On the cons side, its far less convenient, and drive times are something to think about. There is an onsite pool and hot tub and this is one of the highest rated properties in Cody. Its pretty far from everything other than the West Thumb and the Lake. There are a couple of budget-friendly lodging options inside the park Old Faithful Lodge, Roosevelt Lodge, and Mammoth Hotel but they involve communal bathroom facilities. The Roosevelt Hotel: This may be the nicest hotel option in Gardiner, but certainly less affordable. Its one of the more affordable places to stay in Gardiner too. If you want to stay in a historic property and have the chance to watch an eruption of Old Faithful from your room, this is a great place to stay. Read More Gluten Free Portland: A Complete Guide for CeliacsContinue, If youre looking for an incredible day trip from Seattle that is accessible you dont necessarily need a car and full of interesting things to do, see, eat, and drink, youre in the right place. Keep that in mind as youre considering which places to stay. Lots of space to spread out and relax, which is nice after a long day out exploring the park. My name is Ash, and I'm a former park ranger. Located in Cody, rooms are rustic and can accommodate from two to six people. Grand Prismatic Spring: 122 miles, 3 hours Old Faithful: 118 miles, 2 hours 45 minutes Hayden Valley: 86 miles, 2 hours Grand Canyon of the Yellowstone: 93 miles, 2 hours 10 minutes Lamar Valley:94 miles, 2 hours. All tents have their own, private bathrooms and some can accommodate up to four people. We believe that travel is about learning, discovery, and connection. Its an hour to both the Grand Canyon and Old Faithful, and 90 minutes to Yellowstone Lake. Under Canvas Yellowstone. With the notable exception of the park entrance, which is a quick drive away. Terri recommends to avoid the online reservation system since it is difficult to use and often does not show the available rooms. On our most recent visit, we spent one day in Yellowstone and stayed in Cody. All rights reserved Earth Trekkers. We had a one-bedroom suite with a full kitchen. To learn more about each lodge and to make your reservations, visit the official website. There is a garden, library, and on-site bar. Get ready to ditch the crowds, have epic adventures, and get lots of dirt in your shoes! Let's be friends! Your route sounds great. document.getElementById( "ak_js_1" ).setAttribute( "value", ( new Date() ).getTime() ); This site uses Akismet to reduce spam. Explorer Cabins at Yellowstone. They have nice hotel-style rooms in the newer part of the lodge too. Terri from Traveling with Terri is a frequent traveler to Yellowstone. People legitimately book a year in advance (looking at you, mom). You should also take into account your route through the park. These floods altered the landscapes of Yellowstone and some roads are expected to be closed for an extended period of time. Its an eco-friendly building, and the original design was preserved in the recent renovations, keeping the iconic white columns out front. There are nine lodges inside of Yellowstone National Park, all scattered throughout the park. Canyon Village. If you cant get a lodge inside the park, I recommend booking a hotel outside of the park. All rooms have mini-fridges and coffee makers. Note: The flood washed out the road that connects Gardiner to the north entrance, so currently you cannot drive directly from Gardiner to Mammoth (it took 30 minutes to do this drive before the floodnow it takes 4 and a half hours). With a little more time, you can get to Lamar Valley, Old Faithful, and Grand Prismatic Spring. Rooms are large, clean, and quiet and decorated with a western theme. I have the perfect itinerary for you. 