The Best Places To Stay In Or Around Yellowstone National Park, According To Guests

You will still be amazed by the beauty of Yellowstone National Park, even if you arrive via a scenic road trip from Salt Lake City. The park is known for its outstanding wildlife observation opportunities and fascinating geological features. While finding things to do at the park is easy, choosing a top hotel can be a bit more complicated. Yellowstone National Park and the surrounding areas are practically crawling with lodges, cabins, and even the occasional dude ranch. With so many overnight options available, it might be difficult to decide which one is best for your needs.

Luckily, as experienced travel writers, we know how to differentiate a good hotel from a great one. After spending hours poring over traveler reviews from sites like Google and Tripadvisor, we have garnered an idea of which Yellowstone National Park hotels are worth booking. Thanks to helpful tips from former guests, we have selected some excellent places to stay. Not only do these places cover a wide range of prices, but they also stand out for their great locations and unique environments.

Old Faithful is not exactly a new travel destination. Folks have been venturing deep into the Wyoming wilderness to watch this geyser erupt for well over 100 years. The site inspired Yellowstone National Park to become the first natural preserve of its kind in 1872. These days, it remains just as spectacular as always, earning the title of one of the top spots to visit if you only have one day at Yellowstone. And when you consider that it releases anywhere between 3,700 and 8,400 gallons of water (via National Park Service) every time that it erupts, Old Faithful's beauty is simply spectacular.

If you hope to spend your Yellowstone vacation admiring this famous geyser, consider staying at Old Faithful Inn. This massive log cabin hotel was completed in 1903. Prices vary depending on the season and room type, ranging from $200 to $700 per night. One Google reviewer, though, claimed that the price was worth it: "Expensive but you can't ask for a better location! Beautiful views of the upper geyser basin, and gorgeous wood architecture and detailing all around." A second Google reviewer encouraged visitors to explore the hotel's history, writing, "Everyone should visit the Old Faithful Inn. Even if you do not stay at the Inn, one should walk inside this iconic building and read about the history."

Yellowstone National Park is vast, and at times, it can seem impossible to bridge the gap between one sight and the next. Folks looking to have a cozier park experience might consider booking a room at Yellowstone Riverside Cottages. Nestled on the banks of the Yellowstone River in Gardiner, Montana, this hotel provides visitors with the charming, small-town experience that many travelers seek. Spend your day at the national park — hiking to Undine Falls or walking around Mammoth Hot Springs. Afterward, drive back to Gardiner, where you can walk straight from the hotel to a restaurant. Or, simply stroll to a local tour operator and arrange a day of kayaking or white-river rafting.

Previous guests rave about the convenience of staying at Yellowstone Riverside Cottages. "Great location near Yellowstone! Many of the cottages have been remodeled. Super friendly staff and reasonable prices although we came at the beginning of the summer season in early May. Everything is in walking distance in Gardiner so it's close to restaurants, grocery stores, and gas stations," wrote one traveler on Google. In a second Google review, another guest added, "Perfect location for viewing the river and accessing the many rafting companies that are in the area. Everything in town is within reasonable walking distance, including across the river on the south side of Gardiner." Prices start at around $400 per night, varying significantly by season and room type. Additionally, rooms often book out quickly.

Yellowstone National Park is a great place for a rustic vacation, but that doesn't mean that it lacks expensive luxury resorts. Among these, one of the most fabulous is Crossed Sabres Ranch. This family-friendly, all-inclusive resort is far from cheap. An adult would pay a whopping $3,400 per week to stay at Cross Sabres, and a child under the age of 12 would be charged $3,200 for their lodging. While this price is certainly hefty, it guarantees guests great lodging coupled with exciting activities. Spend your Tuesday exploring the lower loop of natural attractions at Yellowstone National Park, then embark on a white river rafting adventure on Wednesday. Later in the week, try archery, horseback riding, and fly fishing. Just keep in mind that activities at Cross Sabres follow a rough weekly schedule that runs from Sunday to Saturday.

Overall, travelers who have stayed at this resort in the past say that the activities are what make it so special. One visitor wrote on Tripadvisor, "We thoroughly enjoyed every activity we did – riding, fly fishing, hiking, a day trip to Yellowstone, white water rafting, skeet shooting, the rodeo – you name it, we did it. The amenities at the ranch were perfect as well – everything was clean, well-run and organized." Another Tripadvisor reviewer added that dinnertime at Cross Sabres is great, too: "The food is excellent, always delicious. The entertainment was first class. I would not have changed a single thing about my experience."

