Are you looking for the best hotels in West Yellowstone MT? Perfect! We are going to show you the 8 top rated hotel options available in West Yellowstone including cheap and luxury hotels, lodges, cabins, inns and motels.
Instead of trawling through randomly listed hotel search engine results, use our research and data driven guide to find the best hotels near West Yellowstone for your visit based on location, value, previous guest ratings and our own personal experiences.
Here’s how we will break down the best hotels in West Yellowstone, Montana to help you find the perfect place to stay:
- Our Yellowstone experience
- Why stay in West Yellowstone?
- West Yellowstone hotels map
- 8 best West Yellowstone MT hotels
Let’s find you the perfect West Yellowstone hotel for your trip to Yellowstone National Park!
*Please note this guide contains affiliate links. If you click on one, we may earn a small commission at no extra cost to you. Thank you for supporting the free content we provide! Read more in our disclosure policy.*
Our Yellowstone Experience
Yellowstone is one of our favorite US national parks to visit because it is so unique and diverse.
Our first trip to Yellowstone was back in October 2019. We spent 4 days exploring as much of the park as possible and we stayed in different hotels throughout the various regions of Yellowstone.
We spent two nights at hotels in Cody, WY (thanks to a huge snowstorm!), one night in a Mammoth Hot Springs cabin, one night in a Canyon Village hotel room and three nights in Jackson, WY as we explored Grand Teton National Park straight after leaving Yellowstone.
Our second trip to Yellowstone was in April 2021 when we were driving from living in New York City to spend 6 months living just outside of Seattle.
We spent another 3 days and 2 nights running around Yellowstone with our cameras like two kids at Christmas. This time we stayed at hotels in Gardiner and West Yellowstone.
In West Yellowstone we stayed at a popular mid range hotel called Kelly Inn which was excellent and a wonderful luxury lodging called Explorer Cabins which was fantastic. Both are included in this guide.
We have written extensively about Yellowstone on our sister site Where Are Those Morgans. Head over to our Wyoming travel guides page after finding your hotel for help planning your itinerary.
Why Stay In West Yellowstone MT?
With so many places you can potentially stay in and around Yellowstone National Park, why would you choose a hotel in West Yellowstone?
Well, there are several benefits to staying in West Yellowstone:
- It is the closest place you can stay to the center of the park that isn’t a park run lodge or campground.
- There is a much larger selection of dining options and evening entertainment.
- Hotel prices are extremely competitive because there are so many options.
- Yellowstone’s regional airport is located in West Yellowstone for those flying in.
- It is easy to access from Salt Lake City airport.
In our experience, we would say that West Yellowstone is the most popular place to stay near Yellowstone, especially for first time visitors and families. It is essentially a resort town for the park.
Is West Yellowstone A Good Place To Stay For Visiting Yellowstone National Park?
Yes, West Yellowstone is a fantastic place to stay for visiting Yellowstone National Park because of its central location and proximity to the park’s west entrance near the most popular attractions such as Grand Prismatic Spring and Old Faithful.
In contrast, staying in Gardiner in the north would mean a lot more driving to reach the more well known spots in Yellowstone. With that said, Gardiner will suit certain visitors more because it is much quieter, calmer and more of a true escape.
Should You Stay In One Hotel Or Move Hotels Each Night?
We are often asked about whether staying in different hotels every night or the same hotel throughout a trip to Yellowstone is the best way to visit the park.
Here is our typical response:
- Staying in different hotels each night is better for efficiency, seeing more of the park and limiting driving.
- Staying at the same hotel involves less organization and less packing but means more driving.
Would you prefer to book one hotel and relax once you check in, knowing that you can focus on the park?
Or do you prefer to travel efficiently and get a better feel for a place by staying in different areas?
There is no right or wrong way to visit Yellowstone. In the end it all comes down to hotel availability, cost and whatever you are most comfortable with.
Want to see the best of Yellowstone?
Read our complete guide to the best things to do in Yellowstone National Park on our sister site Where Are Those Morgans next!
Are Hotels In West Yellowstone MT Expensive?
Yellowstone is one of the most visited US National Parks with over 4 million tourists entering the park each year.
