But its the most central location in the park, which is worth something, right?
Our website uses cookies. Lets talk about how to figure out where to stay based on your travel style and budget. Then West Yellowstone, and then make our way to Cody and Sheridian? Hotels are going to be your best bet in West Yellowstone. Visitors can enter the park on any day they like, regardless of license plate number. Old Faithful Inn ($$ $$$): On the other hand, the Old Faithful Inn IS rustic and sexy. which lists itinerary ideas from one to five days, Where to Stay in Yellowstone: Our Top Tips, Where to Stay Inside Yellowstone National Park. The drive from the east entrance to Cody, called the Wild Bill Cody Scenic Byway, is a beautiful drive. If something opens up, make your reservation for the the Yellowstone lodge and cancel your reservation outside of the park. Grant Village. The best location to stay outside of the park is West Yellowstone. We got invited to a close friends wedding in Sheridian WY on July 2. Silver Gate Lodging. And its also expensive, so know that going in. Choose from layouts with one queen bed or two. 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). The exception is Lamar Valley, which is located near the northeast corner of the park. 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. When we travel, we always opt for experiences over just having a list of places to check off. Weve been to 13 national parks in the past year or so, and Yellowstone felt the biggest to us (though Olympic National Park and Death Valley National Park feel like close seconds). 1872 Inn Adults Exclusive. They are: Thats probably not a perfect split, but its good enough to use to talk about the best places to stay. 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. All rights reserved Earth Trekkers. There are a few implications for that fact. These floods washed aways portions of the roads between Gardiner, Montana and the north entrance of Yellowstone and roads near the northeast entrance of the park. There are many hotel and restaurant options in this small town. Reservations open May 1 the prior year for summer (Summer 2023 reservations open May 1, 2022) and March 15 the prior year for winter. West Yellowstone is a decent home base for the southern half of the park, but its a little further out than Gardiner. Not up for camping? 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. Split your time between the two to cut down on extra driving. 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. How Far in Advance Should You Make Your Reservations for Yellowstone? Rooms can accommodate up to four people and there is a gym and indoor pool onsite. Theres a mix of budget-friendly, mid-range, and more upscale options. 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. Here are some hotels in Gardiner that we think youll like. Since it is relatively centrally located, this is the best place to stay in the park. 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. Its a lot of driving, so maybe best to leave the 2 year old at home, if that works out. Each lodge or village also has at least one restaurant. Located in Cody, this property gets some of the best reviews in town. If you stay outside of the park, you can enter before sunrise or exit after sunset. Lake Yellowstone Hotel ($$$): Recently renovated, the Lake Yellowstone Hotel is along the western shore of Lake Yellowstone. That, combined with the premium price youre going to pay for the convenience, is a recipe for poor value. Cheers, Julie, I am wanting to visit Yellowstone this summer. This is one of the top picks in West Yellowstone. Plus, each room has a gas fireplace extra cozy! Lodges get fully booked one year in advance but cancellations are common, so keep checking back if you cant reserve the lodge you want. The best place to fly into is Jackson Hole Airport, which is in GTNP. PRO TRAVEL TIP: The entrances to Yellowstone National Park are open 24 hours a day. Trust us. Then drive to Yellowstone and visit YNP on Friday. Lake Lodge ($$): The 186 cabins at Lake Lodge are all recently renovated and have private bathrooms. There are goats and llamas on the property. 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. Rooms are clean and tastefully decorated.
As of July 2, the park cancelled the Alternating License Plate System. With 3 or more days, I recommend staying in two different locations (unless you are lucky enough to get a reservation at Canyon Village). Grand Teton National Park is located south of Yellowstone, but because of its distance, it does not make a good option for exploring Yellowstone. Youre in the right place I grew up in Seattle, and people in California still comment on how my wardrobe is very Seattle. Robins Nest Bed & Breakfast. SLC -> Jackson/Grand Teton (1 full day here is great) -> West Yellowstone for 1 to 2 nights, maybe even 1 or 2 nights in Gardiner -> Cody/Sheridan. Old Faithful. Theyve got hotel-style rooms, and a couple of cozy cottages with kitchen facilities. Which is exactly what we have you do in our 4 day Yellowstone itinerary. Its that easy. Yellowstone Map, Entrances, and Nearby Towns, Staying Inside of Yellowstone National Park, Staying Outside of Yellowstone National Park. If you have more questions or need more details, feel free to write in again. In this guide, learn how to plan a trip around the world. 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. Cheers, Julie, Your email address will not be published. Ideally, it is best to stay inside the park, to minimize driving time, but there are several advantages to staying outside of the park. 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). There are plenty of options just outside of Yellowstone. In northern Yellowstone is the Mammoth Hot Springs Hotel and Cabins. Just outside of the park entrances sit several towns that make a great home base for exploring Yellowstone. Lots of space to spread out and relax, which is nice after a long day out exploring the park. If you have more time, great! Needless to say, it was an incredible year. Its on the south end of town, but still plenty close to the park entrance. r Flying into the local airports ($$$) and car rental availability are not options.
