The Ultimate Guide to Finding Hotels Near Yellowstone
- Eric Beuning
- 4 days ago
- 7 min read
Finding Yellowstone lodging can be challenging, especially on short notice. Most of the hotels, lodges, and campsites inside the National Park are reserved 9 to 12 months in advance or more.
However, there are some hotels and lodges within 30 miles of Yellowstone that sometimes have last-minute cancellations or hold open a few rooms to be released that week.
Over the last 40 years, my late father and I have made an art form out of finding the best last-minute hotels near Yellowstone National Park. So, I wanted to share some of our top picks and secret lodging gems near Yellowstone's North Entrance, East Entrance, West Entrance, and Northeast Entrance.
Best Hotels Near Yellowstone’s West Entrance
Yellowstone’s West Entrance is one of the most popular and finding rooms in the area can be challenging. However, my father and I found you have the best chances for finding a vacancy at the following.
Located near Yellowstone's West Entrance, the 1872 Inn offers an upscale, adults-only retreat. My father used to stay here with my mother in his retirement years when he wanted a posh, yet quiet place to stay. Since kids aren’t allowed here, there’s less demand from families to reserve all the rooms.
You can unwind in spacious rooms featuring fireplaces and luxurious bathrooms. The attentive staff do a good job of bringing you everything you need. Whether you’re making reservations or looking for a last-second place to stay, this might be the perfect spot for a retired couple exploring Yellowstone.
Conveniently located near the park's West Entrance, Gray Wolf Inn & Suites offers spacious suites suitable for families. You can enjoy amenities like an indoor pool and complimentary breakfast before heading into the park.
I think it’s a great place for a family to stay and play while still keeping Yellowstone’s West Entrance at your fingertips. The pool is very kid-friendly and a great way to ease your kids into an early evening after a long day exploring Yellowstone National Park.
WorldMark in West Yellowstone is an expansive high-quality hotel that’s usually booked out months in advance. However, having to many rooms means there’s always a chance of a last-second cancellation or three happening at any time.
It’s definitely worth checking, as the sheer numbers game gives you the best chance of finding last-minute lodging near Yellowstone.
If you’re traveling with your dog and you need a pet-friendly hotel near the West Entrance, Yellowstone Lodge is your best bet.
It’s a charming hotel with a kid-friendly pool, and nice amenities in every room. I had to stay here at the last minute with my golden retriever, and I appreciated the thickness of the walls to keep him from barking. It's little things like that, that matter when you're traveling with your dog.
Terra Nova Cabins is a great budget pick on the western edge of Lake Hebgen and lets you get away from the crowds of West Yellowstone. Yet you’re still close enough to Yellowstone’s West Entrance to be able to get into the park without too much of a drive.
The nice thing here is that you get your own private space, at a very good deal. The fact that it’s not in West Yellowstone means there are chances of a unit being open at the last second. There’s also enough to do around here that you can take a day away from entering the park and still put together a great day out.
Best Hotels Near Yellowstone’s East Entrance
There are roughly 50 miles between Yellowstone’s East Entrance and the town of Cody, Wyoming. In that span, there are some properties that have a good chance of having available rooms to go with the local flavor.
The Cody is a large property about 50 miles from Yellowstone's East Entrance. It provides a blend of modern comfort and Western charm. Your family will appreciate the indoor pool and its proximity to local attractions like the Buffalo Bill Center of the West.
Being such a large complex of rooms and being outside Yellowstone National Park increases the chances of room cancellations. If you’re going to be anywhere near the town of Cody and you’re hoping for a last-second room, The Cody is definitely worth checking.
The K3 Guest Ranch is an entry straight out of my father’s Yellowstone notebook. It used to be a working ranch, that partially folded into a lodge. My father adored its charm as well as its proximity to the suburban convenience of Cody as well as Yellowstone.
It’s just outside of Cody and lets you slip into town when you want a rodeo, cookout, or enjoy the tourist sites. Yet you can just as easily slip out of town toward Yellowstone’s East Gate without having to fight through Cody’s traffic.
The Pure Heart Retreat is a collection of geodesic domes in between Cody and Yellowstone’s East Entrance. It is as much a wellness retreat with jaw-dropping views as it is a lodging property.
