BayouGal

As of today, our plans look like this:

Fly to Jackson from New Orleans
Dates: Sept 15 - 23, 2006
Rent auto or small SUV in Jackson

Travel destinations so far:
Tetons
Yellowstone
Beartooth Parkway

Fly home from Jackson to New Orleans

Questions:

Any idea what good airfare prices might be? We're looking at about $390 each, New Orleans to Jackson round trip.

Now that we know specific dates, what kind of weather, activities, best lodging, etc., can we expect? Lodging is available in Yellowstone for these dates (or at least what is still open has some vacancies), just not sure how to plan itinerary, how many nights to spend where, etc. We'd like to do some hiking, animal watching, picnicing (like many have suggested), bathing in hot springs, and just enjoying the views. Any more suggestions for activities we should include at this time of year?

Is Jackson worth a night, or just go on towards the Tetons from the airport (we hope to arrive around noon)?

I am combing over your posts from past threads and the recent one I posted. We really need your suggestions with specific suggestions as we try to narrow this down and get reservations made ASAP.

We are thinking Jenny Lake Lodge is out unless they suddenly plan deep discounts for that timeframe. ;-) We don't mind spending as necessary, but there rates seem excessive (?). Do you think it's worth the splurge?

As always, thanks so much for your help! And God bless!

gail

Airfare - we paid about 325 Boston-Jackson last summer after much shopping around - we were surprised how expensive it was to fly into Jackson - could have flown coast-to-coast for much less.

Jackson is less than 1/2 hour from Grand Teton National Park. We stayed at Teton Village - a large group of condos about 1/2 mile from entrance to GTNP. That way we has easy access to Jackson and Park - we found we were not all that interested in Jackson except for dinner.

One must drive thru GTNP to get to Yellowstone, so keep that in mind in your itinerary/time planning. Considering your total trip time, I would stay 1-2 nights near Jackson and then head up to Yellowstone. You might want to do a float trip or rafting trip during that time.

I would suggest staying 1-2 nights at 2 different spots in Yellowstone. The Park is bigger than we thought, and configuration of roads makes it necessary to back-track unless you change location. Decision might be based on what lodging has openings.

Travel thru Park (such as if you head back that way to airport in Jackson) is also slower than we thought - there are frequent "animal jams" - be sure to see the buffalo herds near Hayden - which are wonderful if you are spending the day touring, but nerve-racking if you are trying to make a plane. So depending on time of flight, you may want to stay final night near Jackson.

As far as touring Yellowstone, the road is a "figure 8" configuration. We got a guide book that listed sites in order of road - so we could choose where to stop.

hilda

Tetons Yellowstone is wonderful. Jackson is worth a night at least, take your rafting trip there. Its a cute cowboy town with lots of great restaurants. June is less crowded but weather could be chilly. We've been there twice in June and did fine. I have no idea what New Orleans air fares shouild be but we've gone twice from the midwest multicity for $350 or so. Just a suggestion, price a multicity itinerary, fly home from Billings or Bozeman, you will pay a little more in car rental fee- drop off charge will apply but you can expand your itinerary and not backtrack. Jackson Lake lodge is great, I agree with the poster who said to choose 2 different areas in yellowstone for lodging. Go to the bookstore and buy the Fodors guide to Yellowstone and the Tetons, read it thoroughly.

AuntAnnie

There is a spot in Yellowstone you can legally swim in the geyser heated Firestone River; a staff member at Old Faithful Inn told us how to find it. It was one of the highlights of my last visit to the park.
We like to stay at Old Faithful Inn and Lake Lodge; both are great locations and have nice dining rooms for an evening meal. Have fun! The Beartooth Highway is gorgeous. We stayed in tiny clean rustic cabins at Roosevelt Lodge the night before we drove the highway and that was a good location for that route out of the park. (we stayed in 3 different spots within the park)

gail

The place AuntAnnie is speaking of is called Boiling River - it is not in any guide books we found but we went there last summer at recommendations from this board. It is a legal, park-official place though - so you don't need to worry about getting arrested in a hot spring or anything like that.

It is near north entrance to Park. If you are heading north, parking area is just past sign for Continental Divide - there is a small parking area on right and larger one across the street. It is about 3/4 mile or so walk in along a wide path - sign at beginning of path describes it.

