Where to Stay Near Yellowstone National Park (By Entrance)
I’ve driven into Yellowstone from three different entrances — and I’ll be honest, the first time I had no idea how big this park actually is. Like, you-can-drive-for-an-hour-and-still-be-inside-the-park big. It’s 3,500 square miles. It’s bigger than Rhode Island and Delaware combined.
That matters when you’re picking where to sleep. Stay on the wrong side of the park and you’re adding an hour of driving every single morning before you even see a geyser. I learned that the hard way.
I’ve stayed in West Yellowstone, camped near Mammoth Hot Springs, driven through Gardiner, spent time in Big Sky and Bozeman, and made it all the way down to the Grand Tetons and Jackson — so I’ve got a pretty good feel for every corner of this region. Here’s exactly where to stay near Yellowstone based on which entrance you’re using and what kind of trip you’re after.
Quick Guide: Which Yellowstone Gateway Town is Right for You?
Yellowstone has five entrances and a handful of gateway towns, each with a totally different vibe and drive time. The right base depends on what you’re prioritizing — convenience, wildlife, budget, or scenery.
- First time visiting? Stay in West Yellowstone. It’s the most convenient, has the most options, and puts you right at the West Entrance near Old Faithful.
- Going for wildlife? Base yourself in Gardiner or Cooke City for early morning Lamar Valley access.
- Want a real town? Bozeman has restaurants, nightlife, and easy airport access — worth it if you have the drive time.
- Cozy cabin vibes? Stay between Bozeman and West Yellowstone
- Splurging? Big Sky or Jackson, WY will deliver on scenery and lodging quality.
- Combining with Grand Teton? Stay in Jackson and work your way north.
- Avoiding crowds? Cody or Cooke City — least touristy of the group.
Where to Stay Near Yellowstone
No matter which entrance you’re using, there’s a solid gateway town nearby with bookable hotels, cabins, and lodges — most of them way more affordable than staying inside the park. Here’s a breakdown of each one.
West Yellowstone, MT- West Entrance
Best for: First-timers, families, anyone prioritizing convenience
Drive to park entrance: Under 5 minutes
If you’re only going once and want the easiest possible Yellowstone experience, stay in West Yellowstone. You’re literally steps from the West Entrance, walkable to restaurants and gear shops, and perfectly positioned for Old Faithful and the geyser basins.
The town is small but surprisingly well-equipped — think diners, souvenir shops, outfitters, and classic Montana mountain-town energy. I stayed just outside West Yellowstone on my trip and it made morning park entry completely stress-free.
Where to Stay in West Yellowstone
- Explorer Cabins at Yellowstone — these cozy cabins are right in town and a great middle ground between roughing it and a hotel. Feels way more Montana than a standard room. These cabins are kid and dog-friendly.
- 1872 Inn — a newer, well-reviewed boutique option in the heart of West Yellowstone. Clean, comfortable, and close to everything. A note: this stay is adults-only, and no pets are allowed.
- Under Canvas West Yellowstone — if you want the glamping experience, this is the spot. Kids and dogs are welcome. These are Luxury safari-style tents with mountain views just outside town. A splurge but worth it for the right trip. This is a dream stay of mine!!
Where to Camp Near West Yellowstone
- Rainbow Point Campground — a beautiful forested USFS campground right on Hebgen Lake, about 5 miles from town. One of the best-kept secrets in the area. I loved camping here!! Cleanest bathroom ever, lol.
- Baker’s Hole Campground — another great USFS option just 3 miles from the West Entrance, right along the Madison River. Great for fly fishing campers.
Bozeman & Big Sky, MT — Northwest of Yellowstone
Other great options near West Yellowstone are Bozeman and Big Sky. They sit along the same Highway 191 corridor, making them easy to combine or use as a base depending on your vibe and budget. Bozeman is a full city with great restaurants, a lively downtown, and easy fly-in access. Big Sky is 45 minutes south — more resort, more scenery, more of a splurge — and Gallatin Gateway sits right in between with a quieter, more local feel.
