If planning a vacation to Yellowstone National Park, travelers will want to stay outside of the Park for the best deals. No matter where they choose to enter, the following budget accommodations will help ensure that a vacation to America's first National Park is as inexpensive as possible. Not all lodging is available year-round—so it is recommended to plan ahead. All prices correct as of early 2010.
In West Yellowstone, Montana visitors will want to try The Historic Madison Hotel. Built in 1912, the Madison has a rustic Western feel and, as the oldest hotel in West Yellowstone, it harkens back to the early days of park tourism. There's a hostel for $30 a night or rooms starting at $49 with a shared bath.
Travelers should also check out the Lazy G Motel. It offers free Wi-Fi and satellite TV in rooms that start at $61. Guests save more by doing their own cooking in a kitchenette room for an extra $15 a day for a two-day stay or $10 a day for stays longer than three days.
Historic Madison Hotel
139 Yellowstone Ave.
West Yellowstone, MT 59758
(406) 646-7745
madisonhotelmotel.com
Lazy G Motel
123 Hayden Street
West Yellowstone, MT 59758
(406) 646-7586
lazygmotel.com
In Gardiner, Montana visitors will find the Hillcrest Cottages. Updated cottages are priced based on the number of guests. The cost for a couple will run between $60 and $80 a day.
Thirty miles north of Gardiner in Pray, Montana is the Chico Hot Springs Resort and Day Spa. The resort offers accommodations for every price range but bargain rooms can be found in the Main Lodge starting at $49. This place is so nice guests may decide not to travel to Yellowstone at all.
Hillcrest Cottages
200 Scott Street
Gardiner, MT. 59030
(406) 848-7353
hillcrestcottages.com
Chico Hot Springs Resort and Day Spa
Chico Hot Springs Resort & Day Spa
Pray, MT 59065
(406) 333-4933
chicohotsprings.com
When visitors leave the Big Sky State, prices start climbing sky high. Jackson, Wyoming is a nice place to visit but to find a good deal on a room travelers will need to get out of town. Colter Bay Village in Grand Teton National Park offers the best deals. Colter Bay offers single tent cabins for $50 a day—or pay $10 more for a semi-private cabin. If visitors can bring their own tent, they can even stay at the campground for only $20.
Colter Bay Village
Colter bay on Jackson Lake
PO Box 240, WY 83013
(307) 543-3100
gtlc.com
Fifty miles east of Yellowstone National Park is the small town of Cody, Wyoming. Prices have been climbing there in recent years as tourists flock to the town for its Buffalo Bill heritage but bargains can still be had for patient travelers. Travelers should try to snag an Internet deal at the historic 1902 Irma Hotel or stay at the Cody Budget Host Inn for as little as $55 a day.
1902 Irma Hotel
1192 Sheridan Ave.
Cody, Wyoming 82104
(307) 587-4221
Cody Budget Host Inn
(800) BUD-HOST
budgethost.com