No ifs, ands, or buts about it. We had a one-bedroom suite with a full kitchen. This is the largest and one of the nicest accommodations within the park. From Gardiner, it is a 20-minute drive on winding roads to get to Mammoth Hot Springs.
My name is Ash, and I'm a former park ranger. This bed and breakfast ticks all of the boxes. For itinerary ideas and recommendations on where to stay for each itinerary, read our Yellowstone Itinerary. The Old Faithful Lodge Cabins and the Old Faithful Snow Lodge are also located near Old Faithful. Photos and text may not be copied without permission. I would stay here again on a repeat visit to Yellowstone. Staying inside the park is, by far, the most convenient option. The lodges inside of Yellowstone National Park sell out ridiculously far in advance. So, what happens if you cant reserve a lodge within the park? If you plan to visit Yellowstone National Park for at least three days, consider staying in two different locations. Let's be friends! We should be arriving in mid July. Its about an hour to both Old Faithful and Canyon Village, which isnt the closest, but is totally doable. Currently, there is no timed entry reservation system in effect, but I recommend getting updates on the official website, just in case this changes. 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. Should I Stay in One Hotel to See Both Yellowstone and Grand Teton? Yellowstone Gateway Inn: This beautiful, recently renovated property has apartment-style rooms all with a kitchen, which youre going to appreciate that can accommodate the whole group or family. The best location to stay outside of the park is West Yellowstone. With a little more time, you can get to Lamar Valley, Old Faithful, and Grand Prismatic Spring. On June 12, 2022, Yellowstone and northern Montana had record floods. With just one to two days in the park, I recommend picking one central location, ideally Canyon Village. But the entire road trip should be a lot of fun and very memorable. 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. You can also stay in a Lake Cottage. With all of these stops, you probably have 2.5 to 3 days in Yellowstone, which is just enough time to see the highlights. This is not your typical hotelits more of a luxury camping or glamping experience. However, its also expensive, and generally a poor value for what youre getting. Both times we visited Yellowstone we stayed outside of the park and still had an amazing experience. Some cabins have indoor fireplaces, and some are even pet-friendly! Stay in a rustic cabin at the Roosevelt Lodge Cabins. ), in whole or in part, is strictly prohibited. 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! Spend a day here (Thursday), staying in Jackson, Teton Village, or in lodging in GTNP. Youll be driving a lot, but its doable. Prior guests report seeing elk, deer, and bison from the cabins. Your email address will not be published. Thanks in advance! It was built over a century ago using local logs and stone, and is the most popular lodge in the park today. There are several campgrounds in Yellowstone, with locations at Canyon Village, near Yellowstone Lake, near Old Faithful (Madison Campground), and at Grant Village. Old Faithful Snow Lodge ($$): The newest lodge in the park built in 1999 the Old Faithful Snow Lodge is the third option in the Old Faithful Complex. From Cody, it takes an hour to drive to the east entrance. Below, youll find our picks, where weve tried to avoid recommending the chain hotels, though those are a good, solid choice too. So, if you are planning a trip for 2023, you should make your reservations in May 2022. And with the gardens and interior decor, this property is beautiful. The next thing to think about is your budget. I think we will have 2 to 3 days there. Huge. 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. If your trip to Yellowstone is part of a bigger road trip, we recommend these articles: If you have any questions about where to stay in Yellowstone or how to plan your time, let us know in the comment section below. Yellowstone Riverside Cottages: Located right on the Yellowstone River, this property is one of the best values in Gardiner. The hotel also has a sauna and fitness center. 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. Youre going to love Yellowstone, and we hope we can help simplify the decision on where to stay at the park. She recommends calling the park 6 to 8 weeks before your trip to get a reservation. Many lodges will be closed during this time and you will get around by snowmobile or snow coach. With 1 to 2 days in Yellowstone, the Canyon Lodge and Cabins in Canyon Village is our top pick, because of its convenient location. Learn how your comment data is processed. And Grand Canyon of the Yellowstone will be right on your doorstep. This property is located in central Gardiner. 