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. Gorgeous Home One Mile to Yellowstone (sleeps 4-8): Perfect for bigger groups, this 2,700 square foot house is tucked away in the hills above Gardiner, which means views! I grew up in a suburb of Seattle, went to college in Seattle, and lived there after school for for five years before moving to San Francisco. This is the largest and one of the nicest accommodations within the park. Planning a trip to Yellowstone? Required fields are marked *. Its the best way to immerse yourself in the stunning natural beauty of the park youre visiting, which gets lost when you have to drive 60-90 minutes just to get into the park. Cody Cowboy Village. Hello Jennifer. Each room comes with a flat-screen TV, organic silk linens, and fresh flowers. And with the gardens and interior decor, this property is beautiful. If something opens up, make your reservation for the the Yellowstone lodge and cancel your reservation outside of the park. Where to Stay in Yellowstone: The Best Places to Stay, The Best Places to Stay to Explore Each Region, Staying Inside the Park: Expensive + Convenient, The Best Places to Stay Near Yellowstone National Park: Gardiner & West Yellowstone, A Perfect San Francisco to Los Angeles Road Trip Itinerary, Gluten Free Portland: A Complete Guide for Celiacs, How to Plan a Day Trip to Bainbridge Island From Seattle, What to Pack for Seattle: A Complete Seattle Packing List from a Seattleite, Gluten Free Seattle: A Complete Guide for Celiacs, Portland to Hood River Day Trip: A Complete Self-Drive Guide. When you make a purchase using one of these affiliate links, we get paid a small commission at no extra cost to you. Brand New, Centrally Located, One Block from Yellowstone (sleeps 2-4): Perfect for couples, this brand new space has everything youll need a full kitchen, a pullout sofa bed for the kids (if youre traveling with a family), and best of all, a great location mere blocks from the park entrance. We love having room to sit somewhere other than on the bed, which youll have here. First, youre going to be driving a lot. She recommends calling the park 6 to 8 weeks before your trip to get a reservation. In this case, stay in a lodge in south or west Yellowstone first (Old Faithful or West Yellowstone) and north Yellowstone second (Mammoth or Gardiner). What I want to know is can I just drive across Wyoming to get to West Yellowstone? Driving Distances and Times to the Top Sights: Grand Prismatic Spring: 25 miles, 45 minutes Old Faithful: 32 miles, 1 hour Hayden Valley: 47 miles, 1 hour 15 minutes Grand Canyon of the Yellowstone: 42 miles, 1 hour 10 minutes Lamar Valley: 72 miles, 2 hours. But from the east entrance, it can easily take another hour to drive to Yellowstones main attractions (from Cody to Grand Canyon of the Yellowstone, it is a 2 hour drive). Choosing where to stay in Yellowstone depends on several factors: how many days you plan to visit Yellowstone, how far in advance you are making your reservations, and where you plan to go, both before and after your visit. No problem. How Far in Advance Should You Make Your Reservations for Yellowstone? On the pro side, theres going to be a better selection of places to stay, slightly less competition, and much lower prices in both of the towns below. Moose Creek Inn: This is our favorite budget / mid-range hotel in West Yellowstone. Theyve got hotel-style rooms, and a couple of cozy cottages with kitchen facilities. Spend a day here (Thursday), staying in Jackson, Teton Village, or in lodging in GTNP. Im not sure if thats a good or bad thing, if were being honest. There are plenty of vacation rentals, but none really jumped out to us as a good value or something special, while there are some cool hotel options, from excellent value to something special. At a high-level, wed split the park into five regions. We will have an 11 year old and 10 year old, and an almost 2 year old (but thinking she might just have to stay home). 1872 Inn Adults Exclusive. They also have options with private bathrooms, which are more expensive but still relatively affordable. We stayed here in 2019 and we highly recommend it. Learn more here. Rooms can accommodate up to four people and there is a gym and indoor pool onsite. For itinerary ideas and recommendations on where to stay for each itinerary, read our Yellowstone Itinerary. Cody, Wyoming is a western-themed town that is located east of Yellowstone National Park. We are coming from the East, and have a long 5-6 hour flight, probably into SLC. Cheers, Julie. Theres a solid range of hotels from budget to luxury along with cozy cabins and more rustic accommodation options. Explorer Lodge & Cabins: This lodge + cabins combination is a nice option for people looking for a little more space. Jackson is the most convenient airport for you, but you might find that it is expensive (or impossible) to rent a car here and drop it at Glacier. New to the Gardiner Market, 1 Block from Park Entrance (sleeps 2-5): Another good