Yellowstone is the oldest and most famous of the US national parks. It was established in 1872 and covers an area of nearly 3000 square kilometers. The park, which spans parts of Wyoming, Montana and Idaho, is best known for its geothermal features and wildlife.
So the big question on your mind is where should we stay in Yellowstone to have the best experience? I was in a similar position myself when I got my first pay in 1999 while working as an assistant to an accountant in Salt Lake City. Thankfully, I got to do plenty of research beforehand so my family could have an incredible time.
Exploring Yellowstone National Park through the lens of where to stay.
The world’s first national park, Yellowstone is one of the most popular destinations in the United States. There are many accommodation options in and around Yellowstone, but if you want to get a true feel for this incredible landscape, then staying within it is essential.
Yellowstone National Park is a sprawling wonderland of geysers, hot springs and wildlife. The park is home to more than 1,700 species of plants and animals, including some 600 birds that live there year-round. There are also an estimated 5,000 bison roaming the park’s grasslands.
Visitors can explore the park in a number of ways: by foot, horseback or car (though not during winter). Most people choose to stay overnight at one of Yellowstone’s many lodges or cabins. Lodging options vary from rustic cabins without electricity or plumbing to luxury hotels with gourmet dining rooms and golf courses.
For those who want to spend a few days exploring the park’s backcountry trails, there are campgrounds with tent sites; there are also backcountry campsites that must be reserved in advance. Each site has bear-resistant food storage lockers and picnic tables.
See the park by car
The Grand Loop Road is a scenic route that takes you around the perimeter of Yellowstone. You’ll see most of the major attractions (like Old Faithful and Mammoth Hot Springs) along this route.
If you want to take your time, it’d be best to start at Old Faithful and work your way counterclockwise around the loop. It’s about 240 miles long, so plan on spending several days driving it if traffic isn’t too bad!
It’s important to make sure that you have a vehicle with good ground clearance as some roads can get pretty rough; also make sure your tires are in good shape and that they’re appropriate for snowy weather conditions during winter months (November – March).
A 4×4 will definitely come in handy! It may also be helpful to get some maps before going so that way you know what places are ahead of you along the way; there are plenty available online but if none seem sufficient then just ask someone at one of those visitor centers like I did 🙂
The Best Places to Stay in Yellowstone National Park
There are several hotels you can stay at in Yellowstone National Park. The Old Faithful Inn is located just north of Old Faithful geyser, and it’s a must-see for any visitor to Yellowstone.
The Lake Yellowstone Hotel & Cabins is located near Lake Village on the shores of Lake Yellowstone, and it’s another great option for your lodging needs in the park. It has a great view of the lake from the balconies or rooms, which makes it easy to enjoy some fresh air during your stay.
Mammoth Hot Springs Hotel is also located in Mammoth Hot Springs, adjacent to many other attractions like Cave tours, Boiling River (Hot Springs), hiking trails etc., making Mammoth Hot Springs Hotel an excellent choice for those who want something more than just staying near Old Faithful Geyser and waiting for its eruption!
Canyon Lodge and Cabins offers charming cabins that are comfortable enough but don’t come with any amenities such as wifi or TV; however this place is perfect if all you want is peace quietness away from city noises– plus there’s nothing better than waking up early morning hearing birds chirping around!.
Old Faithful Inn (Old Faithful)
The Old Faithful Inn is one of the most popular lodging options in Yellowstone National Park. Located just across the road from Old Faithful Geyser, this historic hotel was built in 1904 and has been meticulously preserved over the years.
The hotel’s architecture is Victorian-style, with red brick walls and white trim around the windows and doors. There are also stone steps leading up to each door; however, these have been replaced by wooden ramps due to erosion concerns.
Inside, guests will find elegant decorating throughout the lobby and dining areas. In addition, they can enjoy some of Yellowstone’s best views from an observation deck on top of the hotel (accessed via stairs or elevator).
The hotel offers a wide range of amenities including an indoor pool, fitness center, spa services and restaurant dining options.
