jhagerman64

Flying into Denver next Tues and driving to Yellowstone,Tetons. Concerned about weather and closings. Need top things to see in Yellowstone. Love beautiful scenery and fall colors. Looking for somewhere to stay the next night in Wy. Need great road trip plans coming and going. When back in CO thought we might see the Royal Gorge and Breakenridge and any other drop dead scenery before flying back out of Denver. 1 week. I've see Garden of Gods and Estate Park.

Melnq8

Well, the Royal Gorge and Breckenridge are in opposite directions.

Currently, the weather here in CO is BEAUTIFUL, but give us five minutes and it might change.

The aspens are at peak under 8,000 feet and past peak higher up. You might be looking at bare trees above 9,000 feet.

MmePerdu

Here are the closing dates of various facilities in Yellowstone:

https://www.nps.gov/yell/planyourvisit/ocd_locale.htm

Last week in the park I was able to snag canceled accommodations for 4 of the 5 nights I was there, camped 1 night I'd reserved. I don't know whether you'll have more or less luck at the very end of the season. But you can go to West Yellowstone or Jackson if you get nothing in the park. Top sights are all over the park and may depend on what roads are open.

MidwestHiker

How long are you planning on being in Yellowstone? It's going to take all day to drive there, another day to drive back so that leaves 5 days for everything else. If it were me, I'd plan on spending all 5 days in Yellowstone and Tetons and not try to cram in Breckenridge and Royal Gorge.

Maybe you could think about visiting Steamboat Springs on the way back through northern Colorado and then head south to I70 and visit Breckenridge if you really want to. Royal Gorge is too far out of the way and just isn't worth the detour.

MmePerdu

It's going to depend on the weather in Yellowstone. If it snows it's my understanding that the roads in effected areas will just close and that's that. We heard 212 north out of the park toward Billings closed the day after we left that way. So I don't think plans for Yellowstone just days before they shut down entirely can be made in advance.

jhagerman64

Thank you so much We are flying from IA thought we would cut driving a little by flying into Denver. Flying in closer is so expensive. We can be gone 7-8 days. We are looking for the best scenery we can take in. Should we go to Tetons on the way or after. Want to make the best of our time. Like the idea of spending all our time there or catching Steamboat Springs or Breckenridge on way back. What scenic route should we take from Denver North toward Yellowstone?