TL;DR Don't have time to read the full article? Here are my top finds:
🏨Hotels and Vacation Rentals
📍Tours
🐻 Save time! Buy your National Park Pass before your trip
Lake Lodge Cabins at Yellowstone National Park
Picture yourself sitting in a rocking chair on an expansive lodge porch after a full day of exploring Yellowstone. You see Lake Yellowstone in the distance, the sun setting, and bison and elk grazing. This is your evening routine at Lake Lodge Cabins.
This is what staying in the Lake Lodge Cabins makes possible and it's impossible from any hotel 60+ miles from the heart of the park.
What makes staying in the Lake Lodge Cabins special is staying 15 minutes from Hayden Valley, the "Heart of Yellowstone," where wildlife encounters aren't occasional, they're daily.
The amount of bison and elk around this area is ridiculous. I'm not exaggerating, I've seen an abundance of wildlife in this area during every single stay.
What We Loved
Staying in this area of the park feels like you are staying in a wildlife theater. We saw bison and elk daily, sometimes right outside my cabin. We even seen wolves in Haden Valley!
We cherished the quiet and peaceful nights. There's something special about being somewhere where you don't hear the sounds of everyday life, especially when you look up into the sky and see more stars than you can count. These are the moments my mind begins to calm down from a world of constant inputs and diversions and begin to reconnect with nature.
Overall Rating
I would rate the Lake Lodge Cabins a 4.5 of 5 stars.
Sure you can find a hotel with all of life's amenities like TV's, kitchens, air conditioning, high end appliances, etc. but then you are really missing the whole experience of going to Yellowstone.
My only deductions are for the sparse electrical outlets and the beds are on the firm side with limited pillows.
From my years of being a park ranger, I would always tell people that a year from now nobody will remember what was on TV that night, but the experiences in nature last for years!
Room Types and Amenities
The Lake Lodge is located on the shores of Lake Yellowstone and has 186 cabins with three different room types. 66 of the 186 historic cabins were refurbished in 2023.
There are 10 ADA-accessible cabins available, however the main lodge and cafeteria may require assistance for wheelchair users as there are no curb cuts.
The Lake Lodge and cabins are a non-smoking, non-vaping facility and cooking is not allowed in the cabins.
Western Cabins
Western Cabins come with 2 Queen sized beds, a shared porch, full bathroom, heat, coffee maker, hair dryer, alarm clock, and a fan.
Rooms do not have air conditioning, TV, telephone, or radio. Select cabins are pet friendly.
Frontier Cabins
Frontier Cabins have one or two double beds (full size), full bathroom with shower only, heat, coffee maker, hair dryer, alarm clock, and fan.
Pioneer Cabins
Pioneer Cabins are the most rustic and simple cabins available. The Pioneer Cabins have one or two double beds (full size), bathroom with only a shower, and heat.
Cabins do not have air conditioning, TV, alarm clock, telephone, radio, coffee maker. No pets allowed and no cooking is allowed either.
Lodge Amenities
- Free self-parking
- Restaurant and lounge on-site
- shopping on-site
- Laundromat
- Ice/vending
- Main lodge with large porch offering spectacular rocking chair view of Lake Yellowstone
- Beautiful lobby with two fireplaces
What's not included
- No internet service
- No air conditioning, this is okay, as the average high does not reach above 70 degrees except for July and August. July and August have an average high temperature of 79 Degrees and the temperature cools off quickly at night. The lodge sits at 8,000 feet in elevation!
- No TV
- No Radio
Lake Lodge Cabin Map
My Experience staying Cabin #A03 a 2 Queen Bed Western Cabin
We have stayed at Lake Lodge Cabins on several occasions and love them! They are perfect for people who end up spending all day exploring the park and getting in touch with nature without paying the price for a historic lodge like The Old Faithful Inn.
The amount of elk and bison we saw surrounding this area was ridiculous! I could just sit out on that porch all day
On our last trip, we stayed in cabin #A03, a Western Cabin with 2 queen beds, a shared nightstand, a larger dining/work table, and a dresser with a private bathroom.
I feel these cabins are perfect for exploring the eastern portion of Yellowstone including the West Thumb Geyser Basin, Hayden Valley, and Yellowstone Lake.