From this corridor you’re looking at about 1-1.5 hours to Yellowstone’s North Entrance or West Entrance, so factor that in if you’re trying to do early morning wildlife viewing.
Drive to park entrance: ~1.5 hours to North or West Entrance
Where to Stay Near Bozeman and Big Sky
- The Lark Bozeman — a boutique hotel right in downtown Bozeman that’s become one of the most popular stays in the city. Stylish, walkable to great restaurants, and a perfect base if you want a real town experience before or after the park.
- Cabin rental via Airbnb near Gallatin Gateway — if you want that classic Montana cabin-in-the-woods moment, searching Airbnb in the Gallatin Gateway area is the move. I stayed in a beautiful cabin here on my trip and it was one of the highlights — pine trees, quiet, and a completely different experience than a hotel.
- Huntley Lodge at Big Sky Resort — the classic Big Sky ski lodge option. Right on the resort, convenient, and a solid mid-to-upscale pick if you want to be in the heart of Big Sky.
- Moonlight Basin — on the quieter, more secluded side of Lone Mountain. More upscale and private than Huntley Lodge, with stunning views. A great pick if you’re splurging and want fewer crowds.
Gardiner, MT- North Entrance
Gardiner is the only Yellowstone entrance open year-round, which makes it special no matter when you visit. The town sits right at the Roosevelt Arch — one of the most iconic spots in the entire national park system — and has a genuine, unpretentious Montana vibe. More locals, fewer crowds than West Yellowstone, and perfectly positioned for early morning Lamar Valley wildlife runs. This is a great area- I enjoyed it on my first visit.
Best for: Year-round visitors, wildlife watchers, Lamar Valley access
Drive to park entrance: 30 minutes or less
Where to Stay in Gardiner
- Yellowstone Hot Springs — this one is unique. Lodging available year-round in cabins and suites, and overnight guests get a $5 discount on the natural mineral hot springs pools just steps away. Located just eight miles north of the North Entrance, settled between two mountain ranges on the bank of the Yellowstone River. A really special stay.
- Sage Lodge — technically in Pray, MT (about 30 minutes north of Gardiner in Paradise Valley), but worth including for the splurge factor. Dog-friendly with plenty of dog-friendly spaces, gorgeous views from every room, and included activities and amenities. Dogs of any size welcome, $35/night pet fee. This stay looks insane!!
- Under Canvas North Yellowstone — the glamping option for the Gardiner corridor. Located on 50 beautiful acres about 1.5 hours from the North Entrance, with safari-inspired canvas tents along the Yellowstone River. Dog-friendly, and families can book a Suite with Kids Tent option.
Jackson, WY- South Entrance
If you’re doing a Yellowstone trip from the south — or combining with Grand Teton — Jackson is your base. It’s a full resort town with great restaurants, a famous town square, and easy airport access, which makes it a popular starting or ending point for the whole region.
Most people stay in Jackson and day-trip into both parks. Grand Teton is right on the way north, so you’ll drive through it en route to Yellowstone’s South Entrance — budget an extra few hours because you won’t want to just drive through. I did both parks on my first visit, but not on my second! I LOVE Jackson though.
Best for: Grand Teton combo trips, upscale travelers, those flying in
Drive to Yellowstone South Entrance: ~1 hour from Jackson
Where to Stay in Jackson, WY
- Trailborn Jackson Hole — a newer resort-style hotel at the base of Snow King Mountain with serious family and dog-friendly cred. I love the Trailborn series (there’s one in Arizona too!) Family-friendly programming includes live music, movie nights on the lawn, and a kids’ play area. Dogs of any size welcome for $50/night. One of the most well-rounded picks in town.
- The Virginian Lodge — a classic Jackson Hole motor lodge with a lot of character. Dog-friendly with up to 2 dogs welcome for $50/night — they even include a Pendleton dog bed, welcome treats, and branded merch in their Pup Provisions package. Firepits, on-site restaurants, and a retro vibe make it a fan favorite.
