Have The Adventure Of A Lifetime At This Wyoming Mountain Resort

One of the best things about Wyoming is the hidden gems and out-of-the-way places you'll find scattered around the state. One such place is the enchanting mountain retreat tucked away just outside of Yellowstone National Park.

Other Wyoming resorts are along more well-traveled routes in and around Yellowstone, but the location of Elephant Head Lodge offers the best of both worlds. It's close enough to allow for frequent forays into the park, but far enough away to keep you out of the crowds. Plus - bonus! - there are plenty of things to do right there at the lodge, giving you more options than the typical sight-seeing tours through the park.

Elephant Head Lodge, 1170 North Fork Highway, Cody, Wyoming

Located on US-20 in the Shoshone National Forest, Elephant Head Lodge is less than 15 minutes away from the Yellowstone National Park east entrance.

The resort is named for the unique rock formation that overlooks the cabins.

The main lodge, along with the restaurant and one of the guest cabins, was originally built by Josephine and Harry Thurston. Josephine was Buffalo Bill Cody's niece, and Harry was a Shoshone National Forest Ranger.

Elephant Head Lodge holds a spot on the National Register of Historic Places.

The lobby of the main lodge is cozy and inviting...

...and the dining room with a relaxing view of the grounds provides three meals a day.

However, many of the cabins are equipped with kitchenettes and dining spaces of their own, for guests who want to enjoy a cabin living experience to the fullest.

Guests can choose between sleeping cabins and ones with kitchens, and many of the accommodations are pet-friendly, too.

Naturally, with Yellowstone about 11 miles away, you'll probably want to spend a day or two exploring the park. On the other hand, there are plenty of things to do closer to the lodge, such as hiking the nearby mountain trails...

...horseback riding...

The lodge has a small stable of horses and offers guided tours of the area.

...and fishing on the North Fork of the Shoshone River.

Spin fishing, fly fishing, or bait fishing - the trout are usually biting!

And for those who enjoy spotting wildlife...

...there's a good chance of seeing a variety of different types...

...without even leaving the porch of your cabin.

What other charming, underrated resorts have you found in Wyoming?