Old Faithful erupts with bison sprawled out beside it. There’s truly nothing more iconic than Yellowstone National Park. But, planning a vacation here can be confusing. So, I’m going to help you figure out exactly where to stay in Yellowstone.
This park is the oldest national park and it gets millions of visitors every single year. So, there are tons of lodging options in and around the park.
I have been to Yellowstone National Park five times and each trip is better than the last. But, on my first trip, I had no idea where to stay, because there were so many options. So, now I’ve written this guide to help you decide.
Read below for my comprehensive guide on Yellowstone lodging including the best hotels in the park, great towns to stay near Yellowstone, and campgrounds for the whole family. You’ll be ready to plan an amazing trip!
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Where to Stay on Your Yellowstone Vacation
Where to Stay in Yellowstone at a Glance
If you want my quick picks on where to stay, then read below:
- In the park: Old Faithful Inn – A historic lodge with gorgeous lobby and central to Old Faithful!
- For camping: Canyon Campground – A fantastic campsite close to the Grand Canyon of the Yellowstone
- On a budget: Kelly Inn- West Yellowstone – Family friendly in the center of town
- For luxury: The Cody Hotel -Gorgeous hotel that’s a destination itself
Understanding Yellowstone Geography
Yellowstone is the second largest National Park in the US, so it’s incredibly large. In fact, it’s bigger than Delaware and Rhode Island combined! 😮
Because of it’s large size, you’ll want to orient yourself around the park and the towns that surround itself to plan the ultimate Yellowstone vacation. You’ll be doing a lot of driving 🚗 if you want to see the majority of the park.
Yellowstone has five entrances to get into park, there are two in the Northern section and then one in each other direction. The Grand Tetons sit just South of Yellowstone and it’s a great thing to add to your vacation.
Once you get into the park there’s an Upper Loop and a Lower loop or one very large loop around the entire park.
Most people stay within the park boundaries or in one of the town’s that’s just outside of its boundaries. West Yellowstone is just five minutes from West Entrance, while Gardiner and Cooke City sit just North of the park.
Within the park itself, you’ll find these different areas:
- Old Faithful in the Southwest
- Norris in the central West
- Mammoth Hot Springs in the Northwest
- Tower/Roosevelt & Lamar Valley to the Northeast
- Canyon Village in the Central East
- West Thumb/Yellowstone Lake in the Southeast
Camping in Yellowstone National Park
Campgrounds in Yellowstone are extremely popular and tend to sell out in peak summer. There are a total of eleven campgrounds in the park with 2000 sites and the majority of them require reservations.
Mammoth is the only campground that is open year round and it has first-come, first-serve sites from October 15-April 1st.
Reservations come out 6 months in advance of the date that you are going. There are two systems for reserving them: Recreation.gov and Yellowstone National Park Lodges.
The most central campgrounds are: Madison, Canyon, and Norris. If you want a more secluded, peaceful experience then check out: Indian Creek, Slough Creek or Lewis Lake.
If you’re more interested in staying in a hotel, read further!
Yellowstone National Park Lodging
Yellowstone has nine fantastic lodges within the park. These hotels have charm, history, and proximity to the highlights of the park!
There’s truly no better place to stay than within the park itself. If you can snag one of these hotels than I highly recommend it for your trip.
Before booking your Yellowstone lodge you should know a few things:
- Lodging books out incredibly early. Most lodges are fully booked 7-8 months out in advance. You can book your hotel on Yellowstone National Park Lodges website or Trip Advisor.
- Yellowstone lodges do not have air conditioning. That being said, some of them have fans that you can use in your room.
- Some lodges have private rooms with bathrooms, cabins that are fully equipped, and some have rooms with shared communal bathrooms. You can look at the details before you book.
- Hotels within Yellowstone are not pet friendly, but some of the cabins allow them. That being said, you will have to keep them on a leash within the park and they are generally only allowed in parking lots or boardwalked trails.
Lodges in Yellowstone
Because there are nine lodges in the park, it can be overwhelming to choose from. Below you can read more details about these lodges and book the one that sounds right for you.
In my opinion, the best lodge in the park is the Canyon Lodge, due to the number of hotel rooms and proximity to sites. But, Grant Village and Old Faithful Inn are also fantastic options.
Canyon Lodge
Canyon Lodge boasts 500 rooms, which makes it the largest hotel in the park. But, it’s also centrally located to both the Upper and Lower Yellowstone loops and just 5 minutes from the Grand Canyon of the Yellowstone. So, you can easily access most of the highlights in the park!
This hotel was completely redeveloped in 2016, so it’s got great new rooms. Plus, it’s just a short walk to the Canyon Eatery with restaurants and gift shops.
👉 Book your stay at Canyon Lodge here!
Old Faithful Inn
Old Faithful Inn is just steps away from the iconic Old Faithful Geyser. This iconic hotel was built in 1905 with gorgeous log exterior and a beautiful stone fireplace in the communal area.
If you want to stay in a central location in a historic hotel, then there’s no better place to stay!
👉 Check rates for an Old Faithful Inn stay here!