Compared to lodges inside the park, you will find that hotels in West Yellowstone are generally more affordable and have far more availability throughout peak visiting seasons.
You can stay at cheap low budget motel style hotels in West Yellowstone, which you can’t do inside the park or in Gardiner.
On the other end of the spectrum, you can also stay in luxury cabins or unique accommodations around the West Yellowstone area.
The most important thing to remember is that prices at hotels in West Yellowstone will be highest in the summer months, on weekends and especially during holidays.
Visit Yellowstone in shoulder season months if you want to pick up the cheapest West Yellowstone hotel room rates.
Here are our relevant guides to read on our travel site Where Are Those Morgans:
- Spring – 10 key things to know about visiting Yellowstone in April
- Fall – 10 key things to know about visiting Yellowstone in October
Hotel Tax In West Yellowstone, MT
Bear in mind when booking your hotel in West Yellowstone that you will pay hotel tax, which is officially known as Transient Occupancy Tax (TOT).
We have mock booked a room both direct and with Booking.com at each hotel in the list below.
Every hotel has 12% hotel tax and $1 city tax added to the base price.
So let’s say the basic nightly room cost at a cheap West Yellowstone hotel in shoulder season is $100 for one night, your total cost is going to be $113.00.
- When booking your hotel using Booking.com look under the price for includes taxes and fees. This means the price you see is final and will not be subject to further add ons.
- Conversely, if you see text reading something like +$30 for taxes and fees, that means you will pay the hotel room cost + the additional 12% fee for bed tax and any other fees associated.
Tax is nothing new to Americans who are used to paying tax on pretty much everything.
But for international visitors this is something to be aware of so you avoid any nasty surprises when you come to pay!
Where To Stay In West Yellowstone MT
West Yellowstone is a very small grid style resort town, so you are never too far from the amenities no matter which hotel you book.
With that said, most of the restaurants are located on the east side of West Yellowstone.
So if you want to be within easy walking distance of the best places to eat and drink after a long day exploring the park, book a hotel closer to the east side.
Alternatively, if you are looking for a quieter place to stay (couples seeking romance or families with younger kids) we suggest booking a hotel on the west side of West Yellowstone. You can then either walk or drive your car over to the restaurants.
Finally, there are one or two West Yellowstone lodging options that are a few minutes drive out of town. This means you get the tranquility and escapism but you would absolutely have to drive into town for food.
West Yellowstone MT Hotels Map
Let’s take a quick look at an interactive Google Map showing the locations of the 8 best West Yellowstone hotels featured in this guide, as well as locations of alternative options with slightly lower guest ratings.
Map Key
Featured hotels:
- Green stars – Featured cheap hotels in West Yellowstone
- Red stars – Featured mid range budget hotels in West Yellowstone
- Blue stars – Featured luxury hotels in West Yellowstone
Alternative hotels:
- Purple stars – Alternative cheap hotels in West Yellowstone
- Orange stars – Alternative luxury hotels in West Yellowstone
Click or touch the map to activate.
Zoom in and out, move around the West Yellowstone area and see exactly where each lodging option is located.
8 Best Hotels In West Yellowstone MT
OK, let’s take a look at each of the best hotels in West Yellowstone, Montana.
We have hand picked the top 8 West Yellowstone hotels by compiling and comparing previous guest ratings, location, value for money and our own experiences in the area.
Later in the guide we will show you several more great West Yellowstone hotel options in a summary.
Featured hotels below are listed in order of average nightly cost within three price range categories; cheap, mid range and luxury.
You will find 3 x cheap hotels, 3 x mid range hotels and 2 x luxury hotels. Each represents a top rated hotel within its price category.
Let’s kick things off with the best cheap hotels in West Yellowstone MT!
1. Elkhorn Cabins
Guest ratings:
- Booking.com – 8.9 / 10
- Google – 4.4 / 5
- Price: Cheap $
- Amenities: Free WiFi, free parking
- Location: Northeast side of West Yellowstone
Elkhorn Cabins is one of two extremely well regarded cheap hotels in West Yellowstone. There are no amenities, breakfast is not included and it is not pet friendly. However, what you do get is a comfortable, clean, cute and quaint wooden log cabin in a great spot to the north of the busy restaurant area.
