Where to Stay in Yellowstone National Park: Pros and Cons of Staying Inside vs Outside the Park
- Sierra McQuay
- 3 days ago
- 6 min read
If you’re planning a trip to Yellowstone, one of the first (and most important) decisions you’ll make is where to stay.
Should you stay inside Yellowstone National Park for the full experience? Camp under the stars? Or book a hotel in a nearby town with more amenities?
Although you can't go wrong with any option (you're going to see and experience amazing things regardless), each one offers a completely different kind of trip. Here’s a breakdown of the pros and cons of staying inside the park, camping, and staying outside of Yellowstone. We'll tell you our experience with the park so you can choose which option will be best for you.
Staying Inside Yellowstone National Park in Historic Hotels
Staying inside Yellowstone is hands-down one of the most immersive ways to experience the park. They have a range of historic lodges and cabins sprinkled throughout the park. Each one will offer a different type of scenery. Some are on Yellowstone Lake's shore, while others are near the Grand Canyon of the Yellowstone, Old Faithful, or up north by Mammoth Hot Springs.
Pros of Staying Inside Yellowstone - Lodges and Cabins
1. You’re already in the park, so shorter drive times. No early morning drives or long entrance lines. You can wake up and start exploring immediately, which is a huge perk during peak season. Yellowstone is massive. Staying inside the park cuts down on drive time to places like Old Faithful, Lamar Valley, and Grand Prismatic Spring.
2. Higher chance of wildlife sightings. It’s not uncommon to see bison, elk, or even grizzly bears or wolves near lodges and roads early in the morning or at dusk. In fact, these are the best times to see wildlife, so staying in the park overnight increases your chances of a sighting since you'll be there during those times.
3. A unique, historic experience. Many lodges have that classic national park feel. They're simple, rustic, and full of character. Most of them were built in the late 1800s and early 1900s. Even if you don't stay in them, they are definitely worth checking out as you pass by them on your drives.
Cons of Staying Inside Yellowstone - Lodges and Cabins
1. Limited food options. Most dining is tied to lodge restaurants or general stores, and reviews can be hit or miss. Not ideal if you like variety or have dietary restrictions. The meals also tend to be a little bit more on the expensive side.
2. Higher cost and limited availability. Lodging inside the park books up fast, especially during the peak summer season, and tends to be more expensive than staying outside of the park. Especially for the amenities you're getting. You won't be getting a spa, free breakfast, or a pool at any of these locations.
3. Quiet evenings. There’s very little nightlife, limited cell service, and not much to do after sunset. Great if you want to unplug, read a book, or play some card games with your family… not great if you don’t.
Old Faithful Inn
Camping in Yellowstone
Camping is the most immersive way to stay in Yellowstone. You have the option to tent camp or stay in an RV. Either way, you're fully in nature from sunrise to sunset.
Pros of Camping in Yellowstone
1. The ultimate outdoor experience. Campfires, star-filled skies, hammocking, and waking up to birds chirping surrounded by wilderness. It doesn’t get more “Yellowstone” than this.
2. Budget-friendly option. Camping is typically much cheaper (think $200-400 cheaper a night) than staying in lodges or hotels, unless you are trying to rent an RV. Depending on the size and location, RVs can be quite expensive to rent, but still end up being cheaper than staying in the lodges.
3. Great access to nature and increased chance of wildlife sighting. You’re often closer to trailheads and natural areas than you would be staying outside the park. Just like we mentioned with staying in the lodges inside the park, you have a higher chance of seeing wildlife when you camp inside the park. You might even see them wander through your campsite in the early morning or at dusk.
4. You’re already in the park, so shorter drive times. No early morning drives or long entrance lines. You can wake up and start exploring immediately, which is a huge perk during peak season. Yellowstone is massive. Staying inside the park cuts down on drive time to places like Old Faithful, Lamar Valley, and Grand Prismatic Spring.
