Old Faithful Inn Cost Guide: Prices, Seasonal Rates & Booking Tips
Old Faithful Inn Cost Calculator
Calculate your potential stay cost at Old Faithful Inn based on room type, season, and additional features. All estimates include standard fees and taxes.
Additional Options
Estimated Cost
Enter your details above to see your estimated total.
Planning a visit to Yellowstone National Park often starts with the big question: Old Faithful Inn cost. This historic, log‑heavy hotel sits right on the edge of the world‑famous geyser basin, and its price tag can feel like a mystery, especially when you’re juggling travel dates, room options, and extra fees. Below you’ll find a step‑by‑step breakdown of what you actually pay to stay at the Inn, how the rates shift through the year, and practical tips for squeezing the best value out of your Yellowstone adventure.
What Makes Old Faithful Inn Different?
Old Faithful Inn is a historic lodge located inside Yellowstone National Park, famous for its massive stone fireplace, hand‑crafted log architecture, and proximity to the Old Faithful geyser. Opened in 1904, it’s the largest log structure in the world and holds a place on the National Register of Historic Places.
Because it’s operated by the National Park Service, the pricing model follows park regulations rather than a typical commercial hotel. That means rates are set by season, room type, and occupancy, and they include some native park fees that you won’t see at a city hotel.
How the Pricing Structure Works
The Inn’s rates are broken down into three core components:
- Base Room Rate - varies by room category (e.g., standard, Dakota, or the iconic “Old Faithful Suite”).
- Seasonal Adjustment - higher in summer (June‑August) and lower in shoulder seasons (May, September, early October).
- Additional Fees - includes the mandatory Yellowstone accommodation tax (currently 7%), resort fee for internet and utilities, and optional extras such as meals or guided tours.
All rates are quoted per night, per room, and include tax where noted. The Inn does not charge per‑person fees for adults, but there is a small child surcharge for rooms with extra bedding.
Seasonal Rates and Room Types
Below is a snapshot of typical nightly rates for the 2025 season. Prices are averages; exact numbers can shift by a few dollars based on demand.
- Standard Rooms (2‑person occupancy): $280‑$350 in peak summer; $210‑$260 in shoulder season.
- Dakota Rooms (larger, 3‑4 person occupancy): $340‑$420 in peak; $260‑$310 in shoulder.
- Old Faithful Suite (luxury, 2‑person): $630‑$720 in peak; $530‑$610 in shoulder.
Peak season is defined as June1-August31. Shoulder season covers May1-May31 and September1-October15. The Inn closes for a brief maintenance period from early November through mid‑May, so rates for those months are not listed.
Room categories also differ by view and location within the Inn. For example, “lanai” rooms have a small private balcony overlooking the geyser basin, which adds roughly $30‑$50 to the base rate.
Extra Fees, Packages, and What’s Included
Understanding the add‑ons can prevent surprise costs at checkout:
- Resort Fee: $15 per night - covers Wi‑Fi, in‑room safes, and daily housekeeping.
- Meal Packages: Breakfast‑only ($12 per person) or Full‑Board (breakfast, lunch, dinner at the historic dining room for $45 per adult).
- Guided Geyser Tour: $35 per person - a 2‑hour walk led by a park ranger.
- Pet Policy: Dogs are allowed in select rooms for a $25 per night surcharge.
All rooms include complimentary bottled water, a coffee maker, and a small fridge. The historic dining room serves classic American fare with a focus on local ingredients; you can also grab a snack at the front‑desk cafe without any extra charge beyond what you purchase.
How Old Faithful Inn Costs Compare to Other Yellowstone Lodgings
Many travelers wonder whether staying at the Inn is worth the premium. Below is a quick comparison of the most popular park‑run hotels for the 2025 season.
| Property | Standard Room (Peak) | Standard Room (Shoulder) | Unique Feature |
|---|---|---|---|
| Old Faithful Inn | $320‑$350 | $210‑$260 | Historic log architecture, geyser‑view rooms |
| Lake Yellowstone Hotel | \n$300‑$330 | $220‑$250 | Lakefront setting, Victorian elegance |
| Canyon Lodge | $260‑$300 | $190‑$230 | Proximity to Grand Canyon of the Yellowstone |
| Grant Village | $240‑$280 | $180‑$210 | Near West Thumb Geyser Basin, family‑friendly vibe |
| Mammoth Hot Springs Hotel | $250‑$290 | $185‑$225 | Historic terrace views, close to northern loop |
From the table, you can see that Old Faithful Inn sits toward the top end of the price range, mainly because of its iconic status and immediate geyser access. If the experience of waking up to an erupting geyser outweighs the extra $20‑$40 per night, many guests say it’s worth every penny.