I will say that the bed mattresses are very firm. They had two small pillows for each bed so if you are someone who loves pillows you may need to request more or bring your own pillow.
We were there in mid-July and there is no air conditioning in the cabins, but there is a fan. We were able to open the window and sliding glass door before we went to bed to get some cross ventilation with a plug-in fan to cool the cabin down.
We did find the sliding glass door was unlocked when we first got to the cabin. This is well worth checking before you leave any gear or your stuff in the cabin and head out to explore.
Overnight the cabin was really quiet and peaceful. When I got up in the middle of the night you could see hundreds of stars glowing.
The bathroom has a deep tub with a shower and toilet. The sink is just outside the bathroom near the main room. The shower had amazing water pressure!
The tub is fairly deep so if you have any knee or mobility restrictions it may be hard to step up into.
One tip is to not judge the cabins by how they look on the outside. The grounds appear a bit worn and the roads have several potholes.
There are very few electrical outlets in the room so you may want a charging bar especially if you need to charge multiple camera batteries or phones.
Book Your Lake Lodge Cabin Now
Dining Options
Wylie's Canteen
- Season: Early June through early October
- Operating Dates: Exact dates change by year
- Serves: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner
- Dress Code: Casual
- Reservations: First-come, First-served.
Wylie's Canteen offers American fare like breakfast burritos, oatmeal, yogurt, and English muffin sandwiches for breakfast and hamburgers, Bison dogs, and salads for lunch and dinner.
We stopped in for both breakfast and dinner. I had the Sausage, egg & cheese on English muffin for breakfast and was good and filling. Perfect for a full day out exploring the park.
In the evening I had the Wylie's Beef Burger and was pleased again. Wylie's is very casual, you wait in line and order what you want. I really like this for breakfast as I was able to get it to go and ate in the car while heading to Hayden Valley.
Practical Information
Check-in Time - 4 pm
Check out Time - 11 am
Accessibility - 10 ADA rooms are available (Call 307-344-7311 to request an ADA unit)
Smoking - All rooms and facilities at Yellowstone National Park are non-smoking.
Cooking is prohibited in all accommodations.
Wifi - Wifi, Internet, and cell service in Yellowstone are limited or nonexistent.
Televisions, microwaves, radios, rollaway beds, swimming pools, and air conditioners are not available.
GPS Coordinates - 44.5550856, -110.3957481
Address - 459 Lake Village Rd, Yellowstone National Park, WY 82190
Closest Airports
(JAC) Jackson Hole Airport is 2.5 hours, and 60 miles south. Airlines that provide year-round service include Alaska, American, Delta, and United.
(BZN) Bozeman Yellowstone International Airport is 2.5 hours, 90 miles North with year round service from Alaska, American, Delta, and Southwest. Seasonal service from Allegiant, Frontier, JetBlue, and Sun Country.
Weather by Season
June (Early Season)
- Highs: 60-70°F
- Lows: 35-45°F
- Expect cool mornings, warmer afternoons, and possible snow
July and August (Peak Season)
- Highs: 70-80°F
- Lows: 40-50°F
- Warmest months
- Potential afternoon thunderstorms
September (Shoulder)
- Highs: 55-70°F
- Lows: 30-45°F
- Cooler temperatures, and amazing wildlife activity.
Yellowstone National Park Tours and Activities
Ultimate Audio Tours: Yellowstone, Glacier, Grand Teton, & Banff
⭐️ Rating: 4.8 out of 5 Stars | ⏳ Tour Length: 2 Days | 🔊Check Rates and Availability
Embark on a wonderous journey through Yellowstone, Grand Teton, Glacier, and Banff, where mother nature's beauty is on full display. Gaze up at the Grand Teton's majestic snow-capped peaks, witness Yellowstone's explosive geysers, experience Glacier's ancient ice formations, and visit Banff's famous hot springs. This bundle is of self-guided driving tours has it all!
4-Hour Morning Kayak on Yellowstone Lake with Lunch
⭐️ Rating: 5 out of 5 Stars | ⏳ Tour Length: 4 hours | 🛶Check Rates and Availability
Admire the tree-fringed banks, beaches, and thermal pools of Yellowstone Lake from the water on this morning tour.
