Where to Stay When Visiting Yellowstone: Inside or Near the Park (20 Best Lodging Options)

Deciding where to stay when visiting Yellowstone is one of the most important parts of planning your trip. With so many lodging options from historic park lodges to hotels and cabins in nearby towns, it can be hard to know which choice is best.

In this guide, you’ll find 20 top places to stay, both inside Yellowstone and near the park entrances, along with practical tips to help you pick the right location for your itinerary, budget, and travel style.

Yellowstone National Park is massive, covering more than 3,400 square miles. Because of its size, where you stay has a big impact on daily driving time and how much of the park you can realistically see.

Lodging inside the park puts you closer to major attractions and allows for earlier starts and quieter evenings. These accommodations are limited and often book up a year in advance, especially for summer travel.

Staying outside the park gives you more choices and often more amenities, but it usually means longer drives each day. Gateway towns like West Yellowstone, Gardiner, and Cody are located near different park entrances, and your choice of town should match the areas of the park you plan to explore most.

For most visitors, the best place to stay depends on three things: availability, budget, and which entrance you plan to use most often.

Old Faithful Inn is located right next to Old Faithful, making it easy to see eruptions without driving. It offers a range of rooms and is a convenient base for exploring the Upper and Lower Loops.

PRO TIP: Rooms book up quickly for summer; reserve as early as possible.

Snow Lodge and Cabins are located near Yellowstone Lake, with easy access to hiking, wildlife viewing, and winter activities like snowshoeing. The lodge is open year-round, and accommodations range from standard rooms to cabins with kitchenettes.

Lake Yellowstone Hotel sits on the shores of Yellowstone Lake, offering easy access to fishing, boating, and wildlife viewing. The historic hotel has standard rooms and suites, with lake views from many rooms.

Mammoth Hot Springs Hotel and Cabins are located near the North Entrance, close to the Mammoth Terraces and the town of Gardiner. This is one of the few areas open year-round, making it a good choice for winter visits.

PRO TIP: Wildlife, especially elk, often roam the area,

Canyon Lodge and Cabins are located near the Grand Canyon of the Yellowstone, with easy access to scenic overlooks and nearby hiking trails. It’s a convenient base for exploring both the Upper and Lower Loops.

PRO TIP: This is one of the most popular places to stay inside the park, so book early for summer.

Grant Village Lodge is located near the West Thumb area of Yellowstone Lake, close to the South and West entrances. It’s a good choice if you plan to explore the southern part of the park or combine Yellowstone with Grand Teton National Park.

GOOD TO KNOW: If you’re looking for a guided experience on the water, the Yellowstone Lake Twilight Tour is worth considering. This small-group tour covers about 4–5 miles over roughly 3 hours and includes paddling along the shoreline to West Thumb Geyser Basin. Seeing geothermal features from the water at sunset is the highlight.

If lodging inside the park is full or not the right fit, staying near Yellowstone is a solid alternative. Gateway towns near each entrance offer more availability, a wider range of hotels, and additional amenities. The best town to choose depends on which entrance you plan to use most often.

West Yellowstone is one of the most popular places to stay near the park because it sits right next to the West Entrance and provides easy access to both the Upper and Lower Loops.

The town has the largest selection of hotels, restaurants, and tour operators outside Yellowstone. If you’re flying, Yellowstone Airport (WYS) is located in West Yellowstone.

Explorer Cabins at Yellowstone are located just outside the West Entrance, within walking distance of restaurants and shops. These modern cabins offer kitchenettes and private porches, making them a good option for couples or families who want a little more space.

1872 Inn is an adult-only hotel just a few minutes from Yellowstone’s West Entrance. Rooms feature fireplaces, flat-screen TVs, and complimentary breakfast, making it a comfortable choice for couples or solo travelers.

Kelly Inn West Yellowstone is a popular mid-range hotel within walking distance of the West Entrance. It offers comfortable rooms, free breakfast, and an indoor pool, making it a good choice for families.

Clubhouse Inn is located just a few minutes’ drive from Yellowstone’s West Entrance. It has an indoor pool, hot tub, and complimentary breakfast, making it a convenient choice for families or groups.

Yellowstone West Gate Hotel sits just a short walk from the West Entrance and downtown West Yellowstone. Rooms are simple and comfortable, with free Wi-Fi and a continental breakfast.

Gray Wolf Inn & Suites is near the Grizzly and Wolf Discovery Center and a short drive from Yellowstone’s West Entrance. It offers a mix of standard rooms and suites, making it a good choice for families or longer stays.

PRO TIP: Request a room away from the main road for less noise.

Gardiner sits just outside Yellowstone’s North Entrance, making it the closest gateway town to Mammoth Hot Springs and the northern park attractions. It’s smaller than West Yellowstone but still offers a range of hotels, lodges, and vacation rentals.

Yellowstone Gateway Inn is a cozy bed-and-breakfast just minutes from the North Entrance. You will enjoy a hearty breakfast. It’s a good choice for couples or solo travelers.

Absaroka Lodge is located along the Yellowstone River, just outside the North Entrance in Gardiner. Rooms have river or mountain views, and the location makes it easy to access Mammoth Hot Springs and the northern part of the park.

PRO TIP: Ask for a river-facing room if available.

Dreamcatcher Tipi Hotel is located just outside Gardiner and offers a glamping-style stay in furnished tipis. It’s a good option if you want something different from a standard hotel while still being close to the North Entrance.

PRO TIP: Nights can get cold, even in summer, so pack warm layers.

Antler Lodge is located in downtown Gardiner, within walking distance of the North Entrance and local restaurants. Rooms are simple and comfortable, making it a convenient base for exploring Mammoth Hot Springs and the northern part of Yellowstone.

PRO TIP: Upper-floor rooms offer better views.

Colter Bay is located just south of Yellowstone in Grand Teton National Park. It’s a good base if you plan to visit both parks and want easy access to Yellowstone’s South Entrance and the Teton Range.

Colter Bay Village offers rustic cabins and tent cabins along Jackson Lake. It’s a good option if you want a simple stay close to hiking, boating, and scenic views.

PRO TIP: Cabins are basic, so this is best for travelers who don’t need many amenities.

Cooke City is a small mountain town just outside Yellowstone’s Northeast Entrance. It’s a good base for visiting Lamar Valley and is especially popular with wildlife watchers and travelers who want fewer crowds.

Alpine Motel is located in the heart of Cooke City, just a short drive from the Northeast Entrance. Rooms are simple and clean, making it a practical option if your focus is on wildlife viewing in Lamar Valley.

PRO TIP: Services in Cooke City are limited, so plan meals ahead.

Cody is located about 50 miles from Yellowstone’s East Entrance. It offers the widest range of hotels, restaurants, and attractions outside the park and is a good choice if you want more services and don’t mind extra driving.

The Cody Hotel is located on the east side of Cody, about an hour from Yellowstone’s East Entrance. It offers modern rooms, free breakfast, and an indoor pool, making it a comfortable choice for families and longer stays.

PRO TIP: This hotel fills up quickly in summer, so book ahead.

Cody Cowboy Village offers individual cabins just outside downtown Cody. The cabins provide more space and privacy than a standard hotel, making this a good option for families or longer stays.

PRO TIP: This property is popular during summer, so booking early is recommended.

Irma Hotel is a historic hotel located in downtown Cody, within walking distance of shops, restaurants, and museums. It’s a convenient choice if you want to stay in the center of town before or after visiting Yellowstone.