Reviewers rate staff, comfort, cleanliness, facilities and location the highest at Elkhorn Cabins. The most positive comments are about helpful and friendly staff, as well as the entire living in a super clean and cozy log cabin outside Yellowstone experience!
>> Book Hotel: Elkhorn Cabins
2. The Evergreen
Guest ratings:
- Booking.com – 8.8 / 10
- Google – 4.6 / 5
- Price: Cheap $
- Amenities: Free WiFi, free parking, laundry
- Location: Center of West Yellowstone
The Evergreen is an upscale motel style West Yellowstone hotel with excellent ratings at a very low night price. It is the the second of two extremely highly rated cheap hotels in the area and it should definitely be on your shortlist if you are visiting the area on a tight budget.
Reviewers rate staff, comfort, cleanliness and location the highest at The Evergreen. It doesn’t look like much from the outside, but the rooms are beautifully furnished with Yellowstone touches and there is free coffee with pastries available for guests.
>> Book Hotel: The Evergreen
3. Yellowstone Lodge
Guest ratings:
- Booking.com – 7.9 / 10
- Google – 4.1 / 5
- Price: Cheap $
- Amenities: Free WiFi, free parking, breakfast included, indoor swimming pool, hot tub, pet friendly, laundry
- Location: South side of West Yellowstone
Yellowstone Lodge is the final cheap West Yellowstone hotel we are featuring because it is a different proposition for budget travelers to the Yellowstone area. Here, you get breakfast, it has a pool and hot tub, it is pet friendly and you can do laundry. However, it is rated lower and it is more generic.
Reviewers rate staff, comfort, cleanliness and location the highest at Yellowstone Lodge. This could be the best cheap hotel in West Yellowstone for families with younger kids who can use the pool area and grab a basic breakfast. It is not a luxury hotel but the price point is low for the area.
>> Book Hotel: Yellowstone Lodge
4. Crosswinds Inn
Guest ratings:
- Booking.com – 8.8 / 10
- Google – 4.5 / 5
- Price: Mid range $$
- Amenities: Free WiFi, free parking, breakfast included, indoor swimming pool and hot tub, laundry
- Location: Center of West Yellowstone
Crosswinds Inn is one of the overall best hotels in West Yellowstone when you consider price, amenities, quality, location and previous guest ratings. It has the perfect balance between all. The inn is simple enough but all the amenities and breakfast are a step up in quality.
Reviewers rate staff, comfort, cleanliness, facilities and location the highest at Crosswinds Inn. Families should certainly consider staying here and there will be dates on which the prices are similar to those at traditionally cheaper hotels in the area. One of our top picks.
>> Book Hotel: Crosswinds Inn
5. Gray Wolf Inn
Guest ratings:
- Booking.com – 8.5 / 10
- Google – 4.3 / 5
- Price: Mid range $$
- Amenities: Free WiFi, free parking, pet friendly (no extra charge), indoor swimming pool and hot tub, fitness center, breakfast included
- Location: Southeast side of West Yellowstone
Gray Wolf Inn is a solid mid range budget hotel in West Yellowstone. It offers similar amenities to many others in the same price bracket but this hotel also has a fitness center and is another popular choice for families with kids.
Reviewers rate staff, comfort, cleanliness, facilities and location the highest at Gray Wolf Inn. There are plenty of hotels at this level with similar amenities and nightly costs, so be sure to check prices at all hotels for your travel dates to see if there are any deals running.
>> Book Hotel: Gray Wolf Inn
6. Kelly Inn
Guest ratings:
- Booking.com – 8.6 / 10
- Google – 4.4 / 5
- Price: Mid Range $$
- Amenities: Free WiFi, free parking, indoor swimming pool and hot tub, sauna, breakfast included, laundry, pet friendly (no extra fee)
- Location: Southeast side of West Yellowstone
Kelly Inn is one of the most popular and best hotels in West Yellowstone. We spent a fantastic night here in a huge queen room with two beds and the buffet breakfast was excellent. It is a true mid range budget hotel with quality touches and a super location near the restaurants in town.
Reviewers rate staff, comfort, cleanliness, facilities and location the highest at Kelly Inn. The hotel was very busy when we stayed, partly because it is in West Yellowstone and partly because it is such a popular spot. Definitely one to consider if you are a middle of the road traveler.