- The Rockwell Inn — a locally owned, well-reviewed hotel just 1.5 blocks from Jackson’s historic Town Square. Free breakfast, indoor pool, and complimentary airport transfers make it a great value pick. Note: no pets permitted, but kids 12 and under stay free. A solid family option if you’re not traveling with a dog.
Cody, WY- East Entrance
Cody doesn’t get nearly enough credit as a Yellowstone base. It’s a legitimately great town — founded by Buffalo Bill himself — with a nightly summer rodeo, excellent museums, and a real Western energy that feels different from the Montana gateway towns. The drive from Cody to the East Entrance is one of the most scenic in the entire region, following the Buffalo Bill Scenic Byway through dramatic canyon country. I have not been to this area yet!
Best for: Western history lovers, those coming from the south or east, anyone wanting a less touristy experience
Drive to park entrance: ~50 minutes
Where to Stay in Cody, WY
- The Cody Hotel — the most upscale option in town, right on the Buffalo Bill Scenic Byway heading toward Yellowstone. Modern luxury with a Western vibe, and pet-friendly. A great pick if you want comfort without leaving the cowboy aesthetic behind.
- Chamberlin Inn — a beautifully restored historic boutique inn in the heart of downtown Cody, originally built in 1904. Free breakfast, garden courtyard, and serious charm. No pets, but one of the best-reviewed stays in the area for couples or solo travelers.
- Irma Hotel — built by Buffalo Bill Cody in 1902 and named after his daughter. More of an experience than a hotel — Western memorabilia, a legendary saloon, and a location right on Main Street. If you want the full Cody historic experience, this is it.
Cooke City, MT- Northeast Entrance
Cooke City is tiny — we’re talking one main street, a couple of saloons, and a gas station. But what it lacks in amenities it more than makes up for in location. Staying near the Northeast Entrance in Cooke City or neighboring Silver Gate is the best base for visiting Lamar Valley — Yellowstone’s wildlife corridor where wolf, bear, bison, and elk sightings are practically guaranteed.
Fair warning: this is not the spot if you want restaurants, reliable cell service, or a hotel pool. It’s the spot if you want to be first on the road into Lamar Valley at sunrise.
In summer you can also access the Beartooth Highway from here — one of the most scenic drives in the country.
Best for: Serious wildlife watchers, photographers, backcountry hikers, anyone who wants to avoid the crowds entirely
Where to Stay in Cooke City, MT
- Soda Butte Lodge — the biggest and most full-service option in town with a restaurant and bar on-site. The closest thing to a traditional hotel you’ll find in Cooke City.
- High Country Motel & Cabins — cozy, well-reviewed, right near the park entrance, with friendly staff and a homey feel. A solid no-frills pick.
Summary: Which Yellowstone Gateway Town is Right For You?
Yellowstone has five entrances and a handful of gateway towns, each with a completely different vibe, price point, and drive time into the park. The right base depends on what you’re actually prioritizing — here’s the quick breakdown. Honestly, there is no WRONG CHOICE.
- First time visiting? Stay in West Yellowstone. It’s the most convenient, has the most hotel options, and puts you right at the West Entrance near Old Faithful and the geyser basins.
- Going for wildlife? Base yourself in Gardiner or Cooke City for early morning Lamar Valley access. Cooke City if you’re serious about it — Gardiner if you want a few more amenities.
- Want a real town with restaurants and nightlife? Bozeman or Jackson. Both have great food scenes, easy airport access, and a lot more going on than the smaller gateway towns.
- Splurging? Big Sky, Sage Lodge in Paradise Valley, or Jackson will deliver on scenery and lodging quality.
- Combining with Grand Teton? Stay in Jackson and work your way north through the Tetons into Yellowstone’s South Entrance — one of the most scenic drives in the country.
- Avoiding crowds? Cody or Cooke City. Both are significantly less touristy than West Yellowstone and offer a completely different pace.
- Traveling with a dog? West Yellowstone and Gardiner have the most pet-friendly options. Explorer Cabins, Under Canvas, The Virginian, and Sage Lodge are all great dog-friendly picks.
