11 Best Hotels Near Yellowstone West Entrance

The showstopping Yellowstone National Park is the wild, beating heart of the Greater Yellowstone Ecosystem. Home to crowd-pleasing hot springs and geysers, its highways traverse magnificent forests and meadows and pass a wide variety of fauna. Tucked at the northwestern edge of the state of Wyoming, Yellowstone also spans Montana and Idaho. Its West Entrance station lies near the town of West Yellowstone in Montana and is one of the busiest during the summer season. The outdoorsy town of West Yellowstone sits virtually in the park’s backyard, with the West Entrance situated barely 15 minutes from the town center. That’s why we looked into the best hotels near Yellowstone West Entrance, which also get booked quickly. In fact, we were in close proximity to many of the park’s main draws, including Old Faithful, Grand Prismatic Spring, Firehole River, and Grand Canyon of Yellowstone.

Aside from its fantastic location, the town is so popular to stay, because we found a wide array of lodging options here. These range from traditional hotels and motels to even historic stays and unique glamping experiences that we were hard-pressed to find anywhere else. We were thrilled to explore the restaurants and visitor-centric shops, all topped with a hearty dose of old-fashioned Western hospitality. In fact, we loved the town for its small size and inimitable charm. Check out this helpful guide to staying near the western entrance to Yellowstone National Park, one of the most amazing national parks on earth.

Faithful Street Inn

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We were traveling in a large group and were looking for comfortable accommodations with multiple bedrooms. That’s where the Faithful Street Inn saved our lives! Basically, the hotel is a group of two/three/six, and eight-bedroom houses set amidst gorgeous Montana scenery. Depending on the size of the group, you could choose any of these houses to stay. In fact, the 8-bedroom one can accommodate up to 18 people!

Since we were a party of four people, we chose the two-bedroom house, and it was every bit as warm, cozy, and comfortable a stay as can be. What’s more, our accommodation, and the others, featured a seating area with a dining area and a fully-equipped kitchen right beside. It was perfect for whipping up meals on the fly on days that we didn’t feel like eating or stepping outside. There was even a satellite flat-screen TV and a DVD player for entertainment. Moreover, the bathrooms were modern, which made for a comfortable and hassle-free stay. Since we had rented our own car, the free private parking right outside our cottage was a blessing.

Explorer Cabins at Yellowstone

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While looking for seclusion and privacy in West Yellowstone, The Explorer Cabins at Yellowstone was a top pick for us, offering a remarkable hotel experience. This cabin-hotel featured individual cabins nestled in a natural and serene setting, allowing everyone, including us, to enjoy their private space.

What’s more, every cabin is thoughtfully designed with all kinds of modern amenities, ensuring a cozy and comfortable stay for us. In fact, they were made for a comfortable Western adventure, as we even got a s’mores kit when we checked in! On the inside, our cabin didn’t just have a kitchenette and a TV, but even Wi-Fi, which was great for planning all our Yellowstone itineraries. We loved the natural light and the warmth offered by the fireplace. And the private porch right outside with alfresco seating was the perfect place to enjoy our morning cup of joe and an evening glass of wine.

At the end of the day, we loved gathering around the community fire pit, where we mingled with people, made new friends, and enjoyed alfresco dinners under the stars. The hotel even offers special deals and packages, perfect for all kinds of adventures.

Alpine Motel

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Best budget. The Alpine Motel is one of the best motels near the Yellowstone West entrance. It was the perfect place to enjoy a traditional hotel experience on a budget. Since it lay right in the heart of the town, we could easily explore the attractions, restaurants, and shops around while still enjoying a comfortable and quiet atmosphere. The motel gains brownie points from us, thanks in large part to owners Patty and Brian, who made our stays even more personal with their knowledge about the region.

