The Best Yellowstone Cabin Rentals To Book For Your Next Trip
Post Summary: Our pick for the best places to stay near Yellowstone and which entrance to base your Yellowstone adventure.
Once you’ve made the decision to visit Yellowstone, the next question inevitably becomes – where’s the best place to stay near Yellowstone? Oh, if only the answer were cut and dry.
The thing is, Yellowstone is gigantic. In fact, it is one of the biggest National Parks in the United States.
Planning a trip to Yellowstone is a big undertaking that can quickly become overwhelming once you discover the park spans three states with five different entrances to the park.
When choosing where to stay near Yellowstone, the most convenient choice is staying within the National Park. Because of its sheer size, staying inside will significantly reduce your driving time. There are nine choices of Yellowstone lodging, and they range from standard hotel rooms to rustic cabins.
Here’s the thing – the hotels in Yellowstone are ridiculously overpriced. Be prepared to pay around $250-400 a night for an average to below average room that might not even have a bathroom! Plus, you’ll be paying for three meals a day, so the price of staying inside the park can quickly add up to a price not attainable to the average traveler.
If staying inside Yellowstone isn’t in your budget, the next option is camping in the park. At $28 a night, you really can’t beat the price. We did it and had a great time…but we recognize that camping isn’t everyone’s idea of a fun time.
The next best choice is finding yourself a cozy home rental near Yellowstone. We like to use the service VRBO (Vacation Rentals By Owner) to find affordable clean homes.
With most home rentals having free parking, free wifi, a living room, a fully equipped kitchen, and a private room to call your own, the value of a VRBO can’t be compared to a hotel. I’ve compiled a list of the best Yellowstone VRBO’s that run the gamut from tiny homes to Instagram-worthy cabins. They range from affordable to luxury and are spread across the three best entrances to the park for outside lodging.
I’ve also included a mini-guide on the entrances to the park and the cities they are in so you can have a better understanding of the best places to stay outside Yellowstone.
Lastly, you’ll notice I have not included the prices of the home rentals. The reason is prices can dramatically change according to the season, and hosts will often offer last-minute discounts or raise prices to deal with demand. Rather than advertise false prices, I left the cost out. You can click through to the VRBO links I’ve provided to get the most accurate prices.
Want To Read More About Yellowstone?
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How to Get off the Beaten Path in Yellowstone
*This post may contain affiliate links, which means we might earn a small commission if you purchase from them. This is at no extra cost to you! We only recommend products and services we truly think are helpful.
WHICH ENTRANCE TO CHOOSE FOR YOUR YELLOWSTONE RENTAL HOME?
When choosing to go the Yellowstone VRBO route, you’ll need to have an understanding of the best town to stay in when visiting Yellowstone. Here’s a breakdown of the five entrances to the park and each city the entrance is in.
West Entrance (recommended)
The closest towns to the West Entrance are West Yellowstone, MT and Island Park, ID.
This is the most popular entrance and the best choice if staying outside of the park with plenty of restaurants, grocery stores, and gas stations to choose from. This is a great choice for it’s proximity to Old Faithful Geyser, Grand Prismatic, and other popular geothermal features of the park.
North Entrance (recommended)
The closest towns to the North Entrance are Gardiner, MT and Emmigrant, MT.
The North Entrance is a good location for visiting the Lamar Valley, Mammoth Hot Springs, and the Boiling River. It’s further from areas like Old Faithful and West Thumb Geyser Basin, but doable if you don’t mind a long drive. Gardiner is a cute, small town with grocery stores, a small selection of restaurants, and gas stations. It also has the advantage of getting a rental home that looks over the river.
Northeast Entrance
The closest town to the Northeast Entrance is Cooke City, MT.
With a population of just over 100 people, it offers a grocery store, restaurants, and a gas station. The NE entrance is great for its access to the Lamar Valley; however, it is far from everything else in the park. The distance compounded with the road from Tower Roosevelt to Canyon Village being closed till 2022 makes staying at this entrance a less than ideal choice. I would suggest staying nearing this entrance only if you are passionate about animal watching and want to be as close as possible to the Lamar Valley so you can get there before sunrise. It’s also a good choice if you’re visiting in the winter since the NE entrance stays open year round.
