A trip to Yellowstone National Park is a dream for many, but if you’re a budget traveler, you may be wondering if there are any cheap places to stay in Yellowstone and in the nearby towns.
The good news is, there definitely are inexpensive accommodations if you know where to look! And the better news is I’ve compiled a list for you so you don’t have to spend hours searching!
So let’s not waste any time – here are 15 options for where to stay outside Yellowstone on a budget!
Cheap places to stay near Yellowstone: Camping
Camping is going to be the cheapest accommodation option around Yellowstone Park. While it might not be for everyone, it’s a fantastic choice for those on a really tight budget or for those who love to sleep in the great outdoors.
1. Camping in Yellowstone National Park
Most of the time, if you want to stay inside a national park, you’re going to pay a pretty penny. The exception to this is camping.
The National Park Service offers 5 campgrounds inside Yellowstone. All of them are rustic camping sites, meaning no electricity or showers. However, all the campgrounds do offer potable water and toilets. Some even have the space for a small RV or campervan.
One thing to note: These campgrounds fill up fast, so if this is something you’re interested in, make sure you book way ahead of time. In general, you can book a campsite six months in advance, but check the recreation.gov website for additional details.
2. Sportsman’s Retreat RV Sites – Gardiner, MT
If you have an RV but don’t want to stay in a traditional RV park, look no further than Sportsman’s Retreat! This property only hosts 2 campers at a time, meaning you’ll have the peace and quiet you crave but all the hookups you’d get at a standard RV campground.
This location is also less than a mile from the north entrance of Yellowstone, which makes it a fantastic base for your national park trip.
This property is bookable on Hipcamp, which is like the Airbnb of camping. You can find lots of incredible, unique places to stay all around the country.
3. Wander Camp Tents – Island Park, ID
If going completely rustic is not your cup of tea, consider glamping!
Wander Camp has several fantastic tents that offer comfortable bedding and seating, beautiful views, and a nice bathroom with a flushable toilet, sink, and shower. This is a perfect location for solo travelers, couples, and families. You can even get breakfast!
Island Park is located about 35 minutes from West Yellowstone. It’s a great location for people who don’t want to fight with crowds but is close enough to make exploring the park convenient.
Cheap places to stay near Yellowstone: Cabins
Maybe you don’t have an RV, and camping, no matter how glamorous, just isn’t for you.
That’s fine! There are still some budget accommodation options for you around Yellowstone National Park!
Cabins are a great option for people who still want the rustic feel without compromising on all the comforts of home.
4. Yellowstone’s Treasure Cabin – Gardiner, MT
If being close to the park is important to you, then Yellowstone’s Treasure Cabin might be a great fit. It is situated in Gardiner, which is right outside the northern entrance to the park.
This studio cabin sleeps 2 people, offers a porch with a table and chairs, has a full kitchen, and also supplies complimentary wifi. It even has heat and A/C so you can stay comfortable no matter the weather.
5. Brook Trout Inn – Lazy Acres, MT
Only 8 miles from Yellowstone, this cozy cabin at Brook Trout Inn can sleep four people, which makes it ideal for families or couples.
The property boasts a king-size bed, full kitchen, gas BBQ grill, gas fireplace, large deck with chairs, and wifi and cable.
6. Bucking Moose Bear Cabin – West Yellowstone, MT
Right by the Yellowstone entrance, the Bucking Moose Bear Cabin is one of the best places to stay in West Yellowstone as it’s located in the heart of town, allowing you the ability to walk to shops, restaurants, and attractions like the Grizzly & Wolf Discovery Center and Museum of the Yellowstone.
This beautiful cabin offers two queen beds, two TVs, a full bathroom, and a front deck. While there isn’t a stove, you’ll still have a microwave, fridge, and coffee maker so you can make some food in the cabin and save yourself money by not having to eat out all the time.
