ljv

Our family is planning a trip to YNP next August (mid-month). We were planning to drive the Beartooth H'way and spending 2 nights at the Roosevelt lodge so we could explore the Lamar Valley,

Unfortunately, the Roosevelt lodge is booked. Which area would have the best access to the Lamar valley...Canyon, Mammoth or Cooke City? Or is there a "central" lodging option, as we do plan to visit quite a bit of YNP?

Any help is greatly appreciated. Thanks all!!

Myer

I am always partial to staying inside the park.

Mammoth area isn't what it used to be so there isn't much reason to stay there.

Canyon is definitely worth staying. Harden Valley is just bellow, The large waterfalls are right there and if you decide to hike the famous Mt Washburn it's pretty close.

On the other hand getting to Lamar from Canyon entails driving over a mountain.

I would still choose Canyon as it would cause me one less lodging change.

I see that you're planning this for Aug 2012.

Many people and tours book a year ahead on spec. Then as it gets closer to the travel date rooms are cancelled.

I would book Canyon for the length you want uncluding Canyon and Lamar and start calling a couple of times a week. As you get within the last month or two start calling once a day and even twice a day. You want to get cancellations as soon as they happen.

happytrailstoyou

You have eight months for somebody to cancel, and somebody will cancel. If you keep trying, you will get a room in the place you want on the days you want. Don't give up.

HTTY

spirobulldog

Go ahead and book Canyon, but as HTTY says--keep trying on Roosevelt. Don't be suprised if you get it the last minute. People cancel a lot the last couple of weeks before they head to their trip.

If I had 2 nights, I would probably spend it at two different places. Yellowstone is that big. If I had just one night I would for sure stay near Old Faithful. I think Old Faithful Inn is a must do, as it is probably the best known of the Historic Lodges in the national parks(IMOP). So, if you can get 1 night at Roosevelt or Canyon, then another at Old Faithful Inn(not to be confused with the other old faithful lodging options)then that's what I would do if I had only 2 days in Yellowstone. 3 or 4 days would be even better.

spirobulldog

I agree with Myer, I hesitate to say skip Mammoth, but If I were to pick my least favorite area of Yellowstone, Mammoth would be it. With only 2 days, I wouldn't spend much time(if any) there.

Myer

I'm not sure it's clear that they're spending 2 days in Yellowstone.

They may have just wanted 2 days near Lamar.

And after reading what I wrote. . . . TYPOS!!!!

ljv

Thanks everyone....this is really good advice.

We plan to spend a total of 4-5 days in YNP so we can get a good "feel of the highlights.

spirobulldog

O, great. 2 days isn't enough. You will be able to cover all of the park fairly well. There are a lot of Elk at Mammoth and there is the boiling river that you could soak in. I don't know about years past, but I think recently the springs at Mammoth haven't been flowing. When you see all the awesome geysers, the springs were kindof a letdown. With the amount of time you have, I would certainly swing by and see it though.

Myer

And what about Grand Tetons NP.

This place is beautiful and different from YNP.

We cspent a couple of night at Old Faithful and a few more in Canyon.

We did a few hikes east and west of Roosevelt - Tower and also the signature Mt Washburn hike.

We were a bit far from Lamar to really do it justice. The time to really see wildlife is early and late. Staying in Canyon that was a bit difficult for Lamar.

However, spend some prime time in Hayden and got a lot of wildlife viewing there.

I guess you can't be everywhere.

I hate to keep changing locations after 1 night. I like a minimum of 2 nights in a place.

If you could add a couple of days and include GTNP you won't be disappointed.

We stayed at Signal Mountain. Very centrally located.

Connie

We've always preferred the Canyon area mostly because of it's central location. It also has some of the best services without the huge crowds of the Ole Faithful area.

I would not stay outside the park. It's just too far to come and go every day.

utahtea

So you want to spend two days in the Lamar valley as part of a week trip to Yellowstone. I take it you want to see the wolves and other wildlife. If your only goal is Lamar Valley then the closest location is going to be Cooke City.

Canyon might be a little closer than Mammoth, but it involves going over Dunraven Pass which will take longer.

If wolves and wildlife are not the reason for spending two days in Lamar Valley, then your time would be better spent in other parts of the park.

I also would keep checking for cancellations at Roosevelt.

Utahtea

starrs

Great advice here. I'd stay inside the park rather than Cooke City but agree that may be far too much time. Mammoth used to be my favorite part of the park and I was shocked at how "dead" the terraces were last summer. Definitely add in Grand Teton NP - and definitely follow Utahtea's advice. She's helped me plan wonderful trips.