If you’re planning a trip to America’s first national park, you may be looking for the best dining in Yellowstone National Park. From quick-service spots to full-service fare with views of the explosive geysers, this family-friendly guide has it all!
Renowned for its bubbling hot springs, incredible geysers, and amazing wildlife, it’s no surprise that Yellowstone National Park is one of the most popular natural attractions in the United States.
But I’ll be the first to admit that planning an epic family vacation to such a massive national park can be overwhelming. From picking your accommodations to figuring out the best time to visit, crafting the perfect itinerary can be a whirlwind.
To simplify your life, I’ve detailed the best places for dining in Yellowstone National Park. Whether you need light bites and baked goods for the road or want a refined sit-down affair, there’s something on this rundown to suit you! I’ll even cover opening hours, top tips for getting the best views from your seat, and what spots are particularly kid-friendly.
We’ll also cover:
- Which restaurants require reservations (sometimes months in advance)
- Options that are open in the winter (most of them are not)
- Best spots to stock up on groceries (and snacks for the car)
- My top family dining recommendation for each area of the park
Now let’s get to meal planning for the ultimate escape to the wonderful Wyoming (+Montana and Idaho) wilderness!

Table of Contents
Dining in Yellowstone National Park: Interactive Map
Below youโll find an interactive map that highlights each of the restaurant recommendations made in this article. Youโll be able to see the relative distance, as well as other park highlights like visitor centers, etc.
How to Use This Map:
Click on any of the trail recommendations marked with the bed icon in this color. A popup will open discussing the hike in greater detail.
Clicking the star next to the name of the map will save the map to your google account. To access it later on a computer or your smartphone, open google maps and select โYour Placesโ.
Best Places for Dining in Yellowstone National Park
Dining Recommendations: Old Faithful Area
1. Old Faithful Inn Dining Room
Hours: 6:30โ10 am, 11:30 amโ2:30 pm, and 4:30โ10 pm
Open: Summer/Fall Season Only
Cuisine: American
Location: Old Faithful Area; Inside Old Faithful Inn (main level)
Reservations Required: YES (and months in advance); walking in is possible, but the wait times during peak summer season may be extended (or unavailable altogether); Inn guests will receive an email 60-days in advance allowing them to book; guests at other Yellowstone hotels/lodges can book here 30-days in advance of their reservation
Address: 3200 Old Faithful Inn Rd, Yellowstone National Park, WY 82190
**TOP RECOMMENDATION for upscale, sit-down dining in Yellowstone National Park
Old Faithful Inn Dining Room is one of my personal favorite options for dining in Yellowstone National Park as the ambiance is incredible if you love a historic, log-cabin aesthetic (fun fact: this place was the model for Disney’s Wilderness Lodge).




Along with a very comprehensive breakfast buffet, you can grab everything from burgers to prime rib during dinner service (where a reservation is a MUST!). Because itโs open super early, the Old Faithful Dining Room is also a great option for filling up before hiking the Upper Geyser Basin. Oh, and did I mention that this eatery is right by the Old Faithful Geyser?

In terms of the ambiance, expect a cozy log-cabin vibe with vaulted ceilings. As a quick word of warning though, this place gets incredibly crowded because of its location.
Pro Tips:
- Sitting down to a meal too slow for your packed Yellowstone agenda? Grab a quick bite, and perhaps a Huckleberry Margarita at the Bear Pit Lounge. It’s a bar (and a really cool-looking one at that) located right off the Old Faithful Inn’s lobby. But this bar also has a limited menu for lunch/dinner. The views aren’t as amazing (the lounge faces the front of the hotel rather than Old Faithful geyser in the rear) but it’s typically less packed, and definitely more affordable than the Old Faithful Inn Dining Room, making it perfect for budget travelers!
- Not up for a big meal during your Yellowstone adventure? Don’t miss the opportunity to enjoy sunset and a game of cards sitting on the second story deck of the Inn, overlooking Old Faithful. Grab a drink at the Bear Pit Lounge, or there’s a smaller bar right inside the outdoor deck on the second floor. Your cocktail will be even more memorable as you enjoy Old Faithful’s au natural
firewater-works show!


