What We Offer in Cody, WY
Yellowstone Cabins, Dining, Lounge/Bar, Relaxation, and outdoor fun near Yellowstone National Park
Elephant Head Lodge is a AAA Double Diamond approved, small log-cabin mountain resort located just 11.7 miles East of Yellowstone National Park on the Shoshone National Forest, and located 40 miles west of Cody, WY. The lodge and most of our cabins are listed on the National Register of Historic Places.
The historical Elephant Head Lodge west of Cody, Wyoming was started in the 1920’s. The cabins built by Buffalo Bill’s niece have been modernized with bathrooms and some with kitchenettes, but retain their original charm. These are historic cabins, so remember they will run on the small side if you are expecting space.
We are family oriented with clean and comfortable cabins. We classify our Yellowstone cabins as sleeping cabins (beds & bathrooms) or kitchenette cabins (beds, bathrooms, kitchenette with living room/space).
The Elephant Head Lodge is a great place for relaxing, visiting, fishing, wildlife viewing, and hiking. Fishing requires the appropriate fishing licenses and equipment. We will help you arrange for those river float trips, guided tours, horseback rides, and other Yellowstone activities.
The relaxed atmosphere is ideal for families and individuals looking for that perfect mountain getaway, with that escape from modern technology and fast-paced lifestyles. Stay in our Yellowstone cabins for your vacation to the area.
Our small & charming lodge and Yellowstone cabins have a great central location, and is also a wonderful base for touring Yellowstone National Park.
Experience high mountain peaks, pristine mountain lakes, bison, elk, moose, bear, and other various wildlife, wildflowers, and birds.
Elephant Head Lodge is located 11.7 miles outside the East Entrance of Yellowstone National Park, and located 40 miles west of Cody, WY.
Cabins and Dining Near Yellowstone National Park in Cody, WY
Elephant Head Lodge is a AAA Double Diamond approved, small log-cabin mountain resort located just 11.7 miles East of Yellowstone National Park on the Shoshone National Forest, and located 40 miles west of Cody, WY. The lodge and most of our cabins are listed on the National Register of Historic Places.
We are a small, well-established, family oriented, mountain lodge and known for its fine dining, breathtaking views of wildlife, and relaxed atmosphere. Stay in our Yellowstone cabins for your vacation.
We have 15 log Yellowstone cabin rentals that house two to eight guests per cabin, and five cabins have kitchenettes.
We have our own restaurant, offering breakfast and dinner off the menu, sack lunches and homemade cinnamon rolls, as well as homemade soups, breads, and desserts. Our lodge features our lounge and bar, a comfortable family room as well as the office. Here we help guests arrange tours, horse rides, fishing within walking distance, river rafting, rodeo tickets, and other area events and activities. Our lodge is a wonderful base for the guests touring Yellowstone National Park, Cody, & the Shoshone National Forest.
We hope to become your home away from home, with that much-needed vacation from technology and the fast-paced life at home, and a place to enjoy peace, quiet, and beautiful wildlife.
Elephant Head Lodge History
The Lodge gets its name from a rock formation overlooking it.
The Lodge, Restaurant, and the “Trapper” cabin were all built in 1920’s by Buffalo Bill Cody’s niece, Josephine Thurston, and her husband Harry W. Thurston. Harry chose the site for its water. He was one of the first Rangers in the Shoshone Forest and knew about the spring that still serves the Lodge today. It was a dependable source of good water for early travelers to Yellowstone – and for trappers and Indians before them. The lodge is operated by a Wyoming native with a fourth generation ranch family background.
Call us to reserve your room
“Bucket list item completed”
My wife and I have an item on our bucket list to visit as many National parks and monuments as we can and are still able to travel. We were visiting yellowstone National Park and found that we needed a place to spend the night after seeing the park all day. My wife found Elephant head lodge in the AAA book and called them and rented a cabin for the night. This place is tucked away off the highway a short distance so road noise is minimal. We had cabin no. 5 . Everything we needed and more. Deb met us on our arrival and was warm and welcoming. Made us feel comfortable right away. The cabins have a private bath no wifi no tv no phone but you can still get these from the lodge community room which is open until 10 pm. A wonderful restaurant right there a short walk from your cabin. We had two mule deer grazing behind our cabin in the morning when we went to the restaurant for breakfast. Food there is totally awesome. We would stay there again and would like to spend a few days there the next time.