After a kayak lesson and time to familiarize yourself with your kayak, set out to explore the West Thumb with your guide. You will paddle for approximately two miles along the West Thumb Geyser Basin as you look for elk and bear along the lakeshore and marvel at the steaming geysers in this incredible area of the park!
Kayak Day Paddle on Yellowstone Lake
⭐️ Rating: 4.8 out of 5 Stars | ⏳ Tour Length: 5 hours | 🛶Check Rates and Availability
Explore the rocky shores and tranquil waters of Yellowstone Lake on a half-day kayak tour with a professional guide. Climb into either a single or double kayak and then set out to discover the beauty of Yellowstone Lake at a relaxed pace. Paddle beside the West Thumb Geyser Basin to see incredible geothermal features, and enjoy a delicious picnic lunch. No previous kayaking experience is necessary.
Grand Canyon of Yellowstone Hiking Adventure Full Day with Lunch
⭐️ Rating: 5 out of 5 Stars | ⏳ Tour Length: 6 hours | 🥾Check Rates and Availability
Step away from the crowds and experience the Grand Canyon of the Yellowstone like never before on this guided small-group hike. Led by a professional naturalist guide, the adventure takes you along the South Rim Trail, offering breathtaking views of the canyon's towering rock walls, thundering waterfalls, and diverse landscapes.
Click here to find more great Yellowstone National Park Tours.
Nearby Yellowstone Attractions
- Yellowstone Lake - It is hard to believe that Yellowstone Lake covers 131.7 square miles and has 141 miles of shoreline.
- Old Faithful - Old Faithful is one of the big icons of Yellowstone National Park.
- Mud Volcano - Just up the road from West Thumb this is a great thermal area that has a really nice trail around it.
- Hayden Valley - Explore one of the best places in Yellowstone to see wildlife.
- Black Sand Basin - This is a great boardwalk trail through a thermal area near Old Faithful.
- Biscuit Basin - 3 miles north of Old Faithful this geyser basin includes Jewel Geyser, Mustard Spring, Black Opal, and Sapphire Pools.
- Grand Canyon of Yellowstone - See the largest waterfall in Yellowstone.
- Yellowstone Waterfalls - There are a couple of great waterfalls near the Mud Volcano area.
- Grand Teton National Park - From this part of Yellowstone, it is a fairly quick drive to the south entrance of Yellowstone and on to Grand Teton.
🏨Ready to Book the Lake Lodge Cabins -> Click Here
What if The Lake Lodge Cabins are Already Booked?
The Lake Lodge Cabins are extremely popular and can book out 6-13 months in advance in the peak season. If your dates are sold out, here is my three closest lodging options:
⭐️ 3.9 of 5 Stars - Canyon Lodge & Cabins - Click here for Rates and Availability.
The lodge went through one of the largest sustainable redevelopment projects in the national parks in 2016 and is located minutes from the Grand Canyon of the Yellowstone
There are several dining options, a visitor center, gift shop, and close to the Grand Canyon of the Yellowstone, Yellowstone Falls, Hayden Valley, and Norris Geyser Basin.
⭐️ 3.9 of 5 Stars - Lake Yellowstone Hotel & Cabins - Click here for Rates and Availability.
Get swept away by the charm and timeless elegance, with stunning lake views in Yellowstone's oldest hotel.
It is also close to Hayden Valley, the Grand Canyon of the Yellowstone, and Yellowstone Falls. lodge that has hotel room-style and cabin accommodations.
⭐️ 3.0 of 5 Stars - Grant Village Lodge - Click here for Rates and Availability.
Grant Village Lodge is a great budget friendly lodge and is only 22 miles away from the Old Faithful area, the closest lodge to the West Thumb Geyser Basin and Grand Teton National Park, and the dining room has an EPIC view of Lake Yellowstone!
