Lodging around Yellowstone in September?

[Gary B.]

We're looking into taking a ride into the park around the 2nd or 3rd week in September. I've found a good number of motels in the area, but are worried they may shut down or be full to capacity after Labor Day. Anyone have any experience with this?

[Sport-Touring]

[DosEquis00]

We went to West Yellowstone in September and had no issues as there was a slight drop-off after Labor Day but as your date gets closer it may be smart to make reservations.

[Blue is Best]

I went on a driving vacation through Yellowstone one year in September. We camped. It was getting cold for the motorcycles. Check the weather report. It can snow toward the end of September.

[Sport]

I'd try West Yellowstone.  Lots of motels there just outside the park.  You'd have to go clear to Jackson to the south, Cody to the east, Red Lodge to the NE and there's not much in Gardiner to the NW.

[UHOH]

We're looking into taking a ride into the park around the 2nd or 3rd week in September. I've found a good number of motels in the area,
but are worried they may [A] shut down or be full to capacity after Labor Day. Anyone have any experience with this?

[A] Don't rely on anything said here; contact several of your motel options directly.

[ B] That said, they aren't going to be full to capacity, that's for sure.  
Kids, families are in school as of Sept 1, so they aren't visiting...

[Sport]

[A] Don't rely on anything said here; contact several of your motel options directly.

[ B] That said, they aren't going to be full to capacity, that's for sure.  
Kids, families are in school as of Sept 1, so they aren't visiting...

Well...if you do what this guy says, you shouldn't "rely on anything said here" either.    and of course it's always smart to contact motels directly.  Apparently this guy thinks we, and you aren't smart enough to know that.

[bubba zanetti]

I have stayed in Cooke City, just outside the park boundary and in close striking distance to Beartooth and Chief Joseph passes. Nip into Yellowstone and then ride the passes.

[greench440]

I have stayed in Cooke City, just outside the park boundary and in close striking distance to Beartooth and Chief Joseph passes. Nip into Yellowstone and then ride the passes.

My recommendation as well.  Cooke City is better location than West Yellowstone because you have the park to the west, Beartooth pass and Red Lodge to the north east and the Chief Joseph Scenic Byway/Dead Indian pass to the south east.  If you're coming from the east, don't miss US14 / 14A, the Big Horn Summit.

[knobnose]

I spent a couple of nights in Cody last Sept.- close enough to tha park and passes and kind of an interesting town with a cowboy vibe, inexpensive motels on the main drag, a brew pub, and some women of a certain age still sporting big hair.

[stromgal]

A third vote for Cooke City. It's been my go-to if not camping. Cool little town.

[bdhszy1]

If money is no object, look at the Flagg ranch in between Yellowstone and Grand Teton N.P. Camping or very up scale cabins and a great restaurant.

[nevinfs327]

I have stayed in Cody twice.  Once at The Cody Hotel, which was quite nice for the money, but not cheap.  The other time I staying in a cheap hotel that got the job done just as well.  It was barely 40 in the Park early in the morning the second time I was there...and that was in August.

Both times I stayed there (once in July and once in August) I found a hotel upon arrival with no issue.

My caveat is that I spent a lot of time in hotels in NYC and DC for work, so my sense of what a hotel should cost is probably skewed.

[zenwhipper]

I went on a driving vacation through Yellowstone one year in September. We camped. It was getting cold for the motorcycles. Check the weather report. It can snow toward the end of September.

Yepper. I went through West Yellowstone in mid Sept about six years ago on my Vstrom. Freakin' aye cold that year.

[DDFZ1]

I've stayed twice at Colter Bay Village with my Brothers on motorcycle trips, 1995 and 2006.
http://www.gtlc.com/lodges/colter-bay-village
This time of year is the perfect time to reserve a Cabin.
In 1995 we were there in August and the morning temperature was below freezing.  We had Frost on our seats.
In 2006 we went the last week (September) before the area closed for the winter.  It snowed the day we left.
The Cabins were built by the CCC.  The Cabin we stayed had a bath in the middle and each bedroom had 2 double beds.
Colter Bay Village has a Chuck Wagon restaurant and it's situated on the north shore of Jackson Lake.  
I paid $108 a night for our 2-bedroom Cabin in 1995 and $138 in 2006.  
Colter Bay also have 1 bedroom cabins.
They have a great Breakfast.
1995 was the best for photos.  2006, Forest Fires were in the area and a hazy Sky everyday.