Pick the right base before you book
Where to Stay Around Yellowstone: Best Hotels at All 5 Entrances
Yellowstone is bigger than Rhode Island and Delaware combined, and each of its five entrances has its own gateway town, personality, and tradeoffs. Pick the wrong base for your travel style and you’ll spend the trip in the car instead of watching wolves at sunrise.
Quick Answer: Which Base Fits Your Trip?
- Wolves & wildlife: Gardiner (North) or Cooke City / Silver Gate (Northeast)
- First-time visitors & families: West Yellowstone (West)
- Western charm & dining: Cody (East)
- Yellowstone + Grand Teton combo: Jackson (South)
- Book: 6–12 months ahead for summer — small towns sell out first
Gardiner, Montana
Best for Lamar Valley wildlife, wolves & year-round access
Gardiner is the only Yellowstone entrance open to vehicles year-round, minutes from the historic Roosevelt Arch. The real reason to stay here is wildlife: the fastest sunrise access to Lamar Valley, the best wolf-watching territory in the lower 48 — less driving, more time in the valley during the golden viewing hours.
406 Lodge
Boutique themed suites with kitchenettes, blocks from the Roosevelt Arch and walkable to restaurants. Tiny property — books fast.
~$180–350 / night · summerYellowstone Riverside Cottages
Quiet cottages right on the Yellowstone River, minutes from the arch. Fast sunrise access to Lamar and the best balance of location, comfort & value in town.
~$300–500 / night · summerYellowstone Gateway Inn
Large suites with full kitchens and extra living space — ideal for families who want room to spread out.
~$400–700+ / night · summerCooke City & Silver Gate, Montana
Best for wildlife photographers & travelers who want quiet
Tiny, rustic, and closer to Lamar Valley than anywhere else you can sleep. This is where serious wildlife photographers stay — least driving, best light, and wildlife frequently wandering right past the cabins. The tradeoff is limited dining and a real “end of the road” feel. For the right traveler, that’s exactly the point.
Alpine Motel
Simple, spotless, walkable Cooke City motel — great value for photographers who just need a clean base near the entrance.
~$175–300 / night · summerSilver Gate Lodging
Rustic log cabins that are the closest lodging to the Northeast Entrance, with incredible mountain scenery. If your dream shot is a wolf in first light, wake up here.
~$250–450 / night · summerSoda Butte Lodge
Historic Yellowstone-area lodge with a restaurant & saloon, larger rooms, and classic mountain-town character.
~$250–500+ / night · summerSave this guide for your trip
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Cody, Wyoming
Best for western charm, dining & Buffalo Bill country
Cody is the base for travelers who want Yellowstone by day and a real western town at night — great restaurants, the Buffalo Bill Center of the West, the nightly summer rodeo, and one of the region’s most scenic drives into the East Entrance (just under an hour). It’s a longer haul to the park’s core, so I recommend Cody for road-trippers and return visitors more than tightly scheduled first-timers.
Buffalo Bill Village Cabins
Historic western cabins, walkable to downtown, family-friendly. (The landmark Irma Hotel is another charming budget option in the heart of town.)
~$100–180 / night · summerThe Cody Hotel
Modern rooms, indoor pool & hot tub, excellent reviews, close to Cody’s best dining — the best balance of comfort and value after long park days.
~$180–300 / night · summerChamberlin Inn
Boutique historic property with a beautiful courtyard — perfect for couples wanting a quieter, unique stay downtown.
~$350–500+ / night · summerWest Yellowstone, Montana
Best for first-time visitors & families
If it’s your first Yellowstone trip and you want the easiest planning experience, West Yellowstone is usually the safest choice. It’s the most popular entrance for a reason: closest access to the geyser basins and Old Faithful (about an hour), a walkable town full of restaurants and tour operators, and the widest range of family-friendly lodging.
Brandin’ Iron Inn
Free breakfast, cozy lodge atmosphere, walkable to restaurants — best for budget-conscious families.
~$120–220 / night · summerKelly Inn West Yellowstone
Spacious rooms, indoor pool & hot tub the kids will love after park days, walkable to everything, and consistently strong reviews — it works for nearly every traveler.
~$220–350 / night · summerExplorer Cabins at Yellowstone
Private modern cabins with kitchenettes — cabin comfort with hotel convenience and more privacy.
~$350–600+ / night · summerJackson, Wyoming
Best for Grand Teton + Yellowstone, dining, shopping & luxury
Jackson is the least direct base for Yellowstone — figure about an hour, often more in summer traffic, just to reach the South Entrance — but it’s an amazing one if Grand Teton matters as much as Yellowstone. You get the region’s best dining and shopping, the famous antler arches, and Grand Teton only 10–20 minutes away. It’s also the most expensive area in the region, so budget accordingly.
49’er Inn & Suites
Walkable to Town Square, indoor pool & hot tub, free breakfast — the best value in Jackson.
~$250–450 / night · summerThe Virginian Lodge
A classic Jackson experience with a fun, social atmosphere, pool & hot tubs, and on-site dining — great value and location without Four Seasons pricing.
~$450–800 / night · summerFour Seasons Resort Jackson Hole
World-class ski-in/ski-out resort in Teton Village with spa, fine dining, and unbeatable Teton views. A true bucket-list stay.
~$900–2,500+ / night · summerWhen to Book (Earlier Than You Think)
- 12+ months out: book now for specific properties, peak July–August dates, or in-park lodging.
- 6–12 months out: good options remain, but “my pick” tier properties start disappearing.
- Under 6 months: stay flexible on town and be ready to split your stay between two bases.
- My favorite strategy either way: split the trip — 2–3 nights north side (Gardiner or Cooke City) for wildlife, then 2–3 nights in West Yellowstone or Jackson for geysers and the Tetons. It’s exactly how my 5-day Yellowstone & Grand Teton itinerary is built.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the best town to stay in for Yellowstone?
For most first-time visitors, West Yellowstone — the easiest base with the most services and best geyser access. For wildlife watchers, Gardiner or Cooke City. For a Yellowstone + Grand Teton trip, Jackson.
What is the cheapest place to stay near Yellowstone?
Cody generally has the lowest rates of the five gateway towns, with solid budget rooms from around $100–180 per night in summer. Cooke City and West Yellowstone also have budget options in the $120–220 range.
Which entrance is closest to Old Faithful?
The West Entrance. From West Yellowstone you can reach Old Faithful in about an hour — the shortest drive of any gateway town.
Can I visit both Yellowstone and Grand Teton from one base?
Yes — Jackson is the classic base for combining the two, with Grand Teton 10–20 minutes away and Yellowstone’s South Entrance about an hour. For longer trips, split nights between Jackson and a northern base instead.
How far in advance should I book Yellowstone hotels?
Six to twelve months for summer travel — and even earlier for in-park lodging or the tiny northeast-side towns.
Rates shown are typical summer ranges and vary by season and availability — always check current prices before booking. Last updated for the 2026 season.