Lake Hotel

Lake Hotel resembled other hotels financed by the Northern Pacific Railroad when it opened in 1891.

NPS / Neal Herbert

Quick Facts

Location:

Yellowstone Lake

Significance:

Oldest operating hotel in Yellowstone.

Designation:

National Historic Landmark (2015)

MANAGED BY:

Yellowstone National Park Lodges

The Lake Hotel is the oldest operating hotel in the park. It was designated a National Historic Landmark in 2015. When it opened in 1891, the building resembled other hotels financed by the Northern Pacific Railroad. In 1903, the architect of the Old Faithful Inn, Robert Reamer, designed the Ionic columns, extended the roof in three places, and added the 15 false balconies, which caused it to be known for years as the “Lake Colonial Hotel.” By 1929, additional changes—dining room, porte-cochere (portico), sunroom, plus interior refurbishing—put the finishing touches on the “grande damme” we see today.