2. “Lower” or “Basin” General Store – AKA Hamilton’s Store
Hours: 9 am โ 6 pm
Open: Summer/Fall Season Only
Cuisine: American/Grill
Location: Old Faithful Area, next to Old Faithful Inn
Reservations Required: No
Address: 1 Old Faithful Loop Road, Yellowstone National Park, WY 82190
**TOP RECOMMENDATION for relaxed, diner-style made-to-order food in the oldest store in Yellowstone National Park!
Hamilton’s Store was the first store in the Old Faithful region of Yellowstone, and it dates all the way back to 1897. Today, it is a fabulous gift shop/lunch counter combo. And if you and your kids have ever heard the grandparents talking about “lunch counters” and “soda fountains” then you have to go and enjoy a meal at what is now called the “Lower” General Store (side note: I think the marketing dept needs to re-visit this one…kind of lame).

The food is made-to-order, and comes out fast. I guarantee you’ll have the best burger in Yellowstone at this lunch counter.

Don’t want a full meal? They have ice cream at the other end of the lunch counter…and it’s good! Grab a cone, and meander around the Upper Geyser Basin. It will be a Sunday (with a sundae) to remember.

3. Old Faithful “Upper” General Store
Hours: 9โฏam โ 6โฏpm
Open: Summer/Fall Season Only
Cuisine: Pizza, Sandwiches, Soup/Salads Ice Cream
Location: Inside Old Faithful Area, next to Snow Lodge & Geyser Grill
Reservations Required: No
Address: 2 Old Faithful Loop Road, Yellowstone National Park, WY 82190
**TOP RECOMMENDATION for groceries in the Old Faithful area
Though not quite as historic as the Lower Basin General Store, the Upper General Store was built in the 1920’s and it boasts the best gift shop in the Old Faithful area.
The restaurant is located in the rear, left side of the building. You won’t have a very scenic meal here, but there will be something that will please everyone’s palette.
This spot has more seating, but also gets more crowded in my experience as compared to the Lower Basin Store (which I prefer). So if you are looking for a sit-down meal, I’d say take the 10-minute walk past Old Faithful Inn down to the Lower Basin Store.
That said, if you’re looking to buy groceries and snacks for the car in the Old Faithful area, this is the place to stock up! From ramen (there’s a microwave there to warm it up, too) to chips, pre-packaged sandwiches and beverages, this general store’s got it all.

4. Old Faithful Lodge Cafeteria & Bake Shop
Hours: 11:30โฏam โ 8โฏpm
Open Summer/Fall Season Only
Cuisine: Baked goods and American fare
Location: Inside Old Faithful Lodge, main level
Reservations Required: No
Address: 725 Old Faithful Lodge Rd, Yellowstone National Park, WY 82190
For bagels, bison meatloaf sandwiches, cinnamon rolls, muffins, and soft-serve ice cream, head to the Old Faithful Lodge Cafeteria & Bake Shop. Not only does it offer amazing views of Old Faithful Geyser from the lobby seating area, but service is super-quick (grab food school lunch style with your tray in the cafeteria line). If you want something hot, you can grab gyros or bowls of chili to eat-in or to-go.

Thereโs not much to note in terms of decor or ambiance…think 1970’s ski lodge-chic. But itโs a great place to grab portable food for hikes. Plus, thereโs enough seating in the cafeteria area for around 200 people. So, itโs a great option for decompressing as a family before getting back on the road with full bellies.

