The spectacular beauty of the Yellowstone River Valley and National Park is like no place else on earth. Here at the north entrance to the Park, the original gateway dedicated by Teddy Roosevelt in 1903, lies the historic town of Gardiner. Founded in 1883 when the Northern Pacific Railway extended a line to the new Park, Gardiner was then described by a traveling reporter as “… a picturesque burb of 200 hardy souls, with 6 restaurants, 1 billiard hall, 2 dance halls, 4 houses of ill-fame, 1 milkman and 21 saloons – the local favorite being Dr. Tippie’s, a neat and orderly establishment devoted to ameliorating the physical ills of mankind by dispensing invigorating liquors and soothing cigars. “
Today Gardiner remains a charming small town on the bank of the Yellowstone River, and the gateway to Yellowstone National Park, the world’s premier national park.
Absaroka Lodge
“… exceptionally clean … great size for a family …”
We stayed at the Absaroka Lodge in January 2005. We chose the suite which has a complete and exceptionally clean kitchen! Great size for a family. The bathrooms were nice and the sleeping area was clean.
Absaroka Lodge is located between the Yellowstone Mine (we usually eat dinner there once on every trip) and is within walking distance of the K-Bar (good pizza for Gardiner). Every room at the Absaroka Lodge has a balcony and below is the Yellowstone River. Room has phone/computer access. You can unload your photo cards filled with Yellowstone pictures! Front desk was great with taking messages and was very friendly!
I also suggest Sawtooth Deli and Restaurant for Lunch (they can make you sandwiches/soup to go). (Vicki from California and Montana)
“… nice … spacious … well-maintained … clean …”
Nice, and spacious. The property is well maintained, and clean. You sleep more or less above the river. (Willem from the Netherlands)
“… a little on the rustic side, but very clean … comfortable beds …”
I think this place is perfect for taking in the beauty of what Yellowstone is all about. The location is nestled in the mountains just outside the east entrance of the park in Wapiti. There is a nice little stream that flows to the left of the cabins. The cabins are a little on the rustic side, but are very clean with showers and comfortable beds. They have a small lodge with a nice kitchen, where I had some of the best meals around the park. The staff is courteous and always finding ways to make your trip more enjoyable. Plus the horseback riding is some of the best I have ever done. We saw a bear, mule deer and moose on our ride. I can’t state enough how great the location is for this place. Is great for families and couples. (A visitor from Cincinnati, Ohio)
“… the perfect base camp for our trip into the park daily …”
I will echo the good reviews of Absaroka Lodge in Gardiner, MT. This was the perfect base camp for our trip into the park daily. The rooms with the kitchens really come in handy for quick early breakfasts. Plus, they have ice machines for those of us who like to take coolers. Also, there is something soothing about falling asleep to the sound of a rushing river. It is a drive to the southern parts of the par, but this is great gateway to the northern parts. (A visitor from California)
“Convenient location … rooms clean …”
Convenient location in town for stocking up on provisions, rooms clean (and rather small) but not fancy. Some rooms have kitchenettes. Courtesy coffee at the front office, but only after 7:00 AM. (A repeat Park visitor)
Bear Lair Lodge
“The best place to stay by the North entrance.”
The Bear Lair Lodge in the Jardine/Gardiner/Mammoth area is awesome. Its out of Gardiner a few miles up in the trees and forest of Jardine, the best place to stay by the North entrance. (A local)
Best Western
“… ask for the River View rooms …”
I have stayed at the Best Western in Gardiner a couple of times and don’t have any complaints about it. I always like to ask for the River View rooms (think that’s what they call them) as they are right on the Yellowstone River. I like to get up first in the morning so that I have plenty of time to watch all the elk that are on the hill across the river in the spring.
(Allen from Kentucky)
Montana Buffalo Ranch
“We definitely want to stay there again …”
We just returned from a week at Montana Buffalo Ranch–it was great! … The road to the cabin is dirt and pretty rough at the bottom where they have graded it into a washboard, but not really a problem if you’re used to dirt roads.
