Yellowstone was somewhere in the middle of our large national parks road journey in 2020, where we visited 13 amazing national parks over the course of 12 months. It goes without saying, it was an incredible year. It was both of our initial times in Yellowstone National Park, and while it wasn’t our preferred (that honor goes to the Utah National Parks), there’s no doubt that Yellowstone is spectacular. The remarkably diverse landscapes (did you know there’s a Grand Canyon… in Yellowstone?), the plentiful wildlife, and the out-of-this-world geysers combine to create an immersive, unique experience that should probably be on everyone’s list of national parks to visit.
However, what we didn’t entirely realize about Yellowstone was its tremendous size. Enormous. You could find yourself driving for hours between destinations within the park, and that’s not including the driving you may do if you opt for a location to stay relatively distant.
We wrote this detailed guide to places to stay near Yellowstone to help you make an informed decision about where to lodge in Yellowstone National Park. Below, we’ll cover the regions of the park as we view them, the best areas to stay to explore each region, and a strategy for choosing which areas to opt for based on your travel style and budget.
You`ll truly enjoy Yellowstone, and we aim to simplify determining where to stay in the park.
One note before reviewing the itinerary – booking as early as possible is highly recommended for summer visits. Guests literally reserve over a year in advance (no names mentioned, mom). Competition is extremely intense, so advance planning is important.
The original content was paraphrased as: “
Head`s up! Organizing a trip to Yellowstone? Don’t overlook our 4 day plan for Yellowstone where we delve into what to do and see, and how to structure your time in the park.
Disclaimer: Some of the links in this post, like hotel links, are affiliate links, meaning at no additional cost to you, we make a little bit of money if you click through and book. That being said, we would never recommend something to you that we don’t stand behind 100%.
Table of Contents
A Yellowstone Geography Overview
To talk about the best places to stay to explore Yellowstone, we need to start by covering the park highlights and where they’re located.
First, it`s worth mentioning early on – Yellowstone is ENORMOUS. We’ve visited 13 national parks in the past year or so, and Yellowstone felt the biggest to us (though Olympic National Park and Death Valley National Park also seem quite expansive).
There are a few implications from that fact. First, you’re going to be driving a lot. No alternatives, additions, or exceptions about it.
…HOWEVER, you can reduce that travel time by strategically selecting where you choose to stay.
We’d strongly advocate distributing your nights between two distinctive spots so that you can invest your time seeing the attractions rather than traveling. Which is exactly what we have you accomplish in our 4 day Yellowstone itinerary.
With that matter addressed, let’s briefly examine Yellowstone’s landscape features.
At a high-level, we’d separate the park into five districts. They are:
- The Lamar Valley (northeast)
- Mammoth Hot Springs (northwest)
- Grand Canyon of the Yellowstone (central)
- Old Faithful & Geyser Basin (southwest)
- Yellowstone Lake (southeast)
That’s likely not a perfect division, but it’s sufficient to utilize to discuss the finest places to lodge.
The Best Places to Stay to Explore Each Region
We’ll discuss the specifics for each region, including accommodation options to suit different styles and budgets, but first let’s overview where to stay in each part of the park generally.
- To view the Lamar Valley and Mammoth Hot Springs areas most easily, lodging within the park at Mammoth (at the Mammoth Hot Springs Hotel) or Roosevelt Lodge, or outside the park in the town of Gardiner, which borders the park`s northern edge, are recommended options. Staying in Mammoth provides proximity to Mammoth Hot Springs while remaining about an hour from the Lamar Valley. Lodging in Gardiner means around an hour and fifteen minutes to reach the Lamar Valley, and just 15 minutes to Mammoth Hot Springs.
- For exploring the Grand Canyon of the Yellowstone, lodging at Canyon Village within the park puts you near this area. No villages or towns properly border this section of the park, but Gardiner approximately one hour away may be a suitable external option.
- To conveniently see Old Faithful and the adjacent Geysers, overnight within the park at Old Faithful where several lodging selections exist, or in the nearby town of West Yellowstone situated approximately one hour from the mammoth geyser.
- For touring Yellowstone Lake, the handiest opportunities lay along the lakeshore. On the northern shore, the village of Lake offers a few selections. On the southern end near West Thumb, Grant Village provides lodging possibilities.
Now, you could spend one night at each of those areas, but lodging is so competitive in the park that it’s not entirely practical to expect to do that.
The optimum solution would involve dividing your time equally between the northern region of the park – preferably Canyon Village or Gardiner – and the southern portion – ideally Old Faithful or West Yellowstone. This is precisely the approach we followed – two nights at Canyon Village and two nights at West Thumb.
