Best Family Hotels Near Yellowstone National Park
America's first national park with Old Faithful, colorful hot springs, abundant wildlife, and vast wilderness.
Yellowstone National Park is America's first and most iconic national park, featuring the world-famous Old Faithful geyser, the psychedelic Grand Prismatic Spring, and abundant wildlife including bison, elk, bears, and wolves. The park spans 2.2 million acres across Wyoming, Montana, and Idaho.
Families are captivated by the park's geothermal features — there's nothing like watching a geyser erupt or walking boardwalks over bubbling mud pots. The Grand Canyon of the Yellowstone with its dramatic waterfall and the Lamar Valley for wildlife watching add even more must-see experiences.
Top Hotels Near Yellowstone National Park
Ranked by proximity and Family Score — the closest, highest-rated family hotels.
Family Tips
Best Time to Visit
Late June through early September for the best weather and all facilities open. July and August are peak season — expect crowds at popular features.
Save Money
- ✓The park entrance fee ($35/vehicle) is valid for 7 days.
- ✓Pack all food and snacks — in-park dining is limited and expensive.
- ✓Camp in the park ($20-30/night) instead of lodging ($200-500/night) for huge savings.
What to Pack
- •Bear spray (available for purchase near the park)
- •Layers — temperatures can range 30-80F in a single day
- •Binoculars for wildlife viewing
- •Sturdy hiking shoes and plenty of water
Sample Itineraries
Plan your family trip with our day-by-day guides.
Day 1: Old Faithful Area
Old Faithful and Upper Geyser Basin.
Grand Prismatic Spring and Midway Geyser Basin.
Old Faithful Inn (worth visiting even if not staying).
Pro Tip: The Grand Prismatic overlook trail gives the best aerial view of the rainbow-colored spring.
Day 2: Grand Canyon & Lake
Grand Canyon of the Yellowstone and waterfalls.
Yellowstone Lake and West Thumb Geyser Basin.
Lake area dining.
Pro Tip: Lower Falls is nearly twice the height of Niagara Falls.
Day 3: Lamar Valley Wildlife
Early morning Lamar Valley wildlife drive.
Mammoth Hot Springs terraces.
Departure or extra wildlife viewing.
Pro Tip: Bring binoculars or a spotting scope — wildlife is often viewed from a distance.
What Families Are Saying
“Several wanted to hike in Yellowstone and the owner Mike recruited John, the cook, and great guy, put them in his personal truck, and sent them off to hike the mountains. The trips into Yellowstone Park were fantastic and planned out perfectly”
“Location is perfect for getting into Yellowstone. Regardless, we will highly consider, and recommend, this family run motel for our next visit to Yellowstone”
“We went to Yellowstone with our broader family and I'm happy to say that these cabins were actually a highlight of our time in West Yellowsone Stone”
“Wonderful hotel with great access to Yellowstone’s west entrance. First of all, don’t let the location put you off - while West Yellowstone offers a convenient location it has none of the ambiance of a place like Jackson, WY”
“We really enjoyed our stay - amazing location downtown and close to Yellowstone National Park, very responsive & helpful staff, lovely cabins with everything we needed, including a pack n play for our baby to sleep in”
“And we had free ice that they provided for our cooler which we took along to Yellowstone Park. I will recommend Elephant Head Lodge to any family member or friend who is planning to travel out West especially near the Yellowstone Park area”
“We started in Jackson Hole, then stayed at Bill Cody Ranch for three nights, and concluded with a few days in Yellowstone. As much as we loved exploring Grand Teton and Yellowstone National Parks, the best day of the trip, and one of the best days our family has ever spent together, was the four-hour horseback Clock Tower Trail Ride at Bill Cody...”
“Great little place in West Yellowstone. The best was amazing after long days in Yellowstone walking, hiking and driving”
“I stood at 4 places during my trip on Yellowstone parks and this was the best place to stay Amazing view great location I hope to come back and enjoy the lake amenities fishing tubing or just relaxin Great place to stay and refill to get back to the park”
Age Guide
Toddlers (0-3)
Boardwalk geyser viewing is stroller-friendly. Bison along the road fascinate toddlers. Keep a firm grip near all thermal features.
Young Kids (4-7)
Old Faithful eruptions are pure magic for kids 4-7. Junior Ranger programs engage kids with the park's geology and wildlife.
Older Kids (8-12)
Longer hikes, wildlife spotting challenges, and the science behind geothermal features captivate kids 8-12.
Teens (13-17)
Challenging hikes, photography opportunities, and the sheer scale of the wilderness impress even the most screen-addicted teens.
Practical Information
Parking
Free once inside the park. Popular lots (Old Faithful, Canyon) fill by 10am in peak summer. Arrive early.
Hours
Park is open 24/7 year-round, but most roads close November through April due to snow. Summer hours for visitor centers are typically 8am-7pm.
Ticket Tips
Entrance fee is $35/vehicle for 7 days. America the Beautiful Pass ($80/year) covers all national parks. Kids 15 and under are free.
Dining
Old Faithful Inn dining room requires reservations. General stores sell basic provisions. In-park restaurants are limited — pack food for road days.
Accessibility
Major geyser basins have wheelchair-accessible boardwalks. Old Faithful Visitor Center and many viewpoints are accessible. Some backcountry areas are not.
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