley and into Yellowstone National Park. The Paradise Valley was the original entrance to Yellowstone. Today, the other entrances to the park are at West Yellowstone, MT from the west via U.S. Route 191/U.S. Route 287 or US Highway 20, from the northeast at Cooke City-Silver Gate, Montana via U.S. Route 212, from the east at Cody, WY via US Highway 14/U.S. Route 16/US Highway 20, and from the south at Grand Teton National Park and Jackson, WY via US Highway 89/U.S. Route 191/U.S. Route 287.

The Yellowstone River flows through the valley and is noted for world-class fly fishing in the river and nearby spring creeks such as DePuy Spring Creek. The valley hosts other natural wonders such as several natural hot springs, including Chico Hot Springs near Emigrant, Montana, La Duke Hot Springs near Gardiner, and Hunter's Hot Springs near Livingston.

Mount Cowen is the largest peak near the valley, at 11,212 feet in elevation. It is located in the southern portion of the valley on the eastern side of the river within the Absaroka mountain range.

Images of Paradise Valley, Montana
Mule Deer are common in the valley. 
Yellowstone River in Emigrant, Montana 
Emigrant Peak viewed from Rivers Bend Ranch near the town of Emigrant 
Paradise Valley from 15,000 feet (4,600 m) over Livingston, Montana (looking south) 

Notable residents