
Absaroka Lodge sits along the Yellowstone River with a no-frills vibe. Clean rooms, free Wi-Fi, and free parking are the baseline. This is value-first living—great for park days and a tight budget. We take those.
Grab coffee in town, then head to the North Entrance. Drive time around 12-15 minutes. Leave by 6:45 to beat crowds.
✅ BOOK IF: You want a simple base with river views near Yellowstone. ❌ SKIP IF: You demand luxury or a glossy lobby.
River views from river-facing rooms, Yellowstone River backdrop
Motel-style lodgings
Not ideal for guests with mobility issues due to no elevator; good option for families seeking river views and budget-friendly stay
Look, it's not a resort. It's a budget motel with river-view rooms. It's clean, practical, and cheap enough to fuel your park adventures. If you want luxury, go elsewhere.
✅ BOOK IF: You want a simple base with river views near Yellowstone. ❌ SKIP IF: You demand luxury or a glossy lobby.
Book early in peak season; river-view rooms sell out. If you want quiet, ask for a room away from the river.
River-view budget motel near Yellowstone. Clean and practical with free Wi-Fi and parking. Not luxury, but solid value for a park-based stay.
Not available
No on-site restaurant; no room service; breakfast not included; nearby dining within walking distance (e.g., Subway).
Standard 24-48 hour window. Call to confirm.
Pets are not allowed. A $200 fee will be charged if the no-pet policy is violated.
Free on-site parking; easy access to rooms near the river.
To Park Center
5 minutes by car;
To Nearest Town
Gardiner, Montana
No shuttle service on-site or official park shuttle stop mentioned.
Gift shops, Grocery stores, Restaurants, Roosevelt Arch
Based on 436 Google reviews
Based on 436 guest reviews
" River-view budget motel near Yellowstone. Clean and practical with free Wi-Fi and parking. Not luxury, but solid value for a park-based stay."
Amy
Pros: Proximity to Mammoth and Yellowstone is great, easy walking to food and gift shops, elk in the parking lot, balcony with seating, clean and it was quiet for our stay. We spent little time in our room and mainly just slept there. If you just need a quit spot to squat then this might be for you.Cons: Parking was tight, stairs, accessability was lacking, no frills. There was internet, hot water and a clean bed. There's no breakfast, pool, gym or elevator. Our neighbors were on their balconies a lot. There's next to no privacy on the balconies and they could see in our room if the blinds are open and we wanted them open because the view of the river. Staff was uninspired to put it nicely.Gardiner is a sweet little entrance town with some tourist shops and places to eat.
Kevin Hiep
The rooms are right on the river. You have an incredible view of the mountains of Yellowstone and the Yellowstone River down below. Walk across the bridge to the shops and restaurants. Keep an eye out for the wildlife (dear) that roam the property of the hotel. Parking right in front of the room. Free window wash outside and ice machines.
Luke Bollinger
Absaroka Lodge was exactly what we needed for our trip to Yellowstone—comfortable, quiet, and perfectly located. It’s right by the north entrance to the park, which made getting in and out super easy every day. Plus, it’s right in Gardiner, so you can walk to shops, restaurants, and everything else you might need.The view from our room was unreal—we looked straight out over the Yellowstone River with Electric Peak in the distance. Waking up to that each morning was something I won’t forget.The rooms were really clean, well taken care of, and had everything we needed. Nothing fancy, but it all felt solid and well maintained. And the staff were great—just nice, welcoming people who made check-in easy and gave us great local tips.If you’re looking for a no-stress, peaceful base camp for exploring Yellowstone, this is it. Great value, incredible view, and just a good place to come back to after a long day in the park.
Showing 3 of 436 reviews
Yes, it gives you river views and free Wi-Fi for a budget base.
It's in Gardiner with quick access to Yellowstone's North Entrance; plan for a short drive.
Parking is on-site and free; you can park near your room for easy unpacking.
Check-in times are standard but confirm at booking; rooms are generally ready in the afternoon.
Breakfast details aren’t listed; plan to eat outside the property.
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