Yellowstone River Motel

I have to say, after 3 days in the Tetons, 1 day in West Yellowstone, and 1 night in Cooke C (NE Yellowstone), this was by far the best stay we have had! My 2 daughters and I are staying in a cozy 2br and it is perfect. I love that they have their own space and so do I. The back patio is amazing. It has a beautiful view of the Yellowstone River and plenty of wildlife to watch. They also provided everything we needed to make an amazing dinner on their grills. Literally anything you could want/need is within walking distance. Grocery, laundry, shops, ice cream....anything! This town is so cute! Not to mention, the owners were so sweet and helpful. I would definitely recommend this hotel to anyone visiting the park or just passing through! Our stay was nothing short of amazing!

I absolutely loved our stay at the Yellowstone River motel. The rooms are a cool vintage motel vibe. Beds comfortable. Bathroom clean. They made our beds and replaced towels every day! It was wonderful to come back to after a long day at Yellowstone NP. The location is right outside of the north gate...you could walk to the Roosevelt Arch!! Restaurants are a block and a half away. The river area in the back was so nice after dinner. You will hear car noise in the morning but that was my notice to get my butt to the park. There was coffee at the office at 0730. I didn't bother with the room coffee maker. Staff were awesome. If you're not pretentious, this is one of the best deals around Yellowstone. I would absolutely stay here again.

My family stayed here for a week and it was perfect! The restaurants and shops were all a short beautiful walk away from the motel. The price is reasonable the rooms were so clean. And the views!!!! I will definitely recommend to friends and I can't wait to plan our next Yellowstone visit and stay here again.

This was our second stay at Yellowstone River Motel and probably won't be our last! We booked 6 months in advance and had to make changes to out reservation twice, Chelsea was extremely patient and helpful. Our room was ‘vintage’ and cozy but you could eat off the floors. The corners has zero dust or grime in them. Everything was spotless. They helped us with an extension cord, charcoal for grilling and answered questions about the area. The motel is in walking distance to shops and restaurants and withing 5 minutes from the North Gate of Yellowstone.

Room was clean and bed comfy. The outside area over the river is very small so no privacy to wind down with a partner. There were so many bugs flying around the outdoor lights outside our door that we didn’t even attempt to go out after dark and enjoy the big Montana sky. Convenient to Yellowstone.

Very good place to stay. Great value. We came out of Yellowstone NP to a very comfortable night. Staff is nice and welcoming. They gave us great tips to navigate the area. The food recommendations were on point. We appreciated the complimentary coffee in the morning.

The rooms are clean. The staff are extremely friendly. It's literally around the corner from the North entrance to Yellowstone. What else could you ask for? You even get a real key! I haven't had a real key at a hotel in ages! Loved this place

We had an amazing stay here! The owners/employees were all super friendly and helpful, the location is amazing and walking to distance to a lot of places in town/right around the corner of the north entrance to Yellowstone, the rooms had plenty of room and were really clean, pricing was good and we loved that it had a back patio area facing the river! Also was a huge bonus that we were able to have our pet stay with us there. I would 100% stay here again and would recommend it to everyone 🙂

Great motel at the entrance to Yellowstone. Some rooms are original--cozy & charming. Others are newer and larger with more modern showers. Either way, they are comfy and clean. Parking is convenient. There is a grassy lawn with chairs and grills in the back overlooking the river. It is quiet and perfect for breakfast, coffee, or dinner. Easy walk to town and across the bridge to the grocery store and rafting outfitters. Super friendly and helpful staff. We enjoyed our stay very much.

It was easy to book over the phone, staff was friendly, the rooms were great. And the location! A short walk from numerous businesses in town and the national park entrance sign. Only thing that would have made it better was slightly better blackout curtains! Heartily recommend the Yellowstone River Motel to anyone heading into/out of Yellowstone via the north entrance.

Modest, super clean, budget-friendly, serene, and complete with wonderful service. This place was great. They have an older section and a "newer" section, although the new section isn't exactly new. I love mom and pop motels if they're clean, comfortable, and not shady-looking. In fact, I prefer them on road trips. This one met all of our requirements. We were only here for one night, while trying to do the north end of the park. Gardiner is such a great location and this motel has a great location in town. Yellowstone River Motel has great reviews and that's why we chose it, along with the great rates. We didn't even spend ten hours here, so spending a lot on a room would've been a waste for us. We called ahead the day before and got the last room available, and this was during the off-season. This is a testament to what they provide for the price. Our room was super clean. We stayed in the newer section. It was a bit dated, but that never bothers me much, unless I'm spending a week somewhere. The bed was comfortable and the shower was hot with good pressure. The best part of this place is out back; they have tables and chairs and a great view of the Yellowstone River. We sat out back and watched deer and elk come to water at sunset. Wildlife spotting made him happy, and I was just content to sit and relax and enjoy watching the river. They even have grills out back for cooking if you're so inclined. I'd stay here again without a doubt, especially considering that the rates were so good. I wouldn't care what section either. They also give a AAA discount. It's a great place in its category and price point.

