Hotels near northeast entrance yellowstone national park

Yellowstone is our planet at its most communicative. At the Brink of the Lower Falls — in the Grand Canyon of the Yellowstone — you can listen to the rage of the water, a chorus of 635,000 gallons spilling over the falls’ edge every second. On the maze of boardwalks surrounding the Midway Geyser Basin, tune your ears to the bubbling and boiling beneath and above the surface. Move your attention to somewhere far away in the distance, where a coyote howls from the caldera’s ridge and the wind rushes through the lodgepole pine.

Here, the Earth is alive. You’re standing on an active supervolcano, a hot spot that’s formed one of the largest calderas on the planet. Look at the rim above you — a remnant of a massive explosion 640,000 years ago — as you scan for bison and gray wolves in the grasses of the Lamar Valley. Under foot, the planet is churning, blowing off steam at Old Faithful, forming hot, bubbly mud pots and multi-colored travertine terraces at Mammoth Springs, and creating rainbows at Grand Prismatic Spring. It’s alive with people, too. Traffic builds up in “bison jams,” hundreds gather every hour or so to witness Old Faithful, and crowds flock to magnificent overlooks like Artist’s Point — especially in the warmer months. But with an area bigger than both Rhode Island and Delaware combined, you should be able to carve out your own Yellowstone adventure.

It all begins with where you stay. With four entrances and a long list of hotels and lodges vying to be your home base, below is a helpful breakdown to simplify the process — and make this the best trip possible to the world’s most famous national park. As Alice put it, “Tell me, is this not Wonderland?”

Cody, Wyoming, is likely the most economical choice for a trip to Yellowstone. It’s 53 miles from the East Entrance — hence the budget-friendlier price tag — and yet still offers the best access to Yellowstone Lake. From here, you’re also close to the Hayden Valley and Lake Village, not far from Lower and Upper Falls. Note: The road to this entrance usually closes from November to May.

The Cody Hotel takes its isolated location in the heart of the deep American West and uses it to its advantage. Here, no, you’re not next door to Yellowstone — but you are in cowboy territory, and it’s all yours. Sandwiched in the open plains between Yellowstone and Bighorn National Forest, Cody is the area’s biggest town, coming in at under 10,000 residents. This is Yellowstone Country without the crowds.

The Cody Hotel mirrors the town’s Old West theme, using plenty of dark wood, timber accents, and Victorian style furnishings. Modernism takes over, though, when you toss in the 24-hour hot tub, the gas fireplaces, and the waffles lining the breakfast bar. On the days you don’t make it into Yellowstone, check out the nearby Buffalo Bill Center for the West — a huge complex of five museums — and the nearby Buffalo Bill State Park. The Cody offers both bicycles for use and a daily shuttle to get you into and around town.

The Cody Hotel

Cody

9.0 Excellent (1637 reviews)

The entire town of Cody was founded by Buffalo Bill, and if he were to walk its streets today, he’d probably recognize it. He’d definitely recognize the Chamberlin Inn, as Agnes Chamberlin — the hotel’s original owner — worked for him. Already a historic spot, the Chamberlin got cemented into history when Ernest Hemingway completed Death in the Afternoon while staying in Room 18.

Today, the Chamberlin is a boutique inn with 21 rooms, suites, and studios — and Room 18 is very Hemingway-esque. Once you get over the exposed brick and all the little touches in your room, grab a cocktail and enjoy it slowly in the 2nd-floor sunroom, in the main parlor, in the glass-walled conservatory, or in the wrought-iron-lined courtyard. Beautiful public spaces abound at the Chamberlin — only Yellowstone could compel you to leave.

Chamberlin Inn Cody

Cody

9.3 Excellent (253 reviews)

If you’re looking for an absolute steal — that’s part of why trips into the wilderness are so great, right? — consider staying at the Classic Cody Craftsman. For the price of a standard chain experience, this cozy 1930s home, with original hardwood floors and millwork (and the original tub!), sleeps up to 6. Take your coffee —and a fresh muffin left for you — on the window seat of the sun porch, or hang out on the backyard patio, grilling that night’s dinner (and keeping an eye out for deer). Enjoy at least one meal in the dining room, which has original windows on all three sides.

Less than half a mile from the center of town, the Paul Stock Aquatic and Recreation Center is close by — if the kids are hankering for a waterslide — and the Buffalo Bill Center for the West is just a smattering of blocks away.

Classic Cody Craftsman

Cody

8.8 Excellent (37 reviews)

On the south side of Yellowstone is Grand Teton National Park, making this possibly the most scenic route — but your lodging is beyond the second park’s boundaries in Jackson Hole. Taking this route, you’ll be over an hour outside of the South Entrance, adding considerable time to your day. That being said, the South Entrance does put you near Grant Village, the West Thumb of Yellowstone Lake, and Old Faithful.Note: The road to the South Entrance, US 89, closes November to May.

Some — including Travel + Leisure — call Hotel Terra Jackson Hole Wyoming’s best hotel. It’s right at the base of Jackson Hole Mountain Resort, and it is luxurious. Think high ceilings, oversized windows, furnished balconies, air-tubs, and — if you nab a suite — marble kitchen countertops and inlaid gas fireplaces. The Tetons dominate your view, especially if you’re hanging out in the rooftop infinity pool. Like we said: luxurious.In the warmer months, the ski resort turns into its own mecca of hiking and biking.

If you don’t feel like pounding the mountain terrain, you can get up in the peaks via the aerial tram or the Bridger Gondola — both are worth a ride for the views, and the tram gets you in line for a “Top of the World” waffle at Corbet’s Cabin. (Bonus: Gondola rides are often free at night!) If you’re looking for a three-in-one vacation — luxury meets mountain adventure meets Yellowstone — you’ve found it. Now it’s just time to get booking.

Hotel Terra Jackson Hole

Teton Village

8.9 Excellent (1160 reviews)

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