As we entered the property, we were able to park our rental car easily, thanks to the free private parking. Since there was a 24-hour desk, we saw people checking in around the clock, which was fantastic. The free Wi-Fi was a great and well-thought perk, considering we needed to stay connected during our exploration of Yellowstone. After a long day of exploring the national park, the picnic area and barbeque was our favorite spot to enjoy a glass of wine and dinner under the stars. Did you know they even had an outdoor dining area? Yes!

Notwithstanding the size of room one took, every “holiday home” cottage here came with a living room and a fully equipped kitchen. So, we could cook meals on the fly, especially when we didn’t want to step out. The living room with the flat-screen TV with streaming services was our favorite place to hang out together, watching our favorite movies and series. The modern bathroom is the cherry on top.

Bar N Ranch

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Most unique accommodation. Imagine living on a modern ranch just 10 minutes away from Yellowstone – that was our thrilling living experience at Bar N Ranch. Set against a stunning verdant landscape with resident wildlife galore, the ranch offered more than just proximity to the park and its guided tours. It also offered horseback riding, mountain biking, fly fishing, and hiking opportunities, among others. Since we were a large, motley group of people, the variety of outdoor activities kept us all thoroughly entertained. And since the lodge is close to the town of West Yellowstone, we weren’t far from urban attractions, too.

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Located just six miles from West Yellowstone, the Bar N Ranch offered rooms both in its private cabins and the grand lodge. Since we wanted an authentic staying experience, we chose the one-bedroom cabin. The charming wooden log home boasted a small fridge, a wood-burning fireplace for the cold, and even barbeque facilities. Plus, it offered gorgeous views of the surroundings, as ours was right next to a cute little pond.

Despite having ‘the ‘ranch’ in the title, the 200-acre ranch boasts an excellent restaurant with extensive dining and panoramic countryside views. But that’s not all. The place offers a variety of activities, including disc golf, cornhole, and horseshoes, along with a children’s playground as well. After a day of hiking and fishing, the place we’d head to, however, would be the heated outdoor pool and the eight-person hot tub. It was the perfect place to soak our sore muscles and unwind on the property. Did we mention there was free Wi-Fi in our lodge? In the middle of nowhere – yep.

The Evergreen Motel

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The small and comfortable Evergreen Motel actually comes with a solid dose of rich history. Originally founded and built as the Evergreen Auto Court in 1931, this charming and cozy 17-room oasis was perfect for us outdoorsy types. For one, it was a peaceful retreat even though it was located right in the heart of the town. The owners, Sara and Logan, have a very hands-on approach to the entire experience and were thrilled to answer all the questions we had about the town and the region.

The entire place has an inviting and comfortable atmosphere, a vibe that extends to the rooms and suites. While all rooms have fridges and flatscreen TVs, some of them, including ours, even came with a kitchenette. So, we could whip up light meals, especially when we didn’t want to step out. However, the best bit is that all rooms came with their own dedicated parking spaces. So, we could park our rental car right outside our door to easily lug all the outdoor gear back and forth. Even though the list of amenities is thin, there was a very useful launderette at the property, so we didn’t have to worry about clothes!

Best Western Weston Inn

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Best chain hotel. When we were looking for a chain hotel in West Yellowstone, the Best Western Weston Inn caught our eye. This fantastic hotel ensured that we had a delightful stay during our holiday of exploring Yellowstone National Park.

Our days began right with a hearty complimentary continental breakfast which included both hot and cold items, as well as juices, coffee, and tea choices. After a long day of exploring the region on this West Yellowstone: Yellowstone Day Tour, the hot tub was just the thing we needed to unwind and soak our sore muscles. So, no matter whether one is an adventurer, a nature lover, or looking for a relaxing getaway, this place is perfect for a Yellowstone stay.

All rooms at this Best Western outpost come with a fridge, a microwave, and a coffee machine, which was much-needed for our morning caffeine fix. Since we were a larger group, the family rooms that came with a sofa sleeper were ideal.

