Deciding where to stay during your visit is crucial to making your trip as enjoyable as possible. Whether you’re looking for a cozy cabin, a campsite under the stars, or a full-service hotel, Yellowstone and its surrounding areas offer a wide range of accommodations. Here’s a guide to help you choose where to stay during your Yellowstone adventure.
Staying Inside Yellowstone National Park
If you want to maximize your time inside the park and avoid daily driving, staying within Yellowstone’s borders is the way to go. The park offers several lodging options, from historic hotels to rustic cabins, operated by Xanterra Travel Collection, Yellowstone’s official lodging concessionaire.
1. Old Faithful Inn
- Location: Near Old Faithful Geyser
- Best For: Those wanting to stay in the heart of Yellowstone’s geothermal activity
- Details: This historic lodge, built in 1904, is one of the most iconic places to stay in the park.
2. Lake Yellowstone Hotel & Cabins
- Location: Yellowstone Lake
- Best For: Visitors seeking a more peaceful lakeside stay
- Details: Overlooking Yellowstone Lake, this historic hotel offers a more refined experience. The hotel provides classic rooms, while nearby cabins offer a more rustic feel.
3. Canyon Lodge & Cabins
- Location: Near Grand Canyon of the Yellowstone
- Best For: Those who want easy access to the park’s central regions
- Details: This modern lodge is the largest sustainable building complex in the park. It’s ideal for families, with a range of room sizes and configurations.
4. Mammoth Hot Springs Hotel & Cabins
- Location: Near the North Entrance
- Best For: Year-round access and proximity to wildlife-rich Lamar Valley
- Details: Open year-round, this lodge is located near the Mammoth Hot Springs terraces. The nearby cabins offer a more budget-friendly option.
- Bonus: The elk herd likes to hang around Mammoth – During the fall, the elk rut season fills Mammoth with soundscapes of elk bugles.
5. Roosevelt Lodge Cabins
- Location: Near Tower-Roosevelt
- Best For: Those looking for a rustic, quiet experience
- Details: For a more authentic, frontier-style stay, the Roosevelt Lodge offers rustic cabins with a cozy, secluded feel.
Pros of Staying Inside the Park:
- Proximity to top attractions (less time spent driving in and out of the park).
- Immersive experience in Yellowstone’s natural beauty.
- Opportunity to enjoy the park at off-peak hours, like early morning or late evening, when fewer crowds are around.
Cons of Staying Inside the Park:
- Accommodations often book up months in advance.
- No Wi-Fi, TV, or other modern amenities in many locations.
- Higher prices compared to staying outside the park.
Staying Near Yellowstone National Park
For those who prefer more amenities, or if the in-park lodges are fully booked, staying just outside the park in one of the nearby gateway towns is a great option.
1. West Yellowstone, MT (West Entrance)
- Best For: Convenient access to Yellowstone’s geyser basins
- Details: West Yellowstone is the most popular gateway town, located just minutes from the park’s West Entrance. It offers a variety of hotels, motels, cabins, and vacation rentals.
- Highlights: Lots of dining options, grocery stores, and activities like the Grizzly & Wolf Discovery Center. It’s the best town for quick access to Old Faithful, Grand Prismatic Spring, and other popular sights.
2. Gardiner, MT (North Entrance)
- Best For: Year-round access and wildlife viewing
- Details: Located at the park’s North Entrance, Gardiner is the only entrance open year-round. This small town offers a mix of lodges, motels, and cabins. The Yellowstone Gateway Inn and Absaroka Lodge are popular options.
- Highlights: Easy access to Mammoth Hot Springs, the Boiling River (for soaking in natural hot springs), and year-round activities.
3. Cooke City/Silver Gate, MT (Northeast Entrance)
- Best For: Access to Lamar Valley and scenic drives
- Details: These small, rustic towns are located near the Northeast Entrance of Yellowstone, offering some of the most affordable accommodations. This area is quieter and less crowded, with easy access to wildlife watching in Lamar Valley.
- Highlights: Perfect for those looking for solitude and a more remote Yellowstone experience.
4. Cody, WY (East Entrance)
- Best For: Those seeking a Western town experience
- Details: Cody is located about an hour from Yellowstone’s East Entrance and offers a wide range of accommodations, including historic hotels like the Irma Hotel and modern lodges like the Cody Hotel. This town is perfect if you’re interested in Western history, with attractions like the Buffalo Bill Center of the West.
- Highlights: Explore the Old West, enjoy rodeos in summer, and experience a longer, scenic drive into Yellowstone through the stunning Shoshone National Forest.
5. Jackson, WY (South Entrance)
- Best For: Combining Yellowstone with Grand Teton National Park
- Details: If you want to explore both Yellowstone and Grand Teton National Park, staying in Jackson is a great option. This upscale resort town offers a variety of hotels, from luxury stays like Hotel Jackson to affordable options like Elk Country Inn.
- Highlights: Ideal for combining both national parks in one trip, Jackson also offers great dining, shopping, and outdoor activities.
Budget-Friendly Accommodations Near Yellowstone
For those traveling on a budget, there are a few ways to save on accommodations:
- Camping: Yellowstone and the surrounding gateway towns offer plenty of camping options. Inside the park, campgrounds like Canyon Campground and Madison Campground offer budget-friendly spots (reserve early!). Outside the park, there are several KOA campgrounds and national forest campgrounds.
- Vacation Rentals: Sites like Airbnb and VRBO offer vacation rentals near the park. These are often more affordable for families or groups who want to share a cabin or house.
Happy Travels!
For more information, please visit yellowstone national park – Big Sky Explorer.