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. Lake Lodge Cabins features a main lodge and 186 cabins, some with views of the lake. 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. Wyoming only adds an hour and its worth it. In this guide, we hope to simplify things for you. Here they are, from north to south, along with their relative cost and things to know. Youll have plenty of time to explore without feeling rushed, catch prime wildlife viewing at dawn and dusk, and tackle some of Yellowstones hikes. But wed recommend no less than four days, since there is so much to do and see in the park. If you look at Yellowstone on a map, there are two main loops in the park. We think the cabins are where its at, especially if youve got more than two people. 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. You should also take into account your route through the park. You can walk or drive to many of the restaurants in Gardiner. The best location to stay within the park is Canyon Village. Grant Village ($$$): The offering here is pretty simple lodge rooms only in a solid, but not perfect, location on the south shore of the lake near the West Thumb. Its extremely competitive, and youll need to plan accordingly. 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. Each room comes with a flat-screen TV, organic silk linens, and fresh flowers. Wed like to trade that, please. If you want to stay between Cody and the east entrance of Yellowstone, take a look at Blackwater Creek Ranch and the Bill Cody Ranch. Wed strongly recommend splitting your nights between two different locations so that you can spend your time seeing the sights rather than driving. Julie Last updated: July 2, 2022 United States 31 Comments. Choose between lodge rooms and cabins, all with private bathrooms. High Country Motel and Cabins. Except for the sky-high cost of living. Yellowstone Gateway Inn. Located on bank of the Yellowstone River, stay in a secluded cabin. The trick is the best airport to rent a car. 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. If you want to stay in the same place for your entire trip, we think Canyon Village is the best option because it is the most central location. Thanks Terri! The rooms are clean and quiet. Cheers, Julie. Many of the best things to do in the park can be found along these two loops. You can read her full message in the comment section below. Lake Yellowstone Hotel is another good option with their private cabins. So, I recommend staying in West Yellowstone in 2022, rather than Gardiner. With just a few hotels to choose from and a somewhat inconvenient location near the northeast corner of Yellowstone, it is only worth staying here if you are struggling to find accommodation elsewhere or have plans to continue your road trip through central Montana. These cabins are located west of Gardiner, so you will have a slightly longer drive to get into the park, but if you like the idea of staying in a quiet, secluded place with views of the wildlife, this is a nice place to consider. Explorer Cabins at Yellowstone. They serve an Old West Dinner Cookout and there is a nearby corral where you can go on horseback rides. Click here to see all of your hotel options in West Yellowstone. The lodges inside of Yellowstone National Park sell out ridiculously far in advance. On our most recent visit, we spent one day in Yellowstone and stayed in Cody. Even rooms with shared bathrooms some of the Old House rooms are over $200 a night, and it only goes up from there. Hello, we only have a day for Yellowstone and a day for GTNP, we arrive on a Wednesday and by Saturday one person in our group has a work event in Bozeman, from there our main interest is Glacier, but while were in the area wed like to visit Yellowstone and GTNP, do you have any recommendations as to where to fly into, where to start and where to stay? For itinerary ideas and recommendations on where to stay for each itinerary. And from the deck upstairs, the view gets even better, if you can believe it. 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. Its a great location five minutes from the park entrance, and youll have plenty of space to spread out and relax. Planning a trip to Yellowstone? California is our home, and we wouldnt trade it for the world. With just one to two days in the park, I recommend picking one central location, ideally Canyon Village. Its historic. Rooms are well thought out, with nice touches like high-end bath products and fluffy robes that will take your stay up a level. Most people make it to Multnomah and call it a day, but Hood River, Oregon is another must-visit destination. Not to worry. Keep checking the Yellowstone Lodging website for cancellations. Plus, a washer and dryer!
