This post is about where to stay in and near Yellowstone National Park.
Finding the perfect place to wind down after an exhilarating day of exploration can be a difficult task – especially when there are so many places to choose from.
In this post we highlight our favorite lodging options both in and near Yellowstone National Park, giving you a run down of their features, amenities, price range: basically everything you need to know for booking the ideal choice for your group.
From in-park lodging hotel rooms to the best places within a short drive of the park, these Yellowstone National Park lodges give you plenty of options to find a good place to stay after a day of adventure.
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Why Visit Yellowstone?
Visiting Yellowstone National Park, the world’s first national park, offers an unforgettable experience that immerses you in a unique natural wonder. As a national historic landmark, Yellowstone is home to extraordinary geothermal features like the famous Old Faithful geyser, bubbling hot springs, and colorful mud pots.
The park’s diverse landscapes also make it a haven for wildlife, with opportunities to spot grizzly bears, wolves, bison, and elk in their natural habitat. A Yellowstone adventure lets you witness these incredible sights up close, from awe-inspiring landscapes to thrilling wildlife encounters, all while exploring the park’s rich history and geological marvels.
Whether you’re hiking through its rugged terrain, taking a scenic drive, or experiencing its famous geysers, Yellowstone provides a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity to connect with the natural world in a way that’s truly unparalleled.
Staying Near Yellowstone
Positives:
- More Accommodation Choices: Staying just outside the park gives you a wider range of accommodations, from budget motels to luxury resorts. You’ll have more flexibility in choosing your type of lodging.
- Lower Costs: Outside the park, you can find more affordable options, and prices may be lower compared to inside the park.
- Less Crowded: Areas outside the park, like Gardiner or West Yellowstone, tend to be less crowded than inside the park, allowing for a more relaxed atmosphere when you’re not exploring the park itself.
- Variety of Activities: In towns near Yellowstone, you’ll find other outdoor activities such as hiking, fishing, and rafting, and you can also explore nearby towns with shopping, dining, and entertainment options.
- Flexibility in Access: You can choose to stay in nearby towns with easy access to multiple park entrances, like West Yellowstone (west entrance) or Gardiner (north entrance), allowing you to explore different parts of the park more easily.
Negatives:
- Longer Commutes: Staying outside the park means you will need to drive into the park each day. The park is huge, so this can result in long travel times, especially if you’re staying far from an entrance.
- Less Immersive: Staying outside of the park means you miss the chance to be fully immersed in Yellowstone’s natural surroundings and wildlife. You’ll need to rely on the drive to feel connected to the park.
- Limited Evening Access: You won’t have the same opportunity to enjoy the park in the evening when many of the animals are most active, and you might miss out on evening or early morning activities.
- Lack of Convenience: If you want to visit the park early or stay late, you’ll need to drive back to your lodging, which can be tiring, especially after a full day of exploration.
- Less Iconic Lodging: While there are many good hotels and lodges near Yellowstone, they don’t offer the same historic or iconic accommodations you’d get inside the park (like the Old Faithful Inn or the historic lodges).
Staying In Yellowstone
Positives:
- Proximity to Attractions: Staying inside the park gives you immediate access to the main attractions like Old Faithful, the Grand Prismatic Spring, Lamar Valley, and more. You’ll be able to experience the park’s beauty right outside your door.
- Immersive Experience: Being within the park allows you to experience the wilderness and wildlife up close. You’ll have the opportunity to witness the park’s natural beauty at sunrise and sunset without leaving the area.
- Convenience: You don’t have to worry about long drives to get to the park each day, which saves time and makes it easier to explore multiple areas within the park in a single day.
- Unique Lodging Options: Yellowstone offers historic lodges, cabins, and campsites that provide a unique and immersive stay. Some of the accommodations are iconic, like the Old Faithful Inn.
- Wildlife Viewing: Staying inside the park provides you with prime opportunities for wildlife viewing, with the chance to see bison, elk, wolves, and bears right from your accommodation.
