Yellowstone River Motel

This has to be one of the best places to stay in the Yellowstone region. It's clean, staff is welcoming, they accept pets, and you will see nearby wildlife. It's within walking distance of a great little park above the river and to the downtown area with restaurants and shops. You do need a reservation. The bathroom supplies nice towels and we slept deeply even though the motel was full of guests. You park near your room which we consider a bonus. The deck above the river is a bonus for those who want to enjoy it.

I though this place was fantastic, I stayed with my cousin for a two nights before heading to Jackson. I chose it based on reviews and value. It did not disappoint on either point. I have stayed in Gardiner before and it is a great "raw" town with lots to do and see. It is not built up at all which is the reason I like it. The hotel was perfectly located at the entrance of Yellowstone Park with views from just about everywhere. Animals abound. The beds were comfy, the larger size mini fridge was great, tv was good and the bathroom was fine. The common areas are great, the coffee/tea/cider available all day is a nice touch. They offer bear spray to lend. The sense of friendliness and community there was nice and welcome. We had a small car and had no issues parking. I will definitely be back!

My husband and I stayed here on 9/22/25. The location was perfect. The price was normal for the area. Every place we stayed was around $190-220. Our room had 1 full bed. It was clean, had a fridge and microwave. The room had all the necessary things needed for an overnight stay. The grassy lounge area behind our room provided amazing views of the river. The area was quiet, laid back and very relaxing. We seen Elk walking down the street and in the parking lot. We had no problems with parking. We were able to park our SUV right outside our room. The bed was comfortable but the pillows were not great. Shops and restaurants are within walking distance. Location is right outside the North entrance and Mammoth Hot Springs was a great way to kick off our Yellowstone adventure. Great place to stay. The town is awesome and we will definitely be back.

This location was perfect for our 1 night stay just outside the park's entrance. Our very early next morning pickup was so convienent for our tour guide that allowed us get right into the park and on our way to a very memorable day. |Our room was not quite ready on our sl early arrival. This allowed us to wander the various shops nearby, but was ready after a cup of joe and a few gift shops. Our room was spotless, and was very acceptable for an early to bed and early rising with no outside noise. We were able to park right outside our room and also allowed to leave our car there for the day during our tour. When starting to walk to the various shops, we actually met the guy who was cleaning our room. Nice gentleman and told him and the owner that this was the nicest room we stayed so far for the least amount of $$. We also were a bit surprised that as we were speaking with him that a deer and young doe elk came walking up beside the hotel. The gentleman warned to not not go near the elk as she can be a bit unpredictable, but we were able to have an uneventful stay. The beds were comfortable and after reading other reviews about bedsprings, did not have that experience. The pillows were REAL size, not the marshmellow size found throught out the hotels within the park and there were plenty of towels for use as well. We highly recommend this hotel. Now to find a decent resturant in Gardiner would also be nice. We did visit the local grocer and found it to be well staocked for our journey back down to Canyon Village after our tour.

Such a great spot! Great location right outside the north park entrance, and walking distance to everything in Gardiner. Owner(?)/office staff was really nice and helpful. I love that they have fruit-infused water available at the office all day! Room was clean and comfortable, and had everything we needed. The lawn area overlooking the river is really nice. All around great place and I highly recommend it!

Yellowstone River Motel is 2 blocks from the Roosevelt Arch entrance to Yellowstone National Park. We stayed in the “historical” building. The rooms are old and small, but clean. The newer building would have been better. Our room had a refrigerator, microwave, and TV, but no view. However, every motel guest can sit on the “patio,” which has an amazing view of the Yellowstone River. The wi-fi is weak.

My husband and I needed a last minute place to stay so we could be in The Park at sunrise. Found this online and didn’t have high hopes. Was so surprised at how clean and comfy it was. The check in was easy and friendly and the location can’t be beat. One downside was parking - we were in the historic wing and parking wasn’t adequate for a large pick up. We found parking close by so it wasn’t a huge deal but if you want to park by your door it might not work. I would recommend this place and we will stay again.

I loved everything about this little motel! It has such a fun vintage vibe but was still super clean and comfortable. The staff were so kind and welcoming, and the hand-drawn directory was just the cutest touch. Everywhere you look there are little details that make it feel special. The whole place just had the best vibe—I’d definitely stay here again!

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.