For our second night in Yellowstone we stayed at the Parks Canyon Lodge & Cabins (El. 7,918’) 307-3447311 ($381) which is right in the middle of the park and close to the Grand Canyon of Yellowstone with its 308 ft. waterfall, Geysers and mud pots viewing. This time of the year much of the lodge is closed down, but all of the cabins are available. Check in at the lodge and we could not check into a cabin until after 3:30. That was OK as we then toured the #1 wonder of Yellowstone = The Canyon, which is right next door (NO too far to walk). Staying here cut down on traveling back to West Yellowstone for more tourist digs. Back at the lodge we checked into one of the cabins (#20). These cabins are really nice and new, with large rooms and two queen beds. Going to give the cabin a hinge rating of 6.8 supported on the quality of the newness of the structure, although there is NO TV, phone, frig, air conditioning, coffee maker or internet (this is a national park you must understand), the accommodations are very clean and comfortable thus upping Toms scale. Yes there is heat via a wall unit that warms up the place nicely ------ But it only has one speed = all heat or off, so it looks like we will be sleeping with a window open tonight. These are not what came to mind as “cabins” in rustic format, rather they are four units each under one roof, and there must be around 25 of these units surrounded by trees. = Really nice. Headed out to the lodge food service (dining rooms are closed due to the Covid) which consist of take out only. We decided to do Asian and had a great meal taking our eats outside

We stayed in a new "standard lodge room", and at first I was impressed with the simplistic, natural look of the building and room. The man who checked us in could use some refreshers in customer service, he was a bit rude and haughty when I asked a question. Then we entered our lodge room and I discovered hair in the shower, and dirt and easily visible debris on the floor: under the nightstand, by the toilet, behind the sliding bathroom door - and since it was dirty where I could easily see it, I lifted up the rug to see how bad it was where I couldn't easily see it - absolutely filthy. The bed also didn't have a fitted sheet on top of the mattress, only a flat sheet. I asked for a broom to clean the dirt myself so I knew it was taken care of, but they wouldn't allow that and instead we had to step out while someone addressed the areas I told them there was dirt. Except they didn't sweep the places I specifically mentioned there was dirt... Like behind the bathroom door. I mentioned all this when we checked out 2 days later, and the very nice woman at the counter was equally disgusted with our stay and apologized. Unless you're staying here for convenience of location, I would highly recommend staying somewhere more comfortable. Paying the same or higher price for a room that has bare amenities and is dirty isn't comfortable. This was by far the dirtiest room we stayed at throughout our trip in Yellowstone, yet it was the most recently constructed.

After spending 2 nights in the Canyon Lodge, we really weren't impressed. Kudos to the lodge for obtaining a LEED certification, however, this doesn't mean that the accommodations need to be spartan, especially at the prices they charge. The rooms were really not comfortable, and the shower was so small it was difficult to use...and, we're small people. The staff at the desk was not exactly friendly either and were of very little assistance when asked questions both about the room as well as the park. If you come back late in the day, parking is almost impossible to find, and while they have "low emission & fuel efficient vehicle" parking spaces (for a LEED credit), they don't enforce the requirement, as we often saw large trucks parked in the spaces. We really were hoping for a better experience. Would not recommend staying here if you can get into one of the other lodges.

Unless you are staying in the main building where you check in, forget about internet service. There is no wifi and you will barely get any cellular service. There’s actually minimal cellular service throughout the park. The rooms are small, no TV, no closet, very small bathroom. No housekeeping due to COVID. Because of COVID food options are also very minimal and all takeout. There’s a cafeteria near by with decent breakfast. Lunch/Dinner options are basically all the same in canyon, old faithful, and mammoth. Go to a grocery store in Jackson and get enough snacks and tune/ PB &J to hold you over during your stay. Only pro is that this hotel is inside the park, would not have stayed here otherwise.

The major plus for this accommodation is that it is inside the park. The question is do you want to pay hundreds of dollars more for that privilege. Take into account that the local dining options are limited to ‘The Eatery’, which is nothing more than an overpriced cafeteria with poor food and you may decide that your best options in both price and quality are outside. The rooms are clean, but if you’re used to having a TV and internet access (and who isn’t these days) then you’ll be very disappointed. There isn’t even a decent phone signal, but there is a small fridge (without freezer). However, no microwave or even a coffee maker so, apart from keeping drinks cold for a night cap as you read your book, it’s no real use for food. My suggestion - stay outside, enjoy the comforts of a regular hotel with local dining options and get up early to drive in and beat the crowds.