Where to Stay at Yellowstone: Lodges, Hotels and Campgrounds

Yellowstone National Park spans nearly 3,500 square miles across Wyoming, Montana, and Idaho, making it the largest national park in the contiguous US. With five vehicle entrances, a dozen developed areas, and wildlife viewing that can stretch your day unpredictably, where you sleep matters more here than almost anywhere else in the country.

In-Park Lodges

All Yellowstone lodges except one are operated by Xanterra and booked at yellowstonenationalparklodges.com. The exception is Roosevelt Lodge Cabins, also through Xanterra. Book 12 months ahead for summer.

Old Faithful Inn is arguably the most iconic lodge in any US national park. The original log building, completed in 1904, is a landmark of rustic architecture. You can watch Old Faithful erupt from the upper decks of the Old Faithful Inn without leaving the property. Rates run from approximately $180 for standard rooms in the historic wing to $650 for premium suites as of 2026. The dining room books up fast, so reserve dinner at the same time as your room.

Old Faithful Snow Lodge and Cabins is a newer property adjacent to Old Faithful Inn, open in summer and winter. It is the more accessible option when the Inn books out. Rooms run approximately $200 to $350 per night; cabins from approximately $160 per night as of 2026.

Lake Yellowstone Hotel sits on the north shore of Yellowstone Lake and is the oldest hotel in the park, dating to 1891. Sunrises over the lake from the dining room are exceptional. Rooms run approximately $200 to $430 per night as of 2026.

Canyon Lodge is the largest property in the park, with several modern cabin clusters and main lodge buildings near the Grand Canyon of the Yellowstone. Rates run approximately $180 to $350 per night as of 2026. Good central location for exploring multiple park sections.

Grant Village Lodge is a motel-style property on Yellowstone Lake’s western shore. It lacks the character of the older lodges but books more easily in summer. Rates approximately $190 to $230 per night as of 2026.

Mammoth Hot Springs Hotel is near the park’s north entrance and stays open year-round. Rates run approximately $150 to $250 per night for rooms; cabins from approximately $115 as of 2026.

Roosevelt Lodge Cabins at Tower-Roosevelt feel the most rustic, with simple frontier cabins and a chuck wagon cookout tradition. Cabins run approximately $120 to $200 per night as of 2026. Excellent base for Lamar Valley wildlife viewing.

Gateway Town Hotels

West Yellowstone, Montana is the most-used gateway, sitting at the west entrance with dozens of hotels, restaurants, and outfitters.

• Yellowstone Hot Springs by Vail Resorts (formerly Three Bear Lodge) is one of the more polished options in town, approximately $170 to $280 per night as of 2026.
• Explorer Cabins at Yellowstone are well-maintained rental cabins a short walk from the entrance, approximately $200 to $320 per night as of 2026.
• Madison Hotel is a budget-friendly historic downtown property from approximately $90 to $140 per night as of 2026.

Gardiner, Montana is at the north entrance, the only year-round vehicle entrance, and has a small but worthwhile selection of options.

• Absaroka Lodge sits on the Yellowstone River with good views, approximately $140 to $200 per night as of 2026.
• Yellowstone Village Inn is a reliable mid-range motel, approximately $130 to $180 per night as of 2026.

Jackson, Wyoming is south of the park near the Grand Teton National Park entrance and offers far more amenities than the smaller gateways, but is 60 miles from Old Faithful.

• Amangani is a luxury resort with canyon views at approximately $1,200 to $2,500 per night as of 2026.
• Rusty Parrot Lodge is a boutique mid-range property in downtown Jackson, approximately $250 to $450 per night as of 2026.
• 49er Inn and Suites is a solid budget option at approximately $120 to $200 per night as of 2026.

Campgrounds

Yellowstone has 12 campgrounds with around 2,000 sites. Five accept advance reservations through recreation.gov; the rest are first-come, first-served.

Bridge Bay Campground is the largest in the park at 432 sites, on Yellowstone Lake. Reservable in summer, fees approximately $25 to $30 per night as of 2026.

Canyon Campground has 272 sites near the canyon area. Reservable May through September, fees approximately $25 to $30 per night as of 2026.

Madison Campground has 278 sites near Madison Junction, a strong base for Old Faithful (14 miles) and Grand Prismatic Spring. Fees approximately $25 to $30 per night as of 2026.

Grant Village Campground has 430 sites on Yellowstone Lake’s west shore. Fees approximately $25 to $30 per night as of 2026.

Fishing Bridge RV Park is the only park campground with full hookups, at approximately $55 per night as of 2026. Hard-sided RVs only.

First-come, first-served campgrounds (Norris, Indian Creek, Lewis Lake, Slough Creek, Pebble Creek, Tower Fall) fill by 8am to 10am on summer mornings. Arrive the evening before or very early.

Booking Tips

Reserve all lodges through yellowstonenationalparklodges.com. Reservations open 12 months in advance and fill fast for June, July, and August. Campground reservations on recreation.gov open the same window.

Check the Xanterra cancellation page regularly for late openings, cancellations do come up, especially in September. For gateway hotels, summer weekends in West Yellowstone and Gardiner book out 6 to 9 months ahead; Jackson books even further out in peak ski and summer seasons.

Best Season to Visit

June through mid-September is when the park is fully operational with all lodges, roads, and campgrounds open. July is the busiest month. Go-to wildlife zone: Lamar Valley, best at dawn.

May sees lingering snow at elevation but increasingly open roads, far fewer visitors, and bison calves in the valleys. Unpredictable weather is the trade-off.

September to early October is many visitors’ favourite season. Elk rut peaks in September, temperatures are comfortable, and crowds drop significantly after Labor Day.

Winter (mid-December through February) offers snowcoach and snowmobile access to Old Faithful, wolf packs in Lamar Valley, and an extraordinary solitude. Only Mammoth and Old Faithful Snow Lodge are open. Book winter packages through Xanterra directly.