option in a great location, this two story house has enough space for up to five people thanks to the queen bed and two twin beds in the bedroom. Your email address will not be published. Both times we visited Yellowstone we stayed outside of the park and still had an amazing experience. Set in the hills surrounding, Read More Portland to Hood River Day Trip: A Complete Self-Drive GuideContinue, Your email address will not be published. Its relatively expensive the most pricey option near the lake. Yellowstone was around the middle of our big national parks road trip in 2020, where we hit 13 amazing national parks over the course of 12 months. Since it is relatively centrally located, this is the best place to stay in the park. Dont stay in Cody or anywhere further out than Gardiner and West Yellowstone youll be driving hours and hours to get anywhere. Ive had the pleasure of living in the Pacific Northwest for a good chunk of my adult life, and have made the trip from Seattle at least five times to explore the very best gluten free Portland restaurants and bakeries. West Yellowstone has hotels from the chain hotels you see at every national park the Holiday Inn Express and Best Western to the more boutique end of the spectrum. The lodges inside of Yellowstone National Park sell out ridiculously far in advance. Many of the best things to do in the park can be found along these two loops. The lodges inside of Yellowstone National Park sell out ridiculously far in advance. Yellowstone Riverside Cottages: Located right on the Yellowstone River, this property is one of the best values in Gardiner. We spent three more days in Yellowstone, staying in Gardiner, Montana for the last three nights (at the Yellowstone Gateway Inn). The best location to stay within the park is Canyon Village. Rooms are well thought out, with nice touches like high-end bath products and fluffy robes that will take your stay up a level. Learn about the top locations to stay in and around Yellowstone, with specific hotel and lodge recommendations depending on your itinerary and length of stay. Its motel style with plenty of free parking, and gives you everything youll need for your stay, and nothing you dont. Split your time between the two to cut down on extra driving. This is a cool town that is located near Mammoth Hot Springs and the north entrance into Yellowstone. At the time that I am updating this, the north and south loops of Yellowstone are open. Yellowstone Gateway Inn. Driving Distances and Times to the Top Sights (these times are before the flood, for 2022, add on 2.5 hours additional travel time): Grand Prismatic Spring: 50 miles, 1 hour 20 minutes Old Faithful: 57 miles, 1 hour 45 minutes Hayden Valley: 46 miles, 1 hour 15 minutes Grand Canyon of the Yellowstone: 40 miles, 1 hour 10 minutes Lamar Valley: 38 miles, 1 hour. This is the closest property to the park entrance. Its about an hour to both Old Faithful and Canyon Village, which isnt the closest, but is totally doable. In general, in-park lodging will be more expensive than staying outside of the park. And the floor to ceiling windows bring in plenty of light, along with great views of the mountains near Yellowstone National Park. If you want the best of the best, Old Faithful Inn is the way to go. Note: This post contains affiliate links. document.getElementById( "ak_js_1" ).setAttribute( "value", ( new Date() ).getTime() ); Earth Trekkers is a participant in the Amazon Services LLC Associates Program, an affiliate advertising program designed to provide a means for us to earn advertising fees by advertising & linking to Amazon.com. Elk Horn Lodge. Each cabin is stylish and has a full kitchen, including stovetop, which means youll be able to cook for yourself and save a little bit of money. The biggest factors are budget and your itinerary. If you stay in Cooke City or Silver Gate, dont miss the spectacular Beartooth Highway. Yellowstones Treasure Cabins. Your email address will not be published. This site is awesome!! These small houses come with a kitchen and one to two bedrooms. Here are our top picks. This guide works well with our Yellowstone itinerary post, which lists itinerary ideas from one to five days, with recommended hotel locations for each day(it will open in a new browser tab so you can easily refer back to this post). Lake Lodge ($$): The 186 cabins at Lake Lodge are all recently