If you wish to stay in one place for your entire trip, we believe Canyon Village offers the most central location. You`ll be doing a lot of driving, but it is feasible.
Do not stay in Cody or anywhere further from Gardiner and West Yellowstone – you’ll be driving extensively to get to anywhere.
Staying Inside the Park vs. Outside the Park
We enjoy staying inside the park, and typically we camp, which makes it reasonably affordable.
However, if camping is not an option or fully booked, we should discuss the advantages and drawbacks of lodging inside and outside of Yellowstone National Park.
Staying Inside Yellowstone National Park
Staying inside the park is, by far, the most convenient option. You’ll wake up to the sights and sounds of the park, from elk lounging outside the lodge, to beautiful sunrises over Yellowstone’s diverse landscapes. It’s the best way to immerse yourself in the stunning natural beauty of the park you’re visiting, which gets lost when you have to drive 60-90 minutes just to get into the park.
And in a place like Yellowstone, where wildlife plays such a big role in the attraction, you’ll want to make it easy to be in the park at both dawn and dusk when animals are most active.
In any case, it’s likewise costly, and ordinarily a poor worth for what you’re getting.
Accommodations in national parks are usually quite outdated because they’re constantly at full capacity, so there’s no time to do a major renovation. That, combined with the high price you’re going to pay for the convenience, results in poor value.
Staying Outside the Park
In this scenario, there are a couple good towns near Yellowstone National Park that would serve as a solid base, particularly if you divide your time between them.
Staying in either of the towns below offers some benefits like a larger selection of lodging options, slightly fewer tourists, and much more affordable prices overall.
On the downside, it’s far less convenient in terms of location, and drive times are something worth considering.
Gardiner is a superb home foundation for the northern half of the park, placing you within about an hour of the Lamar Valley, Mammoth Hot Springs, and the Grand Canyon of the Yellowstone. And there’s plenty of places to lodge in Gardiner, from hotels to cozy cabins.
West Yellowstoneprovides a suitable location near the southern areas of the park, but it lies somewhat further than Gardiner. It takes approximately one hour to reach both the Grand Canyon and Old Faithful, and ninety minutes to Yellowstone Lake.
There are other towns, like Cody, WY and Bozeman, MT, however they are farther than two hours from the park and typically do not make a good base for exploring Yellowstone.
Again, we firmly suggest dividing your time between the northern section of the park and the southern end of the park to reduce driving time during your adventure. Trust us.
How Many Days Should You Spend in Yellowstone?
We believe that four days is a suitable amount of time for exploring Yellowstone National Park, which is the reason we wrote our four day itinerary. You’ll have ample opportunity to explore without feeling rushed, watch wildlife at their most active in early morning and evening, and tackle some of Yellowstone’s hiking trails.
If more time allows, we recommend allocating no less than four days to fully experience and explore all that the park has to offer.
Additionally, adding 3 days in Grand Teton National Park creates a nice weeklong Wyoming adventure. Check out our Yellowstone and Grand Teton itinerary to see how to combine the two areas 
How to Decide Where to Stay
First, decide if you’re up for camping. If camping appeals to you, choose a campground in the areas you want to stay and call it a day. It’s that straightforward.
Not interested in camping? No issue. Let`s discuss how to determine the best place to stay based on your travel preferences and budget.
The next thing to consider is your budget. If you’re on a tight budget, you’re immediately going to be able to cross off certain places like the Old Faithful Inn.
There are a few affordable lodging choices within the park’s boundaries – Old Faithful Lodge, Roosevelt Lodge, and Mammoth Hotel – but these involve sharing bathroom amenities. If you don`t mind using common restrooms, this is the most budget-friendly selection.
If using a shared bathroom isn’t for you, then your best choice for visiting Yellowstone on a budget is to lodge outside the park in Gardiner and West Yellowstone. Split your time between the two locations to reduce additional driving.
If budget isn`t a big concern and minimizing travel is a high priority, relocating to multiple distinct lodges throughout your visit can be beneficial. For instance, if entering the park from the north with three nights to spend inside, accommodations could include the first at Mammoth, the second at Canyon, and the third at Old Faithful (or something comparable).
For the full treatment, the Old Faithful Inn cannot be beat. It exemplifies the classic rustic and historic lodging styles while carrying a higher price tag, so consider your budget. The Lake Yellowstone Hotel also offers private cabins as another fine choice.
