help for a trip to jackson hole this summer

Definitely plan at least one overnight in Yellowstone. Friends of mine did a fishing trip on Yellowstone Lake and had a great time. There is a hotel there and some less expensive cabins that would hold 4 people.

Personally, I recommend a night at Old Faithful somewhere. That will permit you to see other geysers that are less "faithful" than the big attraction.

I'm not so knowledgeable about fishing, but if you literally want to walk out your door and start fishing, you shouldn't stay in either of those locations.

On our last two trips to the area, we stayed in Jackson when visiting Grand Teton N.P. In Yellowstone, the first trip we stayed in West Yellowstone, and more recently, in the Old Faithful area. The latter is MUCH preferable. On the ranch places, decide how much time you'd spend on activities AT the ranch, vs. activities within the parks. Also, food is relatively expensive (over-priced) in Jackson, and the food choices if you stay in the park in Yellowstone, so whatever food is included at the ranch isn't probably any more or less over-priced, or better or worse in quality, than you'd get at other places.

Unless your group is totally focussed on fishing (in which case, I can't offer much advice), devote the majority of your time to Yellowstone N.P. As spectacular as the Grand Teton range is, the geothermal sights and wildlife in Yellowstone are even more spectacular.

We went to Wyoming last summer with our family of five and had an outstanding time there. We didn't fish so I can't give you any insight into that. However, we stayed in Grand Tetons NP-- Jackson Lodge, I believe. The lodging accommodations and the food was mediocre in GTNP; however, the scenary, hiking, etc., was outstanding. We hiked several days and also did a float trip as well as a white water rafting trip. All were wonderful.

We staying in Yellowstone for a week and stayed at several locations. If you don't mind repacking, etc., this is a wonderful way to see the different parts of the park (the park is very big and quite diverse). We stayed in West Yellowstone (can't remember the name of the hotel off hand), at Old Faithful (at the Inn), and at Mammouth. My favorite of the three was Mammouth which actually was the least expensive (I think it was $70a night for a very clean and large cabin. Only downside was that the bathroom was not in the cabin-- but they put us next to it. It really was no problem and it's hard to beat the price).

I would NOT recommend staying in Jackson and using that as a base to go to Yellowstone-- you'll waste hours traveling back and forth. Just my opinion...

Did you get your trip planned yet?

For your Yellowstone visit plan on staying in the park if at all possible. Other than that you can stay in one of the gateway towns, Cooke City, Gardiner or West Yellowstone. Jackson is much to far to drive on a daily basis. When we are not camping we stay in Cooke City. http://www.ccsinclair.com/webcam.htm -- http://www.nps.gov/yell/

If you want to walk out the door in the morning and fish, I'd say the Jenny Lake Lodge.
http://www.nationalparkreservations.com/grandteton_jenny_lake.htm

In Yellowstone, I'd stay at Old Faithful.

In Jackson, I've stayed in little moderately priced hotels and have liked being able to walk into town for shopping and dining.

I would stay in Jackson and/or at Jenny Lake and then move to Yellowstone.

Will echo the others in suggesting a closer base than Jackson for Yellowstone or Grand Teton exploration.

But Jackson is well worth a day's visit if you want. The business district has some historic buildings which can be visited via a tour that leaves from the Town Square. The shops, galleries, bars, and restaurants provide a good couple hours of pleasant wandering and noshing time. The National Museum of Wildlife Art just north of town has a surprisingly very good moderate-sized collection. And there's a fun home-grown feel to the local rodeo, which happens in the summer on Wednesday and Saturday evenings.