Where to Stay for Yellowstone National Park: Best Hotels & Areas

Learn all about the best places to stay for Yellowstone National Park from the best lodges and camping in Yellowstone to the closest cities to Yellowstone and their best hotels.

When planning a trip to Yellowstone, one of the biggest questions you’ll be facing is where should I stay for Yellowstone National Park? This famous park is huge, bordering multiple states and offering five different entrances. Add that to the challenge of places booking up almost a year in advance, and it can make choosing where to stay in Yellowstone completely overwhelming.

In this post, we’ll go through everything you need to know to find and book accommodations for your trip to Yellowstone. If you want to skip sections, you can use the Table of Contents just below this to hop to the sections you’re most interested in. Let’s get started!

Disclosure: Some of the links below may be affiliate links. At no additional cost to you, I may earn a small commission if you make a purchase.

How to Determine Where to Stay in Yellowstone

When planning your trip to Yellowstone National Park, you’ll need to determine where to stay. This is largely going to depend on where you’re coming from, how many days you’re planning to stay, what your interests are, what your budget is, and how far in advance you’re looking.

Best Place to Stay for Yellowstone

When visiting Yellowstone, the best place to stay is inside the park – if it is available and within your budget. This will help you minimize your time driving and sitting in traffic going in and out of the park. Unfortunately, accommodations in Yellowstone can be expensive and sell out quickly almost a year in advance. Book early!

If you are unable to book a hotel in Yellowstone, don’t worry as there are five entrances to the park and each offers a town right outside that is full of accommodations. We’ll cover those in this post as well as some of the best hotels in each of those cities so you can get a jump on booking your Yellowstone hotels.

Length of Trip

Where to stay in Yellowstone will partially depend on the length of your trip. Driving the Grand Loop in Yellowstone is about 142 miles long. This means that driving around it just once will take you minimum of 4 hours with no stops.

Because of this, you will need at minimum one very full day in Yellowstone, which requires spending at least one or two nights in the area. However, ideally you’ll spend three or four days really exploring the park. You can also use a day or two of this time to explore neighboring Grand Teton National Park.

If you’re planning to spend three or more nights, I highly recommend you split up where you’re staying to spend less time driving and backtracking.

This would look like 2 days on the northern part of the park and 2 days in the southern part, or 2 days on the eastern side and 2 days on the western side. It will help you cover the entire park without spending 4 hours in the car each day (yikes).

When to Make Reservations

It’s important to note that availability at popular lodges inside the park can be limited, especially during peak season (June through September), so it’s a good idea to book as early as possible. In fact, if you only take away one thing from this article, take away that – you must book your Yellowstone accommodations far in advance!

Even if you plan to stay in the towns surrounding the park, book in advance. Hotels near Yellowstone already tend to be expensive and the longer you wait, the less options you’ll have. There’s little more disappointing than spending $300/night on a one or two star hotel, but that is a real possibility to see this national gem.

Types of Accommodations in Yellowstone

There are many types of accommodations around the Yellowstone area. Hotels, lodges, cabins, camping, and vacation rentals tend to be the most popular options. Let’s take a look at each of these in greater detail so you can see what best suits your travel style.

Hotels, Lodges, and Cabins in Yellowstone

Inside the park boundaries, there are several lodges and cabins ranging from basic to luxurious. These are among the most popular accommodations as they offer you the option to stay in the heart of the park. Reservations typically open 12-13 months in advance of booking dates and sell out quickly.

More specifically, reservations open on the 5th of each month for a year in advance. Example: May 5, 2023 they will open reservations for May 1 – May 31, 2024.

Make sure to read the descriptions of each accommodation thoroughly as most lodges and cabins do not include air conditioning, which is fine most times of the year, and some of the cabins also don’t have an attached bathroom but rather communal bathrooms. Just know what you’re booking before you book.

RVs and Camping in Yellowstone

If you’re looking to camp in Yellowstone, you’re in luck. The park offers 12 campgrounds with over 2,000 campsites. This is also the most affordable way to stay in Yellowstone. Unfortunately, all campsites must also be booked in advance. Their reservations open on the same schedule as the lodges and cabins.

If you’ve heard otherwise, you may have outdated information. There used to be some first-come, first-served campsites inside Yellowstone, but as of 2023 you must plan and book in advance for all campsites.

The campgrounds in Yellowstone vary greatly from primitive to developed – so do you research prior to selecting one. We’ll talk more about each of the campsites in a bit.

Hotels near Yellowstone

Another great option is to book a hotel or lodge located just outside the park. These offer easy access to Yellowstone and are easier to book due to the quantity of accommodation choices.