>> Book Hotel: Kelly Inn
7. Explorer Cabins
Guest ratings:
- Booking.com – 9.0 / 10
- Google – 4.6 / 5
- Price: Luxury $$$
- Amenities: Free WiFi, free parking, indoor swimming pool, fire pit, pet friendly (no extra fee)
- Location: Southeast side of Yellowstone
Explorer Cabins is our favorite place to stay in West Yellowstone MT. Guests can stay in either one or two bedroom detached cabins, which are like small houses and are perfect for couples or families. The price is a little higher but it is worth it for an amazing experience.
Reviewers rate staff, comfort, cleanliness, facilities and location the highest at Explorer Cabins. We sat around a fire pit with a s’mores kit, relaxed in our cabin and had a superb nights sleep with no chance of noisy neighbors! If your budget can stretch further, this is where to stay in West Yellowstone.
>> Book Hotel: Explorer Cabins
8. Yellowstone Park Hotel
Guest ratings:
- Booking.com – 8.7 / 10
- Google – 4.3 / 5
- Price: Luxury $$$
- Amenities: Free WiFi, free parking, indoor swimming pool and hot tub, fitness center, breakfast included, laundry, games room, fire pit
- Location: South side of Yellowstone
Yellowstone Park Hotel is a more expensive but highly rated hotel in West Yellowstone. It is a step up in quality from service to rooms and the smaller touches. If you want a more luxurious place to stay and have a healthy travel budget, put this hotel on your shortlist.
Reviewers rate staff, comfort, facilities, cleanliness and location the highest at Yellowstone Park Hotel. It scores very highly for everything except value for money (naturally!) because it is more expensive, but this is a fantastic place to stay if you don’t mind the extra spend.
>> Book Hotel: Yellowstone Park Hotel
Cheap Hotels In West Yellowstone
Are you visiting Yellowstone on a tight budget?
Well, you will only be interested in the cheapest hotels in West Yellowstone. Let’s take a summarized look at your best options:
- 1. Elkhorn Cabins
- 2. The Evergreen
- 3. Yellowstone Lodge
- 4. Hibernation Station
- 5. Al’s Westward Ho Motel
- 6. Stage Coach Inn
We highly recommend checking prices at each hotel to see if you can find a standout price point for your travel dates.
Staying in cheaper hotels works better for those who plan to spend as much time as possible inside Yellowstone, rather than in the hotel itself.
Luxury Hotels In West Yellowstone
Are you visiting Yellowstone with a healthy budget?
Awesome! You will want to see more luxury hotels in West Yellowstone. Let’s take a summarized look at your best options:
- 1. Explorer Cabins
- 2. Yellowstone Park Hotel
- 3. 1872 Inn Adults Only
- 4. Faithful Street Inn
- 5. Under Canvas West Yellowstone
Any of these more luxurious West Yellowstone hotels will be a wonderful place to spend the night after a long day exploring Yellowstone.
Best Hotels In West Yellowstone FAQ’s
Let’s take a quick look at some of the most frequently asked questions about where to stay in West Yellowstone, Montana.
What is the best cheap hotel in West Yellowstone MT?
Elkhorn Cabins and The Evergreen are two fantastic cheap but upscale hotels in West Yellowstone. They don’t have many amenities but the quality is high and the price is extremely affordable.
What is the best luxury hotel in West Yellowstone MT?
Explorer Cabins is the best luxury hotel in West Yellowstone because guests can book entire detached cabins with living rooms and kitchenettes. Both one bedroom and two bedroom cabins are available to suit couples and families staying in the area.
Top Hotels Near West Yellowstone
- Cody – 8 best hotels in Cody Wyoming
- Gardiner – 8 best hotels in Gardiner MT
- Jackson – 8 best hotels in Jackson Hole Wyoming
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We hope this guide to the best hotels in West Yellowstone MT helps you book the perfect hotel for your visit to Yellowstone National Park!
Please let us know if you have any questions about any of the hotels in our list of best places to stay in West Yellowstone MT by commenting below.
Happy Booking,
Mark and Kristen
Best Hotels Anywhere
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