Resorts in Yellowstone National Park

Inside Yellowstone National Park, there are no true “resorts” in the modern sense—you won’t find luxury spa retreats, beachfront-style resorts, or private villa complexes like those in tropical destinations. Instead, the park features a network of lodges, hotels, and cabin-style accommodations that serve as resort-like stays for travelers. These are managed exclusively by Yellowstone National Park Lodges (Xanterra Travel Collection), the official concessionaire of the National Park Service. While not called “resorts” by name, these properties provide many of the same conveniences you’d expect from a resort, such as on-site dining, comfortable lodging, guided activities, and scenic locations close to Yellowstone’s most famous attractions.

These lodges function as self-contained hubs where visitors can eat, sleep, relax, and plan their adventures without leaving the area. Each one offers a distinct atmosphere that reflects its surroundings—some capture the rustic wilderness charm of log cabins, while others bring historic elegance reminiscent of the park’s early tourism era. Staying in one of these places is less about luxury and more about immersion in nature, comfort, and proximity to Yellowstone’s geothermal wonders, wildlife, and dramatic landscapes.

Quick Reference: Resorts in Yellowstone National Park

Type	Name of Lodge / Area	Location Inside Park	Highlights & Facilities	Operating Season
Resort-style Historic Lodge	Old Faithful Inn	Upper Geyser Basin (near Old Faithful Geyser)	Iconic log-and-stone architecture, dining room, lounge, views of geyser eruptions, rustic ambiance	May – October
Modern Resort-style Lodge	Old Faithful Snow Lodge & Cabins	Near Old Faithful Geyser	Modern comfort, full-service dining, cozy cabins, open during winter for snowcoach visitors	Mid-Dec – Early March; May – October
Elegant Lakefront Lodge	Lake Yellowstone Hotel & Cabins	Yellowstone Lake (Central-East)	Historic charm, fine dining, piano music, scenic lake views, upscale atmosphere	Mid-May – Early Oct
Large Modern Complex	Canyon Lodge & Cabins	Canyon Village (Central Yellowstone)	Largest lodging area in park, sustainable design, dining facilities, near Grand Canyon of Yellowstone	Late May – Early Oct
Northern Historic Lodge	Mammoth Hot Springs Hotel & Cabins	Near North Entrance (Gardiner, MT)	Classic architecture, restaurant, access to Mammoth terraces and wildlife viewing	Mid-Dec – Early Mar; Mid-Apr – Early Nov
Lakeside Retreat	Grant Village Lodge	Southern Yellowstone (near West Thumb)	Contemporary rooms, lake views, restaurant and lounge, great base for southern park exploration	Late May – Early Oct
Rustic Forest Lodge	Roosevelt Lodge Cabins	Tower–Roosevelt Area (Northeast)	Rustic cabins, horseback riding, Old West Cookout, scenic wilderness setting	Early June – Early Sept

Among the most popular resort-style lodges is the Old Faithful Inn, located next to the world-famous geyser. Built in 1904, it’s one of the most iconic park lodges in the United States and offers guests a combination of rustic architecture, grand wood interiors, and a front-row view of Old Faithful’s eruptions. For visitors looking for more modern comfort, the Old Faithful Snow Lodge nearby provides contemporary amenities while maintaining a cozy mountain-lodge feel.

The Lake Yellowstone Hotel and Cabins is another standout. Overlooking the vast expanse of Yellowstone Lake, it blends a refined, historic atmosphere with stunning waterfront views. This hotel is often considered the most elegant accommodation inside the park, making it the closest thing to a traditional resort experience. Guests can dine in its fine restaurant, listen to live music in the evenings, or simply relax and enjoy the lake’s calm beauty.

In the Canyon Village area, Canyon Lodge and Cabins offers one of the park’s largest lodging complexes. It combines sustainability with modern design and features multiple lodges, dining facilities, and cabin accommodations, all near the Grand Canyon of the Yellowstone. It’s ideal for travelers seeking convenience and comfort while exploring Yellowstone’s central region.

Other popular resort-like stays include the Mammoth Hot Springs Hotel and Cabins, located near the park’s northern entrance and surrounded by fascinating geothermal terraces, and the Grant Village Lodge, situated near Yellowstone Lake’s southern shore. Each provides dining options and easy access to natural attractions, making them excellent choices for visitors wanting a complete in-park stay.

While Yellowstone’s lodges may not have spas or infinity pools, they offer something far more unique—the chance to stay in the heart of one of the world’s most extraordinary natural landscapes. Waking up to elk grazing outside your window, watching geysers erupt nearby, or sipping coffee with a view of Yellowstone Lake is an experience no modern resort can replicate.

So, while there are technically no luxury resorts inside Yellowstone, the park’s lodges and hotels provide the next best thing—a comfortable, immersive retreat surrounded by nature’s raw beauty. For visitors seeking more traditional resort amenities, nearby towns such as West Yellowstone, Gardiner, and Jackson offer true resort properties just outside the park, combining luxury with easy park access.