Explore Yellowstone Lodges at the Heart of America’s First National Park
There all kinds of different ways to organize your trip to Yellowstone National Park, including staying in one of the spectacular gateway communities like Cody, Wyoming, or Gardiner, Montana.
But to minimize your time in the car and get the most out of your visit to America’s first national park, there’s no better place to stay than one of the historic Yellowstone lodges located within the park.
Depending on the season and your priority destinations, there are different Yellowstone lodges that may best suit your itinerary. In this guide, you’ll get an overview of each lodging option within the park to help you make the most of your travel plans.
Here’s a look at all nine Yellowstone lodges.
1. Old Faithful Snow Lodge & Cabins
If you’re visiting during the winter months, this is the best place to stay. The Old Faithful Snow Lodge was completed in 1999 and boasts a full-service dining room as well as lighter service at the “Geyser Grill.”
With fireplaces in the lobby areas, this is a cozy winter destination. It’s open April through October as well, so you can enjoy it any time of year.
In the winter, you’ll find equipment rentals as well as lessons for cross-country skiing and snowshoeing. There’s also a skating rink with free rentals!
2. Old Faithful Lodge Cabins
Distinct from the Snow Lodge, the historic main facility offers incredible views of Old Faithful Geyser
You can stay at one of the cabins to get the most out of your visit to Old Faithful. Choose from the Frontier Cabin or the Cabin without Bath option, all located behind the lodge.
These accomodations are rustic, to be sure: There’s no phone, TV, radio, or air conditioning at these Yellowstone lodges. You also can’t cook or have pets inside these cabins, and they’re all non-smoking/non-vaping.
However, there are ADA rooms available.
3. Old Faithful Inn
This is a national historic landmark and the busiest of all Yellowstone lodges, so don’t expect to have an easy time making your reservation.
But if you can manage to arrange a stay here, this building is quite the marvel. In fact, it’s one of the largest log-style buildings in the world. Check out the enormous stone fireplace in the lobby, plus the handmade clock.
There’s a variety of options for accomodations, including suites with a partial view of the geyser basin itself. Watching Old Faithful erupt is truly a stunning experience, but apparently it’s not for everyone — if you want a laugh, check out these people who took the time to leave 1-star reviews of Old Faithful.
4. Canyon Lodge & Cabins
Moving into a different region of Yellowstone lodges, the Canyon Lodge & Cabins is billed as the largest sustainable lodging in the entire US national park system.
At Canyon Lodge & Cabins, you’ll find more than 500 rooms and cabins, as well as restaurants and a gift shop inside the main building.
If you want to explore the area surrounding the Grand Canyon of the Yellowstone River, this is the place to be. Choose from suites, cabins, deluxe rooms, and standard rooms.
It’s a great place to be if you have a sweet tooth, too — not just because of the great dining options, but also because of the Canyon Lodge Ice Creamery!
5. Lake Yellowstone Hotel & Cabins
Restored in 2014 with impressive renovations to the interior, the Yellowstone Lake Hotel is another prime destination for visitors who want to stay inside the park at one of the preeminent Yellowstone lodges.
There’s a relaxed elegance to this lodge, with a string quartet or pianist performing often in the Sun Room. Guests can also enjoy wired internet and a business center.
In 2015, the Lake Hotel was designated as a National Historic Landmark.
Prominent guests can book the Presidential Suite, and for the rest of us, there’s options aplenty, from suites to deluxe lakeside hotel rooms and cabins.
6. Lake Lodge Cabins
Separate from the Lake Hotel, Lake Lodge Cabins includes 186 different cabins with private baths. This is a superb place to enjoy some solitude in your own cabin with an excellent view of Yellowstone Lake.
Choose from the basic Pioneer cabins, or enjoy the recently modernizeed Frontier and Western cabins.
The main building includes a lounge, gift store, and lobby with two fire places. This location is open from early June through the end of September each year.
7. Grant Village
Named for Ulysses S. Grant himself, who was president when Yellowstone was recognized as the first national park in the world in 1872, Grant Village is closer to Grand Teton National Park than any other Yellowstone lodges.
That makes it a prime place to stay for those looking to explore beyond the border of Yellowstone during their trip.
Grant Village sits near the West Thumb of Yellowstone Lake. It has two different restaurants, plus a lounge and gift store.
At Grant Village, you’ll find six two-story buildings with 50 rooms apiece.
Grant Village is also a great place to stay if you plan on doing some boating or fishing on Yellowstone Lake during your visit.
8. Mammoth Hot Springs Hotel & Cabins
Definitely the best option for Yellowstone lodges in the northern part of the park, the hotel and cabins at Mammoth are open in the summer and winter. Don’t be surprised to look up from your breakfast to see elk grazing just outside.
In the winter, there’s no better base camp for exploring the Lamar Valley, Grand Canyon of the Yellowstone, and other popular areas.
Like the Snow Lodge at Old Faithful, you’ll find rentals and lessons for cross-country skiing and showshoeing at Mammoth Hot Springs Hotel. Plus, you’re already at one of the top geothermal features every Yellowstone visitor should see.
There’s a variety of options for accomodations, including hot tub cabins that would be perfect any time of year. Plus, the Mammoth Hotel dining room is quite the classy spot for an outstanding meal.
9. Roosevelt Lodge Cabins
Located in the Tower area, these cabins were built in 1920, not far from a campsite that President Theodore Roosevelt once used.
This is a great place for trail rides, fishing, and even stagecoach experiences. Visitors can also enjoy the Old West Dinner Cookout.
All Yellowstone lodges offer tremendous views and an excellent outdoor experience, but the cabins at Roosevelt deliver truly stunning scenery, even if the accomdotions themselves are fairly rustic.
Remember, Yellowstone is wild, and even in developed areas, you could find yourself face-to-face with wildlife. It’s important to know how to view the park’s wildlife safely, so brush up on the park’s guidelines — especially these safety tips for visiting bear country.
Above all else, remember that people come from all over the world to see this incredible park. Do your part to preserve Yellowstone by following these guidelines for visiting responsibly.
To explore more about these Yellowstone lodges and book your stay, check out Xanterra’s website.