The most popular towns to stay in include West Yellowstone, Gardiner, Jackson Hole, Cooke City/Silver Gate, and Cody – each of which closely aligns to one of the entrances of the park.

Reservations for hotels in these town typically open about a year in advance of the booking dates – sometimes sooner. I recommend booking hotels on Booking.com for flexible cancellation options. That way if your dates or plans change, you can easily change or cancel your hotel without a penalty.

Vacation Rentals near Yellowstone

The last alternative for places to stay near Yellowstone are locally owned vacation rentals. Being a popular vacation destination, many locals and investors have vacation rentals available near Yellowstone National Park, including cabins, condos, and homes.

Booking one of these offers you more space and privacy. This makes it the best choice for families or groups. My favorite tools for finding vacation rentals are VRBO, Booking.com, and Airbnb. When looking at vacation rentals, make sure to pay close attention to cancellation policies and the total price of the stay, including all fees, not just the nightly price.

Map of Yellowstone

As you can tell on the below map, Yellowstone National Park is big. It spans 2.2 million acres or ~3,500 square miles extending across parts of Wyoming, Montana, and Idaho. Actually, about 96% of the park sits in Wyoming with just 3% in Montana and only 1% in Idaho.

This makes finding the right place to stay for a Yellowstone vacation of the utmost importance. You need to minimize drive time and maximize time in the park to see as much as possible!

On this map, you’ll see some of the core campgrounds and lodges in Yellowstone as well as the five main cities around Yellowstone that offer accommodations for park visitors. If you click on them, you’ll be able to see their names to help you determine where to stay for Yellowstone National Park.

You’ll also notice some of the towns seem further away, like Jackson and Cody – but don’t let that deter you from staying there, they each have enticing reasons to use them as a base for Yellowstone.

Where to Stay in Yellowstone National Park

Now that you have a broad overview of the area and park, let’s take a deeper look at the places to stay inside Yellowstone National Park, starting with the lodges and then the camping options.

Hotels and Lodges in Yellowstone National Park

Inside Yellowstone National Park, there are nine lodges offering more than 2,000 rooms – both hotel and cabin style. Staying at a Yellowstone lodge offers the unique experience of staying right in the center of the park, the prime location. Here is a list of the lodges located in Yellowstone.

Old Faithful Inn
Located near the famous Old Faithful geyser, this historic lodge is one of the most iconic in the park. Built back in 1903-1904, this Inn features a rustic style with a towering lobby and large stone fireplace. It’s considered one of the largest log-style buildings in the world. Choose from a wide variety of hotel rooms from very basic to suites with a view.

Address: Old Faithful Inn, 3200 Old Faithful Inn Rd, Yellowstone National Park, WY 82190

Old Faithful Snow Lodge & Cabins
The newest of Yellowstone’s hotels, the Old Faithful Snow Lodge and Cabins was completed in 1999 featuring “parkitecture” – heavy timber construction in true lodge style. Choose from hotel-style rooms and cabins. It’s also the perfect place to stay in Yellowstone in winter.

Address: Old Faithful Snow Lodge, 2051 Snow Lodge Ave, Yellowstone National Park, WY 82190

Old Faithful Lodge Cabins
Also located near Old Faithful, Old Faithful Lodge Cabins was built back in the 1920s with a beautiful main lodge featuring stone pillars and massive logs. Choose from staying in cabins with an ensuite bathroom or with communal bathrooms.

Address: Old Faithful Lodge Cabins, 725 Old Faithful Lodge Rd, Yellowstone National Park, WY 82190

Lake Yellowstone Hotel and Cabins
This elegant hotel was built in 1891 and is located on the shores of Yellowstone Lake. It underwent extensive renovations in 2014 to restore it to its original grandeur and Colonial Revival style. In 2015, it was designated a National Historic Landmark. Choose from luxurious suites all the way to rustic cabins.

Address: Lake Yellowstone Hotel, 235 Yellowstone Lake Rd, Yellowstone National Park, WY 82190

Lake Lodge Cabins
Overlooking Yellowstone Lake, Lake Lodge Cabins feature 186 cabins with private baths and a main lodge, which includes the lobby, lounge, and gift store.

Address: Lake Lodge, 459 Lake Village Rd, Yellowstone National Park, WY 82190

Canyon Lodge and Cabins
This 500+ guest room accommodation is located near the Grand Canyon of Yellowstone and offers 5 hotel-style lodges and 100+ cabins. It was renovated in 2016 and offers modern amenities and range of room choices.

