The Ultimate Guide on Where to Stay in Yellowstone
Choosing where to stay in Yellowstone National Park can be overwhelming.
After all, there are dozens of options within the park’s 2.2 million acres, including cabins, hotel rooms, and campgrounds.
And, because Yellowstone is so big, you’ll also have to take into consideration what’s closest to the items on your must-do list. You want to spend more time exploring the park, not driving to and from your accommodations.
The guide below demystifies that entire process, so you can pick the right type of accommodation for your Yellowstone vacation in the part of the park that aligns with what you want to do.
I’m also sharing some of our top picks from our own Yellowstone experiences, so you’ll have real world experience and photos to help you make the right choice!
The front desk at Mammoth Hot Springs Hotel in Yellowstone
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Where to Stay in Yellowstone National Park: An Overview
Before we dive into my top picks for hotels, cabins, and campgrounds in Yellowstone, let’s talk about what’s actually available in the park.
Yellowstone is huge, so it would be difficult to pick a single place to use as a base for the entire park without a lot of driving on your part.
Instead, you may need to break up your reservations over 2 or 3 accomodation locations depending on your itinerary and length of vacation.
So, let’s take a look at what’s available in park’s main areas, starting in the southernmost area of Yellowstone and then continuing clockwise around the park.
NOTE: For the sake of brevity and to keep the focus on the actual national park’s offerings, I have only included hotels, campgrounds, and cabins within the park boundaries. You will also find accommodations outside of the park in West Yellowstone, Idaho; Gardiner, Montana; and Cooke City, Montana. There are also some along Beartooth Highway and in nearby Grand Teton National Park.
Grant Village
The exterior of one of the lodges at Grant Village
This area of Yellowstone is near the southern entrance to the park, and it’s also the first place you’ll come to with accommodations, groceries, gas, and dining when entering from Grand Teton National Park.
There’s Grant Village Lodge, which has 300 rooms across 6 buildings, and Grant Village Campground with 430 sites across 11 loops.
There aren’t any cabins here.
You’ll also find 2 dining options, a post office, a picnic area, convenience store, and marina.
Pros: The village is right on the shores of Lake Yellowstone, and the area is quiet and beautiful.
Cons: It’s a hike to get to any part of the park from here other than West Thumb Basin, Fishing Bridge, and the Old Faithful area.
Old Faithful
The entrance to the Old Faithful Inn
The most popular part of the park, the Old Faithful area has plenty of options for comfortable overnight stays in the lower half of the Grand Loop Road.
There are 3 lodges here, all of which have annoyingly similar names: Old Faithful Inn, Old Faithful Snow Lodge, and Old Faithful Lodge.
The original is the iconic Old Faithful Inn, which has a rustic cabin-but-make-it-giant feel. There are rooms here with direct lines of sight to the famous geyser, so you don’t even need to leave your room to watch it erupt.
The Old Faithful Lodge also has a front seat to the geyser actiorental bear spray canistersn, while Snow Lodge is located beyond the parking area for the Old Faithful Inn and Old Faithful Lodge.
In this complex, you’ll find a large visitors center with film, interpretive materials, and ranger desk, a place to pick up your rental bear spray canisters, multiple dining rooms and quick service bakery counters, and a cafeteria. There’s also a gas station and post office.
You won’t find a campground or cabins here.
Pros: You’re staying steps away from the park’s most popular attraction with easy access to Grand Prismatic Spring, West Thumb, and West Yellowstone.
Cons: You’re staying steps away from the park’s most popular attraction.
Explore all of my dining, lodging, hiking, and itinerary posts on my complete Yellowstone planning page!
Mammoth Hot Springs
The entrance portico at Mammoth Hot Springs Hotel
Nestled into the park’s upper left corner, Mammoth Hot Springs is a stone’s throw from Gardiner, Montana.
It’s home to an incredible array of cascading hot springs that are unlike anything else in the park (and that’s saying a lot in this place of natural wonders!).
There’s also a visitors center, a self-guided tour of what was once Fort Yellowstone, and multiple restaurants, a convenience store, gas station, and medical clinic.