East Entrance
The closest town to the East Entrance is Cody, Wyoming.
We don’t suggest staying here simply because Cody is 53 miles from the entrance to the park. That means it will take you around two hours to get to the Grand Loop (the main road) of Yellowstone. While Cody, Wyoming is a cute town with some interesting sights, its distance makes it tough for anyone looking to go in and out of the park every day.
South Entrance
The closest town to the South Entrance is Jackson, Wyoming.
The South Entrance is the gateway to Grand Teton National Park. While 10 miles is all that separates the two parks, you would need to drive 55 miles through Grand Teton National Park to lodge in the hip city of Jackson, Wyoming. Because of traffic and length, staying outside the South Entrance is not recommended for anyone looking to visit the park every day.
WEST YELLOWSTONE VRBO SUGGESTIONS
We’ll start with VRBO’s in West Yellowstone since it offers the closest and easiest access to the West Yellowstone park entrance.
PREMIER YELLOWSTONE CABIN
If you’re looking for a big spacious cabin near Yellowstone National Park, this is the spot for you. Exuding all kinds of dreamy cabin vibes, this five-bedroom home is perfect for family travel or anyone visiting Yellowstone in a large group. With plenty of space to sprawl out and a gorgeous views of the mountains this is a type of VRBO you’ll want to relax in as well. With a kitchen designed for large family meals and a patio for enjoying, you’ll want to plan for a few memorable meals in this amazing vacation home.
VRBO Listing: Premier Yellowstone Cabin
Premier Host: Yes
Bedrooms: 5
Pets Allowed: No
Kids Allowed: Yes
Driving Distance to Yellowstone: 15 minutes
MAIN FAMILY HOUSE VRBO
This welcoming cabin comes with a full house and an adjacent guest house as part of the rental. Perfect for families traveling with teenagers or for groups traveling together who want the privacy of their own space. Located a short distance from the park entrance, this house offers a warm respite after dealing with the inevitable crowds and traffic of Yellowstone. The guest house is packed with fun games, including a Nintendo Wii, a ping pong table, basketball hoop, board games, and more.
VRBO Listing: Main Family House VRBO
Premier Host: Yes
Bedrooms: 3
Pets Allowed: No
Kids Allowed: Yes
Driving Distance to Yellowstone: 10 minutes
BURNT HOLE CABIN
Located five blocks from the West Entrance, this two-bedroom cabin is perfect for anyone who wants to be as close as possible. Cozy, comfortable, and a great value for what you get, this cabin rental is a great choice. It comes with a full kitchen, washer and dryer, and a fireplace that’s the perfect wind-down spot after a long day at Yellowstone.
VRBO Listing: Burnt Hole Cabin
Premier Host: Yes
Bedrooms: 2
Pets Allowed: No
Kids Allowed: Yes
Driving Distance to Yellowstone: 5 minutes
DENNY CREEK CABIN
If you’re looking for a clean, comfortable place to stay while you spend most of your day in Yellowstone, then this one-bedroom apartment located a short drive from the park is a perfect choice. With a full kitchen and a washer and dryer, the studio offers more than a standard hotel room. Perfect for a solo traveler or a couple looking to save money.
VRBO Listing: Denny Creek Cabin
Premier Host: Yes
Bedrooms: 1
Pets Allowed: No
Kids Allowed: Yes
Driving Distance to Yellowstone: 10 minutes
ISLAND PARK VRBO SUGGESTIONS
Island Park, Idaho is the town right next to West Yellowstone and is a little further out from the West Entrance, but offers great cabin rentals near Yellowstone that tend to be cheaper because of the further distance.
BIGHORN LODGE VRBO
This Yellowstone VRBO cabin is a luxurious getaway that’s perfect for large groups or families traveling together. With space to accommodate 16 guests, this inviting home begs you to sit back and relax with the people you love. With a private outdoor hot tub, a 1/2 acre of land, a fire pit, and an outdoor barbecue, it’ll be hard to leave the place! With amenities like binoculars, a camera, baby crib, games, and more, the Bighorn Lodge delivers a full-service experience.