5. Geyser Grill
Hours: 11 am โ 7 pm
Open Year Round
Cuisine: American/Fast Food
Location: Old Faithful Area, at the Snow Lodge
Reservations Required: No
Address: 1000 Old Faithful Road, Yellowstone National Park, WY 82190
Another solid option for dining in Yellowstone is the quick-service Geyser Grill. This is a one-stop shop for burgers, hot dogs, chili fries, and chicken sandwiches (AKA: classic American fare!).
Itโs a great pick for families whose priority is quickly grabbing grub and getting back on the road (or trails). But itโs also an awesome choice for ordering fast meals at dinnertime and then hitting the hay. Plus, itโs super casual in here. So, you wonโt need to worry about kiddos being excitable or getting dressed up.
If you can, grab a table by the window for a view of the visitor center and comings/goings in this busy Old Faithful region. During the wintertime, youโll even be able to spot snowmobiles jetting around the Old Faithful Snow Lodge for ski season!

6. Obsidian Dining Room
Hours: 6:30 am โ 10:30 am, 5 pm โ 10 pm
Open Year Round
Cuisine: American/Grill
Location: Old Faithful Area, inside Snow Lodge
Reservations Required: Only in winter
Address: 2051 Snow Lodge Ave, Yellowstone National Park, WY 82190
The Obsidian Dining Room is a convenient option for a sit-down dinner. Itโs tucked inside the Old Faithful Snow Lodge and is comfortable and cozy (with wilderness-themed decor and wooden beams to boot!).
The Obsidian Dining Room serves up good bison dishes (the short ribs are pretty great!) along with fresh fish and wild game dishes like elk. I also appreciate that it has longer hours than other eateries like the Geyser Grill. Oh, and itโs open year-round but you only need to reserve tables during the winter season!

I wouldnโt say itโs super pricey, but itโs more expensive than your average grab and go deli. So, expect to pay around $20-$30 for a meal without appetizers or alcoholic drinks. But honestly, the portions are large and you can easily split them between two. If you need it, thereโs also a small kidโs menu with classics like grilled cheese that should suit most little ones.

7. Old Faithful Inn Bear Paw Deli
Hours: 6:30 am – 9:00 pm
Open Summer/Fall Season Only
Cuisine: Light bites and snacks
Location: Inside Old Faithful Inn, main level
Reservations Required: No
Address: 3200 Old Faithful Inn Rd, Yellowstone National Park, WY 82190
Quick service dining in Yellowstone National Park doesnโt get much better than the Bear Paw Deli. Itโs my top choice if you need to grab a morning coffee before the first Old Faithful eruption of the day (this is kind of like Yellowstone’s version of Starbucks).
On the menu, youโll find house-made deli sandwiches, salads, soups, and a few sweet treats. Thereโs nothing hugely filling, but thereโs a great selection of gluten-free, vegan, and vegetarian options to choose from.
Plus, itโs possibly one of the most casual spots for dining in Yellowstone National Park. Seriously, you can easily waltz in with the family in dirty boots and an enormous coat and no one will look twice!
Pro Tip: Take your food/coffee to go, and enjoy it in the lobby by the HUGE stone fireplace, or take the stairs to the roof deck on the second level, and enjoy your java while Old Faithful puts on its (mostly) regularly-scheduled shows.

Dining Recommendations: Mammoth Hot Springs
1. Terrace Grill
Hours: Varies
Open: Summer/Fall Season Only
Cuisine: American/Grill
Location: Mammoth Hot Springs, between Mammoth Hotel and the General Store
Reservations Required: No
Address: 305B Grand Loop Rd, Yellowstone National Park, WY 82190
**TOP RECOMMENDATION for eateries in Mammoth Hot Spring area
At Terrace Grill, you’ll enjoy your morning breakfast sandwich and coffee (or evening ice cream) with a side of live elk sauntering past the windows. The counter service is fast, and the prices reasonable.
The location is super convenient if you’re staying at the Mammoth Hotel or cabins (my recommendation) for the night.