The Mammoth Hot Springs Hotel has a main lodge area and about 100 cabins. There’s also a campground with 85 spots. These have water, but no electric; there are toilet facilities here, but you’ll have to go into Gardiner to use a paid shower at the North Entrance Washtub.
Pros: The hotel has recently undergone a renovation, and it’s within walking distance of the hot springs.
Cons: This is a quiet corner of Yellowstone, and you’ll need to drive 1.5 hours or more to get to Lake Yellowstone, Old Faithful, Canyon Rim, Lamar Valley or Hayden Valley.
Tower-Roosevelt
The front porch of the Roosevelt Lodge
This is the quietest spot in Yellowstone that you can find without hiking into the park’s interior.
At what is essentially a crossroad, there’s a rustic log cabin-style lodge and 110 cabins. The Roosevelt Lodge has a large dining room and a big front porch with rockers; there is a small souvenir shop next door.
You have 2 options when it comes to the cabins: smaller, more rustic models without bathrooms, and slightly more upscale ones that do have bathrooms.
The lodge and cabins all have beautiful views, and this is one place to truly feel as if you’ve gotten away from it all while still being less than 100 yards from your car.
There aren’t any camping areas at the Roosevelt Cabins, but you will find the Tower Fall campground 2.5 miles from it on Grand Loop Road headed towards Canyon Rim.
The Tower Fall campground has 31 sites with water, but no electricity. There aren’t any showers here.
Pros: You’ll be right next door to the corral where our favorite in-park tour leaves from: the Yellowstone Old West dinner cookout.
Cons: There are few amenities in this part of the park, and no cell service (though, the latter might be a pro for some people!).
Canyon Rim
PIN ME!
The accommodations at Canyon Rim rival the Old Faithful area in both options and size.
The sprawling Canyon Lodge has 400 rooms in 6 buildings, as well as about 100 cabins. The entire place got a facelift in 2017, and the buildings were reimagined to have as little impact on the environment as a large hotel could hope for.
One interesting element to that end is that some of the wood used in the lodge is reclaimed wood from whitebark pine trees destroyed by the mountain pine beetle.
There are walking paths between the lodge and cabins and the large dining and shopping complex. Here, you can eat in the cafeteria-style Canyon Eatery or the retro Canyon Fountain and Grill.
If you’re visiting Yellowstone National Park with kids, this is a good option to stay just for the sheer number of dining options here.
There’s an educational center with some excellent exhibits on the geology of the park, and several gift shops.
The equally huge Canyon Campground across the street has 273 sites available. There’s water and even shower facilities here, but no electricity.
Pros: This part of Yellowstone has the most options with food, and you’ll likely to find a room here even at the busiest of times.
Cons: The lodges feel a bit bland, and finding your building in the large complex can be a challenge at night.
Best Hotels in Yellowstone National Park
So, if you’re still here reading after that first section, your takeaway is probably that you’ve got A LOT of options when it comes to lodging in the park.
But where should you actually stay?
Before I share my opinions on the best hotels in the park, I will say that I don’t think you can go wrong with any of the options in Yellowstone. The park does charge a premium for these lodges and hotels, and, because of that, they tend to be well kept up.
But, some of them are just in a better location than others, while some have amenities that are worth driving out of the way for.
Here are the hotels that we recommend inside the park.
Canyon Lodge
While the large nature of the complex can feel a bit overwhelming, the location of the Canyon Lodge can’t be beat.
You’re as close to centrally located as you can get in the park with West Thumb and Old Faithful each an hour away in different directions, and Mammoth Hot Springs and Tower-Roosevelt each about 45-50 minutes away.
If you absolutely wanted a home base where you could explore all areas, the Canyon Rim area is the best you’ll find in Yellowstone—as long as you don’t mind driving up to an hour one way to get to the furthest parts of the park.
Plus, Hayden Valley is less than 20 minutes south, making this an excellent location to see wildlife.
The lodge rooms are large with clean bathrooms. My kids loved the chess tables that were available, and the exterior seating areas near the fire pits.
Get a room in either Washburn or Rhyolite to be closest to the Canyon Eatery. Washburn is also the main lodge where you’ll check in, regardless of where your actual room is.
There’s no air conditioning in the rooms, but there is heat, which you’re far more likely to need.
