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1891
Lake Yellowstone Hotel & Cabins
Yellowstone National Park, Wyoming
P O Box 165, Yellowstone National Park, Wyoming 82190
Original Property Opened in 1891
Historic Hotels of America member since 2012
presidential
tours
Lake Yellowstone Hotel opened in 1891 and stands as the oldest operating hotel in Yellowstone. Originally, the hotel was a basic three-story clapboard building, built at a cost of $46,000, and provided the first-class accommodations guests desired with indoor electricity, plumbing, steam heat, and beautiful views of Yellowstone Lake. Over time, careful renovations were made, including the addition of more guestrooms, gables, iconic columns, and false balconies and dormer windows, which earned the hotel the name of Colonial Lake Hotel. Lake Yellowstone Hotel completed a full interior renovation in 2014. The hotel is open mid-May through late September.
Discover
- Drive along the lake road to access the front entrance, a classic Colonial Revival wonder, complete with tall white columns, that has been welcoming park visitors since 1891.
- Admire one of the sofas or chairs in the Sun Room Lobby, a room aptly named, where a string quartet or grand piano provides sweet sounds in the evening.
- Discover Fishing Bridge just moments away from the hotel. Fishing Bridge is amog the best places in the area to get unrivaled views of Lake Yellowstone.
Explore
- Explore the lake shore and be inspired by the Absaroka Range rimming the largest lake above 7,000 feet in elevation. Look for waterfowl and otters from the lakeside platform directly in front of the hotel. A few miles away is the Elephant Back Mountain trailhead, where a moderate climb leads to the perfect place to sit and take in an elevated view of Yellowstone Lake.
- Head out to West Thumb Geyser Basin nearby to catch the sunrise and to see the impressive colors in the geysers combined with the colors of the rising sun in this location next to the lake. View the Abyss Pool and its sloping walls and impressive deepness.
- Venture further into the park and visit Mammoth Hot Springs. These remarkable limestone formations and their cascading terraces are truly unique. Marvel at the mists of steam rising from the terraces. Walk the various boardwalk paths to see all the different views.
Experience
- Saddle up and see the park from horseback to get a different view by way of the backcountry. There are half-day rides or full-day rides and different tours to choose from. Or set out on a two-legged tour and hike one of the many trails scattered all over the area. Grab a map when entering the park and start exploring.
- Step on a boat and view the 140 miles of shoreline from the water on a scenic tour. Learn the history of the area and keep an eye out for eagles, ospreys, and perhaps an elk or bison on the shore. Fish for native Cutthroat Trout and non-native Lake Trout on a fishing/charter boat or rent a boat and set the course. Sunset kayak tours are also available.
- Get out and experience a wildlife tour, several are offered and the scenery and animals encountered are numerous. In Lamar or Hayden Valley it is possible to see wolves, coyotes, bison, elk, bears, and pronghorn. In other areas bighorn sheep, mountain goats, and hawks may be spotted.
Taste
- Sit and enjoy the view during breakfast, lunch, or dinner at the Lake Yellowstone Hotel Dining Room. The hotel dining room serves an upscale selection of sustainable and local cuisine. Choose from items such as Elk Chops, Grilled Bison Ribeye, or Steelhead Trout.
- Pack a picnic lunch and enjoy the great outdoors while munching on a sandwich. Yellowstone Park has multiple delis where visitors can grab a sandwich or other snack and get back on the road so as not to miss a minute of the beauty that is in every inch of the park.
- Taste some grub underneath the wide-open Wyoming sky at the Old West Dinner Cookout. Ride a horse or take a seat on a covered wagon to get to the cookout location. Meals consist of some hearty fare with steak and all the fixins such as coleslaw, potato salad, baked beans, chuck wagon corn, corn muffins, watermelon, fruit crisp, and beverages.
FEATURED ACCOMMODATIONS