Budget Strategies and Booking Tips
Even with a higher baseline, there are ways to keep the total expense manageable:
- Book Early, Cancel Late: The Inn opens reservations 6 months in advance. Secure a room as soon as the window opens, then monitor the “My Reservations” portal for any price drops or cancellations that let you downgrade to a cheaper room type.
- Stay During Shoulder Season: May and early September offer dramatically lower rates while still providing decent weather and shorter crowds.
- Skip the Full‑Board Package: Bring a small cooler with snacks and use the free coffee/tea service. You’ll save $30‑$45 per night.
- Use the Park’s Vacation Package: The Yellowstone Vacation Package bundles lodging, a limited‑entry pass, and a guided wildlife tour at a discount of roughly 10% off the combined price.
- Consider a Shared Room: The Dakota rooms can accommodate up to four people. If you’re traveling with friends or family, splitting the cost can bring the per‑person price down to $80‑$100.
Finally, keep an eye on the official Yellowstone National Park website for flash promotions. During the 2023 “Family Fun Week,” they offered a 15% discount on all inn bookings made at least 30 days in advance.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the average cost for a standard room at Old Faithful Inn?
During peak summer months the average nightly rate for a standard double room is between $320 and $350, while shoulder‑season rates drop to $210‑$260.
Are taxes and fees included in the listed price?
The base rate shown on the park’s reservation page does not include the 7% accommodation tax or the $15 nightly resort fee. Those are added at checkout.
Can I bring my dog to Old Faithful Inn?
Yes, but only in designated pet‑friendly rooms, and you’ll pay a $25 per night surcharge. Dogs must be leashed and never left unattended in public areas.
Is there a cheaper alternative inside the park?
Grant Village and Mammoth Hot Springs Hotel offer lower nightly rates, typically $30‑$50 less than the Inn, but they lack the immediate geyser view and historic ambiance.
When does Old Faithful Inn close for the season?
The Inn shuts down in early November for winter maintenance and reopens in mid‑May. No rooms are available during the closure.
Do I need a reservation to eat at the dining room?
Reservations are recommended, especially for dinner during peak season. You can book a table up to 30 days in advance through the park’s reservation system.
How far is the Inn from the nearest geyser?
Old Faithful Inn sits less than 200feet from the Old Faithful Geyser Boardwalk, making it a 1‑minute walk to the eruption viewing area.
When you’re crunching the Old Faithful Inn spreadsheet, keep an eye on the resort fee and tax overlay-they can swing the nightly total by 20 % in peak season. The base rate is already tiered by room type, so stack the Dakota for a group and you’ll amortize the $15 per‑night internet surcharge across four guests. If you book through the NPS reservation portal early, the system locks in the rate before the dynamic pricing engine kicks in, which is a solid move for budget‑savvy trekkers. Also, leverage the “shoulder‑season” window; you still get geyser proximity but the per‑night delta drops roughly $80‑$100. Pack a reusable water bottle and make the complimentary minibar a cost‑free perk-no hidden minibar fees here. Finally, remember that the mandatory 7 % accommodation tax is applied after the resort fee, so the final line item will look higher than the base‑rate preview.
To optimize your budget for the Old Faithful Inn, I recommend the following systematic approach: first, confirm your travel dates and select the shoulder season (May or early September) via the official Yellowstone reservation portal; second, choose a Dakota room if you are traveling with three to four companions, as the per‑person cost becomes more favorable; third, deliberately decline the full‑board package and instead stock a cooler with portable meals, thereby avoiding the $45 per adult surcharge; fourth, factor in the $15 nightly resort fee and the statutory 7 % accommodation tax when calculating the final amount; fifth, monitor the NPS website for periodic promotional codes that can reduce the total by up to ten percent. By adhering to this structured plan, you will maintain both financial prudence and the experiential richness that the historic inn offers.
A helpful way to view the cost breakdown is to separate fixed components from variable ones. Fixed components include the nightly base rate, which varies by room class, and the $15 resort fee that applies regardless of occupancy. Variable components are the tax, calculated at 7 % of the base, and any optional extras such as the breakfast add‑on ($12 per person) or pet surcharge ($25 per night). If you are travelling with a small family, opting for a single standard room and purchasing meals externally can keep the variable portion low. Conversely, larger groups benefit from the Dakota configuration, spreading the fixed fees across more guests. Remember that the park’s cancellation policy permits adjustments up to a week before arrival, which can be useful if rates shift.
