Established in 1872, Yellowstone National Park was the first inductee into America’s National Park System. And while there have been 422 other national park sites appointed within the country over the 150 years since, Yellowstone remains one of the largest, spanning an astonishing 3,471 square acres.
While there are several fantastic ways to explore this wonderous preserved corner of the American Northwest, including front country and backcountry camping, not all visitors will have to give up their comfort amenities to visit the park.
Several resorts can be found both within the park and the countryside servicing Montana’s two park entrances for visitors who want to explore Yellowstone’s rugged preserved landscapes while maintaining the luxuriously civilized comforts of higher-end accommodations.
From full-fledged summer paradises and winter wonderlands to tucked-away lodges, these are the ten best Yellowstone resorts for basing your trip to the park.
10 Best Yellowstone Resorts — Tips and Advice
- The best place to book a Yellowstone resort is within the National Park Itself. However, these are naturally the most popular accommodations and are typically booked well in advance. Visitors looking to stay at one of these luxurious and convenient options should plan on reserving their visit up to a year and a half in advance.
- Alternative resort options are available just outside of all five of Yellowstone’s entrances, including the West Entrance and Northwest Entrance, both accessible from southern Montana. West Yellowstone and Gardiner are fantastic small towns near the entrances that offer luxurious resorts for guests to base their trip into the park.
- Booking a resort in West Yellowstone is the best option for visitors venturing into the park’s geyser country to see such attractions as Old Faithful. Meanwhile, visitors planning to spend most of their time around the Mammoth Hot Springs should book their Yellowstone Resort in the nearby community of Gardiner.
- Several other resorts are available throughout the Montana countryside in the Greater Yellowstone Region. And while these accommodations are slightly further from the park entrance, they offer additional luxury comforts while enjoying a sense of quiet away from the bustling crowd of eager tourists preparing to enter the park.
10 Best Yellowstone Resorts
1. Old Faithful Inn
Constructed between 1903 and 1904, the Old Faithful Inn was the first hotel built in Yellowstone National Park. It occupies one of the park’s most idyllic corners, directly overlooking the eponymous Geyser, Old Faithful.
Despite being more than a century old, the Old Faithful inn combines rustic charms with modern elegance. Known as the “Old House,” the hotel’s main lobby is one of the world’s largest log structures. It is designed with unique ambient furnishings, including extensive stone fireplaces, etched glass panels, and balcony porches that offer breathtaking views of the nearby geyser.
The Old Faithful Inn provides a variety of room and suite options starting at $389 per night. While rooms with a geyser view run with increased nightly rates, all accommodation options provide spectacular comforts and scenic overlooks of the park’s diverse landscapes.
Also featured within the hotel’s premises are a large spacious dining room, an on-site deli, espresso service, and a gift shop. For a guided excursion into the park’s natural surroundings, visitors should head to the hotel’s front desk to reserve their spot as part of one of the many sightseeing tours it offers.
Visitors should note that as Yellowstone’s oldest and most historic hotel, the Old Faithful Inn is also the most popular accommodation option for tourists to the park. As such, booking in advance is absolutely essential. The hotel takes reservations a year in advance.
2. WorldMark West Yellowstone
For those unable to book their spot at the Old Faithful Inn, the WorldMark West Yellowstone offers the next nearest resort-level accommodation to the Old Faithful attraction. Situated only one block from Montana’s West Entrance to Yellowstone, the hotel is about as close to the national park without actually staying in it.
After a day of hiking, climbing, and gallivanting your way through the rugged landscapes of Yellowstone, the luxurious comfort of the WorldMark hotel is more than a welcoming experience. The resort features a massive variety of services and amenities, including on-site game rooms, pools and hot tubs, a basketball court, a fitness center, and a children’s playground.
Additionally, while Yellowstone’s most popular attractions, such as Old Faithful and the mammoth