“Excellent stay near Yellowstone”
We decided to to go to Yellowstone National Park on a family trip. Instead of staying inside the park we elected to stay near the eastern gate at the Elephant Head Lodge. We are really glad we did. The lodge is scenic, rustic, homey and has everything you need. We stayed in the "Homesteader" room which was a log cabin design with master bedroom, kitchen, front sitting room, and a nice deck to sit and have coffee in the morning.
“This amazing retreat made the Yellowstone experience one to remember!”
Our stay was amazing! The staff greeted us with smiles upon our arrival! The wind whistling through the quaking aspens, the quiet retreat, the fishing and eating our catch, the "Goldilocks and 3 bears" style cabin was a dream...rustic and just perfect! This east entrance to the park is most impressive and being 11 miles from that entrance was amazing. I miss it already!
“Great Place to Stay Near Yellowstone”
We stayed in a cabin at Elephant Head Lodge during our trip to Yellowstone Park. It is 11 miles from the East Entrance to the park. The staff was helpful and friendly, our cabin was lovely and just perfect for what we wanted. Note: there is no cell phone service or televisions, but we liked that! They even booked a horseback ride for us at a neighboring lodge which was just a few minutes down the road. We had dinner a couple nights in the dining room and the food was excellent. We enjoyed meeting all the staff who were very friendly and helpful with information about the area and the park. We would recommend and definitely stay there again!
“Beautiful Place To Stay”
We loved our stay at Elephant Head Lodge. Location is very convenient to Cody, Wy and to Yellowstone. The owner and her staff were wonderful. It is beautiful, quiet, clean and comfortable. Breakfast was absolutely wonderful every morning. The owner even visited our cabin to warn us that a grizzly bear was in the area, so beware. We did not get to see the grizzly however! Did see a bison at breakfast one morning and that was a treat! Would definitely stay there again. While there is no cell service there, she has phone, computer and tv available if needed. We enjoyed watching Univ of Texas football game with others staying at the Lodge and enjoyed happy hour with them. Great personal attention while staying at the Lodge.
“Great Place to Stay”
Close to east entrance of Yellowstone. The Cabin was small but very comfortable. No cell service, no TV, no Internet (TV and internet is available in the lounge). A perfect opportunity for cribbage on the front porch with a magnificent view. The staff couldn't have been more helpful and courteous. Dinner and breakfast in the dining room was excellent and the sack lunch was very good. I highly recommend this place. Wish we could have stayed longer.
“An Oasis”
What an oasis of calm....close to the Eastern gateway to Yellowstone National Park. Forget ''social media'' of any form and step back in time.
The cabins, nestled into the hillside, are comfortable and clean and cater for single people, couples and families of various sizes. Their decor is delightfully 'Western' and cosy and if you require anything just ask the staff who are friendly and accommodating. There is a communal lounge if you wish to trade stories with other travelers and an excellent dinning room - well worth a visit. The food is delicious and well prepared - with lots of it. Wild life abounds in this area. Naturally so as it's on the doorstep of the Yellowstone National Park. I had a tick list and pretty much got it covered except for a Wolverine. One day I will return to Elephant Head Lodge but until I do I have wonderful memories and an abundance of photographs.“Charming!”
Small but romantic,cozy,rustic,charming, and most importantly...spotless! A step back in time. Dinning and service were excellent. Just a delight and a welcome surprise. Loved the Hostess! All the staff were all very friendly and helpful.
“WOW What a Gem!”
Adorable cabins! East Entrance before entering Yellowstone. Clean. Cozy. Like a trip back in time. DELICIOUS homemade food. Very friendly staff. Perfect for couples! Definitely will go back on our next vacation!
“Excellent for family time!”
We stayed in the Rendevous cabin (5 nights), I had 4 adults & 5 young adults (15-20)...there is no cell service or internet here (phone & internet at lodge) I thought it would be a problem since the kids are attached to their phones but they all had a blast! This cabin has a loft that we had 2-20 yr olds in, to climb up & in must be limber (ladder attached to wall)..there is a door that swings to separate the 2 bedrooms if needed, each has a bathroom...staff was awesome, so outgoing & friendly...loved Debbie & Annie!! Would definitely stay here again!
Pet Friendly Cabins
We understand that your pets are part of your family. We are proud to offer pet friendly lodging and cabins near Yellowstone. Pets are a part of our Elephant Head Lodge family!
Our Pet Policy is a $25 fee/pet/visit first day, then a $20 fee/pet/additional day(s). We ask that you attend to your pets as needed, as we do have other guests, employees, others with pets, horses, and wildlife in the area. Please, do not leave pets unattended in cabins and remember to use your pet leashes.
All cabins at Elephant Head Lodge are pet friendly