Guest Lodge
With expanses of windows looking into Yellowstone National Park over the Yellowstone River you never know what you might see! Be sure to scan the tree line for wildlife with the spotting scope that is provided... elk, pronghorn, deer and bison are common visitors and we have even seen wolves right from the dining area - no spotting scope required! Built for a large group, the open floor plan has a great flow while offering stunning views and river sounds in the background.
Loads of FUN! The game room has a ping pong table and a beautiful pool table to challenge your skill, along with seating for those that want to watch the competition. In addition, there is a game table/bar for playing board games, cards, puzzles. etc. The Laundry Room is adjacent to the Game Room for chores, if needed... complete with a washer and dryer, ironing board and iron, drying rack and detergent. At least you can watch the fun in the game room between loads :)
"Never have I felt so welcome. Homemade bread, local coffee and the home was unbelievable. Sitting on the back porch we witnessed the birth of elk and pronghorn. Quick drive to the park entrance. It was a short walk to eat or have a night with the grown ups. The house was clean, smoor’s in the fire pit and enough room to cook and feed 13 people with ease. We plan a return trip in the fall at some point. It’s was a great place and the hosts were beyond accommodating.” -Michel
After a day in Yellowstone Park and the surrounding area, coming back to the guest lodge to call home base is a total treat. The beautiful setting above the Yellowstone River, and the rustic comfort of the home create a relaxing, inviting space that pulls you in. Shirl designed the home to be flooded with natural daylight and there are stunning views from almost every room. The recycled beams and barn wood have stories to tell of homesteaders that originally settled the west. The colors and wood floors are soothing and mellow.
John and Shirl designed the guest lodge with casual comfort in mind. As plans came into shape on graph paper Shirl continually prioritized the views and the connection to the landscape in her designs. Being sure you could see Electric Peak from as many rooms as possible... could you see the sky while lying in bed at night... were the windows aligned for the best views of the mountains? Every detail was thought over, the choices contemplated, and the building composed as if music. She positioned the windows to take advantage of evening breezes, the traffic flow had to provide easy access to the back deck, and the colors had to go with the outside palette of Yellowstone.
They wanted to use recycled material throughout the house to create a connection with Montana’s past history. Some of the posts John collected are old gates from a horse coral that witnessed the daily work of a Montana ranch. The ceiling rafters were log walls from a homestead on the eastern plains of Montana, shaped by the elements of the west. The barn boards once protected an old hay barn in the Shields Valley from the driving wind and weather. The materials have stories, a past, a soul.
Built for a group, the open floor plan has a great flow while offering stunning views with the sounds of the river. Eagles fly by at eye level, the elk and deer are always moving through the property, sunrise and sunsets on the mountains can be stunning, and rainbows are common after summer rains. Of course being owned by artists means the home is full of original art inspired by the area. Shirl’s fantastic oil paintings grace the walls of the home and there are bronze sculptures by John that come alive in the natural daylight. Settle in to a comfortable couch and contemplate the images of wilderness - both inside and out!
This beautiful lodge can accommodate 13 guests with one additional toddler or infant. There are 5 private bedroom/bathroom suites in over 3,700 square feet with WiFi throughout.
The bedrooms all have high-end mattresses with high thread count linens, down comforters and fluffy down pillows. All rooms have a different personality with calm, mellow colors, unique furnishings and of course Shirl's paintings. You'll sleep well in the guest lodge!
The common areas have rooms for a large group with a spacious modern kitchen made for multiple cooks, a huge handmade creative and artistic dining table with views of Yellowstone for inspiring group dinner conversations, and seating/conversation areas that are comfortable, roomy and inviting.
Location...
The property’s location is phenomenal! The home is dramatically set above the Yellowstone River, and Yellowstone Park is directly on the other side…literally neighbors to the Park It is also at the edge of the small mountain town of Gardiner, MT…charming, friendly and eclectic. It’s a short walk to local restaurants, the wonderful local Gardiner Market grocery store, and you can even walk to the park entrance to inspect the historic Roosevelt arch, if you are so inclined. Businesses in town offer all kinds of fun adventures for guests including river rafting, wildlife tours, horseback rides, fly fishing trips, sleigh rides, ski rentals and more.
Gardiner is a very walkable little mountain town and we encourage you to get out and walk... to the grocery store, restaurants, and the outfitters to go white water rafting!
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A perfect 'home away from home' for your Yellowstone adventures.
Shirl’s place is beautiful and literally on the edge of Yellowstone. Everything was great and she was responsive and easy to work with. We even got to see her gallery and studio.” -Katherine