Kind owners/staff, clean, very inexpensive. After the floods in Gardiner my wife and I visit often on the way to shopping etc. we enjoy staying here.

I'm almost afraid to say how reasonably priced, comfortable, clean, and convenient this place is for fear it'll be nearly impossible to get a reservation when I want to return. Darlene who took my first (and second) phone calls regarding reservations and Chelsea who checked us in were top notch-- thorough, personable, patient, giving of needed suggestions regarding the area and restaurants. If I'm ever in the area again (hope to be), the Yellowstone River Motel will be my first lodging choice.

I booked my room a few months in advance--but at the last minute for a weekend room, outside Yellowstone, in the summer--and they were able to take me! They were very kind about it, too. (I found the Motel in a AAA Guide--the website is a little dated, but up-to-date, so who cares?) I arrived late in the evening (some hiccups along the way) but checked in at the end of the night anyway. The man was friendly, kind, patient, and helpful. The rooms aren't *brand new* but they were clean, well-lit, and I was very, very happy here. The beds were comfortable and I slept very well! (I ended up in a two-bed and I liked that the beds were positioned in a way that they weren't next to each other.) I slept with my windows open so I could enjoy the crisp air and hear the river. I didn't spent a lot of time on the patio but it's more charming than I could have imagined. I am DEFINITELY coming back next summer. We'll probably have a cookout when we return.

Friendly staff, clean rooms, great price with great views of the river from the group patio area. Very charming older section and more spacious newer section. We stayed one night on the way out of the park to freshen up after camping.

This is a nice older motel. It's obvious that the owners operate it and care for it. Unfortunately this works for and against. The bath towels were thin, there was no coffee maker in the room and we had 2 flat pillows on the bed (only 2) but it was very Clean, convenient, updated. I read where someone complained about the gravel parking lot, it's not an issue if you can walk. The price was reasonable for the area and time that we were there (late Sept 2019). They had nice Weber grills in the courtyard available if needed and a view of the river. Would I stay here again, yes. Also, it is directly across from the north entrance to the park which is very convenient.

This was a great little motel we stayed at while we were visiting the park. Had a lovely little patio out back looking over the river, and at night the elk came out and lounged across the river bank. The staff is nice and very helpful, willing to bend over backwards. Very well priced, and the fridge is bigger than other places we've stayed at. Having satellite TV was a nice plus to have at night after spending the day in the park. The only con I can think is that the rooms are outdated- but that's it. I would have absolutely no problem staying there again. Right NEXT to the park entrance, and within a short walking distance to shops and restaurants. Plus has access to the river to watch the white water rafters embark and go.

My wife and I had a great time at this hotel. It was a very comfortable and clean. We had a great balcony on the river. Easy access to a Yellowstone park entrance. We really enjoyed riding bicycles around town! We intend to come back with our grandchildren in the future. Mike & Marilyn Williams

In my experience, motels have always been a "cheap" place to stay. They are generally not as nice as a "hotel". Motels have exterior room access, while hotels have interior room access. IMO, motels, like "Motel 6" have brought down the image of the original motels. The Yellowstone River Motel is, IMO, a motel in the classic mold. It has the classic motel characteristics (exterior room access, reasonable pricing, etc). But you get a very nice room and outstanding customer service. Perhaps it is a rural Montana thing, but regardless of the reason, the desk people were unfailingly polite and helpful. If you are looking for a reasonably priced hotel/motel in the North entrance to Yellowstone area, I HIGHLY recommend the Yellowstone River Motel!

Wonderful stay. Rooms are super clean and beds were comfortable. Staff was very friendly and efficient. Room had fridge and microwave and they provide charcoal/fuel and cooking/eating utensils if needed. Have read and coffee in the office. Will definitely stay here again. And two great dogs!

Not a bad place to stay in Gardiner. It's clean, simple, out of the way, and relatively affordable! About as close as you can get to the north entrance of Yellowstone as well.

