You may not know this, but Yellowstone was the world’s first ever National Park.
I had no desire to meet – face to face – roaming herds of bison, elk, wolves, and grizzlies. Instead, the real reason I dreamt of visiting Yellowstone National Park was to see the legendary geyser, “Old Faithful.”
About Yellowstone National Park
From geysers like Old Faithful that shoot boiling water sky-high, wildlife, calderas, and natural hot springs, Yellowstone National Park is a popular destination located primarily in the state of Wyoming, but also extends into Montana and Idaho. It spans approximately 2.2 million acres … yes millions of acres. The park is situated atop a volcanic hot spot, resulting in a unique geography and stunning landscapes. Our 3-day visit to Yellowstone National Park followed a spectacular South Dakota visit to see Mount Rushmore, so the bar was set high. I can truly say that no two National Parks are alike, and Yellowstone is a sight to behold.
Our Accommodations: Explorer Cabins at Yellowstone
You would think that seeing the natural wonders that abound in Yellowstone National Park would be the highlight of the trip. But equally impressive and a bit shocking, was how much I loved our unique accommodations, Explorer Cabins at Yellowstone.
You may describe me more like a “glamping” kind of gal. So, to say I was apprehensive about staying in a cabin at the entrance of a National Park is the truth. However, the Explorer Cabins at Yellowstone turned out to be a welcome surprise and I can say that sleeping in the fully equipped cabin was more exciting than staying in a traditional hotel room with a bed.
Sitting around a firepit roasting smores below a starry sky while listening to the sounds of nature turned out to be a magical experience. I’d be remiss if I didn’t admit that I was concerned about wildlife roaming near the cabin. But I managed to enjoy myself despite my continual looking around at every leaf crinkling in the distance.
Location: Close to Yellowstone’s West Park Entrance
The cabin location was perfect, at the west entrance to Yellowstone National Park. It was close to everything and was walking distance to dining, shopping, and the Grizzly and Wolf Discovery Center. It was a five-minute drive to enter the park and near to the iconic Yellowstone landmarks like Old Faithful. The Explorer Cabins are surrounded by other hotels … it’s a busy area for tourists.
One note: If you’re planning to take a flight and rent a car, the Jackson Hole Airport is a long three-hour drive to the Explorer Cabins and the closest major airport is Salt Lake City International, that is more than a four-hour drive.
Explorer Cabin Groups and Cabin Types
There are 50 Explorer Cabins clustered in five distinct camp settings named after early pioneers and explorers of Yellowstone National Park: Bridger, Colter, Langford, Russell, and Washburn. You’ll find a variety of cabin styles to accommodate your needs, based on how many people you are traveling with.
Cabins come in three layouts:
:: Montana
:: Old Faithful
:: Yellowstone
Each group of cabins has an outdoor gas fire pit with Adirondack chairs around it. The cabins are separated for maximum privacy yet still connected as a group by lighted paved walkways.
Montana Cabin –This cozy, duplex-style cabin consists of one large room with two queen beds, a pleasant front porch with seating and kitchenette.
Old Faithful Cabin – Featuring a fireplace, front porch seating and a private bedroom with a king bed, spacious living room with a sofa sleeper and kitchenette.
Yellowstone Cabins – Two private bedrooms plus a sofa sleeper, fireplace, front porch, and kitchenette.
Montana Cabin was plenty of room for the two of us. Unexpected perk: A cabin stay is a quiet and peaceful retreat (no hotel room doors slamming).
Amenities at Explorer Cabins at Yellowstone
As opposed to a traditional hotel or resort, the property doesn’t offer any activities as Yellowstone National Park is the actual attraction. There is one restaurant onsite, Bridgers Cookhouse and dining and shopping is within walking distance of the Explorer Cabins. You can also borrow binoculars, flashlights, and hiking poles. A fun amenity is that each cabin gets a bag of supplies for s’mores each day to make outside at the outdoor fire pits. It was the nicest way to relax after a day of exploring the park in addition to bonding with guests from neighboring cabins.
The cabin décor is what you might expect … a cool Western-style motif with wood moldings, doors, and furniture plus patterned carpeting and park-themed artwork created by local artists. It was wonderfully clean and cozy.
Cabin amenities:
:: Queen or king beds
:: Bunk beds available
:: Private bathroom with shower
:: Kitchenette with refrigerator, stove, and dishwasher
:: Coffee maker and toaster
:: Flat-screen TV/Free Wi-Fi
:: Alarm clock
:: Heat and AC
:: Indoor fireplace (except Montana cabins)
:: Front porch with seating/Seasonal hammocks
:: Free parking
:: Pet-friendly cabins available
:: Complimentary West Yellowstone Shuttle service
Guests staying at Explorer Cabins have the privilege of using the pool, hot tub, fitness center, and laundry facilities at the nearby Yellowstone Park Hotel.
