Yellowstone National Park Lodging: Where to Stay Inside America’s Wild Wonderland
Staying inside Yellowstone National Park is one of the most immersive ways to experience the beauty and grandeur of America’s first national park. The vast wilderness, steaming geysers, waterfalls, and abundant wildlife take on an entirely new magic when you wake up to the sound of elk bugling in the distance or step outside your cabin to see the sunrise over a misty meadow.
Yellowstone offers a range of lodging options, from historic lodges filled with rustic charm to modern accommodations that provide a bit more comfort while keeping you close to nature. Every corner of the park tells a different story, and where you choose to stay can shape the kind of Yellowstone experience you’ll remember forever.
Yellowstone National Park Lodging - Quick Reference
|
Lodge / Camp |
Location |
No. of Sites / Rooms |
Amenities |
Season |
|
Old Faithful Inn |
Near Old Faithful Geyser |
Approx. 327 rooms |
Historic log structure, dining room, lounge, close to geyser |
Early May – Mid-October |
|
Old Faithful Snow Lodge & Cabins |
Old Faithful Area |
134 rooms + 30 cabins |
Modern amenities, restaurant, winter access, fireplace lounge |
Year-round (mainly winter focus) |
|
Mammoth Hot Springs Hotel & Cabins |
North Entrance near Mammoth |
211 rooms + cabins |
Historic charm, terrace views, restaurant, winter access |
Year-round |
|
Canyon Lodge & Cabins |
Near Grand Canyon of the Yellowstone |
500+ rooms and cabins |
Eco-friendly design, modern amenities, dining area |
Late May – Late September |
|
Lake Hotel & Cabins |
On the shore of Yellowstone Lake |
296 rooms + cabins |
Elegant décor, lake views, fine dining |
Mid-May – Early October |
|
Lake Lodge Cabins |
Yellowstone Lake Area |
186 cabins |
Rustic cabins, casual atmosphere, near lake |
Mid-June – Mid-September |
|
Grant Village |
Southern shore of Yellowstone Lake |
300+ rooms |
Modern rooms, visitor center, restaurants, marina |
Mid-June – Mid-September |
|
Roosevelt Lodge & Cabins |
Near Tower-Roosevelt |
80 cabins |
Rustic cabins, horseback rides, campfire cookouts |
Mid-June – Early September |
Note: All Yellowstone National Park lodgings are managed by Yellowstone
National Park Lodges (Xanterra). Reservations open up 12 months in advance and
are strongly recommended for summer stays.
At the heart of the park lies the Old Faithful Inn, a masterpiece of log and stone architecture that has become an icon of Yellowstone’s early tourism history. Built in 1904, this grand lodge is one of the largest log structures in the world and sits just steps away from the legendary Old Faithful Geyser. Its towering lobby, featuring a massive stone fireplace and handcrafted woodwork, captures the spirit of the early 20th century when national park travel was still an adventure. Guests can choose from historic rooms with a rustic charm or modern annex rooms with updated amenities. Even if you’re not staying here, a visit to the Old Faithful Inn to witness the geyser erupt from the balcony or enjoy a warm drink in the lodge’s lounge is an unforgettable experience.
Just across the geyser basin, Old Faithful Snow Lodge and Cabins provides a more contemporary stay while keeping you close to Yellowstone’s geothermal wonders. Built in the 1990s, it offers comfortable rooms and cozy log cabins with modern amenities. The Snow Lodge remains open in winter, making it one of the few places to stay in the park during the snowy months. Visitors can enjoy guided snowcoach tours, cross-country skiing, and steaming hot chocolate by the fire after a day of exploring the frozen geysers. It’s a perfect choice for travelers seeking comfort without sacrificing proximity to nature.
In the northern region of the park, Mammoth Hot Springs Hotel and Cabins sits near the park’s North Entrance and the fascinating terraces of Mammoth Hot Springs. This area is open year-round and has a charming, frontier-town feel. The historic hotel offers a blend of modern comfort and classic design, featuring rooms that overlook the terraces or the surrounding mountains. During winter, when much of the park is closed to vehicles, Mammoth becomes the main hub for winter adventurers. Guests can take snowcoach rides, spot elk wandering through the hotel grounds, or relax by the warm glow of the Map Room fireplace after a day in the cold.
For visitors drawn to Yellowstone’s majestic Grand Canyon area, Canyon Lodge and Cabins offers one of the largest lodging complexes in the park. Recently renovated, this area blends sustainability with style, featuring eco-friendly design and comfortable modern rooms. Its location near the Grand Canyon of the Yellowstone makes it ideal for exploring the dramatic Lower and Upper Falls and hiking the scenic trails that wind through the canyon rim. The surrounding pine forest gives the area a tranquil, mountain-lodge atmosphere, and the central village includes a cafeteria, gift shop, and visitor center for convenience.
On the shores of Yellowstone Lake, the Lake Hotel and Cabins offer an elegant and timeless stay that feels like stepping back into the early 1900s. With its white columns, yellow exterior, and grand dining room overlooking the lake, the Lake Hotel is one of Yellowstone’s oldest operating lodges. Guests can enjoy breathtaking lake views, fine dining, and an atmosphere of quiet sophistication. Just nearby, the Lake Lodge Cabins offer a more casual experience, with cozy cabins surrounded by pine trees and easy access to the lakeshore. The area is peaceful and scenic, ideal for travelers who want to unwind and enjoy sunsets over the water or take leisurely walks along the shoreline.
Toward the eastern part of the park, Grant Village provides a modern and functional base for exploring the southern regions of Yellowstone and nearby Grand Teton National Park. The complex includes hotel-style rooms, a visitor center, a marina, and restaurants, all set near the southern shore of Yellowstone Lake. While it may not have the historic charm of some other lodges, Grant Village offers convenience, especially for travelers who prefer private bathrooms, warm showers, and easy access to park roads. The nearby Grant Visitor Center provides engaging exhibits about the 1988 Yellowstone fires, adding a fascinating layer of history to your stay.
For those who want to embrace the park’s wild character, Roosevelt Lodge and Cabins near Tower-Roosevelt offers a rustic and adventurous experience reminiscent of early 1900s camping trips. Named after President Theodore Roosevelt, who once camped nearby, this area embodies the spirit of the Old West. Guests can stay in simple log cabins surrounded by sagebrush meadows and towering mountains, and enjoy horseback riding, chuckwagon dinners, and storytelling around a campfire. The atmosphere here feels remote and authentic, making it a favorite among travelers seeking a deeper connection with Yellowstone’s rugged landscape.
Yellowstone’s lodging options extend beyond these well-known lodges, with smaller cabins and accommodations spread throughout the park to fit different budgets and travel styles. Each location has its own rhythm and landscape—from the geothermal fields of Old Faithful to the alpine forests around Canyon or the lakefront calm of Lake Village. It’s important to remember that all in-park lodging is managed by a single concessionaire, and reservations can book up months in advance, especially during the summer season from June through September. Planning early is essential for securing your ideal stay.
Whether you choose a grand historic lodge or a simple cabin under the stars, staying inside Yellowstone allows you to experience the park in ways that day visitors cannot. You can watch geysers erupt in the quiet of early morning, see wildlife moving through the meadows at dusk, and feel the timeless rhythm of nature without rushing back to the park’s gates. Yellowstone’s lodges aren’t just places to rest—they’re part of the park’s living history, each one offering a unique doorway into the untamed heart of the American wilderness.
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