Yodeler Motel
601 S Broadway Ave
Red Lodge, MT
Groovy since 1965. A National Register motel on the Beartooth Highway.
About Yodeler Motel
The building was constructed in 1909 by Daniel O'Shea as apartment housing for the European immigrant miners working the East Bench Mine just outside Red Lodge. Those same residents later helped build the Beartooth Highway, the 68-mile engineering marvel that begins at the edge of town. In 1961, local contractor Al Sloulin reimagined the property as Red Lodge's first Bavarian-themed motel, introducing the chalet architecture, detailed woodwork, and southern German design motifs that define it today. The National Register of Historic Places recognized the building's significance. Travel + Leisure has called it a 'hip little place to crash right in town.' Current owners Mac and Tulsa Dean run the Yodeler with the hands-on care that regulars come back for year after year. The motel self-describes as 'groovy since 1965,' and that spirit holds consistently.
What Yodeler Motel Is Known For
The Yodeler was built by miners, converted by a local contractor, and has outlasted every trend that has swept through the mountain motel industry for six decades. It is on the National Register of Historic Places not as an architectural curiosity but because it represents a specific chapter of Red Lodge's working history: the European immigrant labor that built the coal mines and the highway. The current owners have not erased that history in favor of a more palatable aesthetic. The ski wax room, motorcycle wash, and covered hot tub tell you exactly who this property is for and what it expects you to be doing here.
Amenities
- Pets Welcome
- EV Charging
- WiFi
- Covered outdoor hot tub
- Ski wax room
- Motorcycle wash
- EV and Tesla charging (48 amp)
- Pet-friendly rooms
- Private covered patios on all rooms
- Select rooms with private sauna or whirlpool tub
What Guests Love
- The Beartooth Highway begins at the edge of Red Lodge, and the Yodeler is two blocks from that starting point, no driving to a trailhead, no staging area, just leave the motel and start climbing.
- EV and Tesla charging at 48 amps is on-site, one of the few properties in this corridor with dedicated high-amp charging for road trippers coming through on electric vehicles.
- The ski wax room and motorcycle wash station signal what this property is genuinely built for: guests who are here to do something specific outside, not guests looking for a lobby experience.
- Every room has a covered private patio facing the mountains, a detail that sounds minor and lands differently once you are sitting in it after a long day on the Beartooth.
- The National Register designation and Bavarian history give the Yodeler a story that most motels in the region cannot match, built by immigrant miners, converted by a local contractor, groovy since 1965.
Worth Knowing
- The Beartooth Highway closes seasonally, typically from mid-October through late May depending on snowpack. If the highway is the reason you are coming, verify it is open before booking.
- Red Lodge is a small town. Downtown dining options are good but limited. Carbon County Steakhouse and Natali's are well-regarded; check hours before arriving, especially in shoulder season.
- The Yodeler recovered from significant June 2022 flood damage that affected the ground-floor rooms. The property is fully operational as of 2025, but if you want to confirm specific room availability, call ahead: (406) 446-1435.
- Lobby hours are standard daytime and evening hours. If you are arriving late, contact the motel in advance to arrange key pickup.
- Pets are welcome. A pet fee applies; contact the property directly to confirm current amounts and any restrictions before booking.
The Room
Rooms split between five kings and eight queens, every one with a covered private patio, refrigerator, microwave, high-speed wifi, and TV. The patios face the street and the mountains beyond, and they are a genuine reason to book here rather than an afterthought. Some rooms step up further with private saunas or whirlpool tubs, worth asking about when booking. The Bavarian-era woodwork and decor are preserved throughout, making rooms feel like a specific place rather than a generic mountain motel. The property is pet-friendly with a welcome treat for four-legged guests, and EV charging is available in the parking lot at 48 amps.
The Grounds
The motel sits two blocks from downtown Red Lodge on South Broadway, the main street that turns into the Beartooth Highway as it climbs out of the valley. Free parking is on-site with EV/Tesla charging at the northwest corner of the lot. The covered outdoor hot tub is a year-round amenity, especially useful after a day on the ski slopes or a long ride on the Beartooth. A dedicated ski wax room and motorcycle wash station reflect what this property is actually used for: a working base for people serious about getting outside. The building's Bavarian exterior and covered balcony detailing give the whole property a character that holds up even in the off-season.