Lake Yellowstone Hotel
The exterior of the Lake Yellowstone Hotel
This hotel makes me feel like I’m in the Gilded Age, vacationing alongside my other philanthropist friends.
And for good reason—the Lake Yellowstone Hotel was built in 1891 and the renovations over the years have kept that same feel while providing more modern amenities. It’s actually the oldest hotel in the park!
While the rooms don’t feel a modern in their decor at what you’ll find at the Canyon Lodge, this resort is still clean and comfortable.
The rooms all come with private bathrooms and coffee makers, but you won’t find televisions or WiFi. It’s the perfect time to sit out on the porch overlooking the lake to finish that book you’ve packed.
There are a couple of dining options onsite, including the sit-down dining room and a cute grab-and-go deli and coffee shop.
You can’t beat the views from the porches here as the hotel is (as the name suggests) right on the lake.
If you want a hotel with easy access to Fishing Bridge, Mud Volcano, West Thumb Geyser Basin, and, of course, the lake, I highly recommend a stay here.
Cody, Wyoming, is 1 hour and 45 minutes to the east if you’d like a day trip to see the rodeo or go shopping.
Old Faithful Inn
If you want to a Yellowstone hotel stay that fully embraces history, book a stay at the Old Faithful Inn.
It has been welcoming guests since 1904, and that same rustic, woodsy charm that first brought visitors here is what still keeps this place booked up year after year, and season after season.
The setting is incredible, especially if you came to the park to see the hot springs and geysers (and, really, who among us ISN’T fascinated by the mechanics of Old Faithful!?).
You can literally watch Old Faithful erupt multiple times a day from the inn and from many of the rooms on that side of the building.
Plus, the log cabin style of the building, the huge stone fireplace in the lobby, and the subdued lighting will take you back to the days when this park was part of the wild west.
The room decor also leans into this feel with colorful tiling, lots of light wood furniture, and bedding that would look right at home at summer camp.
It’s cozy and welcoming with the perfect touch of rustic.
Grant Village
One of the beds in Bear Lodge at Grant Village
If you only have one day in Yellowstone or you’re just planning to explore the lower half of the Grand Loop Trail, Grant Village is a great choice.
Plus, it’s the closest lodging option to the Yellowstone border with Grand Teton National Park, making this a potential base for explore both parks.
The layout of the property can be a bit confusing for the first time visitor as you have to check in at a separate building from the actual lodges.
But, once you get your map of the property, finding your individual lodge isn’t too hard. There are 6 different lodges, each with the name of a local animal (i.e. Bear Lodge, Fox Lodge, etc.).
These rooms are smaller than the others on this list, but the overall amenities in Grant Village make up for the bedroom size.
The decor here leans into the woodsy surroundings, so you’ll find a lot of dark green and beige. The bathrooms are small, but they were clean.
Keep in mind that you will not find wifi, elevators, or even cell service in most of Grant Village. The rooms do have a little mini-fridge and coffee maker.
Best Cabins in Yellowstone National Park
Roosevelt Cabins
If I had to pick just ONE place to stay in the northern half of the park, it would be the Roosevelt cabins. They are so cute and memorable, and I love that many of them were brought over from other areas of the park.
You can get the more upgraded, bigger cabins, but I love the more rustic, smaller ones.
Since there’s no A/C, and no heat other than what comes from the buck stove inside, it’s more akin to glamping than it is a hotel experience, and that’s just why I gravitate towards it so much.
The cabins (even the bigger ones) aren’t super spacious, but this is one place that you’ll want to do anything but hang out in your room.
The lodge nearby has a solid menu of hearty favorites, and tRead the complete review of the Roosevelt Cabins in Yellowstone here. here’s nothing like sitting on the front porch of the lodge watching the sun go down over the hills.
We enjoyed this location for its convenient access to the northeast entrance, where you can visit Silver Gate and Cooke City, Montana, and hop onto Beartooth Highway.
If you want an authentic experience in Yellowstone, but can’t bring along your camping gear, the Roosevelt Cabins are the way to go.
Read my complete review of the Roosevelt Cabins in Yellowstone here.
Best Campgrounds in Yellowstone National Park
While I know that there is no perfect campground, I’ve compiled together a list of the ones that have the most convenient locations, widest range of amenities, and/or spectacular views.