Address: Canyon Lodge, 41 Clover Ln, Yellowstone National Park, WY 82190

Grant Village Lodge
This 300+ guest room lodge was first built in 1984 and named after Ulysses S. Grant, the president when Yellowstone became the world’s first national park in 1872. It is located on the southwest shore of Yellowstone Lake and offers modern rooms spread across 6 two-story, hotel-style lodges, each with 50 rooms.

Address: Grant Village Lodge, 24 Rainbow Loop, Yellowstone National Park, WY 82190

Mammoth Hot Springs Hotel and Cabins
This lodge is located near the park’s north entrance and named after the nearby Mammoth Hot Springs. Originally built in 1936, with some rooms dating as far back as 1911, the hotel has undergone recent renovations to bring it up to todays standards. Choose from suites and deluxe rooms all the way to cabins with hot tubs and basic cabins without a bath. (Communal bathrooms are available.)

Address: Mammoth Hot Springs Hotel, 2 Mammoth Hotel Avenue, Yellowstone National Park, WY 82190

Roosevelt Lodge Cabins
Get a feel for the “Old West” at the rustic Roosevelt cabins located near the northern entrance and Tower Falls area. From rocking chairs on the front porch to a large corral for horses and an ever popular Old West Cookout, you’ll experience a more traditional Western visit at the Roosevelt Lodge Cabins.

Address: Roosevelt Lodge, 100 Roosevelt Lodge Rd, Yellowstone National Park, WY 82190

All of these lodges offer unique accommodations and experiences right in the center of the park. If one of them speaks to you, it’s best to mark your calendar for when reservations open and book your stay in advance, especially for peak season (June – September).

Search Yellowstone Lodge Availability

RVs and Camping in Yellowstone National Park

Yellowstone National Park offers twelve campgrounds with over 2,000 campsites. All campsites require advance reservations, except Mammoth Campground, which offers first-come, first served sites from October 15 – April 1. Similarly to the lodges in the park, campsites do book up far in advance, so reserve your campsite early!

We’ll be breaking the campsites out into two groups: Reservable through Yellowstone National Park Lodges and reservable through Recreation.gov. For full information on each site, visit the Yellowstone National Park Camping page. It is informative and user-friendly.

Reservable through Yellowstone National Park Lodges

Here are the five campgrounds reservable through the Yellowstone National Park Lodges website, along with basics about each of them.

Bridge Bay Campground: Located near Yellowstone Lake, this campground offers 432 sites, is open from mid-May to early September, and can accommodate RVs up to 60 feet long.

Canyon Campground: Located near the Grand Canyon of the Yellowstone, this campground offers 273 sites, is open from late May to mid-September, and can accommodate RVs up to 40 feet long.

Fishing Bridge RV Park: Located near the Yellowstone River, this campground offers 310 RV sites (none for tents), is open from early May to early October, and can handle RVs up to 95 feet long. It is the only campground in the park with full RV hookups (water, sewer, and electric).

Grant Village Campground: Located near Yellowstone Lake, this campground offers 430 sites, is open from early-June to mid-September, and can accommodate RVs up to 50 feet long.

Madison Campground: Located near the Madison River and 16 miles north of Old Faithful, this campground offers 276 sites, is open from early May to mid-October, and can accommodate RVs up to 60 feet long.

Search Campsite Availability

Reservable through Recreation.gov

Here are the seven campgrounds reservable through Recreation.gov, along with some basic information on each.

Indian Creek Campground: Located near the park’s eastern entrance and eight miles south of Mammoth Hot Springs, this campground offers 70 sites, is open from early June to mid-September, and can accommodate RVs up to 35 feet long.

Lewis Lake Campground: Located near Lewis Lake, this campground offers 84 sites, is open from mid-June to mid-October, and can accommodate RVs up to 25 feet long.

Mammoth Campground: Located near the park’s north entrance, this campground offers 82 sites and is generally open year-round (dates TBD for 2023). It can accommodate RVs up to 30 feet long in the winter and 45 feet long from May through mid-October.

Slough Creek Campground: Located near the Lamar Valley, this campground offers 16 sites, is open from mid-June to early October, and can accommodate RVs up to 30 feet long.

Tower Fall Campground: Located near the Tower Fall area, this campground offers 31 sites with open dates TBD for 2023. It can accommodate RVs up to 30 feet long as long as the driver can handle the hairpin curves nearby.

Norris Campground: (Closed in 2023) Located near the Norris Geyser Basin, this campground offers 111 sites and can accommodate RVs up to 50 feet long.

Pebble Creek Campground: (Closed in 2023) Located near the Lamar Valley, this campground offers 27 tent-camping only sites.

