xyz99

I never had problems picking a vacation destination and planning it – never, until now. Due to economic and health issues, we had to postpone Norway and Peru, and decided on Yellowstone instead.

I just started reading, and realized that most of the park lodges are already booked! So I need some help. We are planning 2 weeks, probably full 12 days for the parks and 2 days flying in and out, in late August, early Sept. We are flexible in terms of dates…

First question: does 12 days sound too long for Yellowstone and Grand Tetons? We don’t like to rush, will probably fly into Billings, spend first night at the Red Lodge, then drive the Beartooth Hwy. Original thought was to also include Glacier NP in these 2 weeks, but that sounds too rushed. What do you think?

We don’t like to move camp a lot, and our itinerary at this point will be dictated by hotel availability. Clean and private bathroom are non-negotiable, a view a plus, a restaurant with good food close-by really nice.

So, based on hotel availability we could do:
a) Late August: Canyon lodge (3 nights) - Lake Hotel (3 nights) - Old Faithful Snow Lodge (2 nights) = 8 nights in YS. Too long?
b) Early Sept: Canyon lodge (4 nights) - Lake Hotel (2 nights) - Old Faithful Snow Lodge (1 nights) = 7 nights in YS
Which one would you pick? Should we stay in 2 places only? Where, and for how long?

From YS move to GTNP for 3 nights or so. We are not planning big hikes (fear of bears), so will probably mostly drive and take short walks in more populated areas of the park. We enjoy nature, wildlife, nice scenery, photography, we’ll probably do a lake trip in YS, then a float trip in GT.

We would still have about 2 extra days left – any suggestion? Thanks

boom_boom

If you are flying in and out of Billings, Personal choice would be Plan b and the leave YS by way the Chief Joseph Highway and overnight in Cody, WY for the great museum there before returning to Billings.
If you're flying out of Jackson, I'd probably take Plan a.

Elainee

Beartooth highway is an adventure. Just don't rush. Glacier is very special and a don't miss if you have never been. The Red Bus takes you all over without having to drive yourself. Great moderate hikes. You could fly out from close to Glacier, just forgot city name.

KathyK

With the two extra days, I would spend it in the town of Jackson (also known as Jackson Hole). We did a similiar trip 9 years ago and found Jackson to be a nice change from the parks.

xyz99

I usually research a lot before posting questions – not this time, sorry, because of hotel bookings, I need to move fast. So while no itinerary is even drafted, from looking at the map it seems that a circle/loop would involve some backtracking. We will avoid that, and we’ll fly out of Jackson.

Elainee, we’ve never been to Glacier, and would love to see it – but can we fit it in this trip, without rushing it? We don’t like a full day drive, so we would have to split the 500+ miles between YS and Glacier in 2 days. Then, not sure how to fit Beartooth into the itinerary. We would have to skip that…

Kathy, I will look some more into spending a couple of days in Jackson. Generally, we are not “city” people, but a smaller town might have its charm.

None of you seem to think that 7-8 days in YS is too much…good. Would you suggest a different split? Thanks

KathyK

xyz, Yes, Jackson is not a "city" but a small town with alot of charm.

1JAR

Rental car drop off w/be a problem from my exp this summer.

Best I could do was fly in Cody, p/u rental car, stock up on supplies in Cody Wal mart, drive Yellowstone to Jackson straight thru 1st day 3-4 hour drive no stop, stay at Snake River Lodgenear JAckson http://www.gtlc.com/
and then drive back thru Teton Park, staying at JAckson Lake Lodge (best accom in either PArk IMHO), then Yellowstone, stay 1 night at Old Faithful http://www.yellowstonenationalparklodges.com/

We spent most of our time at JAckson, and in Grand Tetons which IMHO were far better and more variety that Yellowstone.

You could even base in JAckson at Snake River lodge and do a day trip to Yellowstone...it would be a full sday but very doable.

You can get cancelations all teh time in Yellowstone and Gran Teton: be aware tho they are 2 different reserv systems for either PArk.

xyz99

1JAR,
What exactly do you mena by "they are 2 different reserv systems for either PArk"? What should I be aware of? Thanks

spirobulldog

There are different concessionaires that run the various lodges in Tetons and Yellowstone. GTLC has 3 or 4 options in the Tetons. There is also Signal Mtn, Flagg Ranch, Dornans, and Triangle X. Xanterra provides everything for Yellowstone.

I like plan A the best. However, I would stay at Roosevelt over Canyon, if it is available. I think you need more than one day near the Old Faithful geyser area. My least favorite part of the park is Mammoth, which you are not staying at. However, during Sept Elk might really be going crazy there at that time, so you would probably want to at least spend part of a day there.

spirobulldog

I prefer Yellowstone to Tetons any day. Just depends on what your interests are. I would do a lake trip or two in Tetons as well as Yellowstone. The hike/boat at Jenny Lake has a ton of people on it, so you won't have to worry about bears(maybe a little).

beachtee

We just returned from a summer trip (July) to Glacier, Grand Teton, Yellowstone. What a delight! Yellowstone was our least favorite of the three. We adored the other two parks, and if we were to return, would choose them over YS.

Some highlights: Many Glacier Lodge Balcony: Mountain View that is indescribably peaceful and serene; Big Horn Sheep at Logan Pass parking lot, Glacier NP; Dornan's breakfast: GTNP; Bull Moose at GTNP Visitor Center; Rib and Chop house: Cody, WY; Bear Tooth Hwy--don't miss!;

So, I would say, Go For It as far as Glacier goes. Split the drive, yes, it is L-O-N-G, but SO worth it! Absolutely beautiful, spectacular, indescribable!

xyz99

Spiro,
As of now, we are leaning towards a full 8 days in YS, 3 days in GT, then a couple of days in Jackson. ope this is a good itinerary.