2. Mammoth General Store
Hours: 9 am – Varies
Open: Year Round
Cuisine: Hot Dogs/Ice Cream/Sandwiches/Soup
Location: Mammoth Hot Springs, between Terrace Grill and the Sinclair gas station
Reservations Required: No
Address: 315A Grand Loop Rd, Yellowstone National Park, WY 82190
**TOP RECOMMENDATION for groceries in Mammoth Hot Spring area
The Mammoth General Store has a little bit of everything. It’s a big gift shop, but also great for groceries. If you want to buy some canned soup, ramen, or pre-packaged breakfast sandwiches, they have a microwave for you to warm up your purchases on the spot.
In the rear, center area of the store, they also have an ice cream counter (yes, that’s TWO places for ice cream in Mammoth!) that also serves some hot food items like hot dogs and nachos.

3. Mammoth Hotel Dining Room
Hours: 6 am – 9 pm (winter); 5 pm – 9 pm (summer). They close between breakfast, lunch, and dinner shifts in winter, so check hours before you go.
Open: Year Round
Cuisine: American/Grill
Location: Mammoth Hot Springs, inside Mammoth Hotel
Reservations Required: Winter dinners
Address: 305A Grand Loop Rd, Yellowstone National Park, WY 82190
If youโre on the lookout for upscale dining in Yellowstone National Park, Mammoth Hotel Dining Room is a good choice. In all honesty, if you’re only going to go “fancy” in Yellowstone for one night, save it for Old Faithful Inn, or Lake Yellowstone Hotel Dining Room. But if you’re ok “doing it up” a couple of nights, don’t miss this one, too.
Youโll find this place inside the Mammoth Hot Springs Hotel and itโs open for dinner only during the summer months. During wintertime, it serves breakfast and lunch on a first-served basis with dinner operating on a reservation-only basis.
The Art Deco-inspired space is very nice, but the dress code is still relatively casual. If youโre lucky, youโll also see elk roaming around the hotelโs lawn which is a huge selling point. Plus, it should keep little ones occupied while you eat (hooray for reduced screen time!).
Food-wise, you should expect bison steaks, trout, elk sliders, but kids should be fine with wings and the wild game chili. There ARE veggie-friendly dishes available, but there arenโt many.
For eco-conscious visitors, this place has also been 4-Star Certified by the Green Restaurant Association. This means it engages in sustainable practices and uses local and organic ingredients!

Dining Recommendations: Grant Village
1. Grant Village Dining Room
Hours: 6:30 am โ 10 am. 5 pm โ 9 pm
Open: Summer/Fall Season Only
Cuisine: American
Location: Grant Village
Reservations Required:
Address: 550 Sculpin Ln, Yellowstone National Park, WY 82190
For family-friendly dining in Yellowstone National Park (that isnโt too casual!), check out Grant Village Dining Room. It offers a varied menu packed with wild game and it’s right next to the Seven Stool Saloon if you need a nightcap!

The dining roomโs interior is lodge-like with its high beams and enormous vaulted ceilings. But despite feeling slightly upscale, it has really reasonable prices. Expect to find amazing bison burgers, falafel wraps, steaks, and delicious desserts (including a stellar brรปlรฉe cheesecake!).
You can grab breakfast, lunch, and dinner here, but be aware that reservations are mandatory for dinner. Plus, you canโt beat the incredible full-wall view of the lake from most of the dining area. During the summer months, I highly recommend trying to grab a seat outdoors if you can.

2. Grant Village Lake House Restaurant
Hours: 5 pm โ 10 pm
Open: Summer/Fall Season Only
Cuisine: Tacos
Location: Grant Village (at the marina)
Reservations Required: No
Address: 1095 Grant Marina Rd, Yellowstone National Park, WY 82190
**TOP RECOMMENDATION in the Grant Village area (because it’s hard to beat a view + a taco)
The views…and tacos! Two pretty great reasons for dining at the Lake House Restaurant. It’s a great place to decompress after a day on the go in Yellowstone. Make sure to ask for window seating! Note that this option is only open for dinner, and the menu is truly JUST tacos (and a good assortment of adult beverages…great combo if you ask me ;).

