where to stay in yellowstone
Yellowstone National Park is a breathtaking expanse of geysers, hot springs, canyons, and wildlife. Because of its size (more than 2.2 million acres) and popularity, planning where to stay well in advance is essential. Whether you’re looking for the classic lodge experience, a rustic campground, or a comfortable hotel just outside the park, this guide will help you choose the right accommodation, book it with confidence, and make your spring, summer, fall, or winter trip unforgettable.
Table of Contents
- Introduction
- Staying Inside the Park
- Yellowstone Reservation Lodges
- Campgrounds (RV & Tent)
- Staying Outside the Park
- Towns & Nearby Cities
- Hotels, Inns & Bed & Breakfasts
- Specialty and Alternative Stays
- Booking Tips & Seasonal Guidance
- Travel & Practical Considerations
- Conclusion
1. Introduction
A stay inside Yellowstone immediately immerses you in the park’s natural wonder. Walk out of the Old Faithful Inn and smell the mineral-rich air or sip coffee beside Mammoth Hot Springs’ terraces. On the other hand, guesthouses in West Yellowstone or Gardiner offer a more comfortable setting with easier access to dining, shopping, and gas stations.
Choosing the right accommodation hinges on:
| Factor | Inside the Park | Outside the Park |
|---|---|---|
| Immersive Experience | ✓ | – |
| Convenience & Amenities | – | ✓ |
| Noise / Wildlife | ✓ (if you love wildlife wakes) | – |
| Budget | Mid-to-High | Variable, often lower |
| Parking & Traffic | Some restrictions | None |
Now let’s dive into each category.
2. Staying Inside the Park
2.1 Yellowstone Reservation Lodges
| Lodge | Location | Best For | Price Range (per night, 2025) |
|---|---|---|---|
| Old Faithful Inn | Near Old Faithful | Classic “Y” architecture, instant geyser view | $260–420 |
| Canyon Lodge | Midway over Canyon Village | Geyser & Grand Canyon access, easy to walk | $230–380 |
| Lake Yellowstone Hotel | Opposite Old Faithful across the lake | Scenic lake views, quiet | $240–410 |
| Mammoth Hot Springs Hotel | North rim, near the hot‑spring terraces | Hot springs & historic architecture | $210–360 |
| Madison Hotel | Near Madison Junction (North) | Hidden gem, last lodge before distant wonders | $210–350 |
| Grant Village Lodge | East bank of the Madison River | Warm cabins, easy to access the river | $100–200 (cabins) |
| Rustic Cabins | Various locations (e.g., Madison, Big Springs, Western) | 4–8 person capacity, smaller budgets | $140–300 |
Key Takeaways:
- All lodges require reservations up to 180 days in advance. Hotels in 2025 average $250–400/night during peak season (June–Early September). Off‑peak seats can drop to $100–200.
- Unique features: Old Faithful Inn has the world’s largest log structure. Canyon Lodge sits atop a board‑walk that allows you to follow the Grand Canyon’s edge.
- Dining: Each lodge offers at least one on‑site restaurant; their menus open early for hikers and brunch lovers alike. Reservations for the lodge restaurants should be done months ahead.
2.2 Campgrounds (RV & Tent)
Yellowstone’s campgrounds provide a raw, front‑line experience for those who love camping. Some campgrounds accept RVs; others are tent‑only. Here’s a quick snapshot as of 2025:
| Campground | Capacity | RV? | Reservation? | Price (per night) | Unique Feature |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| North River | 200 sites | Yes | Yes | $30–55 | RV sites & shower |
| Madison Lake | 324 sites | Yes | Yes | $30–55 | Overwater cabins |
| Grant Village | 98 sites | Yes | Yes | $25–45 | Board‑walk & hot tubs |
| Jackson Tower | 80 sites | Yes | Yes | $25–45 | Mountain view, easy trail access |
| Canyon Campground | 260 sites | Yes | Yes (most fill quickly) | $30–55 | Near the Grand Canyon |
| Lake Comfort | 63 sites | Yes | Yes | $25–45 | Lounge area, scenic lakeside |
| Glacier Creek | 152 sites | No | Yes | $20–35 | A rustic, less crowded spot |
| West Yellowstone (Park Ranger Camp) | 88 sites | No | Yes | $25–40 | Non‑RV, near west entrance |
Tips for Campers
- Parks.com is the only online reservation system. Reserve 4–6 weeks in advance; late‑season camps (Sept–Oct) close earlier.
- Off‑season (Nov–Apr) prices drop to $10–20, but water becomes shut in, tables are removed, and some services are limited.
- Bring your own cooking gear – on‑site facilities are minimal.
3. Staying Outside the Park
The majority of travelers choose towns around Yellowstone, as they offer modern conveniences, varied dining options, and easy access to the park’s entrance.
3.1 Towns & Nearby Cities
| Town | Distance to Park Entrance | Popular Attractions |
|---|---|---|
| West Yellowstone, MT | 10 mi (West) | Big Sky Resort, Yellowstone Timberland Museum |
| Gardiner, MT | 7 mi (North) | Lake Abraham, The Loop (trail walking) |
| Cody, WY | 80 mi (North) | Buffalo Bill Center of the West, Chisholm Trail BBQ |
| Jackson, WY | 85 mi (South) | Grand Teton National Park, National Museum of Wildlife Art |
| West Yellowstone, MT (Backdoor) | 10 mi (East) | Lathrop Ranch Historical Park |
All these towns have hot‑air ballooning spots in the spring!