Yellowstone National Park Lodges are extremely popular and do fill up. If you were unable to get in one of these lodges, make sure to check out my Yellowstone National Park Lodging Guide for a breakdown of all eight Yellowstone National Park Lodges, or click on the map below to see additional hotels and vacation rentals near Yellowstone NP.
https://www.stay22.com/embed/695d464cbc8f98c47316e93fBook your Lake Lodge Cabin before they fill
After multiple stays at Lake Lodge Cabins, I can comfortably say this is one of Yellowstone's best lodges for sitting around and watching wildlife. Here is what you get staying here:
Legendary Porch Experience
Those rocking chairs overlooking Yellowstone Lake? They're not just there for photos though everyone takes them. They're for morning coffee with elk grazing in view, evening wildlife watching, and star filled nights that remind you why you came to Yellowstone.
Yellowstone's Premier Wildlife Theater
The amount of elk and bison we saw around the Lake Lodge isn't normal, it's RIDICULOUS! While most visitors are driving around searching for wildlife, you get to watch from your cabin or lodge porch!
The Booking Reality
The Lake Lodge's 186 cabins can fill up months in advance, especially in July and August.
If you're reading this thinking "I'll book next week," there's a good chance your preferred dates and cabin type will be gone, especially summer weekends.
Check Lake Lodge Cabin Availability Now
Can't Get Your Exact Dates?
Try booking in the shoulder season (June or September).
The moment you're sitting in those rocking chairs watching the elk and bison walk by or watching what seems like an endless amount of stars at night, you'll understand why we keep coming back.
The wildlife show is waiting, don't miss your front row seat.
Yellowstone National Park Entrance Fee
New in 2026: Each Non-US Resident aged 16 and older visiting Yellowstone National Park must pay a $100 nonresident fee (in addition to the standard entrance fee), unless admitted with an annual or America the Beautiful Pass. This includes nonresidents entering as part of a commercial tour group, commercial use authorization (CUA) group, or concessioner tour group.
Park entrance fees are separate from camping and lodging fees.
Park Entrance Pass - $35.00 Per private vehicle (valid for 1-7 days from the date of purchase)
Park Entrance Pass - Motorcycle - $30.00 Per motorcycle (valid for 1-7 days from the date of purchase)
Park Entrance Pass - Snowmobile - $30.00 Entry for one driver and one passenger (valid for 1-7 days from the date of purchase)
Per-Person Entrance Pass - $20.00 Visitors 16 years or older who enter on foot, bicycle, or as part of an organized group not involved in a commercial tour.
Annual Park Entrance Pass - $70.00, Admits pass holder and all passengers in a non-commercial vehicle. Valid for one year from the month of purchase.
$20.00 for Non-Commercial Group (16+ persons)
$20.00 for Commercial Sedan with 1-6 seats and non-commercial groups (16+ persons) ($25.00 plus $20.00 per person)
$125.00 for Commercial Van with 7-15 seats
$200.00 for Commercial Mini-Bus with 16-25 seats
$300.00 for Commercial Motor Coach with 26+ seats
Learn more about National Park Passes for parks that have an entrance fee.
$80.00 - For the America the Beautiful/National Park Pass. The pass covers entrance fees to all US National Park Sites and over 2,000 Federal Recreation Fee Sites for an entire year and covers everyone in the car for per-vehicle sites and up to 4 adults for per-person sites.
Buy your pass at this link, and REI will donate 10% of pass proceeds to the National Forest Foundation, National Park Foundation, and the U.S. Endowment for Forestry & Communities.
National Park Free Entrance Days -Mark your calendars with the free entrance days the National Park Service offers for US citizens and residents.
Additional Yellowstone National Park Resources
Yellowstone Lodging Guide -Check out all of the lodges you can stay in while visiting Yellowstone NP.
Yellowstone Camping Guide - Check out all of the campgrounds available within the park.
Things to do Yellowstone - Check out all of the top things to do in the park.
Yellowstone Facts - Learn more about the unique features in Yellowstone.
Free National Park Days - Check out all of the days the National Park Service waives park entrance fees.
National Parks in Wyoming - Check out all of the parks you can visit while in Wyoming.
Grand Teton National Park- Great info for planning your trip to the park.
Check out all of the Wyoming National Parks along with neighboring National Parks in Utah, National Parks in South Dakota, National Parks in Nebraska, National Parks in Montana, Idaho National Parks, and Colorado National Parks.
Make sure to follow Park Ranger John on Facebook, Instagram, Pinterest, and TikTok
Leave a Reply