Driving through Yellowstone at night - safe?
Jun 4th, 2011, 06:17 PM
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Driving through Yellowstone at night - safe?
We are planning our first trip to Yellowstone around June 7. How safe is it to drive from Salt Lake City airport to Yellowstone late at night? We arrive SLC at 4 pm, staying at the Old Faithful Inn in the park. Do we drive the same day or are there places to stay along the way where we can crash at night and start at dawn the next morning. Any suggestions from Yellowstone experts? Thank you!
Jun 4th, 2011, 07:06 PM
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Our very first time we went to Yellowstone (1974) we had car trouble and were delayed a day and to make it to Old Faithful Lodge for our reservations we had to drive into the park after dark. While it was a very exciting way to first see the park with animal eyes in your headlights and then steam rising from the ground all around you, I would advise against it if you can!
Utahtea
Utahtea
Jun 4th, 2011, 07:11 PM
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Thank you, Tomfuller 
I will look into lodging options in Logan. Also, we'll be flying back from Teton, we were thinking of leaving early (around 3 am) to catch 1pm flight from SLC. What are your thoughts on that? Drive late at night or stay somewhere closer to the airport the previous night?
I will look into lodging options in Logan. Also, we'll be flying back from Teton, we were thinking of leaving early (around 3 am) to catch 1pm flight from SLC. What are your thoughts on that? Drive late at night or stay somewhere closer to the airport the previous night?
Jun 4th, 2011, 11:46 PM
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Animals are around all times of the year and it's hard to predict when you will see them. Bears & deer can be active at night. Bison will stand in the road.
You will have to be careful of animals not only in Yellowstone but also as you approach Yellowstone. For about the last 90 miles you will have to be extra alert as you drive in and out of national forest lands if you are entering at West Yellowstone. If you are coming in from the Tetons, then you will spend more time in national forest or park lands.
Best case scenario, if you are able to leave SLC by 4:30, you won't make it to Old Faithful until 2 am and that's without making any stops as you drive the 360 miles. There's a good chance you will run into commute traffic as you leave the Salt Lake area. I have no idea where you are flying in from, but I'll venture to guess you will be tired.
Idaho Falls, ID is a little over 200 miles from SLC. I'd spend the night there and get an early start the next morning.
You kind of lost me on the getting up at 3 am. Is this as you are leaving the Grand Tetons? Are you flying or driving to SLC or are you talking about getting an earlier flight into SLC on the day you arrive?
Utahtea
You will have to be careful of animals not only in Yellowstone but also as you approach Yellowstone. For about the last 90 miles you will have to be extra alert as you drive in and out of national forest lands if you are entering at West Yellowstone. If you are coming in from the Tetons, then you will spend more time in national forest or park lands.
Best case scenario, if you are able to leave SLC by 4:30, you won't make it to Old Faithful until 2 am and that's without making any stops as you drive the 360 miles. There's a good chance you will run into commute traffic as you leave the Salt Lake area. I have no idea where you are flying in from, but I'll venture to guess you will be tired.
Idaho Falls, ID is a little over 200 miles from SLC. I'd spend the night there and get an early start the next morning.
You kind of lost me on the getting up at 3 am. Is this as you are leaving the Grand Tetons? Are you flying or driving to SLC or are you talking about getting an earlier flight into SLC on the day you arrive?
Utahtea
Jun 5th, 2011, 07:32 AM
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justraveling,
Animals can be on the roads at any time of day. It's just that they are harder to see at night.
I would recommend staying in either Idaho Falls (if you are taking that route which is the fastest). Or, if you really want to go the most scenic route thru Logan Canyon and past Bear Lake - stay in Star Valley, WY! Lots of choices, but must reserve ahead, nothing fancy in that valley but it's beautiful and the residents are friendly and helpful. You could also stay in the Bear Lake area.
It doesn't get dark right now until 9:00 so you would be able to make it to either location before dark - if you plan is on time.
If you are leaving in 2 days, do you already have lodging res? If not, you may have problems.
Animals can be on the roads at any time of day. It's just that they are harder to see at night.
I would recommend staying in either Idaho Falls (if you are taking that route which is the fastest). Or, if you really want to go the most scenic route thru Logan Canyon and past Bear Lake - stay in Star Valley, WY! Lots of choices, but must reserve ahead, nothing fancy in that valley but it's beautiful and the residents are friendly and helpful. You could also stay in the Bear Lake area.
It doesn't get dark right now until 9:00 so you would be able to make it to either location before dark - if you plan is on time.
If you are leaving in 2 days, do you already have lodging res? If not, you may have problems.