From what I see, Roosevelt cabins only have shared bathrooms, that is a no-no for us, so I guess we'lls tick with Canyon. But will spend some time near Mammoth. We'll be there at the end of August - is that too early for elk rut?

Will definitely "do" the hike/boat at Jenny Lake - thanks for suggesting it.

Would you split the 8 days Canyon lodge (2) / Lake Hotel (3) / Old Faithful Snow Lodge (3) instead? I think 9 days (3 each) would be too much....

xyz99

Beachtee,
How long was your trip? How did you split the time between the 3 parks? Thanks

spirobulldog

Yes, I like plan C now. Some of the cabin at Roosevelt have their own bathroom(these may already be taken for next year). We stayed there a couple of years ago. We also stayed at cabins @ Colter Village in the Tetons that had their own bathrooms.

http://www.photoworks.com/slideshow/...CS_003=4433951

Here is a link to our photos. Mid-June 1 night each at Old Faithful Inn, Roosevelt Lodge, Lake Hotel, and Colter Village Cabin. OFI didn't have a private bath, but the rest did. I thought it was fine, my wife demands a bathroom from now on. lol.

Advantages in June were that it wasn't that crowded, lots of babies, huge waterfalls. Disadvatages were that the roads opened the day we were there(got lucky) due to the snow. Beartooth wasn't open. Rivers were going to much and we had planned on swimming in the firehole river swim area.

Allow plenty of time to view the Geysers. We especially liked Riverside Geyser and Castle Geyser. There are about 6 or 7 geysers they predict. Old Faithful was our least favorite. We did watch it go 4 different times. My favorite time was in the morning. Just myself and one other person at 6:00am in the morning. It only goes for a couple of minutes. Geyser and Riverside go for 20-40 minutes, but you might be waiting on them for a couple of hours.

xyz99

Spiro,
Great pictures, thanks for sharing. I agree, spring would be a great time to visit, but we should've started planning earlier. End of summer will have to do now.

I don't think I saw any 3 nights in a row available at Old faithful, but I will look again and adjust if possible. Thanks for all your suggestions.

spirobulldog

You'll have a great time, no matter how you end up doing it. Yellowstone is a great place to visit. Each month has pros and cons. I hope to go in the winter sometime. I have been to 25 of our national parks, but haven't been to Glacier. But, I have reservations for there- July 2011. I am like you, a little afraid of the grizzlies. Hiking doesn't bother me in Yosemite(have seen several bears there), but it worries me in Yellowstone, for some reason.

Myer

I've spoken to quite a few people who liked GT better than YNP.

I think they are both very different.

The Old Faithful area is more than just Old Faithful.

The whole Upper Geyser Basin should be walked at least once and hopefully twice. During the day and late in the day for the effect.

I was surprised that Old Faithful was as impressive as it was.

One of the highlights was Grand Prismatic Spring. Most people only see it from ground level. You're missing a big treat there.

We drove back to the Fairy Falls trailhead and walked the first mile of that hike. It puts you directly opposite GPS and if you climb up an unofficial trail you have a top view. What a view!!!

You should try and time the predicted geysers. Old Faithful isn't a problem as it erupts about every 90 minutes. Some of the others only a couple of times a day.

Canyon was great. The Lower Falls is really a Star.

Wildlife. Most wildlife are out early and late. So plan that way.

Hayden and Lamar have most.

The classic hike in Yellowstone is Mt Washburn. Long and high but very easy. The trail is a dirt road that climbs gently. Unfortunately it starts at 8,800 ft and end at 10,400 ft. I was sucking for oxygen from the start. Still, a great hike and I would do it again.

In GTNP they have the lakes and mountains.

I was disappointed with the Jenny Lake hike as it was packed with people. We could have held hands. Our mistake to go on a Sunday when we could have gone the next day.

Wildlife on Signal Mountain.

Great views with low clouds.

The Taggart Lake hike was really nice.

You can see my photos at:

www.travelwalks.com

A great trip!!!

xyz99

Myer,
Great pictures! How long was your lens? My longest is 300, and I realized I cannot hand-hold a heavier one. Will this be enough?

Thanks for the driving tip on the Prismatic. The more I read, the better this trip sounds like

spirobulldog

Generally, 300mm is plenty long enough. They make doublers, but they are a pain to mess with, in most cases. Only time you might wish you had more magnification is with wildlife that is in the distance.

Myer

My standard lens is a Canon 15-85. It's a great lens and sharp throughout.

I also had a 55-250 with me that I used a bit. To tell which you would have to give me the numbers and I could check.

I think the bear shots were actually taken with the 15-85 and not zoomed all the way. Obviously I was closer than I should have been.

The prong horn were taken with the 55-250 and even then cropped quite a bit. They were just so far on the next mountain.

Obviously, the only time you need long is for wildlife.

With 250 (my camera is a crop camera so 250 actually is like a 400mm lens) I was still way too short for this trip. But that's what I have and I wasn't about to get a new lens for one trip.

This is the first trip where I could have used a lot longer. Also, I'm not steady enough to really use that long a lens. Even with image stabilization.

What kind of camera are you using?

If you look at my other two 2010 trips (Tuscany with my wife and SW Utah with my daughter) every photo is taken with the 15-85.