Where to Stay in Yellowstone: The Best Places to Stay
Now that we’ve established a framework for choosing where to stay based on your preferences and budget range, let’s discuss specific lodges, hotels, and vacation rentals inside and outside of Yellowstone National Park.
Staying Inside the Park: Expensive + Convenient
There are nine lodges / inns / hotels inside the park. Here they are, from north to south, along with their relative cost and things to note.
Remember the park division described above? Consider where to stay with that in mind. Choose lodging in the northern section (possibly Canyon or Mammoth Hot Springs Hotel) for part of your trip, and in the southern section (Old Faithful Inn or Lake Yellowstone Hotel) for the other part.
Mammoth Hot Springs Hotel($-$$): The Mammoth Hot Springs Hotel provides an assortment of room configurations to suit varied budgets. Affordable options incorporate cozy cabins sharing bathroom facilities. Larger cabins with private bathrooms offer good value. Hotel-style rooms lack character, at least in our opinion.
Roosevelt Lodge ($ – $$): These cabins were constructed in 1920 near former President Teddy Roosevelt’s preferred camping location in the park. While they may be slightly dated, they likely fit within your budgetary constraints. Some share bathroom facilities while others contain private ensuite bathrooms. The “roughrider” cabins lack heating systems but come equipped with a wood burning stove. The “frontier” cabins are pricier but include heating and private bathrooms.
The Canyon Lodge and Cabins($$): Though reviews mention it is similar to an economy hotel in the park but with less amenities, its central location within the park makes it worthwhile 
Ancient Faithful Inn ($$ – $$$): On the contrary, the Ancient Faithful Inn is rustic and appealing. It was constructed over a century ago using local logs and stone, and remains the most popular lodge in the park currently. Which also implies it’s the most expensive. Even rooms with shared bathrooms – some of the “Old House” rooms – are over $200 a night, and it only increases from there. However, it is a gorgeous lodge with all the wood-paneled, rustic vibes you could possibly want. If budget isn’t an issue, remain here for at least one night. They have nice hotel-style rooms in the newer part of the lodge too.
Old Faithful Lodge ($ – $$): A comparatively cost-effective choice in the same complex as the Old Faithful Inn, the Lodge has charming cabins, some sharing bathroom facilities to decrease expenses. They also have selections with private bathrooms, which cost more but remain reasonably affordable. From the lobby, you can observe Old Faithful, meaning you’ll be in an ideal position to check it out before larger crowds appear later in the day.
Old Faithful Snow Lodge($$) : The newest lodge in the park – built in 1999 – the Old Faithful Snow Lodge is the third choice in the Old Faithful Complex. It’s objectively beautiful. And it’s at a cost point between the other two options at Old Faithful. In the winter, you need to arrange “over-snow” transportation to reach the lodge. Choose between lodge rooms and cottages, all with private bathrooms. Multiple dining alternatives onsite too.
Lake Lodge ($$) : The 186 cabins at Lake Lodge have all recently been renovated and include private bathrooms. There are two options – the frontier cabins are a little more rustic, while the western cabins are a little more luxurious, with front porches and a full bath, like a bathtub.
Lake Yellowstone Hotel($$$) : Recently updated, the Lake Yellowstone Hotel is situated along the western shoreline of Lake Yellowstone. It`s an eco-conscious building, and the initial design was maintained in the recent renovations, keeping the iconic white columns out front. They offer cottages and lodge rooms, similar to many locations on this list. It`s relatively expensive – the priciest choice near the lake.
Grant Village ($$$): The options here are fairly basic – lodge rooms only in a suitable, but not perfect, location on the south shore of the lake near the West Thumb. It’s quite far from everything other than the West Thumb and the Lake. All rooms have mini-fridges and coffee makers. Choose layouts with one queen bed or two.
The Best Places to Stay Near Yellowstone National Park: Gardiner & West Yellowstone
As we mentioned above, the two spots outside the park that you may wish to stay are Gardiner, Montana, and West Yellowstone. Going any farther than that will involve hours of driving to arrive at the park, then even more driving to see the park itself.
Staying in Gardiner, Montana
Gardiner is just outside the northern boundary of the park, only a 15 minute drive away from Mammoth Hot Springs, which makes it an ideal home base for exploring the northern half of the park. There’s a wide range of hotels available – from affordable to luxury – along with cozy cabins and more rustic lodging options.
Hotels in Gardiner
Here are some hotels in Gardiner that we think you’ll like. There’s a mix of affordable, mid-range, and more luxurious options.