What it is is the intersection of a hot spring and river - at the "V" intersection the Park service has made, with large rocks, a semi=sheltered area about 100 feet long. Water is about 3 feet deep but rocks underfoot make it slippery and entry is somewhat of a challenge. By choosing where to sit in this area you can either be "boiled" or have a more temperate experience.

Water is moving along with River, but the River itself is moving too rapidly to attempt this feat without the protection of the rocks. There are always some Bozos who try to venture into the river, float on boogie boards, etc. I think they end up in the Pacific Ocean somewhere.

Definitely not to be missed. There is even a porto-potty in the parking lot, but since Park Service does not really publicize it, it was not mobbed, even in August. The white water rafting people we used called it "the coolest thing in the Park". Only place we know of where you can actually go into any of the hot springs without getting scalded.

We also stayed in 3 places - near Jackson, West Yellowstone, Gardiner. While we missed the atmosphere of the Park, I enjoyed getting some of the atmosphere of what it would be like to actually live there, especially in winter - had sopme fascinating discussions with locals about life in the area.

Have a great trip.

BayouGal

Have any of you done this trip in September? What was the weather, wildlife viewing, etc., like?

Thanks!

RedRock

The Sept WX will be nice, a bit cooler than earlier in the summer. You could see snow in the month of Sept but if so not to worry to much. I have been by the campfire and watched the water in the cooler freeze. Saves on ice that way. Being from the southern part of the country make sure you bring clothing so you can take it off as the day gets warmer. If at all possible do the BearTooth Highway (US-212) to Red Lodge. Cooke City/Silver Gate is a nice place to spend the night, nothing fancy, just an old mining town area that has not become a total tourist haunt - yet.

gail

Regarding weather - bring an ice-scraper for the car (not kidding). We were there mid-August 2005 and when I went for early morning drive, the windshield of rental car was crusted with ice from a light mist - car did not have an ice scraper, so I just waiter for defroster to work.

RedRock

This past summer (July) we were camping near Cooke City, had wet snow fall for over an hour. Frost is common all summer long. You can use a Credit Card as an emergency ice scraper. That will work so, so.

sparker

A few random comments:

Recommend Cowboy Village Resort if you're staying in Jackson. Quiet, clean individual cabins, at a good price. I didn't spend any time in the town, except for dinners, but it was a good base for exploring the Tetons and considerably cheaper than staying in the Jenny Lake Lodge.

Be aware that Beartooth Parkway may be closed; it was closed when I was there in September 2005 -- due to summer mudslides. Seems it's not uncommon, so it's best to check.

Do stay in YS Park as it really makes the daytime travel much easier, given the distances. Canyon Village is a good central location (was closed for the season when I was there; I think for renovations). Accommodations in park aren't always great or good value, but it's worth it for the convenience and you won't spend that much time in your room anyway. I stayed at the Lake Hotel a few nights, and boy it was a little difficult to find in the pitch dark! No matter how early I started heading back to my lodging, I always ran into something interesting to do on the way back -- and found myself coming "home" in the dark. Oh -- if you stay in the park lodges -- ask the Xanterra agent about dinner reservations. It's often best to make them at the time you book your lodging reservation. In some cases it's the only choice for dinner, and the more desirable dinner times fill up early.

I planned to rent a car, but was upgraded to a Jeep Grand Cherokee at the airport. While it wasn't necessary, it was fun!! I went down a a few roads I wouldn't have otherwise explored. And it was great to be able to spread out my "stuff" (extra clothes, bottled water, snacks, etc.) in the back.

Have a great time! It's hard not to.

Sparker

gail

We found West Yellowstone and Gardiner both very convenient out-of-park spots for lodgin, if you end up out of park. Both a mile or so from entrance. Enjoyed talking to local residents there - but very good case can also be made for staying in Park.

RedRock

To avoid the crowds and the bulk of the tourist "stuff" you may want to consider the old mining towns of Silver Gate and Cooke City MT located just out side the NE gate of YS. This is also a good place to stay if you are departing and plan to go over the BearTooth Highway and the Top of the World. The mud slides doing down into Red Lodge have been cleared and the road opened in Oct 05. Depending on the weather at the time it still may be open in Sept.

mapper

Jackson Hole in September is really popular with the wildlife and landscape photographers. Lots to shot including fall color and active wildlife and water fowl. Take all your camera gear. I don’t know if they are having the popular Wildlife Photo Convention in Jackson this year? But, they do hold it in Mid September. You might want to check.

