Hotels Overview

About the Hotels

Park lodgings range from two of the national park system's magnificent old hotels to simple cabins to bland modern motels. Make reservations at least two months in advance for July and August for all park lodgings. Old Faithful Snow Lodge and Mammoth Hot Springs Hotel are the only accommodations open in winter; rates are the same as in summer. Ask about the size of beds, bathrooms, thickness of walls, and room location when you book, especially in the older hotels, where accommodations vary and upgrades are ongoing. Telephones have been put in some rooms, but there are no TVs. All park lodging is no smoking. There are no roll-away beds available.

About the Campgrounds

Yellowstone has a dozen campgrounds scattered around the park. Most have flush toilets; some have coin-operated showers and laundry facilities. Most are operated by the National Park Service and are available on a first-come, first-served basis. Those campgrounds run by Xanterra Parks & Resorts -- Bridge Bay, Canyon, Fishing Bridge, Grant Village, and Madison -- accept bookings in advance. To reserve, call 307/344-7311. Larger groups can reserve space in Bridge Bay, Grant, and Madison from late May through September.

There are about 300 backcountry sites available in the park; camping outside designated areas is prohibited, with exceptions during the winter season (October 15-May 15). All overnight backcountry camping requires a free backcountry-use permit, which must be obtained in person from the Backcountry Office no more than 48 hours before the planned trip. In summer you can usually obtain the permits seven days a week, from 8 AM to 4:30 PM, at most visitor centers and ranger stations. Sites can be reserved for $20, regardless of the duration of the stay or the number in the group. Reserve a site by visiting any ranger station or by mailing the Backcountry Office, Box 168, Yellowstone National Park, WY 82190. All backcountry campsites have restrictions on group size and length of stay. Pit fires are prohibited at certain campsites.