When assessing the total expense, it is essential to account for every line item explicitly. The base nightly rate for a standard double room during peak months ranges from $320 to $350; the resort fee adds $15 per night, and the accommodation tax of 7 % applies to the sum of these two amounts. Optional services, such as the breakfast package at $12 per person per night, increase the total proportionally. If you bring a pet, the additional $25 nightly surcharge must also be included. By summing these components, travelers can obtain an accurate estimate before finalizing the reservation.
One practical tip is to compare the Inn’s rates with alternative lodgings inside the park, such as Grant Village or the Lake Yellowstone Hotel. Although the Old Faithful Inn commands a premium for its historic ambiance and immediate geyser proximity, the cost differential can be mitigated by adjusting the length of stay or selecting a less central room type. For example, a three‑night stay in a standard room during shoulder season may cost roughly the same as a four‑night stay at a nearby lodge. This comparative analysis helps ensure that you receive the best value for your specific itinerary.
Booking early and watching for the park’s flash deals can shave a solid $30 off the nightly rate.
Pack a small cooler, bring your own coffee, and you’ll dodge the $45 full‑board charge-simple savings, big smile! :)
In the grand tapestry of human experience, opting for a lodging that commodifies natural wonder for profit raises profound ethical questions; the Old Faithful Inn, while architecturally magnificent, serves as a reminder that even cherished landscapes are not immune to market forces. By choosing to stay, one must reconcile the desire for immersion with the moral implications of supporting a commercial enterprise that capitalizes on a shared ecological heritage. Therefore, travelers ought to reflect on whether the experiential gain justifies contributing to a system that monetizes pristine wilderness.
The article contains several inconsistencies: the phrase “peak summer months the average nightly rate” lacks proper agreement, and “the Inn shuts down in early November for winter maintenance and reopens in mid‑May” should be punctuated with a semicolon if followed by a related clause. Additionally, the use of the slash in “$12\/person” is unnecessary; a simple “$12 per person” is clearer. Precision in language ensures readers grasp the financial details without ambiguity.
Honestly, the Old Faithful Inn is just another overpriced relic for tourists who think paying extra makes them part of some elite club. If you’re not into wasting cash on a souvenir view of a geyser, skip it and camp out-nature doesn’t care about your hotel brand loyalty.
Early bookings save money; always check for the park’s discount weeks.
Planning a Yellowstone adventure demands more than just picking dates; it requires a holistic view of costs, experiences, and personal priorities. The Old Faithful Inn, with its iconic log façade, offers an unparalleled sense of history that many travelers cherish. However, that historical charm comes with a price tag that can strain even a well‑budgeted itinerary. To navigate this, start by establishing your maximum nightly expenditure, inclusive of taxes and mandatory fees. Next, examine the room type matrix, noting that the Dakota configuration spreads fixed costs across three to four occupants, thereby reducing the per‑person burden. If you travel with a smaller party, a standard room may be more economical, yet you must still allocate for the $15 resort fee and the 7 % accommodation tax. Consider the seasonal adjustments: shoulder‑season rates can be $80 to $130 lower than peak rates, which translates into significant savings over a week‑long stay. Additionally, the optional meal packages, while convenient, inflate the total by $12 per person for breakfast or $45 per adult for full board, costs that are easily avoided by packing your own provisions. For pet owners, the $25 nightly surcharge should be factored early, as it compounds quickly across multiple nights. Moreover, the park periodically releases promotional codes, often tied to early‑bird reservations, which can shave an extra ten percent off the combined amount. It is also wise to monitor the reservation portal for cancellations, as last‑minute openings sometimes appear at reduced rates. By integrating these strategies-room sharing, shoulder‑season travel, self‑catering, and vigilant price tracking-you craft a financial plan that respects both your budget and your desire for an authentic Yellowstone experience. Remember that the true value of staying at the Inn lies not merely in the dollars saved, but in waking up to the rumble of Old Faithful just steps away. This proximity offers a daily spectacle that many budget hotels simply cannot replicate. Ultimately, a balanced approach allows you to enjoy the historic ambiance without feeling financially overextended. In summary, meticulous cost analysis paired with flexible travel choices empowers you to experience the Inn’s legacy responsibly.
Oh, the drama of a $400 night room perched beside a geyser that erupts like the world’s most temperamental rock star! I can hear the sighs of the budget‑conscious traveler as they stare at the bill, and I can feel the smug grin of the historic inn’s marketing team. In the end, it’s a theatrical performance of money versus memory, and the audience must decide whether the applause is worth the price tag.