Elkhorn Cabins and Inn

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Of all the stays in West Yellowstone, the single-story motel that is the Elkhorn Cabins and Inn stands out for its charming decor – and affordable digs, of course. This 1948-built hotel was founded and started by Grace and Lon Lon Hadley, and the Hadley family ran the inn for almost 68 years. Even though the inn now has new owners, It’s still locally owned and operated, which is evident in the vibe and the hospitality here. That, coupled with the attention to detail in the rustic decor and a super-friendly staff, made for an inviting and warm atmosphere here.

What we loved about the Elkhorn is that they offer both comfy inn rooms and rustic cabin experiences, making a stay as enjoyable as memorable. Plus, all cabins and units had exterior entrances, so the minute one set foot out of the door, they’d quite literally be outdoors! If that wasn’t enough, each unit has a table and chairs right outside, where we’d enjoy a cup of joe in the morning. On the inside, all rooms came with flatscreen TVs, coffeemakers, mini-fridges, private bathrooms, and even air-conditioning. We stayed in the beautifully restored and historic Madison Cabin, which came with plush beds and mod-cons.

Elkhorn’s unique location offered us the best of both worlds. Not only were we tucked away on a quiet side street in the town, the town center was a hop, skip, and jump away.

1872 Inn – Adults Exclusive

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Best boutique hotel. Imagine stumbling upon a boutique hotel in the heart of Yellowstone National Park! That’s the amazing and upscale 1872 Inn – Adults Exclusive for you. So what makes the hotel so popular? For one, it’s one of the few small hotels in West Yellowstone that also has a fitness center and a sauna. Thus, we’d have something luxurious and soothing to look forward to after being on our feet all day long. Of course, our days started off amazing, too, with light continental breakfasts. In fact, we had choices like ham/bacon, scrambled eggs, oatmeal, granola, toast and bagels, assorted pastries, mashed potato, milk, OJ, tea, and coffee. Sigh.

We especially loved the digs at this boutique inn, which featured custom rooms blending both traditional Montana and luxury designs. Not only does every room come with locally handmade custom furnishings, but it also features large double showers and even a fireplace. So, after a sauna session, we’d relax in front of our personal fireplace and enjoy a refreshing bath in our large double shower. What more could we want?

“Boutique stays in Yellowstone don’t get any better than at 1872 inn, which beautifully combines old-world charm and modern luxury.”

WOW Travel

Kelly Inn

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We indulged in a delightful stay at Kelly Inn in West Yellowstone, a charming hotel that’s part of the Kelly Inns portfolio. This hotel is convenient and comfortable, and we had a very nice experience staying here. We loved a lot about this inviting retreat, especially the stays. The rooms and suites here are quiet, clean, and spacious, all featuring free Wi-Fi. Moreover, they even came with fridges, microwaves, satellite flat-screen TVs, luxe bathrooms, and bespoke bath products.

Apart from well-appointed rooms, the rest of the hotel was equally charming. The business center might appeal to those who are working on vacation, but we loved the communal sauna more. After a long day of hiking in Yellowstone, the bubbling waters were certainly a blessing for our feet. Finally, the free parking, the vending machine, and the 24-hour front desk only added to our convenience. However, the best bit was the indoor pool, which allowed us to swim in all kinds of weather. Did we talk about the complimentary breakfast here? Yep.

Under Canvas Yellowstone

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Glamping in Yellowstone has always been a bucket list adventure for us, and where better to do that than Under Canvas Yellowstone? Under Canvas is not your typical hotel, but it is a one-of-a-kind luxury glamping experience. Camping in the great outdoors but with civilized comforts, the open meadow setting with swaying wildflowers and the gorgeous mountains in the backdrop was one of the best ways to experience Yellowstone. In fact, the property had mountain views in all directions.