Stay in a suite or a standard room, some of which can accommodate up to 7 people. If you plan to visit Yellowstone in the summer of 2023, you need to make your reservations in May of 2022. We have a 10 day itinerary that links all 3 parks. Click here to see lodging options in Gardiner. If you are traveling as a large group, Faithful Street Inn might be perfect for you. I was wanting to stay in West Yellowstone. First, decide whether or not youre up for camping. I really like Gardiner, but it is a long drive in and out of the park from here. Here are our top picks. Plus, youll have a spacious kitchen and some nice deck space. In terms of area, this is the second largest national park in the United States, outside of Alaska. Your route sounds great. Our recent California road trip reminded us of just how incredible, Read More A Perfect San Francisco to Los Angeles Road Trip ItineraryContinue. 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. One note before we get into it if youre visiting in the summer, book as early as humanly possible. West Yellowstone sits just outside you guessed it the western edge of Yellowstone National Park. On our 2019 road trip from Grand Teton to Yellowstone to Glacier, this is what we did: Starting in Grand Teton National Park, we got an early start, visited the sights in southern Yellowstone, and then spent one night in West Yellowstone (at the Kelly Inn). These floods altered the landscapes of Yellowstone and some roads are expected to be closed for an extended period of time. There are two options the frontier cabins are a little more rustic, while the western cabins are a little more luxurious, with front porches and a full bath, including a bathtub. Located in Cooke City, this lodge gets good reviews. 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 so, your next best options are Bozeman or Salt Lake City. I recently published a post about how to visit Yellowstone and Grand Teton. No problem. The breakfast gets rave reviews. All rooms have mini-fridges and coffee makers. Its not the cheapest option in town, but we think youre going to get what you pay for here. It is one of the most scenic drives in the USA and it starts in Cooke City. Click here to see all of your hotel options in Gardiner. 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. And the floor to ceiling windows bring in plenty of light, along with great views of the mountains near Yellowstone National Park. on a day trip from Grand Teton National Park. Learn more here.
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. You should also take into account your route through the park. Its no exaggeration to say that Portland, Oregon is the most Celiac-friendly city in America. Hello Jennifer. Click here to see lodging options in Cody. Best Western Premier Ivy Inn & Suites. 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. Its pretty far from everything other than the West Thumb and the Lake. We stayed outside of the park since we made our travel plans almost at the last minute (we planned this trip in early June of 2019 and visited Yellowstone in early August 2019). Its an hour to both the Grand Canyon and Old Faithful, and 90 minutes to Yellowstone Lake. 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. There are other towns, like Cody, WY and Bozeman, MT, but theyre more than two hours away from the park and are generally not a great place to stay to explore Yellowstone.
Our website uses cookies. Lets talk about how to figure out where to stay based on your travel style and budget. Then West Yellowstone, and then make our way to Cody and Sheridian? Hotels are going to be your best bet in West Yellowstone. Visitors can enter the park on any day they like, regardless of license plate number. Old Faithful Inn ($$ $$$): On the other hand, the Old Faithful Inn IS rustic and sexy. which lists itinerary ideas from one to five days, Where to Stay in Yellowstone: Our Top Tips, Where to Stay Inside Yellowstone National Park. The drive from the east entrance to Cody, called the Wild Bill Cody Scenic Byway, is a beautiful drive. If something opens up, make your reservation for the the Yellowstone lodge and cancel your reservation outside of the park. Grant Village. The best location to stay outside of the park is West Yellowstone. We got invited to a close friends wedding in Sheridian WY on July 2. Silver Gate Lodging. And its also expensive, so know that going in. Choose from layouts with one queen bed or two. 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). The exception is Lamar Valley, which is located near the northeast corner of the park. 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. When we travel, we always opt for experiences over just having a list of places to check off. Weve been to 13 national parks in the past year or so, and Yellowstone felt the biggest to us (though Olympic National Park and Death Valley National Park feel like close seconds). 1872 Inn Adults Exclusive. They are: Thats probably not a perfect split, but its good enough to use to talk about the best places to stay. 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. All rights reserved Earth Trekkers. There are a few implications for that fact. These floods washed aways portions of the roads between Gardiner, Montana and the north entrance of Yellowstone and roads near the northeast entrance of the park. There are many hotel and restaurant options in this small town. Reservations open May 1 the prior year for summer (Summer 2023 reservations open May 1, 2022) and March 15 the prior year for winter. West Yellowstone is a decent home base for the southern half of the park, but its a little further out than Gardiner. Not up for camping? 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. Split your time between the two to cut down on extra driving. 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. How Far in Advance Should You Make Your Reservations for Yellowstone? Rooms can accommodate up to four people and there is a gym and indoor pool onsite. Theres a mix of budget-friendly, mid-range, and more upscale options. 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. Here are some hotels in Gardiner that we think youll like. Since it is relatively centrally located, this is the best place to stay in the park. 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. Its a lot of driving, so maybe best to leave the 2 year old at home, if that works out. Each lodge or village also has at least one restaurant. Located in Cody, this property gets some of the best reviews in town. If you stay outside of the park, you can enter before sunrise or exit after sunset. Lake Yellowstone Hotel ($$$): Recently renovated, the Lake Yellowstone Hotel is along the western shore of Lake Yellowstone. That, combined with the premium price youre going to pay for the convenience, is a recipe for poor value. Cheers, Julie, I am wanting to visit Yellowstone this summer. This is one of the top picks in West Yellowstone. Plus, each room has a gas fireplace extra cozy! Lodges get fully booked one year in advance but cancellations are common, so keep checking back if you cant reserve the lodge you want. The best place to fly into is Jackson Hole Airport, which is in GTNP. PRO TRAVEL TIP: The entrances to Yellowstone National Park are open 24 hours a day. Trust us. Then drive to Yellowstone and visit YNP on Friday. Lake Lodge ($$): The 186 cabins at Lake Lodge are all recently renovated and have private bathrooms. There are goats and llamas on the property. 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. Rooms are clean and tastefully decorated.