Lake Yellowstone Hotels & Cabins
Spend a few nights at the oldest hotel in the park at the Lake Yellowstone Hotels & Cabins. You’ll be able to look over the shores of Yellowstone Lake.
This stay is centrally located to much of the park and it boasts string quartets and pianists playing there in the summer.
👉 Find accommodations at Lake Yellowstone Hotels & Cabins here!
Grant Village
Stay at Grant Village, named after Ulysses S. Grant. This historic hotel is near the West Thumb of Yellowstone Lake and is the closest Yellowstone lodge to Grand Teton National Park.
There are 50 rooms in this hotel, but there are no elevators. So, keep that in mind if you book a room here!
👉 Stay in Yellowstone at the Grant Village here!
Mammoth Hot Springs Hotel & Cabins
Mammoth Hot Springs Hotel is the only hotel in the park that is open in all four seasons. This beautiful property was built in the early 1900s and has much of the same architecture.
If you stay here, you’ll be close to Mammoth Hot Springs and have the opportunity to see elk grazing in the grass outside.
👉 Checkout Mammoth Hot Springs Hotel rates here!
Old Faithful Lodge
Located right off of Old Faithful Geyser you’ll find the Old Faithful Lodge. This rustic lodge was built in the 1920s with fantastic architecture.
Inside the lodge you’ll find a large cafeteria style dining area with plenty of options to enjoy.
👉 Find rooms at the Old Faithful Lodge here!
Old Faithful Snow Lodge
You can enjoy time at the Old Faithful Snow Lodge in both the summer and the winter. This is the newest hotel in the park and has a gorgeous build with timber and log columns.
There are fireplaces in the lobby to enjoy with the family as well as two restaurants and souvenir shop. It’s a fantastic place to base yourself on your trip to Yellowstone.
👉 Book your vacation at Old Faithful Snow Lodge here!
Roosevelt Lodge Cabins
If you want to focus on wildlife viewing, then you should choose the Roosevelt Lodge Cabins. These rustic cabins are in the Northeastern part of the park near Lamar Valley.
You can enjoy rocking chairs on the porch, horseback rides, and family style dinners with the other guests.
👉 Check out options at Roosevelt Lodge Cabins here!
Lake Lodge Cabins
Stay on the shores of Yellowstone Lake at Lake Lodge Cabins and enjoy rocking on the main porch with views of the Lake.
Behind the main lodge, there are 186 cabins in various styles. It’s a serene place to spend your time in Yellowstone.
👉 Find your Lake Lodge Cabin options here!
Yellowstone Lodging Outside the Park (Towns Nearby)
West Yellowstone- For Proximity to the Highlights & Touristy Vibes
West Yellowstone is located just 5 minutes from the West Yellowstone Entrance and is the best town to stay if you want to be close to the park!
It’s the perfect spot for families that want to be in the center of it all and stay at a hotel together. Plus, many of the Yellowstone tours pick up from West Yellowstone.
However, because of its proximity to the park, prices can be high and it does have a more touristy feel to the town. There are tons of restaurants and souvenir shops within town.
Best Hotels in West Yellowstone:
- Kelly Inn- West Yellowstone – A budget friendly hotel that has a swimming pool and hot tub and is walkable to town!
- Yellowstone West Gate Hotel – Just 5 blocks from the entrance, this hotel has plentiful amenities and you can’t beat the location.
- Explorer Cabins at Yellowstone– Great cabins that are just minutes from the park. That way you can stay under one roof as a family.
Gardiner- For Year Round Activity & Budget Friendly Stays
Gardiner is a charming small town North of Yellowstone. Both of them are just about 5 minutes from their closest entrances. Gardiner is near the Northwest Entrance, which is the only one open year round.
This town is a peaceful place to lodge with beautiful views of the mountains, great restaurants, and fun outdoor activities to enjoy like snow mobiling and fly fishing.
Plus, it’s just North of Yellowstone with close drives to Mammoth hot springs or wildlife viewing in Lamar Valley.
We stayed at the Ridgeline Hotel in Gardiner on my last trip and it was the perfect home base. It was quiet, had a great bonfire to use at night, and pool to swim in during the day! Plus, it had beautiful views of the river out back.
Gardiner Yellowstone Lodging:
- Yellowstone Riverside Cottages (Gardiner)- Gorgeous hotel on the Yellowstone River with a lovely shared patio to enjoy the view.
- Yellowstone Village Inn & Suites (Gardiner)- Great stay for families with an indoor pool, sundeck, and picnic area.
- Roosevelt Hotel (Gardiner) – A quiet play to stay just outside the park.
- Ridgeline Hotel at Yellowstone (Gardiner)- Larger hotel with a restaurant, casino, and hot tub on the property! I loved staying here with a group.
- Under Canvas North Yellowstone (Gardiner) – Fantastic glamping property with nice canvas-sided tents and communal areas.
Cooke City- For Wildlife Viewing
Cooke City is the closest entrance to the Lamar Valley, which is well known for its fantastic wildlife viewing opportunities. Within this valley you’ll find bison, bears, wolves, and more.