renovated and have private bathrooms. While they are a little outdated, they probably fit in your budget. Lake Yellowstone Hotel ($$$): Recently renovated, the Lake Yellowstone Hotel is along the western shore of Lake Yellowstone. The Cody. West Yellowstone is a decent home base for the southern half of the park, but its a little further out than Gardiner. From Cody, it takes an hour to drive to the east entrance. What about adding GNP to the YNP and GTNP itinerary? There are several campgrounds in Yellowstone, with locations at Canyon Village, near Yellowstone Lake, near Old Faithful (Madison Campground), and at Grant Village. If youre up for camping, choose a campground in the areas you want to stay and call it a day. Just one mile from the northeast entrance, prior guests says it feels like you are still in the park. So, what happens if you cant reserve a lodge within the park? Also located in Cooke City, stay in a double room that can accommodate four people. Check out our Yellowstone and Grand Teton itinerary to see how to combine the two. However, it is a gorgeous lodge with all the wood-paneled, rustic vibes you could possibly want. So, now that you know the locations and the best hotels in Yellowstone, how do you choose where to stay? With just one to two days in the park, I recommend picking one central location, ideally Canyon Village. This is where we stayed in 2019 and had a nice experience. They have cottages, suites, and studios that can sleep from two to six people, and each one comes with a kitchen (the studios have a kitchenette with toaster, microwave, coffee machine, and mini-fridge). Kara and I frequently saw elk on the property and we could walk to the grocery store. Our recent California road trip reminded us of just how incredible, Read More A Perfect San Francisco to Los Angeles Road Trip ItineraryContinue. Youll want to choose one in the northern half of the park (probably either Canyon or Mammoth Hot Springs Hotel) for part of your trip, and one in the southern half (Old Faithful Inn or Lake Yellowstone Hotel) for the other part. With 2 million acres of land and five park entrances, Yellowstone National Park is enormous. Hotels and lodges in national parks are usually relatively outdated because theyre constantly at full capacity, so theres no time to do a big remodel. Cheers, Julie. Plus, each room has a gas fireplace extra cozy! Here are some hotels in Gardiner that we think youll like. Gardiner is right outside the northern border of the park, just 15 minutes away from Mammoth Hot Springs, which makes it a perfect home base for exploring the northern half of the park. This is not your typical hotelits more of a luxury camping or glamping experience. Theyve got cabins and lodge rooms, like a lot of places on this list. Take your pick from a wide range of cottages, bungalows, and houses that can accommodate from two to ten people. One note before we get into it if youre visiting in the summer, book as early as humanly possible. On Booking.com, you can book many properties as refundable, meaning you can cancel up to a certain date and get your full payment back. In order to talk about the best places to stay to explore Yellowstone, we need to start by covering the park highlights and where theyre located. The exception is Lamar Valley, which is located near the northeast corner of the park. Several of the bigger villages (for example, Old Faithful) have multiple restaurants, a convenience store, and/or a gift shop. This bed and breakfast ticks all of the boxes. The roughrider cabins dont have heat, but they are equipped with a wood burning stove. Yellowstone Itinerary: How to Spend 1 to 5 Days in Yellowstone, The Complete Guide to Grand Canyon of the Yellowstone, One Perfect Day in Yellowstone National Park, Grand Prismatic Spring and the Hike to Fairy Falls, Guide to the Best Geyser Basins in Yellowstone, Yellowstones Old Faithful: 10 Tips to Have the Best Experience, Beartooth Highway: Things to Do, Map, Photos & Travel Tips, How to Plan the Perfect Trip to Yellowstone and Grand Teton National Parks, Grand Teton, Yellowstone & Glacier National Parks: 10 Day Road Trip Itinerary, The Perfect Yellowstone Day Trip from Grand Teton National Park, The Complete Guide to Grand Teton National Park, Best Things to do in Grand Teton National Park. With just one to two days in the park, I recommend picking one central