Yellowstone National Park offers a diverse range of dining options, from casual cafeterias to fine dining restaurants. Whether you’re looking for locally sourced and sustainable food options or just a quick bite to refuel, this guide will provide you with all the details you need to plan your dining experience in Yellowstone.
Operating Dates and Serving Times
The restaurants in Yellowstone National Park operate on varying schedules, with some open year-round and others open only during the peak visitation season. Here’s a breakdown of the operating dates and serving times for the major dining establishments:
| Restaurant | Operating Dates | Serving Times |
|---|---|---|
| Canyon Lodge Eatery | May 17 – October 27, 2024 | Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner |
| Grant Village Dining Room | May 31 – October 6, 2024 | Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner |
| Lake Yellowstone Hotel Dining Room | May 10 – September 2, 2024 | Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner |
| Mammoth Hotel Dining Room | April 26 – October 14, 2024 | Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner |
| Old Faithful Inn Dining Room | May 3 – October 14, 2024 | Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner |
| Old Faithful Snow Lodge Obsidian Dining Room | April 26 – October 27, 2024 | Breakfast, Dinner |
Locally Sourced and Sustainable Options
Yellowstone National Park is committed to promoting sustainable practices, and some of the restaurants in the park have embraced this ethos. Here are a few options that focus on locally sourced and sustainable ingredients:
Mammoth Hotel Dining Room
The Mammoth Hotel Dining Room is the first 4-Star Green Restaurant Association-certified restaurant in a National Park. It has a strong focus on sustainable practices and sources approximately 70% of its ingredients within a 500-mile radius.
Old Faithful Snow Lodge Obsidian Dining Room
The Obsidian Dining Room at the Old Faithful Snow Lodge offers menu items made with sustainable and/or organic ingredients, providing a more eco-friendly dining experience.
Menu Highlights
While the menus at Yellowstone’s restaurants cater to a wide range of tastes, some establishments offer unique and specialized options:
Old Faithful Snow Lodge Obsidian Dining Room
- Gluten-free options: French Onion Soup, Beef Tenderloin Tips, Blackened Bison Burger, and more.
- Vegetarian and vegan options: Polenta Fritter, Pear and Bleu Cheese Ravioli, Red Curry Vegetables with Basmati Rice, and more.
General Stores and Cafeterias
In addition to the full-service restaurants, Yellowstone National Park also offers several general stores and cafeterias for quick and convenient dining options:
- Old Faithful General Store: Offers personal pizzas, salads, hot and cold sandwiches, hot dogs, and soup and chili.
- Grant Village General Store: Features a fountain area with seating for approximately 80 people, serving fast-food style meals.
- Lake General Store: Offers a fountain menu with ice cream, sandwiches, and espresso.
Winter Dining Options
While the majority of Yellowstone’s restaurants operate during the peak visitation season, a few establishments remain open during the winter months:
- Mammoth Hotel Dining Room: Open from December 15, 2024 – March 3, 2025 (Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner, Reservations Required for Dinner).
- Old Faithful Snow Lodge Obsidian Dining Room: Open from December 16, 2024 – March 2, 2025 (Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner, Reservations Required for Dinner).
Contact Information
For more information or to make reservations, you can contact the following restaurants and general stores:
- Old Faithful General Store: Phone: 307-545-7237, Hours: Open every day from 9am-6pm, April 28 – October 15, 2023.
- Grant Village General Store: Phone: 307-242-7266, Hours: Open Daily; June 9 – September 10, 2023.
- Lake General Store: Phone: 307-242-7563, Hours: Open Daily; June 2 – September 10, 2023.
By understanding the operating dates, serving times, and menu options available at Yellowstone National Park’s restaurants, you can plan your dining experiences to make the most of your visit to this stunning natural wonder.
References
- TripAdvisor. (2024). THE 10 BEST Restaurants in Yellowstone National Park (2024). Retrieved from https://www.tripadvisor.com/Restaurants-g60999-Yellowstone_National_Park_Wyoming.html
- Yellowstone National Park Lodges. (n.d.). Dining at Yellowstone National Park Lodges. Retrieved from https://www.yellowstonenationalparklodges.com/dining/
- Yellowstone Vacations. (n.d.). Yellowstone Restaurants – In-Park Dining. Retrieved from https://www.yellowstonevacations.com/discover/dining/yellowstone-in-park-dining/
- Yellowstone National Park Lodges. (n.d.). Obsidian Dining Room Dinner. Retrieved from https://www.yellowstonenationalparklodges.com/assets/Snow%20Lodge%20Dinner%20-%20REPRINT%20-%2012-20-12.pdf
- National Park Service. (2023). Restaurants – Yellowstone National Park (U.S. National Park Service). Retrieved from https://www.nps.gov/yell/planyourvisit/wheretoeat.htm.