Plus, Cooke City is an adorable small town that has peaceful hotels and plentiful recreation opportunities as well.
People should stay in Cooke City if they want to be able to go wildlife viewing easily or they want a quieter town to stay in. However, note that many of the roads shut down in this area in the winter!
Cooke City Hotels Near Lamar Valley:
- Silver Gate Lodging– Beautiful wooden lodge with a gorgeous mountain view and playground to enjoy.
- Elk Horn Lodge– Great rooms with mountain views and balconies to enjoy.
Cody – For a Cute Western Town
Cody was founded by Buffalo Bill Cody and because of that they have a real Western culture. Stay in this unique town if you want to embrace the Western lifestyle or stay on a beautiful dude ranch.
Within the town, you’ll find the amazing Buffalo Bill Center of the West, the Old Trail Town, and nightly rodeos to attend. So, you’ll really feel as if you are in the Old West.
However, Cody is about an hour (50 miles) from the East entrance of Yellowstone. So, you will have to drive a bit further to the park. But it’s a fun spot to stay with the whole family.
Places to Stay in Cody, WY:
- The Cody Hotel– A luxury hotel in the town of Cody with large pool, hot tub, and services.
- Cody Cowboy Village – Stay in this Western themed hotel that is right in the center of Cody!
- Bill Cody Ranch– Experience the fun of a dude ranch with this unique family friendly property.
Big Sky- For Skiing & Outdoor Recreation
Big Sky is about an hour North of Yellowstone. People who choose to stay in Big Sky are generally those that want to spend time skiing in Big Sky in the winter or enjoying mountain biking and horseback riding in the summer.
It’s perfect for people that want to go on vacations to a gorgeous destination in Montana and want to take a day trip to Yellowstone. It’s a long commute if you plan on visiting Yellowstone for more than a day.
Big Sky is renowned for its world class skiing with gorgeous scenery of the Rocky Mountains. It’s a beautiful place to spend your vacation.
Big Sky Montana Lodging:
- Montage Big Sky – A Luxury resort with ski in/ski out access as well as other outdoor recreation activities like mountain biking and hiking.
- Big Sky Resort– An incredibly large ski in and ski out property in Big Sky. They have plenty of rooms and condos as well as pool and hot tubs on site.
- Aspects Big Sky – This property has 10 different mountain homes and properties. It’s a great place to stay with the family boasting spectacular reviews.
Jackson – For Luxurious Stays
Jackson is just south of Grand Teton National Park, and it’s one of the cutest towns out West. But, it’s also about an 57 miles or an hour 15 minutes from Yellowstone and it’s one of the more expensive towns to stay!
I would choose to stay in Jackson if you just want to do a day trip to Yellowstone and spend more time in Jackson Hole/the Grand Tetons. Otherwise, it will be a long drive every day to Yellowstone.
That being said, there are so many fantastic stays in Jackson! My personal recommendation is to stay at The Wort Hotel.
👉 You can read more about where to stay in the Grand Tetons here!
Jackson Hole Hotels Near Yellowstone:
- The Wort Hotel– A beautiful luxury hotel that was opened in the 1940s and still provides guests amazing service.
- Cowboy Village Resort– Great for families on a budget with a rustic stay in the heart of Jackson.
- Hotel Jackson– Conveniently located in the heart of Jackson, this modern hotel appeals to couples and posh visitors.
Which is Right for You?
I know that was a lot of information but here’s a quick summary. Stay in:
- Yellowstone– To be at the center of it all
- West Yellowstone – To be in a touristy town close to the park
- Gardiner or Cooke City– To be in quiet mountain towns close to the park
- Cody– To experience a real Western town
- Big Sky– For skiing or to experience a real Montana feel
- Jackson– If you want to spend more time in Grand Teton
Quick FAQ on Where to Stay Near Yellowstone
Is it better to stay in Yellowstone or outside?
Staying in Yellowstone is better if you want to spend most of your time in the park. There are plenty of lodges to choose from, you’ll be closer to sights, and there are a plethora of dining options as well.
What’s the closest town to Yellowstone?
West Yellowstone & Gardiner are the closest towns to Yellowstone. West Yellowstone is just outside the West Entrance, while Gardiner is just North of the Northwest entrance.
Where should families stay near Yellowstone?
If you’re not staying in the park itself, then West Yellowstone is perfect for families. They have a ton of fun activities in towns, restaurants to eat at, and tours leave from there as well.
Where should couples stay near Yellowstone?
If you’re looking for a romantic stay then you should choose between Jackson or Big Sky. However, otherwise I would still recommend being in the park so that you’re close to all of the activity!
Final Tips for Choosing Your Yellowstone Lodging
Planning a trip to Yellowstone can be overwhelming, so I hope that this guide has helped you.
My biggest takeaways are to book your Yellowstone lodging early and try to stay in the park if you can! Otherwise, you will have long drives to see the various things within the park.
I hope you have a fantastic trip!
Let me know if you enjoyed this guide in the comments!
👇 Need help planning your trip? Explore all my posts on Yellowstone here 👇
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