While the luxury at Crossed Sabres Ranch may be out of this world, it's not exactly ideal for traveling to Yellowstone National Park on a budget. Folks who are looking to keep their travel expenses under control might book a room at the Cooke City Super 8. This no-frills chain motel may not be fancy, but it is clean and convenient. Plus, the prices are unbeatable. In the summer peak season, you can reserve a room there for $176 per night for the weekend. When you consider that most Yellowstone hotel rooms cost between $200 and $400 per night, this is a pretty great deal.

Just because a hotel is inexpensive, though, doesn't mean it's worth the value. Whereas many of the similarly-priced hotels near Yellowstone National Park hover around the 3.2-star mark on Google reviews, the Cooke City Super 8 impresses with its solid 4.0-star Google rating. Former guests say that they enjoyed the hotel's location and price. "Good place to spend a night. Not expensive and close to Yellowstone North East Entrance and Beartooth Highway. I loved Cooke City, Small town with cute little shops," wrote one visitor on Google. Another Google reviewer added, "This hotel is clean, reasonably priced, and [has] very nice people! If you want clean rooms, comfortable beds, hot water ... look no further! We know where we will be staying from now on in Cooke city!"

The U.S. national parks system is full of great camping sites, but that doesn't mean that most travelers are ready to pitch a tent and start roasting marshmallows. While some folks enjoy engaging with the great outdoors, others will agree that there's something special about ending the day with a hot shower and a warm bowl of soup. Enter Silver Gate Lodging. With its adorable Lincoln Log-style cabins, this hotel offers a rustic glamping experience. Are the cabins furnished with simple, old-fashioned features like wood-burning stoves and vintage farm-style curtains? Absolutely. But do they also boast 100% functional kitchens, complete with ovens, stoves, and large refrigerators? Also yes. Additionally, former guests say the cabins' overall comfort is a game-changer.

Writing on Google reviews, one previous visitor gushed about their experience, "We stayed in the cute loft cabin, perfect for a couple. The beds were comfortable, the kitchen was equipped to cook meals, and the cabin was cozy and clean." A second visitor echoed this sentiment on Tripadvisor, sharing, "The moment we arrived, the warm, cabin-style charm and glowing fireplace instantly made us feel at ease. We spent hours on the porch, wrapped in blankets, watching foxes stroll by and taking in the breathtaking mountain views." Fully equipped cabins at Silver Gate Lodging cost as little as $275 per night in June. However, folks looking for a deal can still reserve one of the resort's kitchen-free motel rooms for just $170.

Why limit your vacation to a national park if you can visit two? Located just half an hour south of Yellowstone National Park's South entrance, the Grand Teton Lodge company's Jackson Lake Lodge provides easy access to sites like Moose Falls and Heart Lake. That being said, the hotel is also nestled at the foot of Grand Teton National Park. This gives visitors the unique opportunity to experience two of the United States' most important natural preserves in a single vacation. As an added bonus, it also means that guests are often treated to some truly spectacular mountain views from the comfort of their hotel rooms.

Reflecting on their experience at this hotel, one Google reviewer marveled at the beauty of the location. "It's definitely one of the best places to stay in your life. The view of the Grand Teton was just [indescribable] – you can enjoy the perfect scenery from your lodge," they wrote. Even if you don't get a fantastic view from your room, you can enjoy the local landscapes from the lobby. As another visitor explained on Google, "Excellent experience. The lobby offers breathtaking views of the Teton range and often the majority of guests spend the evening enjoying the sunset and watching wildlife off the back patio or from the windows of one of the restaurants." Summer prices at this 4-star hotel start at around $500 per night.

When you go on vacation, do you long for a few days of solitude? Or the opportunity to meet new people? If you identify most with the second type of traveler, you may enjoy spending a few days at the Grizzly Lodge. Surrounded by the rustic beauty of Silver Gate, Montana, the Grizzly Lodge offers cozy log cabin vibes and stunning views of Soda Butter Creek. Its location is extremely convenient. For a big plate of juicy barbecue, simply head to the food truck across the street. If you're in the mood for a steaming hot plate of pancakes, there's an old-fashioned café right down the road. As an added bonus, Yellowstone National Park's Bannock Trail trailhead is just a few steps away, making your vacation easy to organize.

Among all of these benefits, visitors simply rave about Grizzly Lodge's communal fire pit. For many, gathering around the fire with other guests is an overall heartwarming experience. As one visitor mused on Google reviews, "The rooms [were] clean and warm and [had] beautiful views. The fire pit at night is so inviting and [is a] good way to meet people." Per a second Google reviewer, "Authentic cabin. Loved the whole vibe of the place. The fire pit was a bonus. It was nice to sit out after a long day and talk to other travelers." Summers here book out quickly, but prices in the fall start at $200 per night.

