Lorraine

We're flying into Bozeman and have a tentative itinerary but I'm concerned that our side trip to Cody and subsequent drive to Grand Teton NP will be too much driving for me. I'd appreciate your opinions on whether it's "worth" leaving the national parks for this side trip, or whether to eliminate one of the scenic drives. Would also appreciate views on Bozeman vs. Chico Hot Springs at start of trip.

Here's the plan:

9/9 arrive in Bozeman at noon, either visit Bozeman and overnight there, or overnight Chico Hot Springs??

9/10: Chico Hot Springs? (to give us time to acclimate to altitude?)

9/11: Yellowstone (Old Faithful Inn)

9/12: Yellowstone (Old Faithful Inn)

9/13: Exit Yellowstone from NE, scenic drive to Cody. Visit museums, overnight Cody.

9/14: Drive back into Yellowstone via the East entrance, then drive south to Grand Teton NP (overnight Signal Mountain Lodge)

9/15: Grand Tetons (Signal Mountain Lodge)

9/16: Yellowstone (Canyon Lodge)

9/17: Yellowstone (Canyon Lodge)

9/18: Drive to Bozeman airport

Dayle

Hi Lorraine,

The drive from Silver Gate (NE entrance) to Cody is just as beautiful as inside the park. Museums in Cody being worthwhile depends on your interest in western art/ guns. I visited 25 years ago when the BB Museum was all there was and I loved it. Incredible collection of Remingtons, Russels, Moran, etc.

I just came back from a combo camping and lodging vacation of 10 days. 3 nights were supposed to be at Chico Hot Springs - I left after 1 night. Did NOT care for it at all! It is not exactly in the most beautiful location in the valley. No views to enjoy. It's in a gully.

No A/C in any but the most expensive North Forty cabins ($300/nt+). Smokers everywhere, I have no idea why! Crowded and noisy. Nice flowers and lawns, nice, quaint architecture. Excellent restaurant.

Two alternative recommendations for you in the Paradise Valley just north of the park:

The River Inn Yellowstone Cabins (only 2), at the north end of the valley just south of Livingston. Right on the Yellowstone River, 50 mi. to N entrance.

Or, Paradise Gateway B&B, also right on the river and fairly near Chico Hot Springs. They also have cabins and even entire ranch homes. Gourmet breakfast, awesome views. About 25 mi. to N entrance.

Both have web sites and lovely, caring owners, highly recommend both, if you can get a res.

Hope you have a nice trip!

doohickey

Lorraine,

I recommend you spend the afternoon and evening in Bozeman on the day you arrive in MT rather than Chico Hot Springs. Chico is, as Dayle says, in a "gully" and is not as beautiful a setting as touted. Bozeman will offer you Main Street browsing, interesting shops, art galleries, restaurants (try Plonk wine bar w/tapas!), museums, etc. Check out bozone.com for more options.

Places to stay o'nt in Bozeman include everything from Marriot Residence Inn, Hilton Garden Inn, the Voss Inn (a very nice B&B downtown), Holiday Inn, etc.

Downtown Bozeman is at about 4,800' and Chico, I would imagine, couldn't be more than 500' different in elevation.

Your itinerary is certainly do-able and I would encourage you to continue with your side trip to Cody for the museum. The museum is wonderful and has a broad but applicable-to-the-area scope. Have dinner at the Rib & Chop House (go for the bison ribeye!) but consider making dinner reservations at least a couple of days in advance.

Enjoy!

-doo

tgbwc

If you really want to do hot springs, maybe think about Thermopolis, WY. It's a few hours from the parks, you would have to go to Dubois then to Thermopolis, but they have gorgeous hot springs and some decent motels there.

September is a wonderful time to visit Yellowstone! It will be chilly in the evenings, so be prepared. But it's gorgeous and the lines are really not bad at all.

Lorraine

Thanks, everyone (and thanks for the comments on Chico's location--I'm certain I would have been disappointed). I think we will keep Cody in the plan, but alter the order of where we travel to try to minimize driving times. Here's the NEW plan (!):

9/9 arrive in Bozeman at noon, visit Bozeman; overnight there or in Gardiner.

9/10: Yellowstone (Mammoth)

9/11: Yellowstone (Old Faithful Inn)

9/12: Yellowstone (Old Faithful Inn)

9/13: South to Grand Teton NP (Signal Mountain Lodge)

9/14: Grand Teton NP (Signal Mountain Lodge)

9/15: Drive to Cody via U.S.14, visit Cody and overnight there

9/16: Drive back to Yellowstone via the more northern route U.S.212 (Canyon Lodge)

9/17: Yellowstone (Canyon Lodge)

9/18: Drive to Bozeman airport

Dayle

Lorraine,

In case it matters, Gardiner and Mammoth in Yellowstone are only about 3 mi. apart.

BayouGal

Lorraine, we drove through the east gate, I think that's hwy 14, to Cody from Yellowstone in September. It was stunning to us. Snowy, some ice at the highest elevation. We really enjoyed Cody and the museum. The native American section had me in tears. It's a pretty big museum and we easily spent several hours in it. When we were there, your ticket was good for 2 days. Check out the bar in the Irma, and the breakfast was great there. We overnighted at the Chamberlin Inn. It was a wonderful, romantic treat, especially after nat'l park accomodations. ;-) Also HIGHLY recommend Ribs & Chops (and reservations).

I hope you enjoy your trip - wish we were going again!

wildblueyonder

Highly recommend Cody Cowboy Village for your overnight in Cody!

Krissie

ditto to wildblue yonder - Cody Cowboy Village is excellent. If you do take in Dubois at any point the The Old Stone House offers excellent accomodation and the most welcoming of hosts. See http://members.virtualtourist.com/m/58bd4/52f/ for my trip details.

mmouse52

The buffalo bill cody museum is wonderful a must see. I would also suggest if you can to drive the chief joseph highway right outside of cody a beautiful drive.