Lake Yellowstone Hotel & Cabins (Lake Village)
The Lake Yellowstone Hotel is located in the heart of Yellowstone National Park’s beautiful Lake Village, just a few miles from the west entrance to the park.
This historic property was built in 1899 and has been beautifully restored to its original grandeur. The hotel offers guests comfortable accommodations, delicious dining and a variety of recreational opportunities.
Lake Yellowstone Hotel offers a variety of rooms from which to choose. Guest rooms feature hardwood floors, comfortable beds with down pillows and duvets and private baths with fluffy towels.
Some rooms have fireplaces and balconies that overlook the lake or mountainside. The hotel offers full amenities including swimming pools, sauna, fitness center, spa services, massage therapy, business center, concierge desk & 24-hour front desk service.
The Lake Yellowstone Hotel sits alongside Lake Yellowstone which provides guests with spectacular views of the lake and surrounding mountains during the day or night time hours.
For those who enjoy hiking there is a trail that starts just outside of the lobby doors where you can take in all that this area has to offer including wildlife viewing opportunities such as moose, deer & bear!
Mammoth Hot Springs Hotel (Mammoth Hot Springs)
Mammoth Hot Springs Hotel is a major landmark of the park, and it’s one of the most important hotels in Montana. It’s an historic hotel that was built in 1914, and it still stands today. The hotel has been on the National Register of Historic Places since 1973.
Mammoth Hot Springs Hotel is located near many of Yellowstone’s attractions, including Old Faithful, Yellowstone Lake and even the Grand Canyon of the Yellowstone! The hotel itself has several activities available for guests, including hiking trails and horseback riding.
There are also several restaurants in Mammoth Hot Springs that offer great food at reasonable prices. You can also find some souvenir shops near the hotel as well!
Canyon Lodge and Cabins (Canyon Village)
This charming lodge is located in the center of Canyon Village and features a rustic charm. It offers comfortable accommodations, as well as a swimming pool and hot tub.
The lodge has an on-site restaurant that serves breakfast, lunch and dinner. It also offers guests access to a fitness center and spa services.
The rooms are decorated with wood furnishings and feature private balconies with views of the Grand Canyon. Each room has a flat-screen TV, cable channels, free Wi-Fi access and individually controlled air conditioning. Suites add separate living areas with sofas and coffee tables.
Guests can enjoy meals at the on-site Canyon Cafe or at any of the other nearby restaurants within walking distance.
The Arizona Room Restaurant serves breakfast, lunch and dinner with views of the canyon walls from its covered patio area.
The Rim Trail Cafe serves breakfast, lunch and dinner overlooking the rim trail leading to Bright Angel Point on the South Rim trail system.
The main attraction in this area is hiking. There are several trails available for day hikes as well as backpacking trips into the surrounding areas of Yellowstone National Park that include camping out under the stars at night!
There are also guided tours into some of the nearby hot springs located throughout the park which provide visitors with an opportunity to soak in soothing waters while learning about their geological origins.
Grant Village Lodge
Welcome to Grant Village Lodge, located near the south entrance of Yellowstone National Park.
Grant Village is the main hub for park visitors, with a variety of lodging options, dining facilities and services to meet your needs.
Lodging at Grant Village includes cabins and motel rooms. You can also stay in a private cabin or yurt or rent one of our vacation homes that are located on the property.
Dining varies from quick service restaurants to fine dining establishments. There is something for every taste in our restaurants and we even have a full service bar at our coffee shop.
The Grant Village Market has groceries, camping supplies and souvenirs available at reasonable prices. We also offer laundry facilities on site as well as a variety of other services including car rental, bike rentals, ATM machine and coin laundry machines!
Conclusion
For a True Experience of Yellowstone, Stay within the Park.
Whether you’re looking for an adventure in the great outdoors or a relaxing getaway, Yellowstone National Park has something for everyone. There are many ways to explore this beautiful place and the best place to stay is within its boundaries.
While there are many accommodation options in and around Yellowstone, if you want to get a true feel for the park, you will want to stay within it.
Yellowstone is home to a variety of wildlife and natural landscapes that can’t be experienced anywhere else; staying in the park allows visitors to immerse themselves in these unique experiences.
