Skip to main content
Entire home

Perfect for two! Less than half mile from Yellowstone. 'Downtown' location.

Cottage with kitchen, near Yellowstone National Park North Entrance

Photo gallery for Perfect for two! Less than half mile from Yellowstone. 'Downtown' location.

Exterior - Perfect for two! Less than half mile from Yellowstone. 'Downtown' location. (Gardiner)
Property grounds - Perfect for two! Less than half mile from Yellowstone. 'Downtown' location. (Gardiner)
Property grounds - Perfect for two! Less than half mile from Yellowstone. 'Downtown' location. (Gardiner)
Smart TV, books - Perfect for two! Less than half mile from Yellowstone. 'Downtown' location. (Gardiner)
Fridge, microwave, oven, stovetop - Perfect for two! Less than half mile from Yellowstone. 'Downtown' location. (Gardiner)
Nestled in the heart of Gardiner, Lilac Cottage is a charming retreat for two. This cozy backyard cottage offers a comfortable queen bed, full kitchen, and Smart TV amidst lush fruit and flower trees. Enjoy walking distance to local shops, restaurants, and Yellowstone's north entrance while appreciating the well-cultivated greenery that adds to its charm.

Reviews

10 out of 10
Exceptional

Entire home

1 bathroomSleeps 247 sq m

Popular amenities

  • Kitchen
  • Free WiFi
  • Air conditioning
  • Outdoor Space
  • Barbecue grill

Add dates for prices

About this property

Entire place

You'll have the entire home to yourself and will only share it with other guests in your party.

Perfect for two! Less than half mile from Yellowstone. 'Downtown' location.

Access to Yellowstone Park from our north entrance was fully restored October 30, 2022 with a beautiful new road! Our sweet backyard cottage is nestled among the fruit and flower trees of the yard. It is easily within walking distance to the grocery store, coffee, shopping, restaurants, laundromat, post office, and local arch park events. It is at the north entrance to Yellowstone Park, as is all of Gardiner. The cottage is in the heart of town but shielded from the main street by the owners' home. The yard is shared with the owners but privacy is afforded by the layout. The owners' home was built in 1930 and its cottage was built in 1940 by former owners, the Eastons. It is believed that their intent was to rent the cottage to visitors of Yellowstone, making it a very early vacation rental in this town. The cottage is a perfect fit for two people who want to day trip to northern Yellowstone, book local activities like rafting, biking, horseback riding, and return to a simple, basic, clean environment to relax. Our guests note that the well cultivated green and floral landscaping add to the charm and character of their experience. The stucco cottage still has the details of its early history with the old style glass door knobs and kitchen cabinets. There is a comfortable queen bed, sitting area with Smart tv, eating area, full but small kitchen, and full bathroom. It is clean, well cared for, and you are welcome! We keep our reservation calendar updated to the minute and our description on this page accurate. So as you're reading this page if Lilac Cottage sounds like a good fit for you and if the dates you want are open on our calendar and you have no questions, you are welcome to book directly without contacting us (use Instant Booking option). Just follow VRBO's process with your credit card. We'd be in touch immediately upon booking, through VRBO. If you do have specific questions not answered here, please email Eleanor through VRBO. NOTE: Because the lilacs and other historic bushes and trees were planted in 1930s and 40s, Tom is constantly pruning and removing sections for new growth.

Property amenities

Internet

  • Available in the cottage: Free WiFi

Parking and transportation

  • Car recommended
  • Parking on site

Kitchen

  • Blender
  • Coffee grinder
  • Coffee/tea maker
  • Cookware, dishware, and utensils
  • Electric kettle
  • Microwave
  • Oven
  • Paper towels
  • Refrigerator
  • Spices
  • Stovetop
  • Toaster

Dining

  • Dining table

Bedrooms

  • Bedsheets provided

Bathroom

  • 1 bathroom
  • Bathtub or shower
  • Hair dryer
  • Shampoo
  • Soap
  • Toilet paper
  • Towels provided

Living spaces

  • Dining table

Entertainment

  • Books
  • Games
  • Smart TV

Outdoor areas

  • Barbecue grill
  • Garden

Laundry

  • Laundromat nearby

Comfort

  • Air conditioning
  • Heating

Pets

  • No pets allowed

Suitability/Accessibility

  • 2 steps to reach entrance
  • No elevator
  • Smoking not allowed
  • Note from host: Smoking is not allowed on the entire property.

