Where to Stay Near Yellowstone National Park

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Where to Stay Near Yellowstone National Park (Best Hotels)

Are you wondering where to stay near Yellowstone National Park?

Yellowstone is the first national park in the entire world, officially designated in 1872, and among the most visited national parks in the United States, drawing over 4.5 million visitors each year.

It’s also the second-largest national park in the continental United States after Death Valley, spanning nearly 3,500 square miles. Yellowstone is primarily located in the northwestern corner of Wyoming, although a small part of the national park stretches into the neighboring states of Montana and Idaho.

Since Yellowstone is so large, you can easily spend several days exploring the national park. It’s full of diverse beauty, from impressive geysers and hot springs to mighty canyons and waterfalls. You can also see lots of wildlife in Yellowstone, including free-roaming bison, elk, bighorn sheep, and more.

The two closest airports to Yellowstone National Park are Bozeman Yellowstone International Airport in Montana and Jackson Hole Airport in Wyoming. Bozeman is about 1.5 hours from the North Entrance of the national park, while Jackson Hole is a little over an hour from the South Entrance.

Where Should You Stay?

You have quite a few options of where to stay near Yellowstone National Park.

The first is inside the national park itself. There are a number of lodges and cabins available to book, as well as campsites. These are limited and book up quickly. And while the lodges are iconic to visit, they get mixed reviews on whether or not they’re actually worth the money to stay there during your trip.

The advantage, of course, is that’s you’re staying inside the national park and have convenient access to everything. These in-park properties can only be booked through the official website.

Personally, I chose to stay outside the national park, which is what many visitors do. You have to spend more time driving each day, but you can save money and get a better value from these hotels.

These are some of the towns near Yellowstone with lots of hotel options:

Gardiner, Montana: A small town located just a few minutes outside the North Entrance. This is a good place to stay that gives you very easy access to all that Yellowstone has to offer.
West Yellowstone, Montana: A sort of cheesy, Wild West-themed town just twenty minutes from the West Entrance. It’s very touristy and can be expensive, but it’s a convenient location.
Island Park, Idaho: Further away from the West Entrance (about 35 minutes) but you can find good deals on hotels here. This is where I personally stayed when I visited Yellowstone.

You can also stay in Wyoming towns like Jackson or Cody, but these involve the most driving to get to the national park (taking over an hour to the South Entrance and East Entrance respectively.)

Best Hotels Near Yellowstone

When it comes to hotels, you’ll find options for every budget near Yellowstone. Most hotels are not super fancy and are more rustic, so if you’re looking for true luxury, you’ll need to go a bit further afield. (The ski resort towns of Big Sky, Montana and Jackson Hol e , Wyoming offer several five-star hotels each.)

I’ll be focusing on hotels that are closer for the purpose of this guide.

The most popular time to visit Yellowstone is between June and September. Hotels are more expensive during the summer, and can even sell out, so it’s a good idea to book your accommodation well in advance.

Here are my top picks for where to stay near Yellowstone National Park:

Best overall: SpringHill Suites Island Park Yellowstone
Most unique: Dreamcatcher Tipi Hotel
Best on a budget: The Hideaway Hostel

And here’s a full breakdown of the best hotels near Yellowstone National Park:

Tip: I use and recommend Booking.com for getting the best deal on hotels. If you book directly through a link on this page, I may earn a small commission at no cost to you. Thank you for supporting Stay to Wander!

SpringHill Suites Island Park Yellowstone

I stayed at the SpringHill Suites Island Park Yellowstone on my trip and I would definitely recommend it. Located in Island Park, Idaho, this hotel is a 30-minute drive from the West Entrance of the national park. While it doesn’t have that Western, rustic flair, it’s a clean, modern hotel offering good value for money.

The rooms at this hotel were spacious and comfortable, and there’s an outdoor swimming pool and hot tub. Free breakfast is another perk I really appreciated. It’s located in a tranquil area, and while you do have to drive a ways to get to the national park, I was glad I stayed here and would definitely return.

Check prices on Booking.com

Moose Creek Inn

If you’re looking for something extremely close to Yellowstone, you can’t beat Moose Creek Inn. Located in West Yellowstone, Montana, this hotel is just a three-minute drive from the West Entrance.

It’s a quaint hotel and you’re situated right in the heart of West Yellowstone, which is a fun (albeit super touristy) town, where you can easily walk to lots of restaurants, shops, and other attractions.

Check prices on Booking.com

Clubhouse Inn

Another well-rated hotel in West Yellowstone is Clubhouse Inn. Like most of the properties in town, this hotel has a fun Western theme. It’s also located just a few minutes away from the West Entrance.

This hotel offers some nice amenities, including an indoor swimming pool and free breakfast. Like other hotels in West Yellowstone, you are within walking distance of lots of dining and shopping.

Check prices on Booking.com

Dreamcatcher Tipi Hotel

If you’re looking for somewhere really unique to stay, check out Dreamcatcher Tipi Hotel in Gardiner, Montana. This glamping resort is situated just a 15-minute drive from the North Entrance of the national park. Guests will enjoy staying in unique tented accommodation with spectacular views of the mountains.

The tents here offer rustic charm combined with comfortable touches, for the perfect glamping adventure. While the tents do not have en-suite bathrooms, there are private bathrooms for each tent located nearby. Guests staying at the glamping resort will enjoy a delicious free breakfast each morning.

Check prices on Booking.com

Headwaters Lodge & Cabins at Flagg Ranch

Just five minutes away from the South Entrance of Yellowstone National Park, Headwaters Lodge & Cabins at Flagg Ranch in Moran, Wyoming is a great place for rustic yet comfortable accommodations in a remote location. The lodge has an on-site restaurant and saloon, as well as a convenience store.

Being located south of Yellowstone, this hotel is also just a short drive from Grand Teton National Park, making it a prime location to stay in if you want to visit both national parks in the same trip.

Check prices on Booking.com

Bar N Ranch

Back in West Yellowstone, Montana, Bar N Ranch is another good place to stay if you want to be convenient to the West Entrance of the national park. Being located a little bit outside of the town, Bar N Ranch feels more secluded and has beautiful scenery, and the West Entrance is just a 15-minute drive away.

There’s an on-site restaurant, a swimming pool, and a fire pit with free s’mores every night. You can also book activities like horseback riding, fly fishing, and whitewater rafting through the lodge.

Check prices on Booking.com

The Hideaway Hostel

Finally, one of the most budget-friendly places to stay near Yellowstone is The Hideaway Hostel. It’s located in Island Park, Idaho, and it’s a 45-minute drive from the West Entrance of the national park.

This homey hostel is situated in a peaceful location in the midst of nature, and guests staying here will enjoy a free breakfast each morning. There’s also a shared lounge areas for guests to relax in.

Check prices on Booking.com