The gorgeously wild Yellowstone National Park is on the bucket list for thousands of people around the world, and we can easily see why. This beating heart of the Greater Yellowstone Ecosystem is not just the first but also the oldest national park in the country. With showstoppers like geysers, hot springs, lofty mountains, thunderingly high waterfalls, forests, and diverse wildlife, Yellowstone can be visited again and again. While many think that staying in or even near it can be expensive, the best hostels in Yellowstone National Park demystify this ‘myth.’ These hostels might not be within the park premises, but they’re right outside it, close to some of its most popular entrances.
Armed with this information and a bit of planning, you can enjoy the beauty of Yellowstone without breaking the bank. Here’s a guide to the best hostels near Yellowstone, which made our adventures in the stunning wilderness all the better.
Table of contents
- Treasure State Hostel
- North Yellowstone Lodge and Hostel
- The Hideaway Hostel
- The West Yellowstone Hostel at Madison Hotel
- Our Verdict!
- Where to Stay in Yellowstone National Park?
- When is the best time of year to stay in a hostel in Yellowstone National Park?
- What is there to see and do in Yellowstone National Park?
Treasure State Hostel
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We begin with Treasure State Hostel in Bozeman, Montana, which is an hour north of Yellowstone’s northern entrance in Gardiner, Montana. While it’s a bit farther from the other options on this list, it sits right in the heart of Bozeman and its activities, things to do, and conveniences. We had the choice of multiple air-conditioned dorms and private rooms. While dorms were three-bed, four-bed, and six-bed ones, private rooms had single, two twin, bunk bed, and queen bed ones as options. What’s more, all rooms either have parquet or carpeted floors, and even have housekeeping services, ensuring cleanliness throughout our stay.
Aside from the comfortable accommodations, the hostel had a ton of activities and amenities on offer. Not only did we have access to free Wi-Fi across the entire hostel, but we could also use the complimentary bicycles to explore the neighborhood. After whipping up meals in the shared kitchen, we’d enjoy them in the outdoor seating area or in the lounge, where we’d also mingle with fellow hostelites. A games room, full-day security, luggage storage, and a wonderful complimentary breakfast spread complete the offerings here.
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North Yellowstone Lodge and Hostel
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15 minutes north of Gardiner, Montana, the northern entrance of Yellowstone National Park, sits the North Yellowstone Lodge & Hostel. It lies on the banks of the gushing waters of the picturesque Yellowstone River and offers us a budget-friendly yet peaceful retreat along with easy access to the national park.
Are you planning a trip to Yellowstone? Book a room now while there is still availability!! pic.twitter.com/ntp9WGEqgU
— Yellowstone Hostel (@YellowstoneStay) June 1, 2017
What we loved about the lodge hostel was that it wasn’t a traditional hostel, but rather an outdoorsy one. Here, we could relax and unwind on the private river beach of the hostel after a long day of adventuring around the park. If that wasn’t enough, we could even try fly fishing, so if you’re an enthusiast, make sure you pack your best fly-fishing sling packs. We could even visit the Chico Hot Springs Resort for a soak after long days of hiking in the park. Back at our own lodge, we had access to a long list of amenities, which included a lovely apple orchard for long walks. There was also a communal kitchen where we could whip up quick meals and enjoy them with fellow travelers, swapping stories nineteen to dozen.
Choices for digs included shared accommodations or dorms, which began at USD 30 per night, and private rooms, which started at USD 80 per night. Private rooms are divided as private queen bedrooms for two people and family ones that sleep four, five, or six people across multiple beds. Meanwhile, the traditional dorms have bunk beds. However, bathrooms are different for men and women, but are shared and communal across all rooms. Did we mention that they also offer tent camping sites? Yes!
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The Hideaway Hostel
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Best outdoorsy. Are you traveling to Yellowstone on a budget? Or maybe you’re on a solo trip? We give you the Hideaway Hostel in Island Park, Idaho, which is a mere 45-minute drive from the western entrance of the park. It sits on the same lush property as the Hideaway Lodge in a secluded, verdant wooded glen in Island Park.