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When we arrived, the friendly staff greeted us, gave us an orientation of the property, and led us to our tent. We had the choice of many safari-style tents, most of which have their own private bathroom, while the others have a very nice shared one. Plus, all tents came with wood stoves and spa products in the bathrooms. Since there were two of us and we wanted to splurge, we chose the Stargazer tent suite, which had a lounge area with a sofa bed and a viewing window above our bed. Plus, there was a patio with two seats where we could enjoy our morning cup of coffee with mesmerizing views.

Besides excellent access to outdoor activities like fishing and hiking, we also had access to seasonally-inspired menus, but without having to leave the property, thanks to the onsite restaurant. It’s also where we’d enjoy a hearty breakfast which would fuel us up before a long day of sightseeing. At the end of the day, we’d gather around the nightly fire pit and mingle with other guests, where we’d enjoy the complimentary s’mores. The best bit was that Under Canvas has a rotating roster of complimentary activities, from morning yoga to live music. Check the event schedule with the staff.

Clubhouse Inn

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Part of the Kelly Inn hotel portfolio, the Clubhouse Inn offers the ultimate convenience and comfort in the heart of stunning Yellowstone. This inviting hotel lay close to the national park’s sights and the town center with all its restaurants, pubs, and shops. So, what was it like to stay at the Clubhouse Inn?

Firstly, our days would begin with a free hearty breakfast, including both hot and cold items, including pancakes, yogurt, fresh fruit, coffee, tea, and OJ. After a day of exploring wildlife, waterfalls, and geysers, we’d return to the hotel and head straight to the indoor pool, where a swim would be the next item on our agenda. Since it was indoors, we could swim in any weather. Plus, we got to relax and lounge by the pool as well, followed by a lay in the hot tub.

At the end of the day, we’d unwind in our cozy room, which came with natural wood accents and a host of mod-cons, including coffee machines, microwaves, fridges, and flatscreen TVs. Did you know that it came with free Wi-Fi too? Yep.

Our Verdict!

While we like all the hotels above, this specialized list will help you zero down in and choose a hotel.

• Best budget: Alpine Motel
• Most unique accommodation: Bar N Ranch
• Best boutique hotel: 1872 Inn – Adults Exclusive
• Best chain hotel: Best Western Weston Inn

Where to Stay in Yellowstone West Entrance?

Not for nothing is Yellowstone National Park one of the USA’s top tourist attractions. Plus, it’s also one of the best destinations for a family vacation. And what we like about the Western Entrance is that it’s probably more convenient to stay here than actually within the park itself!

We’re talking about the resort town of West Yellowstone, which is just 15 minutes from the park. This mountain town was originally a 1907-founded rail town and is full of charm with local art galleries, cute souvenir shops, and tasty local restaurants in an old-timey downtown. In fact, it has more amenities than any other Yellowstone town and even has a small regional airport. The benefit of staying here was the central location and easy access to the park every morning, especially when we wanted to get ahead of the crowds. And even though they weren’t cheap, West Yellowstone had the largest selection of hotels around. 

Another place to consider for staying near the West Entrance is Island Park in Idaho, a 30-minute drive away. Its main feature is the 33-mile-long Main Street, which is one of the longest in the country! The town is also famous for the Island Park Caldera, a crater caused by a massive volcano that erupted nearly 2 million years ago! 

Did you know that Yellowstone is also one of the top destinations for the best US winter vacations? Yes!

Which entrance of Yellowstone is best to stay at?

West Yellowstone is an ideal place for your Yellowstone adventures any time of the year. With many accommodation options, it’s the easiest, hassle-free place to spend the night.

Is it better to stay in West Yellowstone or Gardiner?

That would be West Yellowstone, which is relatively more centrally located for exploring all parts of Yellowstone. While Gardiner near the North Entrance is also great, it has fewer options for accommodation and other facilities as compared to the former.

How many days in Yellowstone is enough?

Based on the trip we took, you’ll need at least three full days to see all of Yellowstone’s top sights. We factored in extra time for simply driving throughout the park and exploring it leisurely. If you’re going during summer, factor in traffic time too.