Hotels outside Yellowstone National Park

Hotels outside Yellowstone National Park offer visitors a comfortable and often more affordable alternative to staying inside the park, with the added benefit of easier access to amenities like restaurants, shops, and entertainment. Because Yellowstone spans across Wyoming, Montana, and Idaho, there are several gateway towns surrounding the park, each offering a unique lodging experience that caters to different types of travelers—from families and photographers to luxury seekers and outdoor adventurers.

Quick Reference: Hotels outside Yellowstone National Park

Gateway Town	Nearest Entrance	Hotel Examples	Best For	Distance to Park	Seasonal Note
West Yellowstone, Montana	West Entrance	Explorer Cabins, Kelly Inn, Holiday Inn West Yellowstone	Families, first-time visitors, easy access to main attractions	Adjacent to entrance	Busy in summer, good winter access for snowmobiling
Gardiner, Montana	North Entrance	Yellowstone Gateway Inn, Absaroka Lodge, The Roosevelt Hotel	Year-round access, wildlife viewing, Mammoth Hot Springs proximity	Adjacent to entrance	Only year-round entrance for vehicles
Cooke City & Silver Gate, Montana	Northeast Entrance	Alpine Motel, Soda Butte Lodge, Big Moose Resort	Wildlife enthusiasts, Lamar Valley access, quiet stays	~1–3 miles from entrance	Remote in winter, great for summer and fall
Cody, Wyoming	East Entrance	Irma Hotel, Cody Cowboy Village, Best Western Premier Ivy Inn	History buffs, families, rodeo & cultural activities	~50 miles from entrance	Roads to park close in winter; great spring–fall base
Jackson, Wyoming	South Entrance	Rustic Inn Creekside Resort, The Lodge at Jackson Hole, Snow King Resort	Luxury travelers, Grand Teton & Yellowstone access	~60 miles from entrance	Expensive but open year-round
Island Park, Idaho	West Entrance	Eagle Ridge Ranch, Drift Lodge, Sawtelle Mountain Resort	Budget travelers, anglers, peaceful surroundings	~20 miles from entrance	Quieter than West Yellowstone, ideal for summer stays

West Yellowstone, Montana, is one of the most popular and convenient towns for visitors, located just outside the park’s West Entrance. It serves as a bustling hub for tourism, especially during the summer months. Here, travelers can find a wide range of accommodations, including comfortable motels, charming lodges, and full-service hotels. Popular options include the Explorer Cabins, Kelly Inn, and the Holiday Inn West Yellowstone, each providing modern comforts within walking distance of restaurants and shops. West Yellowstone is also home to the Grizzly & Wolf Discovery Center, making it a great base for families. During winter, the town transforms into a snowmobiler’s paradise, offering guided tours into the snowy landscapes of Yellowstone.

Gardiner, Montana, situated at the North Entrance, offers another excellent lodging area. It’s the only entrance open to regular vehicle traffic year-round, making it ideal for winter travelers. Hotels here range from rustic lodges to cozy inns, often with spectacular views of the Yellowstone River and surrounding mountains. Notable choices include the Yellowstone Gateway Inn, Absaroka Lodge, and The Roosevelt Hotel. Gardiner also provides quick access to Mammoth Hot Springs and abundant wildlife sightings—especially elk, which often roam freely through town. The relaxed, small-town charm and proximity to the park make Gardiner an appealing choice for visitors seeking convenience and authenticity.

Cooke City and Silver Gate, Montana, located near the Northeast Entrance, are perfect for travelers seeking a quieter, more remote experience. These small mountain towns are gateways to the Lamar Valley—often called the “Serengeti of North America” for its abundant wildlife. Accommodations here include rustic cabins, lodges, and small motels like the Alpine Motel and Soda Butte Lodge. This area is particularly popular among wildlife photographers and those interested in backcountry exploration, as it offers quick access to some of the park’s most scenic and less crowded regions.

Cody, Wyoming, located about 50 miles from the East Entrance, offers a mix of Western hospitality, history, and modern comfort. Founded by Buffalo Bill Cody, this town is steeped in cowboy culture and serves as a great destination for travelers who want to combine outdoor adventure with cultural experiences. Hotels such as the Irma Hotel, Cody Cowboy Village, and Best Western Premier Ivy Inn offer comfortable accommodations, while the town’s museums, rodeos, and restaurants provide plenty of activities beyond Yellowstone. Cody is particularly convenient for visitors arriving from the east and looking to explore both the park and Wyoming’s frontier heritage.

Jackson, Wyoming, near the South Entrance, is the most upscale of Yellowstone’s gateway towns. It’s a popular year-round destination offering luxury resorts, boutique hotels, and fine dining. Properties like the Rustic Inn Creekside Resort and The Lodge at Jackson Hole provide elegant accommodations with easy access to both Yellowstone and Grand Teton National Park. Although lodging prices are higher in Jackson, the town’s amenities, art galleries, and stunning mountain views make it a favorite among travelers seeking both comfort and adventure.

For those entering through Island Park, Idaho, lodging options include cabins, lodges, and vacation rentals surrounded by pine forests and lakes. This area is perfect for anglers, as it sits near Henry’s Fork of the Snake River—one of the top fly-fishing spots in the region. Popular places to stay include the Eagle Ridge Ranch and Drift Lodge. Island Park’s proximity to the West Entrance makes it a peaceful alternative for travelers who prefer nature over crowds.

Each of these gateway towns offers a different experience, but all provide easy access to Yellowstone’s wonders while giving travelers more flexibility in terms of dining, shopping, and accommodation types. Staying outside the park can also be practical, especially during shoulder seasons when in-park lodging is closed or fully booked. Whether you prefer the vibrant energy of West Yellowstone, the rustic peace of Silver Gate, or the upscale comfort of Jackson, the hotels outside Yellowstone National Park cater to every kind of visitor, ensuring that the adventure continues even after the park gates close for the day.