The country’s first national park is arguably the most iconic, with beautiful hot springs, geysers, and abundant wildlife, including grizzly bears and bison. Yellowstone National Park spans over 3,400 square miles across three states; you can’t expect to see it all in a day, so you’ll need a home base.
Staying inside the park is the most convenient option, but most on-site lodgings are pretty basic and only open during the warmer months. Booking a room at a nearby resort gives you more luxurious accommodations, better dining options, and extra amenities such as spas. And if you’re wondering whether it’s better to stay by the north or west entrance, bear in mind that the north entrance is open year-round, while the west entrance is closer to Old Faithful.
To help you weigh up the pros and cons, we’ve assembled a list of the best places to stay in Yellowstone National Park or within easy driving distance.
Best Places to Stay in Yellowstone National Park
Old Faithful Snow Lodge & Cabins
Old Faithful Snow Lodge & Cabins is less than a 10-minute walk from its namesake, and it’s one of the few in-park properties that remain open in the heart of winter. You can book a room in the main lodge or relax in your own simple cabin—both offer cozy, rustic decor to round out your Western experience. The lodge has its own full-service dining room and a quick-service grill.
Lake Yellowstone Hotel & Cabins
Providing an elegant alternative to the ubiquitous Old West style, this National Historic Landmark overlooks Yellowstone Lake, the largest body of water in the park. The summer-only property dates from 1891 and hotel rooms are set within a restored colonial-style building. You can even stay in a two-bedroom suite that once hosted President Coolidge. Three on-site eateries include a high-end dining room serving seasonal fare.
Roosevelt Lodge Cabins
Built in 1920 near the site of a popular campground once used by President Theodore Roosevelt, Roosevelt Lodge offers an array of rustic cabins, including some with wood-burning stoves (but no bathroom). Others have private bathrooms with showers. The property has a Western-style restaurant, but guests can also book a cookout reached by horse or covered wagon. About a five-minute drive from the renowned Tower Fall, this summer-only lodge lends itself to warm-weather activities like trail rides and stagecoach adventures.
Mammoth Hot Springs Hotel & Cabins
This property on the northern end of Yellowstone National Park is a short walk from the tiered Mammoth Hot Springs (you won’t want to forget your camera for this one). Much like the Old Faithful Snow Lodge, the aptly named Mammoth Hot Springs Hotel & Cabins is one of the few in-park properties that remains open in the winter. Just keep in mind that the accommodations are simple, and basic rooms have shared bathrooms. You can upgrade to a room with a private bathroom, a suite with a living room and TV, or a cabin with a hot tub. Arguably the hotel’s biggest perk is the herd of elk that’s known to come and graze on the grounds.
Canyon Lodge & Cabins
This summer-only property is the park’s largest, with more than 500 rooms spread across a number of hotels and cabins. For a more rustic stay, book the latter; the hotel-style lodges are noticeably newer thanks to a multiyear redevelopment. Canyon Lodge & Cabins sits on the east side of the park, near the Grand Canyon of the Yellowstone River, and it has a restaurant, cafeteria, and deli.
Grant Village
The expansive Grant Village is made up of six two-story buildings that house 300 guest rooms. While the property is set squarely within the park (near the Abyss Pool hot spring and Big Cone geyser), it’s only open during the summer months. Each room has a woodsy, casual feel and basic amenities—you won’t find air-conditioning or TVs here. Major perks of Grant Village include a cabin-style restaurant that’s set on a pier overlooking a lake and easy access to Grand Teton National Park.
Lake Lodge Cabins
This in-park property features one large lodge (with views over Yellowstone Lake) and just under 200 cabins, each with a private bath and Western decor. While Lake Lodge Cabins is closed from October through May, it does have two roaring fireplaces, perfect for early fall mornings, and a sprawling porch ideal for lazy summer afternoons. Located near West Thumb Geyser Basin, the property is around 40 miles from both Old Faithful and the neighboring Grand Teton National Park.