3. Grant Village General Store
Hours: 5 pm โ 10 pm
Open: Summer/Fall Season Only
Cuisine:
Location: Grant Village
Reservations Required: No
Address: 2 Grant Village Rd, Yellowstone National Park, WY 82190
The McDonalds of Yellowstone with quick, counter-service, and fast-food fare, Grant Village General Store is a great option for a quick meal before hiking (or boating…you’re near the lake here!) on your Yellowstone adventure du jour.
The General Store is also a great option for purchasing groceries and car snacks if you’d rather eat on the run! Plus, you can pick up all those huckleberry gifts for friends and neighbors at the gift shop in one big shopping swoop.
Truthfully, this area of the park is NOT my favorite for food OR shopping, but remember, the park is HUGE, so if this is a convenient stopping point for you, don’t hesitate to stock up on whatever it is you may need!

Dining Recommendations: Lake Yellowstone
1. Lake Yellowstone Hotel Dining Room
Hours: 6:30 โ10 am, 11:30 amโ2:30 pm, and 5โ10 pm
Open: Summer/Fall Season Only
Cuisine: Fine dining/American
Location: Inside Lake Yellowstone Hotel, main level
Reservations Required: Strongly Recommended
Address: 235 Yellowstone Lake Rd, Yellowstone National Park, WY 82190
**TOP RECOMMENDATION in this area of the park for sit-down, upscale dining.
Pro Tip: request seating by the windows when making your reservation, or speak to the host early on the day of your meal and make the request.
If youโre traveling with slightly older children, the Lake Yellowstone Hotel Dining Room is a gorgeous place for an evening meal. Itโs perched right on the shores of Lake Yellowstone and offers panoramic views over the waterfront from almost every seat.

The interior is elegant and understated (but definitely upscale), with tall white beams, pristine tablecloths, and perfectly folded napkins. You can 100% dine in this restaurant in casual clothing, but itโs still an excellent spot for special occasion dining in Yellowstone National Park.

If youโre wondering why Iโve said this is best for older children, it’s because I feel like the menu is just slightly too fussy for young kids. Itโs an expensive seasonal menu packed with creative dishes that lean toward fine dining. Think dishes like bison burgers, elk ravioli, and poached pear salads. So, petite palates may not necessarily appreciate the fancier flavors here.

Like Old Faithful Inn, this restaurant is one that gets booked out fairly quickly (though not as fast as Old Faithful Inn). Hotel guests will get an email 60 days ahead of their trip to book. Guests staying at other park lodges/hotels can book here 30 days in advance. Book this one ASAP if you’d like to fit it into your trip.


2. Lake Lodge Cafeteria (Wylie Canteen)
Hours: 6:30 – 10:30 am, 11:30 am – 3 pm, 4:30 – 9:30 pm
Open: Summer/Fall Season Only
Cuisine: American/Light Bites
Location: Inside Yellowstone Lake Lodge, on your right as you enter the lobby
Reservations Required: No
Address: 459 Lake Village Rd, Yellowstone National Park, WY 82190
**TOP RECOMMENDATION in this area of the park for casual, budget-friendlier fare and less crowds
As a mom, good food at bargain prices is what I live for. And thatโs largely what youโll find at the Lake Lodge Cafeteria. Itโs also right by Yellowstone Lake, which means you might be lucky enough to catch elk or bison strolling by your window!

Itโs not the most exciting dining room in the world, but it offers a rotating daily menu of specials that keeps things interesting at breakfast, lunch, and dinner. From deli sandwiches to hot entrees and fresh salads, thereโs something here to please every palate.

Oh, and I also think it has amazing opening hours for families looking to explore the nearby trails. Itโs open early and closes reasonably late for those last-minute quick dinners!

Pro Tips:
- Ask for your food to go, and eat in the lobby by the fire, or outside on the front porch while you play a game of cards and watch the bison wander past.
- Don’t miss the opportunity to grab a drink in the lobby bar. I highly recommend the Huckleberry Martini.


