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Wednesday, October 29, 2025

Resorts near Yellowstone National Park (Outside the Park)

Resorts near Yellowstone National Park (Outside the Park)

When planning a trip to Yellowstone National Park, many travelers quickly discover that while the park itself offers incredible natural beauty, it doesn’t have true “resorts” in the modern sense. Inside the park, you’ll find historic lodges and rustic cabins managed by Yellowstone National Park Lodges (Xanterra), but if you’re looking for full-service resorts with luxury amenities, spa facilities, and year-round comfort, you’ll need to look just outside the park boundaries. Fortunately, the gateway towns surrounding Yellowstone — including West Yellowstone in Montana, Gardiner near the North Entrance, Cody to the East, and Jackson in Wyoming to the South — offer some exceptional resort experiences that combine modern comfort with proximity to the wild heart of Yellowstone.



Quick Reference: Best Resorts near Yellowstone National Park (Outside the Park)

Area / Entrance

Resort Name

Type & Style

Key Features


Ideal For


West Yellowstone (Montana)

Explorer Cabins at Yellowstone

Rustic luxury cabins

Modern interiors, fire pits, kitchenettes


Families & couples

West Yellowstone (Montana)

The 1872 Inn

Boutique adults-only resort


Luxury rooms, fireplace suites, breakfast

Romantic getaways

West Yellowstone (Montana)

Gray Wolf Inn & Suites

Modern family resort

Indoor pool, large suites, near park gate


Families & long stays

West Yellowstone (Montana)

Yellowstone Park Hotel

Contemporary lodge

Pool, fitness center, spacious rooms


Families & groups

Gardiner (North Entrance)

Yellowstone Gateway Inn

Riverside suites & studios

Kitchen, scenic views, family-friendly


Long stays & small groups

Gardiner (North Entrance)

Yellowstone Riverside Cottages

Cozy riverside cottages

Private decks, kitchenettes, close to entrance


Couples & families

Gardiner (North Entrance)

Yellowstone Basin Inn

Lodge-style resort

Breakfast, mountain views, rustic charm


Peaceful stays & photographers

Cody (East Entrance)

Chamberlin Inn

Boutique historic resort

Fine dining, courtyard garden, elegant décor


Romantic & luxury travelers

Cody (East Entrance)

Buffalo Bill’s Irma Hotel

Historic western resort

Saloon, live shows, Old West ambiance


History lovers & families

Cody (East Entrance)

The Cody Hotel

Modern luxury hotel


Pool, hot tub, pet-friendly


Road trippers & couples

Cody (East Entrance)

K3 Guest Ranch

Western ranch resort

Horseback rides, cowboy breakfasts, cabins


Adventure & nature lovers

Jackson (South Entrance)

Four Seasons Resort Jackson Hole

5-star mountain resort

Ski access, spa, heated pool, luxury dining


Luxury travelers

Jackson (South Entrance)

Amangani

Ultra-luxury resort

Infinity pool, spa, panoramic views


Honeymooners & elite guests

Jackson (South Entrance)

Rustic Inn Creekside Resort & Spa

Luxury resort & spa

Creekside cabins, hot tubs, fine dining


Families & relaxation seekers


The most popular area for resort stays is West Yellowstone, located just outside the park’s busy West Entrance. Here, visitors can find upscale yet nature-inspired resorts that provide convenient access to geyser basins and wildlife tours. One of the top choices is the Explorer Cabins at Yellowstone, which blend rustic charm with contemporary interiors, kitchenettes, and fire pits perfect for chilly mountain evenings. Another nearby favorite is The 1872 Inn, a boutique-style resort exclusively for adults, offering luxury rooms, fireplaces, and personalized service within walking distance of downtown shops and restaurants. For families, Gray Wolf Inn & Suites and Yellowstone Park Hotel provide resort-level amenities like pools, fitness centers, and large suites ideal for multi-day stays.


If you prefer a quieter mountain experience, head north to Gardiner, Montana, near the park’s only year-round open entrance. The Yellowstone Riverside Cottages and Yellowstone Gateway Inn offer riverside views, cozy suites, and kitchens — great for extended visits. For a more refined stay, the Yellowstone Basin Inn delivers a classic resort feel with large rooms, hearty breakfasts, and incredible mountain panoramas. This area is especially ideal in winter when much of the park remains closed, but visitors can still enter through Gardiner to explore Mammoth Hot Springs and nearby wildlife areas.


To the east, Cody, Wyoming, offers a completely different atmosphere — part cowboy town, part luxury escape. Founded by Buffalo Bill Cody, this historic town is home to the Chamberlin Inn, an elegant boutique resort with gardens, fine dining, and antique furnishings. Travelers seeking resort-style amenities will also enjoy Buffalo Bill’s Irma Hotel, where Old West charm meets modern comfort. Just beyond Cody, several upscale ranch resorts like The Cody Hotel and K3 Guest Ranch provide immersive stays that combine adventure, horseback riding, and western-style relaxation before or after a Yellowstone trip.


Further south, near the scenic South Entrance, lies Jackson, Wyoming — the most luxurious base for exploring both Yellowstone and Grand Teton National Park. Jackson is famous for its ski resorts and upscale mountain lodges, making it the top choice for travelers wanting a true resort experience with spa treatments, fine dining, and breathtaking alpine scenery. The Four Seasons Resort Jackson Hole, Amangani, and Rustic Inn Creekside Resort & Spa are all world-class options. They offer heated pools, outdoor hot tubs, guided tours into Yellowstone, and a level of comfort unmatched by any accommodation inside the park. Although these resorts come with a higher price tag, the experience of watching the sunset over the Tetons or relaxing in a hot spring-style spa after a day of exploring Yellowstone is simply unforgettable.


Staying at a resort near Yellowstone gives visitors the best of both worlds — proximity to the park’s geothermal wonders and wildlife, along with modern comforts that make the journey more relaxing. Whether you prefer a cozy riverside cabin, a western-style ranch, or a five-star mountain retreat, the areas surrounding Yellowstone offer an array of resort experiences to fit every type of traveler. These resorts not only provide luxurious lodging but also help preserve the park’s wilderness by keeping large-scale development outside its boundaries.

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