As of July 2, the park cancelled the Alternating License Plate System. With 3 or more days, I recommend staying in two different locations (unless you are lucky enough to get a reservation at Canyon Village). Grand Teton National Park is located south of Yellowstone, but because of its distance, it does not make a good option for exploring Yellowstone. Youre in the right place I grew up in Seattle, and people in California still comment on how my wardrobe is very Seattle. Robins Nest Bed & Breakfast. SLC -> Jackson/Grand Teton (1 full day here is great) -> West Yellowstone for 1 to 2 nights, maybe even 1 or 2 nights in Gardiner -> Cody/Sheridan. Old Faithful. Theyve got hotel-style rooms, and a couple of cozy cottages with kitchen facilities. Which is exactly what we have you do in our 4 day Yellowstone itinerary. Its that easy. Yellowstone Map, Entrances, and Nearby Towns, Staying Inside of Yellowstone National Park, Staying Outside of Yellowstone National Park. If you have more questions or need more details, feel free to write in again. In this guide, learn how to plan a trip around the world. 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. Cheers, Julie, Your email address will not be published. Ideally, it is best to stay inside the park, to minimize driving time, but there are several advantages to staying outside of the park. 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). There are plenty of options just outside of Yellowstone. In northern Yellowstone is the Mammoth Hot Springs Hotel and Cabins. Just outside of the park entrances sit several towns that make a great home base for exploring Yellowstone. Lots of space to spread out and relax, which is nice after a long day out exploring the park. If you have more time, great! Needless to say, it was an incredible year. Its on the south end of town, but still plenty close to the park entrance. r Flying into the local airports ($$$) and car rental availability are not options.
No ifs, ands, or buts about it. We had a one-bedroom suite with a full kitchen. This is the largest and one of the nicest accommodations within the park. From Gardiner, it is a 20-minute drive on winding roads to get to Mammoth Hot Springs.
My name is Ash, and I'm a former park ranger. This bed and breakfast ticks all of the boxes. For itinerary ideas and recommendations on where to stay for each itinerary, read our Yellowstone Itinerary. The Old Faithful Lodge Cabins and the Old Faithful Snow Lodge are also located near Old Faithful. Photos and text may not be copied without permission. I would stay here again on a repeat visit to Yellowstone. Staying inside the park is, by far, the most convenient option. The lodges inside of Yellowstone National Park sell out ridiculously far in advance. So, what happens if you cant reserve a lodge within the park? If you plan to visit Yellowstone National Park for at least three days, consider staying in two different locations. Let's be friends! We should be arriving in mid July. Its about an hour to both Old Faithful and Canyon Village, which isnt the closest, but is totally doable. Currently, there is no timed entry reservation system in effect, but I recommend getting updates on the official website, just in case this changes. 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. Should I Stay in One Hotel to See Both Yellowstone and Grand Teton? Yellowstone Gateway Inn: This beautiful, recently renovated property has apartment-style rooms all with a kitchen, which youre going to appreciate that can accommodate the whole group or family. The best location to stay outside of the park is West Yellowstone. With a little more time, you can get to Lamar Valley, Old Faithful, and Grand Prismatic Spring. On June 12, 2022, Yellowstone and northern Montana had record floods. With just one to two days in the park, I recommend picking one central location, ideally Canyon Village. But the entire road trip should be a lot of fun and very memorable. 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. You can also stay in a Lake Cottage. With all of these stops, you probably have 2.5 to 3 days in Yellowstone, which is just enough time to see the highlights. This is not your typical hotelits more of a luxury camping or glamping experience. However, its also expensive, and generally a poor value for what youre getting. Both times we visited Yellowstone we stayed outside of the park and still had an amazing experience. Some cabins have indoor fireplaces, and some are even pet-friendly! Stay in a rustic cabin at the Roosevelt Lodge Cabins. ), in whole or in part, is strictly prohibited. 