All of these are drive-in campgrounds, and I haven’t included any of the backcountry hike-in options.
Canyon Campground
Much like its hotel counterpart, you cannot beat the location of the Canyon Campground.
This popular camping area is located across North Rim Drive from the dining, shopping, and interpretive education center at Canyon Rim.
So, if you don’t feel like cooking at your campsite, you can always head over there to grab a burger at the Fountain and Grill, or one of the many cafeteria-style options at the Canyon Dining Room.
There’s a small grocery store in this area that has a good selection of items, but some of them are outrageously priced. If at all possible, bring your own food into the park if you plan to cook at your tent or camper.
There are 273 sites available at Canyon Campground, and all of them can be reserved in advance.
You’ll find tent and RV-specific sites to fit different sizes of vehicles and rigs. The biggest RV sites can handle a trailer or RV up to 40 feet in length.
There aren’t hook-ups at the RV sites, but you can access their potable water station and dump station throughout your stay.
There are shower and laundry facilities as well as flush toilets, making this a good option for campers who love the outdoors but still want a few creature comforts.
Fishing Bridge RV Park
If you’re in an RV and want a more complete campground experience than the others in the park, Fishing Bridge RV Park is going to be your ticket.
Tent camping isn’t allowed in any of the campground’s 310 sites, which include water, sewer, and electic hook-ups at the site, as well as coin operated showers (included in your daily site rate).
Most of the sites fit campers and RVs up to 30 feet, but there are sites available for rigs all the way to 95 feet in length.
While some of those smaller travel trailers and RVs could fit into the campgrounds elsewhere on this list, those big rigs are only going to be able to fit in the Fishing Bridge RV Park.
The sites all have a concrete pad and picnic table, making this an upscale camping experience unlike anywhere else inside of Yellowstone.
Another benefit of staying here is that the Fishing Bridge Fountain and Grill (one of our suggestions on where to eat in Yellowstone) is very close by, as is the east entrance. Cody, Wyoming, is a little over a 1.5 hours to the east.
Bay Bridge Campground
A bison casually snacking its way through Bay Bridge Campground
Bay Bridge campground is large with 432 sites spread out over 8 loops.
That means that you can usually find a spot here even if other, smaller campgrounds in the park are filled up.
It’s located right next to the Bay Bridge Marina, where you can take one of the excellent ranger-led boat tours of Lake Yellowstone, or rent a small motorboat to explore the lake on your own.
It’s a little more rustic than the nearby Fishing Bridge RV Park, and offers up electricity, flush toilets, and potable water, but no shower facilities. You’ll have to go over to Fishing Bridge for the latter.
When you’re staying here, you’re right down the road from Hayden Valley and West Thumb geyser basin, and you’re 35 minutes from the Grand Canyon of Yellowstone.
There’s no restaurant here, but there is a small convenience store with snacks, coffee, cocoa, and basic fishing supplies. You can grab a bite to eat at Fishing Bridge or Lake Yellowstone Hotel, both of which are within a 10 minute drive.
Lewis Lake Campground
This beautiful campground offers 85 campsites just a few miles from the park’s southern entrance.
This position within the park makes it an excellent base to visit West Thumb, Old Faithful, and Lake Yellowstone, but also nearly all of Grand Teton National Park, too.
I like that this campground has a boat ramp, so visitors can bring their kayaks, canoes, and small motor boats for even more outdoor options.
The sites, which are open to both RVs and tent campers, have water and vault toilet access, but no electricity or shower facilities.
For those travelers like me who have to have a plan in place, the Lewis Lake does offer reservable sites.
Final Thoughts on Staying in Yellowstone National Park
The Camping Kiddos at our cabin at Roosevelt Lodge
While you might be able to find cheaper or more amenities-packed accommodations outside of the park, there’s something to be said about staying in the middle of the world’s oldest national park.
With options for unique stays in historic cabins, more upscale hotels on the lake, and wooded campgrounds, there’s truly something in Yellowstone for every visitor.
Ultimately, I think it’s best to spend your limited time here exploring rather than driving in and out of the park every day, and the above accommodations make that possible.