Services and conveniences

  • Iron/ironing board

Location highlights

  • In the city center

Things to do

  • Birdwatching nearby
  • Fishing nearby
  • Hiking/biking trails nearby
  • Horseback riding nearby
  • Kayaking nearby
  • Mountain biking nearby
  • Rafting nearby
  • Wildlife walks nearby

Safety features

  • Carbon monoxide detector (host has indicated there is a carbon monoxide detector on the property)
  • Smoke detector (host has indicated there is a smoke detector on the property)
  • Fire extinguisher
  • Deadbolt lock

General

  • Garden
  • Property does not allow children
  • Recycling
  • Unit size: 500 square feet

Similar properties

Fridge, microwave, coffee/tea maker, toaster
Montana's Yellowstone Bear Den- Small/Simple Efficiency Apartment
  • Kitchen
  • Free WiFi
  • Parking available
  • Barbecue grill
9.8 out of 10, Exceptional, 111 reviews
Montana's Yellowstone Bear Den- Small/Simple Efficiency Apartment

Policies

Check-in

Check-in time starts at 4:00 PM
Contactless check-in available
Minimum check-in age: 24

Check-out

Check-out before 11:00 AM
Contactless check-out available

Special check-in instructions

You will receive an email from the host with check-in and check-out instructions
Information provided by the property may be translated using automated translation tools

Rules

Follow checkout list that is on the welcome letter in Cottage.
Entrance gate needs to be closed and latched each time that you exit/enter the property.
Maximum number of nights allowed to book - 18

Pets

Pets not allowed
Note from host: There are no exceptions.

Children and extra beds

This property does not allow children

Events

No events allowed
Groups staying nearby cannot congregate here

Smoking

Smoking is not permitted
Smoking is not allowed on the entire property.

Important information

You need to know

Extra-person charges may apply and vary depending on property policy
Government-issued photo identification and a credit card, debit card, or cash deposit may be required at check-in for incidental charges
Special requests are subject to availability upon check-in and may incur additional charges; special requests cannot be guaranteed
Onsite parties or group events are strictly prohibited
Note from host: Groups staying nearby cannot congregate here
Host has indicated there is a carbon monoxide detector on the property
Host has indicated there is a smoke detector on the property
Safety features at this property include a fire extinguisher and a deadbolt lock
This property is managed through our partner, Vrbo. You will receive an email from Vrbo with a link to a Vrbo account, where you can change or cancel your reservation

We should mention

This property does not have elevators
A car is recommended for transportation to and from this property

Property is also known as

Perfect Two Less Than Half Mile Yellowstone. 'downtown' Location
Perfect Two Less Than Half Mile Yellowstone. 'downtown' Location

About the neighborhood

Located in Gardiner, this cottage is in the city center. The area's natural beauty can be seen at Yellowstone National Park North Entrance and Yellowstone National Park. Be sure to check out the area's animals with activities such as game walks and birdwatching.
Visit our Gardiner travel guideOpens in a new window
View more Cottages in GardinerOpens in a new window
Map
MT, Gardiner

What's nearby

  • Yellowstone River - 2 min walk - 0.2 km
  • Parks' Fly Shop - 5 min walk - 0.4 km
  • Roosevelt Arch - 8 min walk - 0.7 km
  • Gardiner Community Library - 8 min walk - 0.7 km
  • Yellowstone National Park North Entrance - 16 min walk - 1.3 km

Getting around

  • West Yellowstone, MT (WYS-Yellowstone) - 97 min drive

Restaurants

  • ‪Terrace Grill - ‬14 min drive
  • ‪Wonderland Cafe & Lodge - ‬5 min walk
  • ‪Mammoth Hot Springs Hotel Dining Room - ‬14 min drive
  • ‪Cowboy's Lodge & Grill - ‬5 min walk
  • ‪Antler Bar and Grill - ‬11 min walk

Frequently asked questions

Is Perfect for two! Less than half mile from Yellowstone. 'Downtown' location. pet-friendly?

No, pets are not allowed at this property.

How much is parking?

Onsite parking is available at the property.

What time is check-in at Perfect for two! Less than half mile from Yellowstone. 'Downtown' location.?

Check-in begins at 4:00 PM.

What time is check-out at Perfect for two! Less than half mile from Yellowstone. 'Downtown' location.?

Check-out is at 11:00 AM.

Where is Perfect for two! Less than half mile from Yellowstone. 'Downtown' location. located?