We loved the huge yet cozy cabin, which had the choices of a female-only shared dorm room and two shared mixed dorms. Between them all, they had two shared bathrooms, both of which were spacious and spick and span. Additionally, the cabin even had two sitting areas, a dining area where we could enjoy meals, and a full kitchen where we could whip them up too. What was great was that they even provided free continental breakfasts, allowing us to start our days amazingly. Did we mention the front and back porches? Sigh.
Besides the fantastic digs, the hostel boasted a long and varied roster of activities and amenities that made it the perfect place to chill after a long day of Yellowstone adventures. Thanks to the laundry room, we were able to stay for an extended period easily. In the evenings, we’d all gather around the BBQ grill, mingling with fellow travelers under the starry skies and enjoying the fresh mountain air.
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The West Yellowstone Hostel at Madison Hotel
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Closest. Imagine staying in a hostel with hotel-like comforts and safety in a gorgeous town that’s a mere two-minute drive to the popular West Entrance of Yellowstone National Park. We’re talking about the amazing West Yellowstone Hostel at The Historic Madison Hotel, Motel and Hostel.
While this place does have hotel and motel rooms, it even has a hostel setup where we chould choose from eight rooms, all of which were on the first floor of the hotel. So, be prepared to drag your suitcases up the stairs! However, they all had very comfy double or twin beds and immaculate shared bathrooms between all of them. The decor was rustic, keeping in line with where the hotel was located, but it also had a cute old-fashioned little sink with a mirror and even a small seating area in some of them.
What was great about this place is that the owners were amazing, welcoming us warmly, telling us about the best places to eat in town, and even supplying us with complimentary maps. Plus, we were even given discount coupons for the cafe next door, which we could use for any meals. If that wasn’t enough, they even had free Wi-Fi, a wonderful gift shop, and a cafe with a nice selection of coffees and hot chocolate.
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Our Verdict!
Since we’ve loved all options on this list, we’ve listed their best specialized features that will help you zero in on one that is best for you.
- Closest: The West Yellowstone Hostel at Madison Hotel
- Best outdoorsy: The Hideaway Hostel
Where to Stay in Yellowstone National Park?
When it comes to staying in or near Yellowstone, we had the choice of four main areas. The first one is West Yellowstone in Montana, which is practically the western entrance to the park. We had a wide range of accommodation choices here, including hostels, as well as a long list of things to do. Do check out the best hotels near the Yellowstone West Entrance.
Next, there’s the charming town of Gardiner in Montana, which lies at the park’s northern entrance. Scenic views of the Yellowstone River and rustic charm are abundant here, besides the town being home to the park’s original entrance, the historic Roosevelt Arch. It also allows easy access to the park’s northern parts and the famed Mammoth Hot Springs, which is one of the best must-see attractions in Yellowstone National Park. You might also want to check out the best hotels near the Yellowstone North Entrance.
Finally, there’s Cody and Cooke City on the eastern and northeastern sides of the park. While Cody is a bit far, it’s the nearest town to the eastern entrance. Cooke City, on the other hand, is ideal for travelers looking to explore the less crowded and more remote side of Yellowstone, like the Lamar Valley. We highly recommend checking out the best hotels near the East Entrance to Yellowstone National Park.
When is the best time of year to stay in a hostel in Yellowstone National Park?
Since good weather is a plus point when exploring Yellowstone, we’d say that the spring, which is the months of April and May, is a fantastic time to explore the park. Winter is over, the snow is melting, the roads are opening up, and the summer heat hasn’t set in yet.
What is there to see and do in Yellowstone National Park?
Yellowstone National Park is known for its natural beauty, wildlife, and cultural attractions such as the Museum of the National Park Ranger and the Norris Geyser Basin Museum. Here’s a detailed 4-day Yellowstone itinerary.