Yellowstone Riverside Cottages: Situated directly on the Yellowstone River, this lodging is one of the finest values in Gardiner. They have cottages, suites, and studios that can sleep from two to six persons, and each one includes a kitchen (the studios have a small kitchen with toaster, microwave, coffee machine, and mini-fridge). The deck, which extends over the river, has nice views of the park, and the open area below is a popular spot for local wildlife like elk and deer. It’s one of the more reasonably priced places to remain in Gardiner too.
Yellowstone Gateway Inn: This beautifully renovated property has apartment-style rooms – all with a cooking area, which would aid convenience – that can accommodate the whole group or family unit. It’s a great location within close proximity to the park entrance, and guests will have ample space to spread out and unwind. We appreciate having room to sit somewhere other than solely on the bed, which can be found here. It’s not the most cost-effective choice in town, but we think guests will get value for money here.”
The Roosevelt Hotel: This may offer one of the nicest hotel alternatives in Gardiner, but certainly less affordable. They`ve got hotel-style rooms, and a couple of cozy cottages with kitchen facilities. We think the cabins are where it`s at, especially if you`ve got more than two people.
Click here to view all of your hotel selections in Gardiner.
Vacation Rentals in Gardiner
There are also some quality temporary residence options available in Gardiner. Here are our top selections.
Entirely New, Centrally Located, One Block from Yellowstone (accommodates 2-4): Perfect for couples, this entirely new space has everything that`s required – a full kitchen, a pullout sofa bed for children (if you’re traveling with a family), and most importantly, an excellent location merely blocks from the park entrance.
Fresh lodging near recreational area, a brief distance from entrance (sleeps 2-5): Another acceptable choice in an exceptional spot, this two floor dwelling has ample area for up to five individuals thanks to the queen bed and two twin beds in the bedroom. It has a deck, yet not much of a perspective if we’re being straightforward.
Amazing Yellowstone River Views (sleeps 4-6): This lodging is gorgeous. From the kitchen sink, you’ll gaze over the Yellowstone River. And from the deck upstairs, the scenery gets even better, if you can believe it. Lots of natural light. Plus, a washer and dryer! Abundant space to spread out and relax, which is nice after a long day exploring the park.
Stunning Domicile One Mile from Yellowstone (sleeps 4-8): Perfect for larger groups , this 2,700 square foot residence is secluded in the hills above Gardiner, meaning vistas! Plus, the floor-to-ceiling windows allow ample light along with beautiful views of the mountains adjacent to Yellowstone National Park. Additionally, you`ll have a spacious kitchen area and some pleasant deck space.
Click here to see all of your options to rent a vacation home in Gardiner.
Staying in West Yellowstone
West Yellowstone sits just on the western edge of Yellowstone National Park. It`s approximately an hour`s drive to both Old Faithful and Canyon Village locations, which isn`t the closest proximity but is still very doable.
Lodging will likely be the best choice in West Yellowstone. There are plenty of temporary rentals, but none especially stood out to us as great value or something unique, while some cool hotel choices exist, from excellent value to something special.
Hotels in West Yellowstone
West Yellowstone has hotels from the chain hotels you see at every national park – the Holiday Inn Express and Best Western – to the more unique end of the spectrum.
Below, you’ll find our selections, where we’ve tried to avoid recommending the chain hotels, though those are a good, solid choice too.
Explorer Lodge & Resort: This lodging and cabin complex could be a good selection for those seeking a little extra living space. It`s situated on the southern end of town, still adequately near the park entrance. Each wooden residence is tastefully furnished and fully equipped with amenities like a stovetop, permitting visitors to cook meals and save funds. A communal bonfire spot offers the chance to roast the complementary smores kits under the stars. Some lodgings have interior fireplaces, and some accept pets as well. Plus an indoor heated pool and rec room provide diversions on less clement days during winter months
Moose Creek Inn: This popularly chosen lodging for a budget-friendly or mid-priced stay in West Yellowstone is our top choice. Found at this link, it offers motel-style rooms with ample free automobile parking and supplies guests` basic needs without excess.
1872 Inn: ADULTS ONLY. If you’re searching for a promising boutique lodge in West Yellowstone, this is it. It’s directly on Yellowstone Avenue in downtown West Yellowstone, so you’ll be within walking distance of everything you might require. With the notable exception of the park entrance, which is a brief drive away. Rooms are well thought out, with pleasant touches like high-end bath items and fluffy robes that will take your stay up a level. Plus, each room has a gas fireplace – extra cozy!
By following this link, travelers can view all of their lodging alternatives in West Yellowstone.
That’s all we’ve got – we hope this guide has helped you narrow down the choices in Yellowstone so that you can make an informed determination about where to stay!