Search Campsite Availability

At Yellowstone, all campgrounds offer different facilities and amenities. Some are best suited for RVs while others are ideal for tents. Make reservations in advance to secure your spot. This is essential during peak season, as Yellowstone campgrounds do fill up quickly due to their prime location and low cost.

If you are unable to get a campsite in Yellowstone reserved, you can check the surrounding areas for available campsites. I’d start with Custer Gallatin National Forest, Bridger-Teton National Forest, Caribou-Targhee National Forest, Grant Teton National Park, and the privately owned campgrounds and RV Parks near Yellowstone – like KOA (Kampgrounds of America).

When in doubt, you may have to book a hotel as backup so that you have someplace in Yellowstone to stay.

Hotels near Yellowstone National Park

As an alternative to staying in Yellowstone National Park at one of their many accommodation options, which book up quickly, you can choose to stay in one of the many cities around the park.

Let’s take a look at the five closest cities to Yellowstone, which entrance they’re near, and where to stay in each city. Keep in mind, prices will still be high due to the supply and demand in these areas.

Also keep in mind that each entrance has different facilities and services, and some may have limited access in winter due to extreme weather conditions. It’s important to plan your trip to Yellowstone carefully and check Yellowstone’s website for current road conditions and closures before you go.

West Yellowstone, Montana | West Entrance

West Yellowstone is the closest town to Yellowstone National Park, sitting immediately outside the West Entrance of the park. This entrance is open from mid-April to early November. West Yellowstone is a small town of ~1,300 residents and is a perfect place to stay when visiting Yellowstone as it offers a wide range of hotels, vacation rentals, restaurants, and shops.

As one of the best places to base yourself for Yellowstone, you’ll find there are also a lot of tours running from West Yellowstone. If you’re interested in taking a tour of Yellowstone, you may want to consider a private full-day tour of the park, a small group tour of the Lower Loop including Grand Prismatic and Old Faithful, or this iconic personalized private tour led by a naturalist.

No matter how you decide to explore from West Yellowstone, you’ll want to find the right hotel for Yellowstone first to lock down your trip. Here are the best West Yellowstone hotels.

Best Budget Hotels in West Yellowstone: Terra Nova Cabins | Al’s Westward Ho Motel | Westwood Motel | Yellowstone Lodge

Best Mid-range Hotels in West Yellowstone: Elkhorn Cabins and Inn | Explorer Cabins at Yellowstone | Gray Wolf Inn & Suites | Crosswinds Inn

Best Luxury Hotels in West Yellowstone: 1872 Inn (adults only) | Golden Stone Inn | Yellowstone Park Hotel | Clubhouse Inn

Search All Hotels in West Yellowstone

Want to check vacation rentals in West Yellowstone?
Check out these awesome options on VRBO.

Gardiner, Montana | North Entrance

Gardiner is a small town of 900 residents located just outside of the northernmost entrance to the park. The North Entrance is open year-round and makes Gardiner the best place to stay in Yellowstone if you are planning to explore the Lamar Valley, Mammoth Hot Springs, and the rest of the northern part of the park.

The quaint town of Gardiner is a great home base for exploring Yellowstone offering a number of hotels, restaurants, and shops. It’s also the perfect place to base yourself if you want to go whitewater rafting in Yellowstone. Choose from a two hour rafting experience or five hour rafting trip.

Alternatively, you can just do a scenic float on the Yellowstone River if you’re not up for the rapids or are looking for family-friendly activities in Yellowstone. In either case, Gardiner is the place to stay for this experience. Here are the best Gardiner hotels for Yellowstone.

Best Budget Hotels in Gardiner: Yellowstone Riverside Cottages | Yellowstone Big Rock Inn

Best Mid-range Hotels in Gardiner: Yellowstone Village Inn and Suites | Yellowstone Basin Inn

Best Luxury Hotels in Gardiner: Dreamcatcher Tipi Hotel | Yellowstone Gateway Inn

Search All Hotels in Gardiner

Looking for a vacation rental in Gardiner?
Check out these fabulous options from VRBO.

Cooke City, Montana | Northeast Entrance

Cooke City and Silver Gate are neighboring small towns with under 100 residents each. They are located just minutes outside Yellowstone’s Northeast Entrance, which is open year-round.

While these towns are quite small, they are best used as a base for exploring the park’s backcountry with easy access to the Lamar Valley, Beartooth Highway, and the northeastern section of the park. Here are the best Cooke City hotels for Yellowstone.

Best Budget Hotels in Cooke City: Soda Butte Lodge (poorly rated)

Best Mid-range Hotels in Cooke City: Alpine Motel of Cooke City | Elk Horn Lodge | High Country Motel and Cabins | Antlers Lodge | Silver Gate Lodging (located in Silver Gate)

Best Luxury Hotels in Cooke City: None – Cooke City really doesn’t offer any upscale hotels.