3. Fishing Bridge General Store
Hours: 6:30 – 10:30 am, 11:30 am – 3 pm, 4:30 – 9:30 pm
Open: Summer/Fall Season Only
Cuisine: American/Light Bites
Location: Fishing Bridge, across Entrance Rd from the visitor center
Reservations Required: No
Address: 1 E Entrance Rd, Yellowstone National Park, WY 82190
**TOP RECOMMENDATION in this area of the park for groceries and good diner food
This is an awesome general store, and convenient for those staying at the nearby RV/campground as well as those staying in the Lake Yellowstone area.
The store was built in 1931. It boasts a big lunch counter, 1950’s diner style with the U-shaped counters where waiters/waitresses can zig-zag between rows of patrons to take orders. You won’t get a great view dining here, but you will get generally quick service, and good quality sandwiches and meals.
I love this place for picking up groceries and snacks we can eat out on the trails. Grab and warm up soups, sandwiches, noodles and more at the microwave available to customers. They’ve got a large selection of hot/cold to-go items. Plus, it tends to be less crowded than general stores in the Old Faithful area and Mammoth.
Dining Recommendations: Tower/Roosevelt
1. Old West Cookout
Hours: The experience runs nightly during the summertime and you should get to the stables by 4:45 pm.
Open: Summer/Fall Season Only
Cuisine: American BBQ
Location: Tower/Roosevelt outdoor dining following a stagecoach or horseback ride; leaves from corral in front of Roosevelt Lodge
Reservations Required: Absolutely; and months in advance
Address: 100 Roosevelt Lodge Rd, Yellowstone National Park, WY 82190
**TOP RECOMMENDATION for family dining experience in the entire park! This is a DO NOT MISS!
The Old West Dinner Cookout is one of the most unique dining experiences at Yellowstone National Park. It involves taking a horseback or wagon ride (your choice) out on the prairie and chowing down on an old-school American dinner. While youโre trotting along, youโll also head through the sagebrush flats until you hit the cookout site (so, itโs great for wildlife watching!).

In terms of food, expect their signature Roosevelt baked beans, sirloin steak (cooked to order!), cornbread, and potato salad among other trimmings! Thereโs even live music sung by an authentic Western cowboy (plus a campfire) to keep you entertained while you sip your “cowboy coffee” (trust me, don’t miss it).

The entire experience runs for about 3 hours and itโs on the expensive side at $65-$116 per person (which is subject to change). But if Iโm being honest, itโs a Yellowstone experience that the entire family will LOVE. Plus, kids under 3 can share food from an adultโs plate which cuts costs down considerably.

If you do visit, just remember to arrive 10 minutes prior to your check-in time and wear closed-toes shoes if traveling by horseback. Anyone wearing sandals or sliders wonโt be able to ride to the experience (no exceptions!).

Pro Tip: It gets dusty on the trail, and buggy at the cookout site. Don’t leave on this adventure without face masks or bandanas for the trail ride (mostly for those riding the wagons), and bug spray to get you through the meal.
Even in the warmest part of the summer, it will get cool as the sun fades, so for the temperature AND the mosquitos, do your family a favor, and make everyone wear (or bring) pants and jackets!
2. Roosevelt Lodge Dining Room
Hours: 7โ10โฏam, 11:30โฏ amโ9:30โฏ pm
Open: Summer/Fall Season Only
Cuisine: American/Old-West
Location: Inside Roosevelt Lodge main lobby
Reservations Required: No
Address: 100 Roosevelt Lodge Rd, Yellowstone National Park, WY 82190
Roosevelt Lodge Dining Room is one of my top picks for dining in Yellowstone National Park for families. Thatโs largely because of the family-style sharing platters, but kids also love the old-school, cowboy-like feel of the place.

Itโs worth mentioning that the restaurant is only open between June and early September. So, this isnโt a full-service option for breakfast or dinner thatโs going to work for the winter months. But if youโre looking for Old-West grub like ribs, burgers, steak, and fried chicken? Well, this place has got you covered.