Cons of Camping in Yellowstone
1. Weather can be unpredictable. Even in summer, nights can be cold, and conditions can change quickly. It is very important that you bring the proper gear to camp inside Yellowstone if you want to have a positive experience. If you're wondering what gear that might be, reach out! We would be happy to advise you on what to bring.
2. Fewer amenities. Bathrooms are basic, showers are limited, and you’ll need to plan meals and supplies carefully. You can always get food at one of the lodges or Grant Village, but if you are planning on cooking most of your meals, you'll have to think about what non-perishable foods you can bring.
3. Wildlife precautions. Proper food storage is required, and you need to be aware of your surroundings at all times. This is the most important thing to consider. Wildlife is attracted to food, so you MUST store everything in the provided bear boxes at your campsite. You cannot leave anything smelly in your tent overnight, and you must adhere to Leave No Trace Principles.
Bison in the campground at Yellowstone
Staying Outside Yellowstone (Nearby Towns)
If you prefer comfort, food options, evening shopping, and flexibility, staying outside the park might be the best fit. Popular gateway towns include West Yellowstone, Gardiner, Cody, and Jackson. All of these towns have a unique Western feel to them, and can be fun to walk around in.
Pros of Staying Outside Yellowstone
1. More hotel and Airbnb options. You’ll find everything from budget stays to higher-end accommodations in most of these towns. They are also less likely to be booked out than the lodges and cabins inside the parks.
2. Better restaurants and amenities. More variety, better quality food, grocery stores, gas, coffee shops, and things to do after a long day. You can expect more amenities like free breakfast, hot tubs, pools, bars, and sometimes spas in these accommodation options. There is also usually better service in the towns than inside the parks.
3. More to do in the evenings. Shops, bars, and local activities make it feel more like a traditional vacation at the end of the day. You get to pick when you're immersed in nature, and also when you want the comfort of people nearby. Many of the towns have unique histories to read about and fun live music and seasonal events to attend.
Cons of Staying Outside Yellowstone
1. Longer drive times. You’ll need to drive into the park each day, which can add significant drive time to your day. Especially depending on which entrance you’re near, and what attractions you want to see during the day.
2. Entrance lines and crowds. During peak season, getting into the park can take time if you’re not arriving early.
3. Less immersive. You’re not fully “in” Yellowstone, which can take away from that all-in nature experience. It will also be harder to see some types of wildlife that prefer to come out during the early mornings and around dusk.
Downtown West Yellowstone
So, Where Should You Stay in Yellowstone?
If you’re still deciding where to stay in Yellowstone National Park, here’s a quick way to think about it:
Stay inside the park if you want the most seamless, immersive experience with reduced drive time
Camp if you want adventure and a lower-cost option
Stay outside the park if you want comfort, food variety, and more activities to do in the evenings
For most travelers, the best option is actually a mix of staying both inside the park and outside it in nearby towns. In our Self-Guided Yellowstone and Grand Teton trip, our itinerary makes the most of our 5, 7, and 10-day trip options. We have our travelers move around to a few different lodging options so that they are near the next day's sightseeing locations, minimizing the inevitable drive times associated with visiting these large National Parks. We believe that having time in nearby towns is just as important as staying inside the park.
Final Thoughts
There’s no wrong way to experience Yellowstone National Park. It really comes down to your travel style and trip preferences. However, choosing the right place for YOU to stay can make a huge difference in how your trip feels day-to-day. If you don't like camping? You probably shouldn't choose camping as your option.
If you want the freedom of a self-guided trip without spending hours planning where to stay, what to do, and how to route it all, that’s exactly what we help with at Roam Ready.
We have pre-made self-guided packages to choose from, and provide custom trip planning to make big trips like this flow the way you want them to. We include offline navigation tools for hiking and driving, so that while you're out of service, you still feel confident in where you are going.
Interested in a Stress-Free Hands-Off Planning Experience?