It is elegant and inspirational. It’s probably not the perfect fit if you’re looking for a rugged Western vibe, but it’s awesome for a little morning meditation with a view and perhaps a little yoga.
Best Hotels Near Yellowstone’s Northeast Entrance
Yellowstone’s Northeast Entrance is the least visited and often gives you a better chance of finding a place to stay. The accommodations here are typically humbler, but you get a true sense that you’re in the mountains, and the Lamar Valley and Beartooth Pass are literally in your backyard.
Snuggled up near Yellowstone’s Northeast Entrance, the Alpine Motel is a humble motor lodge that’s admittedly a bit dated. Yet the price is right and they often have last-minute vacancies available.
It’s the sort of place that you think you’re settling in, only to fall in love with it and it’s easy access to the less crowded parts of the Lamar Valley and the Absaroka Range.
The Silver Gate Lodge and Pines Edge Cabins are humble, yet reasonably remodeled and give you a mountain living experience near Yellowstone’s Northeast Entrance.
I think the sweet spot here is to try to get one of the cabins away from the road to soak in the mountain views. Then get up early to catch the sunrise. Then flip the script and catch the sunset in the Lamar Valley before slipping back to your mountain cottage.
Best Hotels Near Yellowstone’s North Entrance
Yellowstone’s North Entrance at the Roosevelt Arch is an iconic way to enter the National Park. It’s not as popular as West Yellowstone and Cody, which increases your chances of finding a room at one of the following properties.
Just outside Yellowstone’s North Entrance, 406 Lodge offers clean, comfortable accommodations with thoughtful amenities. It’s kind of small and not well-known, so it often flies under the radar.
Getting a room here means you can enjoy easy access to Yellowstone while staying in a cozy environment.
The sweet spot experience here is easy access to Mammoth Hot Springs for sunset photos and easily sneak back to your room without having to drive in the dark of the park. There’s also tons of stuff to do in the Paradise Valley, including white water rafting, zip lining and horseback riding.
If you’re looking for a room with a view near Yellowstone’s North Entrance, it’s hard to beat the Yellowstone Riverside Cottages. These charming cottages provide a picturesque setting along the Yellowstone River. There's an honest temptation here to just sit on your semi-private patio sipping coffee and watching the mountain weather to the soundtrack of the rushing river.
Here again, you get to enjoy everything Gardiner and the Paradise Valley has to offer without having to enter the Yellowstone. There's white water rafting, and a shuttle to horseback riding within walking distance. Not to mention some charming cafes. It might be my top pick for a place to plan a "Rest Day" in the middle of an active weeklong adventure.
Just outside Yellowstone’s North Entrance, the Gateway Inn offers spacious suites with full kitchens. This is a great option if you’re looking for a home away from home.
I found a last-minute room here on accident during a travel junket where my car broke down. I ended up saving a lot of money cooking my own meals and getting to know the town of Gardiner.
The Absaroka Lodge is a large property near Yellowstone’s North Entrance that has a fair chance of having vacant rooms or last-second cancellations.
The view here is stunning, and a lot of the rooms come with their own patio or balcony.
I’m a big fan of scheduling a “Rest Day” on a long vacation, where you take it easy to recharge your batteries. And I think the Absaroka Lodge is a great place to do this. While still having easy access to everything Gardiner and the Paradise Valley have to offer.
Chico Hot Springs Resort is an absolute secret gem in the Paradise Valley. It’s approximately 30 miles from Yellowstone's North Entrance, but when you’re staying here, the extra little drive doesn’t matter. The resort has its own day spa that features natural hot springs and a variety of outdoor activities. You can soak in the therapeutic pools.
You’d be mistaken for thinking it’s a little outdated at first glance. Yet it’s as modern as needs to be, and they’ve made every effort to preserve this historic resort. You feel this in every square inch of the place.
The other thing that’s great about the Chico Hot Springs Resort is its fine-dining restaurant. They source as much as they can locally and grow in-season produce in their greenhouse. It’s a great place for a romantic dinner!
If you want to learn more about Yellowstone and other outdoor adventures, you should follow Eric Beuning's Author Page.
Disclaimer: As an affiliate marketer, I earn from qualifying purchases. However, the cost remains the same for you.
Comments