Located in the heart of Gardiner, this cottage is within a 15-minute walk of Gallatin National Forest, Yellowstone National Park North Entrance, and Yellowstone National Park. Yellowstone River and Parks' Fly Shop are also within 5 minutes.

Have a question?

AI iconBeta

Get instant answers with AI powered search of property information and reviews.

Perfect for two! Less than half mile from Yellowstone. 'Downtown' location. Reviews

Reviews

Exceptional

All reviews shown are from real guest experiences. Only travelers who have booked a stay with us can submit a review. We verify reviews according to our guidelines and publish all reviews, positive or negative.
More informationOpens in a new window
Rating 10 - Excellent. 218 out of 228 reviews
Rating 8 - Good. 7 out of 228 reviews
Rating 6 - Okay. 3 out of 228 reviews
Rating 4 - Poor. 0 out of 228 reviews
Rating 2 - Terrible. 0 out of 228 reviews

10

Cleanliness

10

Location

9.2

Staff & service

9.4

Property conditions & facilities

Reviews

10/10 Excellent

Laurie K.

Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy
We had everything that we needed for our stay. Quiet and comfortable. Perfect for our time at Yellowstone.
Stayed 4 nights in Sep 2025

10/10 Excellent

Beth W.

Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy
Great base for visiting the upper loop. Very cute cottage within walking distance to restaurants. It had everything we needed and then some. The hosts are very friendly!
Stayed 2 nights in Aug 2025

10/10 Excellent

Matthew P.

Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy
The check in process was great. Cute cottage. The location is great for going in the north entrance to Yellowstone.
Stayed 1 night in Jul 2025

10/10 Excellent

sheila p.

Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy

Sweet garden

Wish we could have stayed longer! Sweet garden!
Stayed 1 night in Jul 2025

10/10 Excellent

Chris ..

Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy

Convenient Yellowstone Stay

Beautiful, cozy cottage. Very clean and well appointed. We really appreciated the Yellowstone park information and town tips.
Stayed 3 nights in Jun 2025

10/10 Excellent

Martha N.

Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy
Cute little place for a couple of nights. Was very clean and had nice touches-like ice cream in the fridge!
Stayed 2 nights in Jun 2025

10/10 Excellent

Lucy C.

Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy
This little place was awesome! So close to the park, walkable town, and an amazing host. The host thought of everything. Lighting in the cottage was perfect and thoughtful, there were 2 new recliners that were amazing after hiking all day, the bed was comfortable, and even the towels were top notch. Also the kitchen had everything we needed to cook several meals. The yard was immaculate and charming. We loved our stay here!
Stayed 4 nights in Sep 2025

10/10 Excellent

Robert S.

Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy

Awesome adventure!

Five Stars! Very close to the park in an awesome little mountain town!
Stayed 4 nights in May 2025

10/10 Excellent

Chris

Liked: Cleanliness, property conditions & facilities, communication
Friendly and welcoming hosts, comfortable cottage, fantastically well-equipped kitchen and in an area with lots to see and do: a great location for visiting Yellowstone.
Stayed 4 nights in May 2024

10/10 Excellent

Cullen B.

Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy

Amazing cozy cottage

We loved our stay at the Lilac Cottage! After spending the whole day in Yellowstone we were ready to relax and enjoy a comfortable and clean place and the lilac cottage provided just that!
Stayed 1 night in Aug 2024

10/10 Excellent

Ed F.

Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy

Yellowstone Getaway

This was a perfect location for my wife and I to spend 3-4 days exploring Yellowstone. Tom and Eleanor are fantastic hosts and were very accomodating. Location was great and we would stay here again in a heartbeat!!
Stayed 4 nights in May 2024

10/10 Excellent

Debra D.

Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy

Convenient cottage with all your needs at affordable rates

Have stayed here before and keep coming back! Very convenient location, quiet, clean, well stocked for all your needs and as much privacy as you want or need.
Stayed 12 nights in Sep 2023

10/10 Excellent

Daniel L.

Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy

Great Place to Stay Near Yellowstone

This cute and comfortable cottage was the perfect base camp for our visit to Yellowstone. The property was nicely equipped with all the essentials for our stay. The next visit to the park may be in early fall to avoid the summer crowds; I'm hoping we can land this property again when we return!
Stayed 5 nights in Jul 2024

10/10 Excellent

Debbie

Liked: Cleanliness, amenities, property conditions & facilities, communication
We love Lilac Cottage!! Very comfortable, quiet, and clean! Hosts have made this darling cottage available with everything you could possibly need and more!! We will stay here again!!
Stayed 2 nights in Jun 2024

10/10 Excellent

Alex M.

Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy

Convenient and Clean!

Perfect for 2 and minutes away from the North entrance. If you're going to the park don’t pass this cottage up!
Stayed 2 nights in Jul 2024

10/10 Excellent

Amanda B.

Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy

Perfect for Two

Very clean and convenient location. The owner is super sweet and helpful. The property is well maintained and extremely clean. We will definitely be back!
Stayed 1 night in Jun 2024

10/10 Excellent

Jessica S.

Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy

Cute place in great location

We enjoyed our time in Gardiner. Host was very communicative. The unit is very well equipped with kitchen supplies, games, and park information. Easy commute into the park.
Stayed 3 nights in Oct 2024

10/10 Excellent

Laurie C.

Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy

Yellowstone

We stayed our first night after a day at Yellowstone, then a second night after another day at Yellowstone. Very close to the North entrance and we had a very comfortable stay. Thank you!
Stayed 2 nights in Jul 2024

10/10 Excellent

Steve S.

Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy

review

Perfect for two and location excellent. Definitely recommend to friends and family.
Stayed 3 nights in Oct 2023

10/10 Excellent

Jenny R.

Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy

Yellowstone visit

This is an amazing place to stay! Can walk to restaurants and grocery store. Eleanor is super friendly. There is an information book that is put together with all the restaurants and is super helpful! Just a wonderful experience all together!
Stayed 6 nights in Jul 2024

10/10 Excellent

JoAnn J.

Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy

Cozy Cottage

We enjoyed our stay at the Lilac Cottage. It was perfect for the two of us. Everything we needed for a great stay was provided by the hosts. The courtyard garden was beautiful but we did not get to enjoy it as our weather was cold and rainy. This is a great location while visiting Yellowstone.
Stayed 3 nights in Sep 2024

10/10 Excellent

Mark R.

Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy
This was the perfect size place to stay for the two of us. The cottage is so beautifully decorated and comfortable. We found ourselves ending the nights on the recliner chairs catching up after a long day in Yellowstone hiking. All of the restaurants and downtown shops are just across the bridge from the home and we walked to dinner both nights. The bed is on the separate side of the cottage from the kitchen and table which made it great for me to get up early and be in a separate area with my laptop and coffee while my girlfriend could sleep in a little longer. We only stayed two nights, but would definitely stay here longer if we make it back out. I was not able to find a corkscrew anywhere in the kitchen, so either I did not look well enough or they did not have one. I carry my own small cheap version with me (we love to relax with some wine at the end of the day). The ice-cream in the freezer was a really nice treat.
Stayed 2 nights in Oct 2025

10/10 Excellent

Valerie H.

Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy

Montana Trip for Niece's Wedding '24

This property is the perfect cottage for a quiet, comfortable vacation spot for two with easy access to YNP. Just as advertised! The hosts are accommodating, friendly, and thoughtful, providing everything you need to make your stay feel like home. I recommend the Lilac Cottage highly.
Stayed 3 nights in Jun 2024

10/10 Excellent

Collin M.

Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy

Lovely cottage in a lovely town

We had a great time in Gardiner while we visited Yellowstone. This cottage was a perfect place to come back to after a long day in the park. It was quiet, clean, safe, and private. It had everything we needed. Eleanor and Tom are great hosts. Check in and out was very simple and easy. I would recommend this cottage to anyone!
Stayed 4 nights in Jun 2024

10/10 Excellent

Einat O.

Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy
This was truly the most generous hospitality I’ve ever experienced. Everything was prepared with care and thoughtfulness. The place itself is cute, cozy, and welcoming - shining clean and maintained at the highest standard.The kitchen and pantry were exceptionally well equipped, which allowed us to cook our own meals with ease. We especially appreciated being able to use the property’s grill.It was clear that the Stones went above and beyond to think of everything a guest might need.The location is also excellent - just a short drive to the northern entrance of Yellowstone, which made exploring the park very easy. Having a grocery store nearby was extremely convenient.Beyond the amenities and location, what really stood out was the warmth and generosity of the hospitality. We felt cared for and comfortable throughout our stay. It felt like being welcomed into a home.We would absolutely recommend this property wholeheartedly to anyone looking for a relaxing, spotless, and thoughtfully prepared getaway.
Stayed 2 nights in Sep 2025