location, ideally Canyon Village. If you are traveling as a couple and looking for an upscale hotel, look no farther. For example, your trip might start in Grand Teton and end in Glacier, with a visit to Yellowstone in the middle. Choosing where to stay in Yellowstone might feel overwhelming, but it doesnt have to be. Amazing Yellowstone River Views (sleeps 4-6): This place is gorgeous. Its rustic. Most people visit Yellowstone on a road trip, which means you will be entering through one park entrance and exiting through another. Again, we strongly recommend splitting your time between the northern part of the park and the southern end of the park to cut down on driving time during your adventure. In this guide, learn how to plan a trip around the world. Mammoth Hot Springs Hotel ($-$$): Mammoth Hot Springs Hotel has a range of rooms, both in terms of size and price. If using a shared bathroom isnt for you, then your best option for visiting Yellowstone on a budget is to stay outside the park in Gardiner and West Yellowstone. 1872 Inn: ADULTS ONLY. And in a place like Yellowstone, where wildlife is such a big part of the draw, youll want to make it easy to be in the park at both dawn and dusk when animals are most active. I will have three small kids with me, so trying to figure out the best way to get thru the whole thing in a short amount of time. First of all, its worth getting this out of the way early Yellowstone is MASSIVE. More Yellowstone Trip Planning Information. I know, its a lot to process, planning a trip to this part of the country. Remember how we split the park up above? We think four days is a good amount of time for exploring Yellowstone, which is why we wrote our 4 day itinerary. Its a great location five minutes from the park entrance, and youll have plenty of space to spread out and relax. It was the nicest hotel that we stayed in during our South Dakota, North Dakota, Montana, and Wyoming road trip. Choose between lodge rooms and cabins, all with private bathrooms. Outside of Yellowstone National Park, West Yellowstone is the best place to stay, since the driving times to the main sights will be the shortest. Here they are, from north to south, along with their relative cost and things to know. How Many Days Should I Spend in Yellowstone. Lets talk about how to figure out where to stay based on your travel style and budget. Lake Yellowstone Hotel is another good option with their private cabins. Youll be driving a lot, but its doable. The trick is the best airport to rent a car. They are: Thats probably not a perfect split, but its good enough to use to talk about the best places to stay. It has a deck, but not much of a view if were being honest. They serve an Old West Dinner Cookout and there is a nearby corral where you can go on horseback rides. There are also some quality vacation rental options in Gardiner. Old Faithful. I will be coming in from South Dakota. The road between the northeast entrance and Tower is currently closed. As of July 2, the park cancelled the Alternating License Plate System. We are talking 12 months in advance! Rooms are clean and tastefully decorated. I was wanting to stay in West Yellowstone. Your email address will not be published. These houses come with multiple bedrooms. How Many Days Do You Need in Glacier National Park? When we travel, we always opt for experiences over just having a list of places to check off. Seattle holds a special place in my heart because I, Read More Gluten Free Seattle: A Complete Guide for CeliacsContinue, Every Portland itinerary that you read probably has a trip to Multnomah Falls in it somewhere, including my own. Its not the cheapest option in town, but we think youre going to get what you pay for here. The incredibly diverse landscapes (did you know theres a Grand Canyon in Yellowstone? Not to worry. If you will be road tripping through Wyoming (for example, combining Yellowstone with a trip to Devils Tower or South Dakota), its worth it to spend one night in Cody. Cheers, Julie, Your email address will not be published. Some rooms have patios and some room have balconies. Staying Inside the Park vs. Outside the Park. You could find yourself driving for hours between destinations within the park, and thats not counting the driving you could do if you choose a place to stay thats relatively far out. If so, your next best options are Bozeman or Salt