Old Faithful Inn
Old Faithful Inn dates back to 1904 and has an in-park location that’s hard to beat—it’s right next door to Old Faithful and roughly 10 minutes from Morning Glory Pool and Kepler Cascades. The draw of this inn is its iconic (and historic) local-stone fireplace, restaurant, and lounge. You can even glimpse the geyser from some rooms and suites.
Old Faithful Lodge Cabins
Another historic park property set near Old Faithful, Old Faithful Lodge Cabins has roots going back to the 1920s and a smattering of cabins set around a main lodge (which has tremendous views of the geyser). Certain accommodations don’t have private bathrooms, so be sure to book a Frontier Cabin if a shower is nonnegotiable. The summer-only lodge houses a bakery and snack shop in addition to a cafeteria.
Best Places to Stay Near Yellowstone National Park
Under Canvas
Courtesy of Buffalo Media
If you like the idea of camping in Yellowstone National Park but don’t want to sacrifice comfort, glamping provides the perfect solution. Under Canvas has two outposts in the area: the Paradise Valley location near the northern entrance, and the West Yellowstone camp. Luxury tents feature king-size beds, chic seating, bathrooms stocked with organic products, and wood-burning stoves for chilly evenings. Couples can choose a Stargazer tent with a transparent panel above the bed, while the suite option is ideal for families. Take in mountain vistas from your private deck and enjoy locally inspired dishes like bison chili at the site’s riverside restaurant.
Sage Lodge
One of Travel + Leisure readers’ five favorite resorts in Montana of 2025, Sage Lodge offers a luxury spin on a traditional wilderness lodge. The 1,200-acre property is just over half an hour from Yellowstone’s north entrance, set along the Yellowstone River and backdropped by the Absaroka Mountains. Beyond the classic exterior, you’ll find clean-lined rooms with cozy bathrobes and fireplaces, elevated globally inspired dining at The Grill, and a spa with mountain views from the hot tub. The resort’s four Ranch Houses, each offering space for up to 16 people, full-size kitchens, and four bathrooms, are a great option for group travel.
Absaroka Lodge
Unlike many properties inside the park, this affordable lodge overlooking the Yellowstone River operates 365 days a year. Absaroka Lodge is located in Gardiner, Montana, less than half a mile from the park’s north entrance, which is open year-round. All accommodations have flat-screen TVs, free Wi-Fi, and private balconies, and suites with kitchens are available.
Silver Gate Lodging
The rustic log cabins at this property are a mere mile from the park’s northeast entrance in the quiet community of Silver Gate, Montana. Silver Gate Lodging is one of the few lodging options that welcomes pets and offers well-equipped kitchenettes. You’ll also find private bathrooms, decks, grills, and wood-burning stoves in some cabins.
Montage Big Sky
Christian Horan Photography/Courtesy of Montage Big Sky
It’s best known as a luxury ski-in, ski-out resort, but Montage Big Sky is also less than an hour’s drive from Yellowstone’s west entrance. Guided tours and half-day hikes can be booked through the concierge. There’s plenty to keep you busy in and around the resort in all seasons, from horseback rides and golf to yoga and wellness rituals at Spa Montage, which sprawls over 11,000 square feet. Sleek accommodations range from guest rooms with fireplaces and marble-clad bathrooms to residences with up to six bedrooms. The resort’s five restaurants and bars offer plenty of choice, whether you crave elevated bar snacks or upscale Italian.
Lone Mountain Ranch
Dating back to 1915, the 148-acre Lone Mountain Ranch has more than two dozen updated log cabins. Each is unique with rustic-chic furnishings like rough-hewn four-poster beds, clawfoot tubs, and wood-burning stoves or original stone fireplaces. When you’re not making the roughly hour-long drive to Yellowstone (or joining a tour), you can ride horses or fish in the Gallatin River. In addition to the on-site chophouse, Horn & Cantle, guests have access to the members-only Auric Room, which serves cocktails and a sophisticated dinner menu in a hidden space evoking a Wes Anderson film set.
