
Old Faithful Inn
Best for being inside Yellowstone with easy walking access to Old Faithful and other geyser basins.
Prices in other currencies are estimates. You’re charged in USD.
Old Faithful Inn is a historic, in‑park log lodge for travelers who want direct access to Old Faithful and the Upper Geyser Basin. Shepherd Family Retreats– Bear Cub is a family-oriented vacation home in West Yellowstone for families who prefer a private house near the park entrance with high guest ratings.
Updated · about 30 miles apart

Best for being inside Yellowstone with easy walking access to Old Faithful and other geyser basins.

Best for families who want a private house near the West Entrance with space, kitchen facilities, and very high guest ratings.
When Old Faithful Inn wins: pick Old Faithful Inn if you want to stay inside Yellowstone in a National Historic Landmark with immediate access to geyser viewing, on-site full-service dining, and the classic park‑lodge atmosphere—even if rooms are intentionally unplugged and basic.
When Shepherd Family Retreats– Bear Cub wins: choose Bear Cub if you want a private, family‑sized house in West Yellowstone with a kitchen, free parking, Wi‑Fi, and lots of nearby family activities; it’s a good option for groups arriving via West Yellowstone airport or wanting a self-catered stay.
Bottom line: both suit families visiting Yellowstone, but Old Faithful Inn is the historic, on‑site park lodge for geyser access and lodge dining, while Shepherd Family Retreats– Bear Cub is a practical, highly rated vacation home in West Yellowstone for families wanting space and self-catering.
| Category | Old Faithful Inn | Shepherd Family Retreats- Bear Cub |
|---|---|---|
| Overall vibe | Historic, public lodge; deliberately unplugged rooms and a large log‑cabin lobby. | Private family vacation home with a kitchen and entertainment electronics. |
| Location | Inside Yellowstone National Park next to Old Faithful/Upper Geyser Basin. | West Yellowstone town, a short drive from the West Entrance. |
| Size (rooms) | About 327–329 rooms. | Not published |
| Best for | Geyser watching and being inside the park. | Family groups wanting a private house, kitchen, and parking. |
| Ages | All ages welcome; family‑friendly. | All ages welcome; family‑oriented property. |
| Pools | No pool, hot tub, or spa on site. | Not published |
| Restaurants & bars | Multiple on‑site venues: Dining Room (full sit‑down/buffet), Bear Pit Lounge, Bear Paw Deli, mezzanine espresso. | None listed — self‑catering kitchen and barbecue grill(s) available. |
| Spa & wellness | No spa or fitness center on site. | |
| Parking & transport | Free self‑parking available; small lot shared with geyser/restaurant. | Free self‑parking onsite; short drive to West Entrance and local services. |
| Known for | Being a National Historic Landmark and very close to Old Faithful eruptions. | High guest rating and family‑friendly vacation home near Tweedy Lake and Gallatin National Forest. |
Old Faithful Inn sits inside Yellowstone National Park steps from Old Faithful and the Upper Geyser Basin.
Stay here if you want immediate, on‑foot access to Yellowstone’s geyser basins and park services.
Shepherd Family Retreats– Bear Cub is located in West Yellowstone, outside the park near Tweedy Lake and Gallatin National Forest.
Choose Bear Cub for easy access to the West Entrance, local town services, and extra space outside the park.
Old Faithful Inn offers a range of historic room types, some with shared bathrooms and intentionally limited in‑room technology.
Expect historic rooms with limited modern in‑room amenities—book carefully for private baths or preferred wing.
Shepherd Family Retreats– Bear Cub is rented as a house with a kitchen, living area, fireplace, and Smart TV.
Bear Cub functions like a self‑contained house—better for families who want cooking space and electronics.
Old Faithful Inn provides multiple on‑site dining venues from the large Dining Room to a deli and bars.
If on‑site, full‑service dining and lodge bars are available—useful when you don’t want to leave the park.
Bear Cub is set up for self‑catering with a full kitchen and barbecue grills; no on‑site signature restaurants are listed.
Bring groceries or plan town meals—Bear Cub is aimed at self‑contained family stays rather than on‑site dining.
Old Faithful Inn’s signature feature is immediate access to Old Faithful and proximity to multiple geyser basins.
The primary amenity is location: staying inside the park beside Old Faithful.
Bear Cub’s advantages are the private house amenities families use daily: kitchen, living space, and Wi‑Fi.
Bear Cub’s selling point is private, family‑friendly accommodation with the conveniences of a vacation home.
Old Faithful Inn offers minimal wellness or nightlife facilities—its focus is park experiences and daytime exploring.
Expect outdoor activity and modest evening bar options rather than a resort nightlife or spa.
Bear Cub lists many nearby outdoor activities and provides in‑house entertainment for families.
Bear Cub offers family entertainment and outdoor activity access rather than spa or resort nightlife.

Old Faithful Inn — you can walk to Old Faithful and other geyser basins from the lodge.

Shepherd Family Retreats– Bear Cub — full kitchen, laundry, and living space make it easy to feed and manage a family.

Old Faithful Inn — National Historic Landmark with classic log‑lodge dining and public spaces.

Shepherd Family Retreats– Bear Cub — private house with Wi‑Fi, Smart TV and free parking for groups.
Old Faithful Inn is inside the park next to Old Faithful; Shepherd Family Retreats– Bear Cub is in West Yellowstone outside the park near the West Entrance.
Old Faithful Inn has multiple on‑site dining venues (Dining Room, Bear Pit Lounge, Bear Paw Deli, espresso). Bear Cub is a vacation home with a full kitchen; no on‑site restaurants are listed.
Both welcome families: Old Faithful Inn places you inside the park for quick geyser viewing; Bear Cub gives you a private house, kitchen, and laundry for family logistics.
Old Faithful Inn intentionally does not offer Wi‑Fi in guest rooms; Shepherd Family Retreats– Bear Cub lists complimentary Wi‑Fi in the house.
Explore how Old Faithful Inn stacks up against other hotels nearby:
vs. sites like Expedia, Hotels.com and other OTAs ·