Negatives:
- Limited Accommodation Options: The accommodations inside the park can be expensive, and there are only a few options available. Rooms can book up quickly, especially during peak seasons, and securing a reservation can be difficult.
- Crowds: Popular areas like Old Faithful can be crowded, particularly during peak season. This might detract from the serenity you might be seeking.
- Basic Amenities: Many accommodations inside the park are rustic, and modern amenities may be lacking. You may have to deal with fewer restaurant choices and limited Wi-Fi or cell service.
- Seasonal Access: The park is only fully accessible in the summer months, and many accommodations and services are closed in the winter due to weather conditions, making it less convenient during the off-season.
- Expensive: Prices for staying inside the park can be high, especially at lodges near major attractions like Old Faithful. Budget-friendly options can be hard to come by.
Which to Choose?
- Staying Inside Yellowstone provides the best proximity and immersion into the park but can be expensive, crowded, and have limited accommodation options.
- Staying Near Yellowstone offers more affordable and varied accommodation options, fewer crowds, and a wider range of amenities, but it requires daily commuting and doesn’t provide the same level of immersion in the park’s environment.
Where to Stay Near Yellowstone National Park
Yellowstone Glamping
Price Range: $-$$
Amenities: awesome views, comfy beds
Sleeps: 2-4
Link to Book
For those who want a camping experience with a little more luxury, glamping outside of Yellowstone is a great option. These tents are spacious, fitted with comfortable beds, chairs and table spaces making the camping experience easy. Not to mention the views! This is a great no frills option to rest your head after your outdoor adventures.
Moose Creek Inn
Price Range: $-$$
Amenities: free wifi, cookies in lobby
Sleeps: 2-4
Link to Book
Moose Creek Inn is a cute little lodge outside of Yellowstone with basic amenities but a cozy atmosphere. This is a great budget option for those who just want a place to rest their head at night. The decor of this place screams mountain lodge with attractive rooms, giving you the classic rustic experience without being directly inside of the park. Located in West Yellowstone, this motel is close to restaurants, shops, grocery store, gas stations, and bars.
The Fishing Bear Lodge
Price Range: $-$$$
Amenities: free wi-fi, pet friendly, suite options
Sleeps: 2-8
Link to Book
The Fishing Bear Lodge is another great affordable option located outside the park with distinctive design and spacious rooms. This rustic motel has everything you need for a cozy stay with cozy decorated rooms and suite options. There is also a picnic/bbq area outside with tables. Located in the small town of Ashton, it is close to several different stores and restaurants.
Where to Stay In Yellowstone National Park
Old Faithful Inn
Price Range: $$-$$$
Amenities: cook to order breakfast, 2 restaurants onsite, bar onsite, awesome location with geyser views
Sleeps: 2-4
Link to Book
Located near the iconic Old Faithful Geyser, this historic hotel is a classic Yellowstone experience with convenient access. Its rustic charm, with a massive log-and-stone structure, makes it one of the most famous accommodations in the park. Perfect for those who want to be close to one of Yellowstone’s most famous geothermal features.
Mammoth Hot Springs Hotel & Cabins
Price Range: $$-$$$
Amenities: cook to order breakfast, restaurant onsite, cabin options with hot tub
Sleeps: 2-6
Link to Book
Located near the park’s north entrance, this hotel is surrounded by the park’s unique travertine terraces and offers easy access to the Lamar Valley for wildlife viewing. The historic hotel and modern cabins offer a great mix of comfort and location.
Canyon Lodge & Cabins
Price Range: $$-$$$
Amenities: buffet breakfast available, 2 restaurants, laundry facilities, pet friendly, some rooms have balcony/porch
Sleeps: 2-4
Link to Book
Nestled near the Yellowstone Grand Canyon and the Lower Falls, this is an ideal location for visitors who want easy access to one of the park’s most famous viewpoints. The lodge offers a variety of accommodations, from rooms to cabins, surrounded by forested areas.
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