Just as a heads-up, this is also a fabulous place to grab affordable boxed lunches with simple sandwiches to keep kiddos ticking over. You can even slide over to the general store to grab picnic supplies (and ice cream!) for the road!

3. Tower General Store
Hours: Varies
Open: Summer/Fall Season Only
Cuisine: ice cream/groceries/hot dogs
Location: Tower Fall
Reservations Required: No
Address: 1 Dunraven Pass Road, Yellowstone National Park, WY 82190
Tower General Store is kind of like your local 7-11. You go here because it’s convenient, and you’re REALLY thirsty. Their best food feature is undoubtedly the ice cream. Grab one, then take the short trail to Tower Fall and enjoy the view of the falls with your treat.
There are groceries here and pre-packaged snacks, etc. but it’s usually quite crowded at this location, both in the parking lot and in the store. But it’s there if you need it!

Dining Recommendations: Canyon Village
1. Canyon Fountain and Grill
Hours: 11 am – 5 pm
Open: Summer/Fall Season Only
Cuisine: American diner-style
Location: Canyon Village; between the Canyon Visitor Center and the post office
Reservations Required: No
Address: 2 Canyon Village Loop Road, Yellowstone National Park, WY 82190
It’s…you guessed it! Another lunch counter! Yellowstone loves its lunch counters. Once again, you can expect good-old fashioned diner food. You won’t get a view, except of the souvenirs at the shop which Canyon Soda Fountain shares space with, but you’ll fuel up the kids and get them ready for the rest of your Yellowstone day.

The Canyon Village area gets very crowded in the midst of the summer season, so if you plan to spend time in this area, do yourself a favor and eat at slightly off-kilter times. Otherwise, expect a wait (and perhaps grumpy kids while you wait). The other option is to skip the lunch counter and grab some groceries at the attached general store.

2. Canyon Lodge Eatery
Hours: Varies, but generally open breakfast – dinner hours
Open: Summer/Fall Season Only
Cuisine: American fare + pizza, ice cream, Asian rice/noodle bowls
Location: Canyon Village (Food Court)
Reservations Required: No
**TOP RECOMMENDATION for Canyon area because of the variety (and it’s usually less crowded than the soda fountain next door)
To round off this deep-dive on dining in Yellowstone National Park, we have the Canyon Lodge Ice Eatery. Think of it as a big mall or university-style food court. With different “vendors” like the ice creamery, Fresh Woks, and the Slow Food Fast area, they’ve got lots of options.

This ice creamery is ridiculously popular during the summer period and serves locally-made ice cream from Big Dipper in house-made waffle cones.
They serve perhaps Wyoming’s creamiest ice cream (the salted caramel and berry flavors are particularly good!). Come at off-hours, if possible to avoid long queues during the height of summer. But this is a great place to take the kiddos mid-afternoon if you need to get them through the day on a slight sugar high.

Looking for more information about Yellowstone NP, or travel tips in more amazing US national parks? Be sure to check out these articles, too:
- 12 Best Places to Stay in Yellowstone [for Families]
- 8 BEST Yellowstone Glamping Options For Families
- Yellowstone National Park Bears: Guide For Families
- 13 BEST Yellowstone National Park Waterfalls To See
- Sunset in Yellowstone National Park: 10 BEST Family Spots
- Yellowstone National Park Animals: Best Family Guide
- Obsidian Cliff Yellowstone National Park: Why To Stop
- Yellowstone National Park Entrances [Family Guide]
- 16 BEST Grand Teton National Park Hikes for Families
- Family Road Trip Essentials: 17 BEST Items To Pack
- 10 TOP Family Favorite Travel Games for Kids + Adults
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Hi there just wanted to give you a quick heads up and let you know a few of the pictures aren’t loading correctly. I’m not sure why but I think its a linking issue. I’ve tried it in two different web browsers and both show the same results.
Thanks for the heads up! I’ve taken a look and tried to ensure they are all working properly!