The Short Answer
If your trip centers on Grand Teton and the south side of Yellowstone, base in Jackson Hole. The south gate to Yellowstone is about 80 miles north of Jackson, and the Teton Park Road begins roughly 20 minutes from town. You'll pay resort prices, but you'll spend less time in the car than anywhere else in the state. If you want Yellowstone access without the Jackson price tag, Cody puts you 52 miles from the East Entrance and saves 20 to 30 percent on rooms.
For the Wind River Range, Thermopolis, and central Wyoming's backcountry, Lander and Dubois are the sensible bases. For Cheyenne Frontier Days or the Snowy Range above Laramie, the capital and Laramie handle the southeast corner. The full Wyoming Travel Guide maps what's in each region before you commit to a base camp.
Jackson Hole and the Tetons
Jackson is the state's most-visited lodging hub. Summer rates start around $150 per night for basic motel-style rooms and climb well past $400 for properties near the elk-antler arches on the town square or at the foot of Snow King. Prices drop noticeably in October and again in May, before the full summer wave hits. Flying in? Jackson Hole Airport (JAC) handles direct flights from Denver, Dallas, New York, and Los Angeles, and it's the only commercial airport inside a U.S. national park. It's also the most expensive airport in the state for airfare, so many visitors fly into Salt Lake City (SLC) and drive the 4.5 hours north up US-89.
Cowboy Village Resort on Flat Creek Drive runs cabin-style units that sleep families comfortably, with rates starting around $200 per night in summer and a heated outdoor pool. For a downtown location with a creek running through the property, Rustic Inn Creekside Resort and Spa on North Cache Street is walking distance to restaurants and the National Elk Refuge road. The Lodge at Jackson Hole on Scott Lane offers a mid-range option a few minutes south of town with an indoor pool and included breakfast. For the full picture of the region, including ski lodging at Jackson Hole Mountain Resort and Grand Targhee, see Jackson Hole and the Tetons.
One insider note: the town of Wilson, 6 miles west of Jackson on Highway 22, has a handful of smaller properties and vacation rentals at lower rates than downtown, with the same access to Grand Teton and Teton Village.
Cody and Yellowstone Country
Cody sits at the junction of US-14, US-16, and US-20, all of which converge on the road to Yellowstone's East Entrance. That 52-mile drive through the Wapiti Valley follows the North Fork of the Shoshone River and is worth the trip on its own. The town itself is compact and walkable, with Sheridan Avenue running through the center where the Buffalo Bill Center of the West and the nightly Cody Nite Rodeo (June through August) are both within a few blocks.
Buffalo Bill's Irma Hotel on Sheridan Avenue is the most distinctive place to stay in Cody: a 70-room property built in 1902 by Buffalo Bill himself, with a cherry wood bar that Queen Victoria gave him and staged gunfights outside on summer evenings. It runs around $100 to $150 per night and fits anyone who wants history more than amenities. For modern chain quality with an indoor pool and hot tub, Best Western Premier Ivy Inn and Suites on 8th Street earns strong consistent reviews. Budget option: Big Bear Motel on Yellowstone Avenue keeps rooms clean and simple, often under $120 per night in the shoulder season, and sits on the west side of town closest to the park road. Cody also has its own commercial airport (COD) with connecting service through Denver.
The Chief Joseph Scenic Byway heads north from Cody toward Beartooth Pass, making it a useful staging point if you plan to exit Yellowstone through the northeast corner in summer.
Wind River Country
Central Wyoming's lodging scene is thin but real. Lander, at the southern end of the Wind River Range, has independent motels and small hotels suited to hikers heading into Sinks Canyon or the Popo Agie Wilderness. Dubois, 85 miles north of Lander on US-26 and 85 miles east of Jackson over Togwotee Pass at 9,658 feet, sits in a red-rock canyon carved by the Wind River. It's a genuine small town with fewer than 1,000 residents, and it runs significantly cheaper than Jackson for comparable nights.
The Longhorn Ranch Resort Lodge and RV Park on US-26 outside Dubois combines lodge rooms and full-hookup RV sites with a river setting on the Wind River, where mule deer show up in the mornings. It's a reliable stop for travelers connecting between the parks and the Wind River Range. Thermopolis, 75 miles south of Dubois, adds Hot Springs State Park as a reason to overnight: the state bath house is free, the Wyoming Dinosaur Center is nearby, and the town works as a midpoint on a north-south loop.