Yellowstone is a nice place, but driving there can tire a person out. Don’t try and see everything in a day or one trip. Pick what you want to see the most and visit them. Also, if you fly fish take all your fishing stuff or take a lesson there. West Yellowstone and the Madison river are ground zero for the U.S. fly fisherman.

Weather can change in minutes so always carry a jacket.

For lodging information try downloading the New Google Earth program, not the web Google Maps. The program is free, but you need a high speed connection. They have most hotels/motels listed and it’s a good way to view the area.

I also have a java map of Yellowstone which has all features. It’s good for locating things in the park.
http://www.cccarto.com/wmaps/Yellowstone


Have a good trip

Clousie

BayouGal

You asked about our lodging in YNP andGTNP on another thread...

I would DEFINITELY stay in the parks. We started in GT on the way up and back from YNP. Our order was: Coulter Bay cabins, Old Faithful Lodge, Mammoth Hot Springs cabins (the smallest and most cramped of our lodgings; probably wouldn't do this location again) and Signal Mt. I would stay at any of these places again rather than be "near" the parks.

Seeing Old Faithful go around midnight on a moonlit night from the upper basin or walking through the steam and mist just after sunrise was SO special.

I don't know about September, but we were glad to have reservations for dinner ahead in July.

Ask if you have more specific questions.

BayouGal

Wow, Clousie, thanks so much for taking the time to find my thread and help me out!

How were the Colter Bay and Signal Mt. cabins? I've read both positive and negative (noise, beds, etc). Which did you prefer of the 2? Which would you recommend, or should we do one at the beginning, and another the last night, as it looks like you did?

I want to stay at the Old Faithful Lodge, too, for the exactly the same reasons.

Thanks, again, for your advice!

BayouGal

Thank you all for your great advice! Now I am working on an itinerary based on what lodging is available. Looks like we'll drive from Jackson to YNP first day (arrive at noon), then do Yellowstone, and come back and do GTNP. Trying to get to some of the lodging in Yellowstone before it closes--for instance, Canyon closes the 17th, 2 days after we arrive.

Thanks again, and please come back and post any further thoughts or suggestions you might think of!

shorebrau

Based on a number of trips to the Rockies, must advise that you can expect cold and fog, possible snow storms and whiteouts, at the upper elevations starting at about 3 pm many days, including summer. Be prepared for weather like this. We have been hiking on well used trails in national parks in the afternoon, and are amused to see tourists in shorts and no layers, hiking through snow showers with looks of disbelief on their faces.

BayouGal

ttt for GailJoe

LBev769375

You have received some outstanding suggestions for your trip. We were through there from Sept 11 - 24th 2004 and will be returning the same time period this year. The weather was great, cool in the mornings, warm in the afternoom and cool in the evenings, with snow most likely on the mountain tops.
One other suggestion for Jackson Hole and a second for a suggestion already made while in the Yellowstone.

While in Jackson Hole (or in GTNP). After a day out in the park, take time for a very enjoyable Chuckwagon Supper at either the Bar "J" Ranch, http://www.barjchuckwagon.com/ or at the Bar-T-5 Covered Wagon Cookout and Wild West show. We went to the Bar "J" and had a great relaxing evening. The entertainment was first rate.

While visiting the Yellowstone, try to fit in an overnight (or long day trip) to Cody. For example;
1. Plan on seeing park of the Yellostone park as you exit the Northeast Exit to Cooke City.
2. Continue from Cooke City on Hwy 212 (Bear Tooth Hwy) to the Top of the World and on to Red Lodge, Mt. This is an extremely scenic drive. Consider lunch at the "Brideg Creek Back County Grill) in Red Lodge", then
3. At Red Lodge take Mt Hwy 308 over to Belfay and then take Hwy 72/120 to Cody.
4. Spent a restful night in Cody.
5. Visit the Buffalo Bill Cody Museum in the morning and then,
6. Take Highway 20/14/16 back to Yellowstone NP.
7. See the sights from the eastern entrance while going back to your park lodging.
This is a very restful sightseeing drive and definitely worth the trip.

This could be done in one 8-10 hour drive, leaving off the stop in Cody to see the Museum and still be well worth the drive.

Have a great break from your labors in New Orleans.

Lee

BayouGal

Thanks so much, Lee! Great advice and I really appreciate you taking the time to give such detailed information.