The Experience
Red Lodge is not a resort town. It is a working Montana ranching community that happens to have one of the most spectacular mountain drives in the country starting at its edge. The Beartooth Highway climbs to 10,947 feet at Beartooth Pass and ends at Yellowstone's Northeast Entrance, 67 miles from the motel. In winter, Red Lodge Mountain ski area is 6 miles away. In summer, the Rock Creek runs through town for fishing and swimming, and the Carbon County Steakhouse and other downtown spots are a two-block walk. Guests who come here tend to come back: reviewers describe the Yodeler as the kind of place that makes every trip to Red Lodge feel like it has a home base.
Details
Red Lodge, MT 59068
The Boutel designation is earned, not purchased. Boutels is editorially independent and has no financial relationship with any listed property.
Frequently Asked Questions
Does Yodeler Motel have WiFi?
Yes, Yodeler Motel has WiFi.
What is there to do near Yodeler Motel?
Beartooth Highway: 0.1 miles, about a 5 minute drive, or you can walk. Red Lodge Mountain: 6 miles, about a 10 minute drive. Yellowstone National Park Northeast Entrance: 67 miles, about a 135 minute drive.
How far is Yodeler Motel from Beartooth Highway?
0.1 miles, about a 5 minute drive, or you can walk.
How far is Yodeler Motel from Red Lodge Mountain?
6 miles, about a 10 minute drive.
How far is Yodeler Motel from Yellowstone National Park Northeast Entrance?
67 miles, about a 135 minute drive.
Is Yodeler Motel pet friendly?
Yes. Yodeler Motel welcomes pets. A pet fee applies; contact the property directly to confirm current amounts and any restrictions before booking.
Does the Yodeler Motel have EV charging?
Yes. Tesla and EV charging is available in the parking lot at the northwest corner of the building at 48 amps, one of the few high-amp options in this part of Montana.
What is the history of the Yodeler Motel?
The building was constructed in 1909 by Daniel O'Shea as apartment housing for European immigrant miners at the East Bench Mine. Those same miners later helped build the Beartooth Highway. In 1961, local contractor Al Sloulin converted the property to Red Lodge's first and only Bavarian-themed motel. It is listed on the National Register of Historic Places.
Is the Beartooth Highway accessible from the Yodeler Motel?
Yes. The Beartooth Highway begins at the south end of Red Lodge, about two blocks from the motel. It climbs 68 miles to Yellowstone's Northeast Entrance at Beartooth Pass, reaching 10,947 feet. The highway is seasonal, typically open late May through mid-October.
How far is Red Lodge Mountain from the Yodeler Motel?
Red Lodge Mountain ski area is 6 miles from the motel, about a 15 minute drive. The Yodeler has a dedicated ski wax room on site for guests.
What is the check-in and check-out time at the Yodeler Motel?
Contact the property directly to confirm check-in and check-out times before your stay.
Did the Yodeler Motel flood in 2022?
Yes. In June 2022, flooding affected the ground-floor rooms of the motel. The property was fully rebuilt and is operating normally as of 2025. If you have specific questions about room availability or condition, call the motel directly.
Does Yodeler Motel have a pool?
Yodeler Motel does not have a pool. The property has a cedar-lined sauna.
Is parking available at Yodeler Motel?
Yes. Free on-site parking is available at Yodeler Motel.
Does Yodeler Motel include breakfast?
No. Breakfast is not included at Yodeler Motel.
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Things to Do Near the Beartooth Highway corridor
Beartooth Highway
0.1 miles, about a 5 minute drive, or you can walk.
0.1 miles, about a 5 minute drive, or you can walk. The Beartooth Highway begins at the south end of Red Lodge and climbs 68 miles to Yellowstone's Northeast Entrance, reaching Beartooth Pass at 10,947 feet. Charles Kuralt called it the most beautiful drive in America. It is seasonal -- typically open late May through mid-October.
Red Lodge Mountain
6 miles, about a 10 minute drive.
6 miles, about a 15 minute drive. Red Lodge Mountain offers 2,400 feet of vertical drop and 70 runs across 1,600 acres, with reliable snow and short lift lines compared to destination resorts. The ski season typically runs from late November through early April.
Yellowstone National Park Northeast Entrance
67 miles, about a 135 minute drive.
67 miles, about a 2 hour drive via the Beartooth Highway. The Northeast Entrance is the least-visited gateway to Yellowstone and leads directly into the Lamar Valley, widely regarded as the best wildlife watching in North America. Bison, wolves, bears, and pronghorn are regularly seen from the road.