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! Spend a day here (Thursday), staying in Jackson, Teton Village, or in lodging in GTNP. Youll be driving a lot, but its doable. Prior guests report seeing elk, deer, and bison from the cabins. Your email address will not be published. Thanks in advance! It was built over a century ago using local logs and stone, and is the most popular lodge in the park today. There are several campgrounds in Yellowstone, with locations at Canyon Village, near Yellowstone Lake, near Old Faithful (Madison Campground), and at Grant Village. Old Faithful Snow Lodge ($$): The newest lodge in the park built in 1999 the Old Faithful Snow Lodge is the third option in the Old Faithful Complex. From Cody, it takes an hour to drive to the east entrance. Below, youll find our picks, where weve tried to avoid recommending the chain hotels, though those are a good, solid choice too. So, if you are planning a trip for 2023, you should make your reservations in May 2022. And with the gardens and interior decor, this property is beautiful. The next thing to think about is your budget. I think we will have 2 to 3 days there. Huge. 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. If your trip to Yellowstone is part of a bigger road trip, we recommend these articles: If you have any questions about where to stay in Yellowstone or how to plan your time, let us know in the comment section below. Yellowstone Riverside Cottages: Located right on the Yellowstone River, this property is one of the best values in Gardiner. The hotel also has a sauna and fitness center. 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. Youre going to love Yellowstone, and we hope we can help simplify the decision on where to stay at the park. She recommends calling the park 6 to 8 weeks before your trip to get a reservation. Many lodges will be closed during this time and you will get around by snowmobile or snow coach. With 1 to 2 days in Yellowstone, the Canyon Lodge and Cabins in Canyon Village is our top pick, because of its convenient location. Learn how your comment data is processed. And Grand Canyon of the Yellowstone will be right on your doorstep. This property is located in central Gardiner. 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. Lake Lodge Cabins features a main lodge and 186 cabins, some with views of the lake. 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. Wyoming only adds an hour and its worth it. In this guide, we hope to simplify things for you. Here they are, from north to south, along with their relative cost and things to know. Youll have plenty of time to explore without feeling rushed, catch prime wildlife viewing at dawn and dusk, and tackle some of Yellowstones hikes. But wed recommend no less than four days, since there is so much to do and see in the park. If you look at Yellowstone on a map, there are two main loops in the park. We think the cabins are where its at, especially if youve got more than two people. 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. You should also take into account your route through the park. You can walk or drive to many of the restaurants in Gardiner. The best location to stay within the park is Canyon Village. Grant Village ($$$): The offering here is pretty simple lodge rooms only in a solid, but not perfect, location on the south shore of the lake near the West Thumb. Its extremely competitive, and youll need to plan accordingly. 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. Each room comes with a flat-screen TV, organic silk linens, and fresh flowers. Wed like to trade that, please. If you want to stay between Cody and the east entrance of Yellowstone, take a look at Blackwater Creek Ranch and the Bill Cody Ranch. Wed strongly recommend splitting your nights between two different locations so that you can spend your time seeing the sights rather than driving. Julie Last updated: July 2, 2022 United States 31 Comments. Choose between lodge rooms and cabins, all with private bathrooms. High Country Motel and Cabins. Except for the sky-high cost of living. Yellowstone Gateway Inn. Located on bank of the Yellowstone River, stay in a secluded cabin. The trick is the best airport to rent a car. 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. If you want to stay in the same place for your entire trip, we think Canyon Village is the best option because it is the most central location. Thanks Terri! The rooms are clean and quiet. Cheers, Julie. Many of the best things to do in the park can be found along these two loops. You can read her full message in the comment section below. Lake Yellowstone Hotel is another good option with their private cabins. So, I recommend staying in West Yellowstone in 2022, rather than Gardiner. With just a few hotels to choose from and a somewhat inconvenient location near the northeast corner of Yellowstone, it is only worth staying here if you are struggling to find accommodation elsewhere or have plans to continue your road trip through central Montana. These cabins are located west of Gardiner, so you will have a slightly longer drive to get into the park, but if you like the idea of staying in a quiet, secluded place with views of the wildlife, this is a nice place to consider. Explorer Cabins at Yellowstone. They serve an Old West Dinner Cookout and there is a nearby corral where you can go on horseback