VRBO Listing: Bighorn Lodge
Premier Host: Yes
Bedrooms: 4
Pets Allowed: No
Kids Allowed: Yes
Driving Distance to Yellowstone: 10 minutes
GARDINER VRBO SUGGESTIONS
Gardiner, Montana is the closest town from the North Entrance to Yellowstone. While further north, it has the advantage of having several vacation rentals that look over the Yellowstone River.
OVERLOOKING YELLOWSTONE RIVER VRBO
This amazing rental is all about the glorious 30-foot deck overlooking the Yellowstone River. While the inside is beautiful with updated, sleek decoration, it’s the opportunity to sit out on the deck and watch elk or moose grazing at the riverbed that makes this VRBO unbeatable. With the price being comparable to hotels in the national park – you can’t beat having two bedrooms, a kitchen, and a view in every room. The home is perfect for families traveling with older kids or a couple wanting a luxurious respite.
VRBO Listing: Overlooking Yellowstone River
Premier Host: Yes
Bedrooms: 2
Pets Allowed: No
Kids Allowed: No kids under 10
Driving Distance to Yellowstone: 5 minutes
YELLOWSTONE LODGE VRBO
The beautiful contemporary design makes this VRBO a standout choice. With a lofted bedroom and stellar views of the mountains, you can’t go wrong with this tastefully decorated home. Its short distance to Yellowstone’s entrance makes this a great choice for anyone who wants to go in and out of the park every day. If we hadn’t chosen to camp, I would’ve wanted to stay here!
VRBO Listing: Yellowstone Lodge
Premier Host: Yes
Bedrooms: 3
Pets Allowed: No
Kids Allowed: Yes
Driving Distance to Yellowstone: 2 minutes
ARCH VIEW STUDIO VRBO
If you want to stay near the North Entrance and your needs are simple- a comfortable and clean place to sleep after long days exploring Yellowstone, then this studio is the perfect fit. A mere two minute drive from the park makes this affordable studio a great fit for solo travelers or couples. With a mini-fridge and coffee maker, you can eat your own breakfast and prepare a picnic lunch before heading out to explore Yellowstone.
VRBO Listing: Arch View Studio
Premier Host: Yes
Bedrooms: 1
Pets Allowed: No
Kids Allowed: Yes
Driving Distance to Yellowstone: 2 minutes
EMMIGRANT VRBO RECOMMENDATIONS
Emmigrant, Montana is just a bit further from the North Entrance to Yellowstone than Gardiner, Montana and offers cheaper vacation rentals for travelers looking to save money. If you are interested in exploring beyond Yellowstone, Emmigrant is close to the hip tiny town of Livingston, Montana, and to the posh bigger city of Bozeman, Montana.
STONE HOME ON THE RIVER
This beautiful two bedroom stone home is a bit further away from the North Entrance, but its riverside location more than makes up for it. If you love to fly fish, this is the place for you! This is a great spot for a multi generation vacation or a couple looking to have privacy in a serene location.
VRBO Listing: Stone Home On The River
Premier host: Yes
Bedrooms: 2
Pets Allowed: No
Kids Allowed: Yes
Driving Distance to Yellowstone: 20 minutes
COOKE CITY-SILVER GATE VRBO RECOMMENDATIONS
MTNLUX REFUGE VRBO
While the Northeast Entrance is far from most of the park’s main highlights, this luxury chalet might convince you to stay there! With a hot tub, sauna, pool table, “heavenly” beds, and a decadent place to call your home, it would be hard to leave this beautiful place. Because of its sheer size and remoteness, this rental is perfect for a family gathering where just as much time will be spent hanging out in the home. If traveling in a large group, you can rent the other two adjacent properties.
*If you need something smaller, the adjacent properties come with fewer bedrooms.
VRBO Listing: MTNLUX Refuge
Premier Host: Yes
Bedrooms: 4
Pets Allowed: No
Kids Allowed: Yes
Driving Distance to Yellowstone: 4 minutes
That’s our collection of fabulous cabin rentals near Yellowstone.
We strongly advise you to book early. Yellowstone cabins tend to book out a year to six months in advance.
We hope you enjoy your visit to the first National Park in the US! Interested in more info on Yellowstone and how to plan a trip? Check out all our guides to Yellowstone here.
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