Search All Hotels in Cooke City

Prefer a vacation rental in Cooke City?
Check out these amazing options on VRBO.

Cody, Wyoming | East Entrance

One of the largest cities to base yourself out of for Yellowstone National Park is Cody, Wyoming located east of Yellowstone. It is home to about 10,000 people and about an hour from the East Entrance to Yellowstone, which is open from early May to early November each year. From this entrance you’ll have easy access Yellowstone Lake, the Fishing Bridge, and the eastern side of the park.

While Cody is about an hour from the park, don’t let that deter you. You’ll find more affordable hotels for Yellowstone in Cody and both Buffalo Bill and Teddy Roosevelt have referred to the road connecting Cody to Yellowstone as “the most beautiful 50 miles in America”. During your drive you’ll be treated to stunning canyon and river views, wildlife sightings, and less traffic than other gates into the Park.

Additionally, as Cody is a slightly bigger city, it has it’s own attractions. In fact, it is home to the popular Buffalo Bill Center of the West and runs the popular “Best of the West” Trolley Tour. You’ll also find many tours to Yellowstone from Cody, like this Lower Loop Guided Tour, the Luxury Yellowstone National Park Tour, and the Wildlife and Photography Specialty Tour.

Here are the best Cody hotels for Yellowstone.

Best Budget Hotels in Cody: Buffalo Bill’s Antlers Inn | Kings Inn Cody | Cody Legacy Inn & Suites

Best Mid-range Hotels in Cody: Hampton Inn & Suites Cody | The Cody | Robins Nest Bed & Breakfast | Cody Cowboy Village

Best Luxury Hotels in Cody: Chamberlin Inn | Best Western Premier Ivy Inn & Suites | K3 Guest Ranch | The Scout Inn

Search All Hotels in Cody

Want to browse vacation rentals in Cody?
Check out these epic options on VRBO.

Jackson Hole, Wyoming | South Entrance

Jackson Hole is a popular resort town of ~11,000 residents located about an hour south of Yellowstone. It’s best known for its beautiful scenery, bountiful outdoor activities, and luxury lodging options.

With the South Entrance of Yellowstone being open from mid-May to early November, Jackson Hole a great place to stay for easy access to Grand Teton National Park, Yellowstone Lake, and the southern section of the park.

In fact, one of the best perks of staying in Jackson or neighboring Teton Village – besides it’s wide range of accommodations – is that you’ll be right next to another national park, Grand Teton National Park. You’ll actually have to drive through Grand Teton to get to Yellowstone National Park, which means you’ll have an absolutely stunning drive and be able to experience another one of the best national parks in the US during your trip to Yellowstone!

Beyond that, Jackson offers endless ways to experience Yellowstone National Park, including a day trip to the highlights of Yellowstone, a full day Lower Loop of Yellowstone tour, or a Guided Safari Tour of Yellowstone.

Want to enjoy the Jackson area more? Check out a Grand Teton wildlife safari. Take a scenic wildlife float on the Snake River. Go whitewater rafting in class II and III rapids. Try horseback riding in the Bridger-Teton National Forest. Do a guided fishing trip in Jackson Hole. There are endless adventures in Jackson!

Here are the best Jackson hotels for Yellowstone.

Best Hostels in Jackson Hole: Cache House | The Hostel

Best Budget Hotels in Jackson Hole: Ranch Inn Jackson Hole | Cowboy Village Resort | Antler Inn | Continuum Hotel

Best Mid-range Hotels in Jackson Hole: The Lexington at Jackson Hole | Snow King Resort | Parkway Inn of Jackson Hole | The Virginian Lodge

Best Luxury Hotels in Jackson Hole: Hotel Jackson | Huff House Inn and Cabins | Wyoming Inn of Jackson Hole | Teton Mountain Lodge and Spa

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Interested in a vacation rental in Jackson Hole?
Check the stunning options on VRBO.

Explore More of Yellowstone

We’ve taken a look at where to stay in Yellowstone National Park with tons of options to start your trip off on the right foot. Do you remember the first rule of booking hotels for Yellowstone? Book early. Don’t sit on the idea of going to Yellowstone. If you’re not sure, book a reservation with free cancellation. You’ll thank yourself later!

From there, plan out your trip, where to stay, what to do, and how to best enjoy this phenomenal part of the country! Want to explore more epic national parks? Check out:

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Where to Stay for Yellowstone National Park: Best Hotels & Areas