7. The Benjamen – Wapiti, WY
The Benjamen has been newly remodeled and has fantastic reviews. This cabin sleeps 4 and offers a full kitchen, stunning views, a BBQ grill, and is located 25 miles from the east gate of Yellowstone.
Cheap places to stay near Yellowstone: Hotels
Sometimes staying in a hotel room is the best way to go. They tend to be located closer to major attractions, and you can get some great prices when there is competition.
But with so many choices it can be hard to find the best option. So here are a few of the best cheap hotels near Yellowstone National Park!
8. Holiday Motel – West Yellowstone, MT
The Holiday Motel is an excellent choice if you want to stay in West Yellowstone and is one of the best cheap motels near Yellowstone National Park.
With clean, comfortable rooms, you’ll find a great option here. Some of the rooms come with a kitchenette for those who want to prepare their own food, and the wifi and laundry services round out the great amenities offered.
9. Yellowstone Lodge – West Yellowstone, MT
If you’re looking at West Yellowstone hotels and want one with lots of amenities, Yellowstone Lodge is a good option.
While it may be one of the more expensive options on this list, the lodge offers a lot to its guests. Kids and adults alike will enjoy the indoor pool and hot tub, and you’ll also get free breakfast as well as wifi. And if you can’t part with your furry friend, pets are allowed!
10. The Historic Madison Hotel Motel – West Yellowstone, MT
The Historic Madison has a variety of options for every traveler. Built in 1912, the property has a lot of history and has kept much of its original charm. The log cabin feel is blended with modern amenities, and some of the original furnishings are still there!
There are hotel, motel, and even shared hostel dorm rooms available for solo travelers on a tight budget.
11. Super 8 – Gardiner, MT
Super 8’s are known for their great prices, and the one in Gardiner is a fantastic cheap option.
Located close to Yellowstone’s north entrance, the hotel doesn’t have much in the way of amenities, but guests have said it’s a great no-frills option that’s clean and safe. There’s a grocery store across the street, and you’ll also get free wifi and a 24-hour front desk.
Cheap places to stay near Yellowstone: Houses
Sometimes you just want that home-away-from-home feeling when you’re traveling, but oftentimes short-term home rentals are expensive and hard to find.
Here are a few great choices for those who like to rent houses and apartments while on the road.
12. RV by the River – Gardiner, MT
Maybe you’d like to stay in an RV but don’t have one of your own. This RV by the River is a highly-rated property that is pet-friendly and has wifi. The views outside are stunning and there’s even a nice little area to sit outside and grill.
13. Creekworks Guesthouse – Cody, WY
The Creekworks Guesthouse is a two-bedroom, second-floor apartment that can sleep 4 guests. This is a great option for families as the house has a queen-size bed and two twins.
Other amenities include a full kitchen, outdoor charcoal grill, wifi, and a nice outdoor area.
14. Private Creekside Retreat – Pray, MT
This private guesthouse has 1 bedroom and 1 bathroom and is perfect for couples or solo travelers.
Located about 40 minutes from Yellowstone’s north entrance, this highly-rated property has wifi, a fully-stocked kitchen, beautiful rustic furnishings, and is remote and private but not too far away from the popular Chico Hot Springs and Livingston, MT.
15. Adventure’s Studio – Island Park, ID
Adventure’s Studio is a modern guesthouse about 20 miles from Yellowstone. Perfect for couples, this apartment has a queen size bed, wifi, mountain views, a well-equipped kitchen, and is on the first floor.
Tips for finding cheap lodging near Yellowstone
As I’m sure you know, when you’re visiting a popular tourist attraction, accommodation prices are expensive and it can be difficult to find exactly what you want for a price you can afford. Yellowstone National Park is no exception.
While there’s no magic formula to finding the perfect place for the cheapest price, there are a few things you can do to have the best chance of getting what you want within your budget.
Book early
As soon as you know the dates of your trip, start looking for accommodations. Places in Yellowstone book up quickly, and if you wait too long, you may not have any budget-friendly choices left.