Must-See Attractions at Yellowstone National Park adventure.
Yellowstone is good for both outdoor adventurers and those who just want to leisurely sightsee. The Explorer Cabins places you right in the heart of it all. Bring your binoculars and wear a comfortable pair of walking shoes or boots as there is a lot to see. Wildlife is everywhere you look, but as we were warned many times during the trip, always remember to keep your distance. Keep your camera on hand so you can catch the unexpected wildlife passing … but use your zoom lens to stay away.
Here are just some of the Yellowstone National Park attractions and geothermal wonders that you don’t want to miss:
:: Grizzly and Wolf Discovery Center is near the Explorer Cabins. Visit and see bears, wolves, otters, owls, hawks, squirrels and more, a great opportunity to observe them roaming free in contained habitats to truly understand and appreciate the animals.
:: Old Faithful Geyser in the Upper Geyer Basin, an iconic attraction that offers a huge viewing area to see it erupt shooting scalding water high into the air approximately every 90 minutes. Trust me, it’s worth the 90-minute wait. There are lots of trails for walking and be sure to visit the Old Faithful Visitor Education Center. Also, take a peek at Morning Glory Pool, a hot spring named for its resemblance to the blue flower of the same name.
:: Lamar Valley is known especially for its wildlife. There were so many wolves, coyotes, bears, and moose. It’s an awesome and inspiring sight.
:: Grand Prismatic Spring is the park’s largest hot spring that features vibrant blue colors and other hydrothermal features. View it conveniently from a boardwalk.
:: Mud Volcano, which includes Black Dragon’s Caldron, Dragon’s Mouth Spring, Mud Caldron, Sour Lake, and Sulfur Caldron, is very acidic. The iron sulfide causes dark gray, black, and brown-colored water, while hydrogen sulfide produces the egg smell common to the area.
:: Grand Canyon of the Yellowstone offers dramatic, 1,000-foot-deep canyon views along 20 miles. Experience amazing views of differently shaded rock walls and majestic cascading waterfalls. Go on a hike and then dine at a restaurant in Canyon Village.
:: Mammoth Hot Springs features unique, travertine (white or light-colored calcareous rock) terraces and fascinating mineral formations formed by the hot springs that look like steps. Give yourself about an hour to walk around the pathways and take advantage of the photo opportunities. While you’re there, stop at the Mammoth Historic Town where you can shop and enjoy a meal at the historic Mammoth Hotel Dining Room.
Dining Options Nearby Explorer Cabins at Yellowstone National Park
Onsite at Explorer Cabins, you can grab a hearty meal at Bridgers Cookhouse including a delicious breakfast buffet. Just a short drive from the cabins, you’ll find a wonderful selection of local restaurants including The Slippery Otter Pub, known for its burgers and local craft beers. There’s also the Wild West Pizzeria and the Yellowstone Historic Center Café. For dessert, be sure to stop by The West Yellowstone’s Ice Cream Shop. Of course, the Explorer Cabin has a kitchenette so you can prepare your own meals if you like.
Choose Explorer Cabins for the Ultimate Location, Comfort, and Adventure
My favorite parts of the trip? It would have to be seeing the Old Faithful geyser up close and personal … the live bears and otters at the Grizzly and Wolf Discovery Center … and our accommodations at the Explorer Cabins at Yellowstone. We discovered that cabin living (for a 3-night stay) offered a cozy, comfortable, and private setting that truly felt like home. Of course, once we stepped outside the cabin, we were certainly not home, but instead living in a Montana dream getaway that offered us breathtaking sights and three memorable days of sightseeing.
The interior of the Explorer Cabins exceeded our expectations, modernly decorated, impeccably clean and the bed was super comfortable. It was a quiet cabin setting except for the occasional sounds of nature that at times had me a bit rattled (like hearing wolves howling in the distance). The shared firepit among our group of cabins turned out to be another unexpected highlight, roasting marshmallows and making complimentary s’mores while making new friends.
Whether you’re an outdoor enthusiast, a history buff visiting National Parks, or just a traveler looking for a peaceful destination, the Explorer Cabins at Yellowstone Park is highly recommended. And now that I’m home safe and sound, I can say that it was pretty cool to see the magnificent wildlife roaming free.