We loved the solitude and the beauty. The stars at night were amazing. Although Tami said there were grizzly bears, wolves, and coyotes around the cabin, we only saw the coyotes. There were cats and dogs, which were a lot of fun, and horses in the field. We definitely want to stay there again, if possible.
There are actually two cabins. One small and one larger. We stayed in the larger of the two and it was really nice. Very well furnished. Note: bring clothes hangers; there are no closets, just hooks.
(A visitor)
Motel 6
“… the Motel 6 probably has the best view of all …”
… the Motel 6 probably has the best view of all [the hotels in Gardiner]. It is a little higher than the others and every room faces Electric Peak with an unobstructed view. No rude surprises. (Bill, a photographer from Montana)
Riverside Cottages
“… one of the smaller, more personable places …”
I have made it a point to stay at the Riverside Cottages in Gardiner, when I visit Yellowstone. It is one of the smaller more personable places to stay where you have a choice of cabins, motel style rooms, and even a couple of larger suites for bigger groups. Cabins have kitchenettes in them, so you can make your own meals, and pack your lunch into the park, greatly curbing the cost of meals in the park and resturaunts. The place has always been clean, and Tom the owner, is a top notch person, who strives to offer a great place to stay.
If you are a bit sore after a day of hiking or walking the geyser trails, a hot tub awaits you by the river’s edge. There is also an outdoor table by the river, where you can just simply sit back, and watch the waning evening light fade in the valley, while the river burbles below you. To me, the experience is far better here, than staying at one of the chain hotels along the main drag, and I get to help keep a small business owner in action, instead of feeding another corporate lodging chain. (Frequent visitor from Texas)
Super 8
“… acceptable and reasonably priced”
The Super8 in Gardiner was acceptable and reasonably priced. The front desk staff are nothing short of hostile, but the room was fine as long as you kept the windows closed so you could not hear the road that you are beside. This motel now has in-room coffee. (A visitor from Maryland)
“free wifi and clean rooms”
perfectly fine–not posh, but free wifi and clean rooms. (A visitor)
“very clean … nice, indoor pool”
Rooms were the “usual motel room”, but ours was kept very clean & no problems. Found the staff to be very friendly, courteous, etc. Nice, indoor pool (but who comes to Yellowstone to swim??!!) for those w/ youngsters. Also, guest laundry & internet as someone else mentioned. Basic “motel breakfast”; area always clean, etc. & items replenished quickly. One thing – they had the best, thick-sliced raisin bread I’ve ever tasted!! (Sue from Pennsylvania)
Yellowstone Basin Inn
“Nice, clean, newer, large rooms”
Nice, clean, newer, large rooms. The kids appreciated the TV while I sat on the lovely porch and relaxed with a book in the evening. It felt so good to not be squished together after 6 nights at the other places. Full kitchen in the “Montana Suite”, hot tub. Of course, not as convenient as in the park.
(Vicki from California and Montana)
“beautiful room … owners are really nice”
A B&B about 5 mi north of Gardiner – beautiful room that seemed brand new (but wasn’t), the owners are really nice and helpful with trip planning, and a nice setting up on a hill. No breakfast or meals in the off season, but it has a kitchen.
(A visitor)
Yellowstone Travelodge
“Great rooms, very clean”
Very Friendly, Great Rooms, Very Clean, they always ask for suggestions on how to make the stay better.
(Rob from Utah)
“impressive”
Impressive … I have no reservations about recommending the place on general maintenance, cleanliness. Not sure how it compares price wise.
(A visitor)
Yellowstone Village Inn
“The kids were very happy here.”
The kids were very happy here (only place w/tv this trip!) and everything was very nice except for very uncomfortable roll away bed. Son slept on floor instead of using it-no biggie we didn’t complain so probably unfair to mention it. I imagine management would have responded; they seemed very nice. Pool was lovely. We were only ones using it. Decor was cute. Our room had a train theme, and hallways have lots of cool old yellowstone photographs and prints. Used laundry and everything worked. Continental breakfast included. (A visitor from Ohio)