The sooner you book, the better the odds of finding what you’re looking for. Plus, if your plans change, many places offer some kind of free cancellation, whether it’s 60 days ahead or 2 days before. Check each property’s policy to see what they offer.
Stay further away from the park
The lodges and hotels inside Yellowstone National Park are going to be more expensive than options outside the park. While there are definitely some excellent budget places in West Yellowstone, if you really want to find good deals, look even further away, like Island Park, Idaho or Wapiti, Wyoming.
You might have to do a bit more driving, but if a cheaper place to stay is more important than the drive time, set your search parameters a little wider to score a great deal.
Check multiple websites
Sometimes different search engines have special deals on particular hotels. Or, if you are a member of an awards program like Hotels.com, you can score free nights and special member pricing that might be cheaper than another website.
Check out multiple websites to see if there’s any difference in price. Here are the sites I use and recommend:
For hotels: Expedia and Hotels.com
For homestays: Airbnb, VRBO, and Expedia
For camping: Hipcamp, Recreation.gov, and The Dyrt
Consider a tour
If you end up planning your Yellowstone National Park vacation last minute and can’t seem to find any places to stay, you could join a multi-day tour.
With these tours, lodging and transportation are all included, and you will get a lot of great information about the park along the way that you might not have learned otherwise.
You can check out tour options on websites like Get Your Guide and Viator.
FAQs about places to stay near Yellowstone
Can you stay overnight in Yellowstone?
Yes, you can! There are several options available within the park.
If you want to camp, there are 5 campgrounds within Yellowstone. You can book them on the NPS website Recreation.gov.
There are also 9 hotels, lodges, and cabins inside Yellowstone. You can look at all the options here.
What town should I stay in while visiting Yellowstone?
The town you base yourself in for your Yellowstone National Park vacation should depend on the things that matter most on your trip.
If budget is not as much of an issue and you want to maximize your time, consider staying inside the park. Some options include Old Faithful Inn, Lake Lodge, Grant Village, and Canyon Lodge & Cabins.
You can also camp inside Yellowstone at one of the 5 campgrounds. This is the best way to stay inside the park if you are on a tight budget.
If you are on a tighter budget but don’t want to camp and would rather not drive very far to reach the park, West Yellowstone and Gardiner are two towns that have some budget accommodation options. You’ll be only minutes away from one of the park entrances, and there’s still lots of shopping and restaurants to check out in the area.
If driving a little farther to reach the park is not an issue for you and you want to find a great deal, I’d suggest staying even further away from Yellowstone. Cody and Wapiti, Wyoming are two options to the east of the park, with about a 30-60 minute drive to the east entrance. Island Park, Idaho is also a great base and isn’t too far from the west entrance.
If you want to see multiple national parks on your vacation (which you definitely should!) you could combine a trip to Yellowstone with Grand Teton National Park. You could then choose to stay somewhere around Grand Teton and take day trips up to Yellowstone.
Is it better to stay inside or outside Yellowstone?
It all depends on what is most important to you!
If your time is most important and you don’t want to be driving for hours each day, then you should definitely try to stay inside the park. You’ll be able to see more each day and won’t have to worry about fighting traffic to get in and out of the park.
However, if your budget is most important and you can’t spend hundreds of dollars a day on accommodations, then you’ll want to stay outside the park. The hotels inside the park are pretty pricey, and you’ll find more wallet-friendly choices outside Yellowstone’s borders.
The only exception to this is camping. If you want to do some rustic camping, you can snag a site for about $20/day inside Yellowstone. However, the spots tend to go quickly so you’ll need to be on your game to get one!
Conclusion: Cheap Places To Stay Near Yellowstone
Finding budget-friendly accommodations near national parks doesn’t have to be stressful! I hope this list of 15 cheap places to stay near Yellowstone was helpful for you. Let me know if you end up staying at any of them!
Your turn: which place on this list would be your first choice to stay? Let me know in the comments!
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