eamc

My husband & I have visited many of our National Parks but my dream has always been to go to Yellowstone. We are finally planning trip for May/June 2015. I usually do all the research & planning so we tour on our own using visitor centers & ranger talks/hikes for in depth info but Yellowstone is so big we are considering the "Total Yellowstone" 5 day tour offered by the National Parks. We are mid 60's but I have some physical limitations which prevent me from doing long hikes; I can do walks up to 2-3 miles. Plan on doing what I can and leaving strenuous stuff to hubby. We are planning 2 week trip to Yellowstone & Grand Teton so we should have a few days to customize so we see everything we want to see. Has anyone out there done this tour? Any comments or input? Also would like opinion on Headwaters Lodge & Cabins at Flagg Ranch and Jenny Lake Cabins. We don't need 5 star luxury but do want comfortable accommodations and a good meal at end of the day.

TravelGram

We've been there twice and would love to go back - maybe some day. We're about the same age and my one caution if you have "some physical limitations" is to consider the elevation. It will definitely take a toll until you get used to it.
We always stayed in the park, but wouldn't hesitate to stay outside. We enjoy driving to the destinations. We did do the Chuckwagon dinner out of I think Roosevelt. Would do that again. Remember that they are wild animals so respect their territory and stay your distance. Just get a good telephoto lens for your camera. A tripod is also helpful. And certainly don't forget the binoculars (1 for each of you)

spirobulldog

First off, everything might no be open until Mid-June.

There is no way I would do Yellowstone on a tour, IMOP.

Jenny Lake is probably the most expensive lodging in the National Park System. It's probably as close to 5 stars as your going to get.

You can get a good meal there, but there are 2 restaurants in Jackson Lake Lodge that I would give a try too. Both the Dining Room and the Cafeteria Style 50's dinner in the lower level.

We really liked Colter Village Cabins and are staying there again in 2015. We did not like the food there, but is a short drive to other places.

If I had 2 weeks, I would stay probably 4 days in Tetons, 4 days at Old Faithful Inn and 4 days at Roosevelt Lodge.
I would also consider spending 1 or 2 days at both Lake Hotel and Mammoth. I think you need to at least plan on staying at 2 locations in Yellowstone.

Finally, you are already late for reservations for next year. I made mine on June 1(the day they became available) and one of my days I had planned for Roosevelt was already booked(the rooms with bathrooms were booked). So, get you plan and book ASAP. National Park lodging isn't for everyone, but we love the historic lodges. I think the best food(as a matter of fact food that I really like) in Yellowstone can be found at Old Faithful Snow Lodge, Lake Hotel, Roosevelt, and Mammoth Dining Room.

You might want to stop at Dornans in Tetons and pick up some picnic supplies. They have a nice grocery/deli. We always picnic a time or two when we do National Parks.

utahtea

We are the same age and the last two times we went to Yellowstone we spent two weeks. So much to do and see! Start with the shorter hikes and you might be surprised at what you can do towards the end of the two weeks. We can now do the 5 mile round trip hike to Lone Star Geyser. It's a very level hike. Take a lunch or snack and rest while you wait for the geyser to go off and then take your time coming back.

I would definitely try to stay in Yellowstone at a couple different locations. We camp, so I can't help with lodging except to say if you can't get lodging in the park then try West Yellowstone.

We've never done a tour but we see the big tour buses around. Lots of people having to get on and off the bus at each stop. The stops get crowded and hard to see places. We try very hard to avoid any area where there are the big tour buses.

Utahtea

voyager61

I would agree with much of the above. You probably should plan for mid-June or later because of the unpredictability of the weather. We have usually gone in late July, August or early September. I think a tour would not be desirable; it would be much better to have your own car because you will want to take your time and really enjoy the landscape. It's hard to predict what you might really love and want to spend more time seeing. Because the roads are all two-lane and very busy and can be mountainous, you need to pick at least two spots to stay, and in-park is much preferable because you save so much time not driving in and out each day. Probably Old Faithful and then either Roosevelt or Mammoth is a good second choice, although we also enjoy the Lake Hotel. It is best to plan a year in advance for your lodge reservations.

rjasnumberonefan

I've been to Yellowstone 3x.

The year we went in August it was perfect.

The year we went in June it snowed but was lovely and everything was open.

We went this year the third week of May and found that many lodging areas/stores were not yet opened.
Visitor Center/bathrooms were closed.
The road from Tower to Canyon was even still closed, so you could not complete the figure-8.
Snow was still fairly deep as you entered from the South entrance...about as tall as cars in some areas, but the roads that were plowed were safe and easily driveable.
Boats and Yellow buses weren't running tours yet.

Your question that no one has addressed was about the 5-day Total Yellowstone package. I wasn't familiar so I looked it up and it gets good reviews on most sites. But I saw the price and scratched my head. Around $2500 for 2 before taxes, gratuity, etc. that covers 5 nights lodging, meals and tours. Here is the itinerary link for 2014. http://www.yellowstonenationalparklo...erary-2014.pdf
It doesn't start until June and the included boat cruise doesn't start until mid-June.
It seems that most of your day is allocated to meals. First and last day is meals only. 2nd day is only geysers.

From what you write that you are able to hike a few miles and that you usually plan yourselves and take advantage of Ranger-led programs, it seems like you'd be better on your own. You have 2 weeks. You'd be able to go at a leisurely pace, yet be thorough. Take time in each area every morning to stop in at the Visitor Center and plan out the days activities. The Rangers can suggest the best places to take in meals and where to spot wildlife. It seems that the tour ends with dinner, which is prime wildlife viewing and sunset enjoyment. I believe you'd see so much more on your own.

eamc

Thanks everyone - some great advice! Visited Zion this summer & hubby enjoyed traveling by bus-he enjoyed scenery without driving -so I guess we are trying to avoid the hassle. We will have our own car which we would leave at Snow Lodge since that is where tour begins & ends. We have made reservations for 1st tour of the season that starts on May 31 but after seeing your input about the weather my thoughts are changing; don't have to make final decision until November. And now I'm considering doing it all ourselves; guess it would just take some intense planning but I'm pretty good at that! Going to try for some reservations today at Mammoth & Snow Lodge, Canyon & Lake as alternatives.

eamc

Just booked 4 nights at Mammoth Lodge & 4 nights at Snow Lodge for 1st week in August 2015. Thanks rjasnumberonefan - comments about your visits helped me a lot! Now I'll get to work with planning the details. A full week in Yellowstone (on my birthday too!) & 4 nights in Grand Teton....Can't wait!

spirobulldog

You will be able to see a lot. Yellowstone is a harder park to plan because of wildlife spottings and geyser eruption times. You can plan, but have to go with the flow too