Southeast Wyoming
Cheyenne sits in the southeast corner off I-25 and I-80, 90 minutes north of Denver. It's the state capital and the home of Cheyenne Frontier Days each July, the largest outdoor rodeo in the world. During Frontier Days week (late July), rooms citywide book out months ahead and rates double. Little America Hotel and Resort on West Lincolnway has 294 rooms, an outdoor pool, and a golf course, making it one of the more complete properties in the state for families and groups. For extended stays, Staybridge Suites Cheyenne on Frontier Mall Drive offers suite-style rooms with kitchenettes, which is practical when you're staying four or five nights during a big event.
Laramie, 50 miles west of Cheyenne on I-80 at 7,200 feet, is a college town built around the University of Wyoming. It's the jumping-off point for the Snowy Range Scenic Byway, Vedauwoo's granite domes, and Medicine Bow National Forest. Hilton Garden Inn on Grand Avenue and Hampton Inn on Grand Avenue both handle overnight stays well for road-trippers and ski-season visitors heading into the Medicine Bow Mountains.
Practical Tips
Book ahead for Jackson Hole. For summer travel (June through August), book Jackson lodging by January or February. Properties within 5 miles of town square fill fast, and rates increase as availability drops.
In-park lodging at Yellowstone and Grand Teton books even faster. Old Faithful Inn, Lake Hotel, and the other Xanterra-managed lodges in Yellowstone fill well in advance. See Park Reservations and Permits for exactly what needs lead time.
Fall is the value window. September and early October bring the elk rut below the Tetons, quieter roads, and rates that can run 30 to 40 percent below peak. See Best Time to Visit Wyoming for how the calendar affects both crowds and costs.
Choosing between parks. If you're deciding whether to base near Yellowstone or Grand Teton, the Yellowstone vs Grand Teton page breaks down what each covers and which fits different trip styles.
Renting a car is not optional in Wyoming. There is no meaningful transit or rideshare network outside Jackson and Cheyenne. Every region requires a car, and distances are long: Jackson to Cody is roughly 2.5 hours the long way around, and Jackson to Cheyenne is most of a full driving day.
Frequently asked questions
Where should I stay in Wyoming to see both Yellowstone and Grand Teton?
Jackson Hole is the most practical base for both parks. Grand Teton's Moose Entrance is about 20 minutes north of downtown Jackson, and the South Entrance to Yellowstone is roughly 80 miles north on US-89/191. Most visitors drive a 2 to 3 day loop through both parks from a Jackson base. If you want to cover the east side of Yellowstone, splitting nights between Jackson and Cody adds scope but requires a full day of driving between the two towns in summer, since the direct route goes through the park.
What is the cheapest area to stay near Wyoming's national parks?
Cody runs 20 to 30 percent cheaper than Jackson for comparable rooms in summer and puts you 52 miles from Yellowstone's East Entrance. Dubois, 85 miles east of Jackson over Togwotee Pass, goes cheaper still and gives access to the Wind River Range and the less-trafficked northeast approach to the Tetons. West Yellowstone in Montana sits right outside the park's West Entrance and is another budget-friendly option for Yellowstone-focused trips.
When should I book hotels in Wyoming?
For Jackson Hole in summer, January or February is not too early. Yellowstone in-park lodges through Xanterra book out even faster, often by the fall before. Cody hotels are more forgiving and often bookable 30 to 60 days out for most of the summer, though the best-rated properties fill earlier. Cheyenne books out entirely during Frontier Days in late July, so plan six or more months ahead if you want to attend. Fall visits in September and October are generally last-minute friendly outside Jackson Hole.
Do I need to book a rental car in advance in Wyoming?
Yes, especially for summer trips through Jackson Hole Airport (JAC), where rental car inventory runs thin and rates spike late in the booking window. Booking a car 3 to 4 months out is practical for June through August travel. Casper (CPR) and Cheyenne (CYS) have more available inventory in summer, but supply is still limited compared to major metro airports. Many visitors fly into Salt Lake City (SLC) or Denver (DEN) and rent there at lower rates, then drive in.