Lake City. This is another great pick for families. Our website uses cookies. Driving Distances and Times to the Top Sights (from Colter Bay, Grand Teton NP): Grand Prismatic Spring: 74 miles, 1 hour 50 minutes Old Faithful: 47 miles, 1 hour 10 minutes Hayden Valley: 56 miles, 1 hour 15 minutes Grand Canyon of the Yellowstone: 64 miles, 1 hour 30 minutes Lamar Valley: 98 miles, 2 hour 30 minutes. From the lobby, you can see Old Faithful, which means youll be in a perfect position to check it out before the hordes show up later in the day. You can walk or drive to many of the restaurants in Gardiner. This hotel recently underwent renovations. Then try to fly back from Denver? Overlooking Old Faithful and the lodges in Old Faithful Village from Observation Point. Click here to see all of your hotel options in West Yellowstone. This boutique hotel looks amazing. On Booking.com it gets decent reviews. Click here to see lodging options in West Yellowstone. Some cabins have indoor fireplaces, and some are even pet-friendly! The Columbia River Gorge is a breathtaking place. Youre in the right place I grew up in Seattle, and people in California still comment on how my wardrobe is very Seattle. The Fishing Bridge Recreational Vehicle Park is located near Yellowstone Lake. Now, you could stay one night at every single one of those places, but lodging is so competitive in the park that its not quite realistic to expect to do that. We wrote this detailed guide to places to stay near Yellowstone to help you make an informed decision about where to stay in Yellowstone National Park. In this guide, we hope to simplify things for you. which lists itinerary ideas from one to five days, Where to Stay in Yellowstone: Our Top Tips, Where to Stay Inside Yellowstone National Park. Grant Village. Republishing this articleand/orany of its contents (text, photography, etc. Best Things to do in Glacier National Park, The Complete Guide to the US National Parks, Complete List of All 63 National Parks (+ FREE Printable Checklist), Utahs Mighty 5: Travel Guide & Road Trip Itinerary, Mount Rushmore: 10 Things to Know Before You Go, Yosemite for First-Timers: Best Hikes, Best Views & the Best Things to Do, Best Distilleries to Visit on the Kentucky Bourbon Trail, Grand Teton, Yellowstone and Glacier National Parks: 10 Day Road Trip Itinerary, Ultimate Yellowstone Itinerary: Best Way to Spend 1 to 5 Days in Yellowstone, 18 Best Things to do in Yellowstone National Park, Yellowstone and Grand Teton Itinerary: Best Routes, Maps, & Photos, We have a post about the different driving routes. Due to the longer distance and driving times, Cody does not make a good base to explore Yellowstone, but it is great for a one night stay. And its at a price point in between the other two options at Old Faithful. Canyon Lodge and Cabins. Faithful Street Inn. Wed like to trade that, please. Robins Nest Bed & Breakfast. Roosevelt Lodge ($ $$): These cabins were built in 1920 near dear old Teddy Roosevelts favorite place to camp in the park. All bathrooms are shared. Julie Last updated: July 2, 2022 United States 31 Comments. They also have bigger cabins with private bathrooms, which are a good mid-range option, and hotel-style rooms which are kind of boring, at least to us. We write detailed travel guides to help you forge deeper connections when you travel, and well hopefully help you discover something new along the way. Required fields are marked *. Accommodations are typically cheaper, in some towns you will have a wide range of restaurant options and a grocery store, and it is generally easier to make a reservation, even if you are planning things at the last minute. If you stay outside of the park, you can enter before sunrise or exit after sunset. Huge. There are proposed plans to reconnect Gardiner and Mammoth as quickly as possible, but it seems unlikely that this will be done for summer 2022. Grand Teton? Stay in a rustic cabin at the Roosevelt Lodge Cabins. If you have more time, great! But its the most central location in the park, which is worth something, right? Eycat Lodging Company. In general, in-park lodging will be more expensive than staying outside of the park. I plan to keep this article updated but the best place to go for current conditions is the official National Park Service website. Some have shared bathroom facilities, some have ensuite private bathrooms.