3.2 Hotels, Inns & Bed & Breakfasts
| Accommodation | Approx. Rate 2025 | Highlights |
|---|---|---|
| The Westin Moose Lodge (West Yellowstone) | $200–310 | Upscale, spa, indoor pool |
| Hotel Trapper’s Lodge (Gardiner) | $150–250 | Rustic, lake view, 24‑hr concierge |
| Cody 1200 Motel (Cody) | $100–180 | Family-friendly, meeting rooms |
| Cody’s Grand Hotel (Cody) | $170–300 | Historic 1920s charm, riverfront |
| Jackson Lake Lodge (Jackson) | $220–400 | Glacial lake views, walk‑irons for Tahoe |
| The Peisher Lodge (Jackson) | $150–260 | Lakeside, private balconies |
Unique suggestions:
- Yosemite‑style Glamping: Several companies like “Glamping in Grand” or “Yellowstone Luxury Cabins” rent luxurious tents or cabin‑style accommodations outside the park. Price ranges from $200–500/night.
- RV Parks: West Yellowstone and Cody have full‑service RV parks. Check their websites for up‑to‑date rates and availability.
4. Specialty and Alternative Stays
Yellowstone offers unique accommodation options for those seeking a little extra special:
- River Lodges:
Madison Valley Lodge&The Cascades Lodge– small bed‑and‑breakfast‑style towns on the Yellowstone River with a local flavor. - Historic Ranches:
Kirtland Ranch,Garnet Castle Ranch– these former ranches have been converted to boutique inns. - Backcountry Camping: For the adventurous, backcountry permit sites (e.g., the Basin Creek) are available via the U.S. Forest Service or National Park Service. Usually limited to 4‑person groups, they offer the most secluded experiences.
- Hot‑Spring Bungalows: Near Mammoth Hot Springs, a handful of private accommodations around the terraces provide a “hot‑spring suite” vibe, with private whirlpool tubs and scenic terraces.
5. Booking Tips & Seasonal Guidance
| Season | Tips for Inside Park | Tips for Outside Park |
|---|---|---|
| Winter (Oct–Apr) | Campgrounds shut down, only the 3 main lodges open; reservations required by July 1. Book early to lock in lower winter rates. | Hotels may offer “comfort after the storm” discounts; check local snow road closures. |
| Spring (Apr–May) | Many lodge rooms open early. The changing foliage gives a different backdrop. | Ideal for seeing the first wildlife births. Boy scouts may have group packages. |
| Summer (Jun–Aug) | Peak booking season. Reserve 4–6 months ahead. First‑come, first‑served for camps. | Expect flooding on the Hot Spring and Farmington creeks. Inter-city buses fill up quickly. |
| Fall (Sep–Oct) | Accommodations start to drop in price. Mapploitation of early evening demonstrates great deer spotting. | Leave out on guided fall foliage tours. |
Reservation Platforms
| Platform | Pros | Cons |
|---|---|---|
| National Park Service Reservations (NationalParkService.gov) | Direct bookings, upgrades, recommended rates | Limited to park lodging & campgrounds |
| Parks.com | Direct reservation for park campgrounds & selected hotels | Only for campgrounds |
| Booking.com / Expedia | Broad inventory, price comparisons | May charge a booking fee |
| Airbnb | Unique local listings | Check host reviews & cancellation policy |
Cancellation Awareness: Many lodges have flexible rates that allow free cancellation up to 48 hrs prior. Campground rates may be non‑refundable after a certain date, especially in summer.
6. Travel & Practical Considerations
6.1 Transportation
- Car: The gold standard. Plan for heavy traffic around West Yellowstone and Gardiner during holidays.
- Shuttle Services: The park’s shuttle runs from West Yellowstone to Mammoth and Gardner. Not available from parts of Lee’s Creek or Grand Canyon.
- Bus Tours: Several operators (e.g., ‘Yosemite Travel Co.’, ‘Grand Teton Tours’) run daily trips into Yellowstone, even accommodating large groups or corporate needs.
6.2 Parking
| Location | Parking | Additional Fees |
|---|---|---|
| Old Faithful Inn | Dome parking, 70 spots, free | None |
| Canyon Lodge | Dome parking, free | None |
| Grant Village | On‑site, $15 per vehicle | None |
| Inside the park (entrances) | 1 % fee on vehicles in and out of the park | None |
6.3 Power & Wi‑Fi
- Inside Lodges: Standard power outlets, a roughly 300 Mbps Wi‑Fi connection in most rooms. Still, check for “Wi‑Fi coverage” around the lake and rivers where the signal can dip.
- Outside: Most hotels provide reliable Wi‑Fi. Campgrounds may only offer a “public” network, but Reserve a cellular plan if you need it.
6.4 Food & Water
- Inside Yellowstone: Each lodge’s restaurant also sells pre‑packaged snacks, bottled water, and picnic supplies. You can bring your own.
- Outside: Supermarkets in West Yellowstone and Gardiner are stocked. Gordon Hill in Cody has a 20‑hour convenience store.
7. Conclusion
Where you stay in Yellowstone determines not only the comfort level of your weekend but also the nature of the experiences you can enjoy. Whether you’re bent on staying in the roar of Old Faithful’s geyser, sampling the tranquility beside a glacial lake, or waking up to the Rockies’ majestic sky in a cozy West Yellowstone inn, there’s a fit for every traveler.
Bottom line:
- Book early (especially for lodge stays or popular campgrounds).
- Blend in‑park and out‑of‑park stays if you plan on exploring multiple park sections; logistical flexibility is a massive perk.
- Don’t forget to prepare for the unpredictable—wildlife, weather, and weather can affect access.
Enjoy your trip, Snapped by the geysers, enchanted by the wildlife, and fattened by grizzly‑friendly meals!
