​​Cooke City Township

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Entering the valley from the East one can hardly believe there could exist a town in the heart of the heavily wooded slopes. Breaking past the last curve one is met immediately with a view of downtown, the only paved road in the city. Quiet and unassuming this small town with a year-round population of about 75 people (according to the 2010 Census) comes alive during the bustling Summer and Winter months. Tourism has become the main source of income for the residents here, brought on by its close proximity to Yellowstone National Park, the Beartooths and its rich history of mining. Remnants of the heydays of mining still lie in the mountain slopes and the iconic General Store can be seen in every downtown photo since 1886. The streets are full of history and one can almost feel the presence of those who lived and died the dreams of this small mountain community.