Some travelers hope to make connections with other hotel guests, while others prefer a low-key, family-friendly environment. Anyone looking to stay at a true mom-and-pop style resort should consider staying at the Creekside Lodge at Yellowstone. Surrounded by nature and located near the rustic Fishawk Trailhead, this resort is not the place to go looking for any sort of hustle or bustle. That being said, folks looking for mountain views and a calm, intimate atmosphere will not be disappointed.

Travelers who have stayed at the Creekside Lodge in the past laud the resort owners for creating such a warm environment. Writing on Tripadvisor, one guest recalled, "Our hosts were delightful. The lodges nestle by a creek & are surrounded by beautiful mountains. The interiors are rustic & simple, but have all the essentials, including warm & comfy beds. On some evenings a home-cooked dinner is available & it was probably one of the best meals of our 3 week holiday." Another visitor raved about the quality of the hosts on Tripadvisor, citing a home-cooked pork sandwich dinner as a highlight. In late August — and throughout the fall — cabins here start at $189 per night.

The landscapes at Yellowstone National Park are unforgettable, but some visitors travel to the area to see the impressive local fauna. And thanks to all the moose, elk, and bison roaming the nature preserve, there are plenty of different species to view from afar. Folks who are interested in observing these majestic creatures in their natural habitat might book a room at the Park Hotel Yellowstone. Located just a three-minute walk from the Yellowstone National Park Gateway Garden, this top-rated hotel provides a unique closeness to nature. For this experience, expect to pay around $300 per night during the summertime and $230 per night during the fall.

Previous guests rave about the Park Hotel Yellowstone's fabulous location. "Everything about our experience here was AMAZING! The proximity to the park was perfect ... We saw elk running around and grazing just outside the window, they had bear spray for us to borrow when we went into the park, and we were able to use our binoculars to watch the mountainside for wildlife. Epic experience," one visitor shared on Google. According to another guest, the proximity to nature during their stay was unparalleled. "Comfortable beds and very hospitable host. There are elk that greeted us at check in. You can see elk everywhere in this town. Also the north entrance to Yellowstone is [a] walking distance from your room along with everything in the little town," they wrote on Google. 

If you are looking for a clean, middle-of-the-road hotel experience at Yellowstone National Park, the Roosevelt Hotel Yellowstone might just be the place for you. Thanks to its large, carpeted rooms, faux leather couches, and electronic fireplaces, the Roosevelt Hotel probably lacks some of the quirky charm of its competitors. However, what this Gardiner, Montana, resort misses in personality, it makes up for in dependability. Visitors here tend to get exactly what they expect. Perhaps it is this very consistency that has earned the Roosevelt a solid 4.6 stars on Google reviews and 4.5 stars on Tripadvisor.

Guests remember the Roosevelt Hotel as a place that always comes through. Per one Tripadvisor reviewer, "My first room was ... comfortable and had a great ensuite. The room was clean and I had a great night's sleep. My second room was just up from the office on the deck. This was a shower only room and was huge! Again, clean and comfortable and I slept well." A second reviewer added that the breakfast, while simple, was a nice feature. "Everyone was super nice and helpful. They offered coffee, cereal, and pastries which got our day off to a great start. The rooms seemed newly renovated and offered a really nice fridge," they wrote on Tripadvisor. Prices during the summer and early fall tend to hover around $300 per night.

Creating this list of the best hotels to stay in Yellowstone National Park was a challenging process. After all, different travelers have different expectations when it comes to lodging. Because of this, we tried to select spots that offer a broad range of experiences and price ranges. For an expensive historic hotel, the Old Faithful Inn is the top option in the area. Meanwhile, the wide range of activities available at Crossed Sabres Ranch makes it ideal for the luxury travel crowd. Grand Teton Lodge Company's Jackson Lake Lodge and the Yellowstone Riverside Cottages are also quite pricey. However, while the first hotel provides unique access to two national parks, the second provides a more charming small-town experience.

As for mid-range hotels, the Park Hotel Yellowstone is excellent for travelers who want to see wildlife up close, while the Roosevelt Hotel Yellowstone is perfect for folks who want a nice, dependable place to stay. Silver Gate Lodging provides guests with a full kitchen of their own — although it also offers less expensive motel rooms for folks on a budget. Other inexpensive lodging options include the clean yet classic motel rooms at Cooke City Super 8, as well as the family-run Creekside Lodge at Yellowstone. The Grizzly Lodge also offers fantastic prices in the off-season and is especially wonderful for travelers who want to make friends. Although this list covers a range of price options, every hotel listed has a minimum of 4.0 stars on Google reviews.