rides. Click here to see all of your hotel options in West Yellowstone. The lodges inside of Yellowstone National Park sell out ridiculously far in advance. On our most recent visit, we spent one day in Yellowstone and stayed in Cody. Even rooms with shared bathrooms some of the Old House rooms are over $200 a night, and it only goes up from there. Hello, we only have a day for Yellowstone and a day for GTNP, we arrive on a Wednesday and by Saturday one person in our group has a work event in Bozeman, from there our main interest is Glacier, but while were in the area wed like to visit Yellowstone and GTNP, do you have any recommendations as to where to fly into, where to start and where to stay? For itinerary ideas and recommendations on where to stay for each itinerary. And from the deck upstairs, the view gets even better, if you can believe it. 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. Its a great location five minutes from the park entrance, and youll have plenty of space to spread out and relax. Planning a trip to Yellowstone? California is our home, and we wouldnt trade it for the world. With just one to two days in the park, I recommend picking one central location, ideally Canyon Village. Its historic. Rooms are well thought out, with nice touches like high-end bath products and fluffy robes that will take your stay up a level. Most people make it to Multnomah and call it a day, but Hood River, Oregon is another must-visit destination. Not to worry. Keep checking the Yellowstone Lodging website for cancellations. Plus, a washer and dryer!
Stay in a suite or a standard room, some of which can accommodate up to 7 people. If you plan to visit Yellowstone in the summer of 2023, you need to make your reservations in May of 2022. We have a 10 day itinerary that links all 3 parks. Click here to see lodging options in Gardiner. If you are traveling as a large group, Faithful Street Inn might be perfect for you. I was wanting to stay in West Yellowstone. First, decide whether or not youre up for camping. I really like Gardiner, but it is a long drive in and out of the park from here. Here are our top picks. Plus, youll have a spacious kitchen and some nice deck space. In terms of area, this is the second largest national park in the United States, outside of Alaska. Your route sounds great. Our recent California road trip reminded us of just how incredible, Read More A Perfect San Francisco to Los Angeles Road Trip ItineraryContinue. 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. One note before we get into it if youre visiting in the summer, book as early as humanly possible. West Yellowstone sits just outside you guessed it the western edge of Yellowstone National Park. On our 2019 road trip from Grand Teton to Yellowstone to Glacier, this is what we did: Starting in Grand Teton National Park, we got an early start, visited the sights in southern Yellowstone, and then spent one night in West Yellowstone (at the Kelly Inn). These floods altered the landscapes of Yellowstone and some roads are expected to be closed for an extended period of time. There are two options the frontier cabins are a little more rustic, while the western cabins are a little more luxurious, with front porches and a full bath, including a bathtub. Located in Cooke City, this lodge gets good reviews. 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 so, your next best options are Bozeman or Salt Lake City. I recently published a post about how to visit Yellowstone and Grand Teton. No problem. The breakfast gets rave reviews. All rooms have mini-fridges and coffee makers. Its not the cheapest option in town, but we think youre going to get what you pay for here. It is one of the most scenic drives in the USA and it starts in Cooke City. Click here to see all of your hotel options in Gardiner. 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. And the floor to ceiling windows bring in plenty of light, along with great views of the mountains near Yellowstone National Park. on a day trip from Grand Teton National Park. Learn more here.
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. You should also take into account your route through the park. Its no exaggeration to say that Portland, Oregon is the most Celiac-friendly city in America. Hello Jennifer. Click here to see lodging options in Cody. Best Western Premier Ivy Inn & Suites. 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. Its pretty far from everything other than the West Thumb and the Lake. We stayed outside of the park since we made our travel plans almost at the last minute (we planned this trip in early June of 2019 and visited Yellowstone in early August 2019). Its an hour to both the Grand Canyon and Old Faithful, and 90 minutes to Yellowstone Lake. 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. There are other towns, like Cody, WY and Bozeman, MT, but theyre more than two hours away from the park and are generally not a great place to stay to explore Yellowstone.