Friendly staff, clean room, fridge, microwave, and everything else we needed for our stay. Walking distance to bars, restaurants, shopping, and adventure companies.

Cons: Hotel was dated and room was very small. We had 1 queen bed with a refrigerator and microwave. Rooms could definitely use updating. There were only 2 pillows on our bed and they were both flat, barely supporting our heads. No breakfast was offered. Pros: Location was great, right on the Yellowstone River and close to downtown. Lots of restaurants within walking distance. Owner was a very nice man. Room was very clean and bed was comfortable. The tiny a/c window unit in our bathroom eventually cooled off our room nicely once we turned on the ceiling fan over the bed.

Very clean and affordable. The owners and staff are friendly. We stayed in the older section which is definitely dated but very comfortable. The prize is the "patio". It's a little piece of paradise - lawn, flowers and a gorgeous view of the river. One could sit there for hours in the quiet and not know there was a bustling little town and highway a block away.

Clean, quiet motel that accommodated all of our needs! The staff was so kind and helpful. Very inexpensive for a motel so near the park's entrance, and the rooms are lovely. I recommend staying here!

if i could give this motel a zero i would. please be aware that there is a newer and older section of this motel. when i confirmed the reservation i was asked one bed or two? we only needed one bed so we were placed in the older rooms. they are very dated with no upgrades. we had no problem until our second night. we had the a/c on high which is located in the bathroom, very limited cooling in our room. when we got back to our room the a/c condensation dripped into my toiletries bag and the bathroom counter and floor was wet. i also noticed a sizable number of gnats around our lights. no problem we cleaned that up and fell asleep exhausted. the next morning i got up to shower and the inside of the shower was loaded with gnats. i was so creeped out i told my husband i couldn't shower and wanted to leave. here's the problem, i attempted to discuss this with a kind worker and he responded that it's expected their and i probably left my door open, he didn't offer any assistance. i went to the office to check out and explain my concerns. i asked for a adjustment on my bill. the women checking us out explained she had already checked us out without my approval and she couldn't help us. i apologized for my frustration and returned a half hour later to speak to the manager, the manager chelsea was probably the rudest person i've ever met. she minimized my concerns blamed me that i left the door open which i did not. we were gone for 12 hours and the doors were locked. she also said the a/c shouldn't be run on high. again pointed the finger at me. maybe they should screen the doors to prevent gnats and provide a better a/c other than in the bathroom. she said i must have had heat exhaustion from the previous day in yellowstone. please believe me i'm a tent camper the many public bathrooms and showers that i've used camping were cleaner than these. i've traveled for 40 years with my husband and i've never been spoken to the way she spoke to me. betty, her mother should teach her daughter chelsea something about customer courtesy. she could have made this go away with a tiny bit of compassion but she choose the rattlesnake way. worst experience i've ever had.

Great place to stay. Recommended by a friend who stays there several times each summer, this was a wonder little motel. Rooms were CLEAN, and I mean really clean. Staff was wonderful. I had an injured foot and showed up before check in and they accommodated me with a room right away. They even asked my wife if I needed a cold pack! Rooms are spacious and did I say CLEAN!!!! Loved this little town, Elk bedding down on a lawn on the main street, quiet and friendly. I would highly recommend this motel.

Nice, clean motel, but their parking lot is NOT motorcycle friendly. Covered in round rock that hasn't been compacted, and it's deep in places. We couldn't park the bikes in front of our room. Not cool.

I hope I've got the right place, because the Google photos are not up to date. I believe this place is on the gravel road behind rte 89, on something called 5th street; you access it by turning right (Northeast) off Scott/rte 89, going half a block in, and then turning left/northwest for one driveway. The owner bought the place in about Sept 2012, and has been fixing it up. Has a full laundry and very helpful staff, but what impressed most as the quality of the interior fixtures & finishing. Got a completely furnished kitchen (with some cooking oil!), decent coffee, great towels, two bedrooms, a king and a queen, two sofa beds, a plasma TV with surround sound and directTV in the living room and a flat panel TV in the master BR. Oh, and a large supply of DVDs for FREE use. The tiles in the bathroom and kitchen are something I hope to emulate at home. Everything was well done and consistently styled, as well as Just Plain Comfortable. Staying in Gardiner seems to be the best place to access Yellowstone. Cost more than a motel, but a great value for a Travelling Crowd, and truly enjoyable after long hiking in the Park.