Amere

I know it may seem like a weird question. We are trying to decide where to go. We would spend about a week and a half at the beginning of Sept. If we got to Alaska, we would fly in to Anchorage instead of by cruise ship. We like the outdoors, but are by no means seasoned hikers. So, we would just enjoy taking in all the beauty, doing a few nice hikes and taking in the local culture. Trying to figure out which would be nicer at that time of year. Thanks for any thoughts.

happytrailstoyou

You can't go wrong, but the weather will likely be more pleasant in Wyoming.

We enjoy visiting little towns near Yellowstone and the Grand Tetons, such as Red Lodge, Ennis, and Dubois.

There is also Banff, Jasper, and the Canadian Rockies to consider.

HTTY

spirobulldog

Seattle, North Cascade, Mount Rainier, and the Olympics might be a similar type choice for that time of year.

If you have never been to Yellowstone, I would probably vote for The Tetons/Yellowstone. Alaska is huge and to do it right you need to get in a bush plane(or 2 or 3). But, nothing compares to it's beauty. You are likely to see more animals in Tetons/Yellowstone. For Alaska, I would do Denali and Kenai area. These aren't that far from Anchorage. Either place is really amazing.

Amere

Thank you for your insight. We did Oregon, Seattle, and British Columbia a few few ago and then Grand Canyon and Sedona last year and both proved to be amazing! Sounds like WY is getting the votes!

ronko

I think doing the lower 48 attractions is great -- BUT my vote would be to go to Alaska -- fly to Anhorage and defintely go to Denali -- and hike - Talkeetna - fly around Mt. McKinley -- I have been their 4 times and will go back at the drop of a hat -- I love Alaska!

roundthebend

I just returned from Jackson Hole, Teton National Park and Yellowstone, and although I've been there before, I remain stunned by the dramatic beauty of the area. My vote says head for Wyoming.

Amere

Thanks roundthebend. Would love to hear where you stayed, restaurants, etc. I know it is recommended to stay a few nights in a few locations in Yellowstone. I know a lot of places in the park are already booked for Sept.

Floridafran

Amere,

I've been to both and, as hty said, you can't go wrong either way.

The scenery in both places is awesome - though different. We saw far more wildlife - up close - in YNP/GTNP than we did in Alaska, but we did see 2 different kinds of whales in Alaska.

We hope to go back to Alaska in 2012, this time driving our RV. (We flew in last time and rented a car.) This August/September we're going to Glacier for the first time, then back to YNP/GTNP (our 3rd trip to Yellowstone, 2nd to the Tetons).

What draws us back to Yellowstone is the variety of scenery in such close proximity. You have the glorious Tetons, the geysers and other thermal features of Yellowstone as well as falls, lakes, rivers, and the canyon which gave Yellowstone its name. Toss in the wildlife and it's like several vacation spots rolled into one. Change the season, and it changes again. We've been in Summer and Winter and will get Fall this year. Maybe we can hit it for Spring in 2012 before we head on up to Alaska.

Should you decide on YNP/GTNP, even if the lodging in the Park is booked, keep trying. Tour companies, as well as individuals, book up to a year in advance then cancel as time goes by and plans change. But call - often, even daily as the date gets close. Don't rely on the internet booking site. Things often never make it from being booked to being available on the web because someone smart (like you'll be) called before they got it posted. Also, you can sometimes change your location within Yellowstone when you get there. Our first trip we asked when we arrived if they had anything available at one of the other lodges. They did, and let us switch a couple of nights around for a better schedule.

Whichever you chose, you should have a trip to remember.

Amere

Thanks so much FloridaFan! Are there a couple of places you reocmmend trying to stay in YNP and GTNP? Could we stay in Jackson area for the GT part or would it be better to stay in the park for that too? The calling idea is a great tip! I did that for Grand Canyon and it worked. Hope you have wonderful travels!

Floridafran

For our summer trip (early one August) to YS we stayed at Canyon Lodge and in a Mammoth cabin. (Other than Canyon, Mammoth was the only one with space available.) Our winter trip we stayed at the Mammoth Hotel and Old Faithful Snow Lodge. (There are very limited choices for winter lodging.)

We really liked Canyon because it made it so easy to get up to the Northeast quadrant of the Park for animal viewing. There isn't much to do within walking distance at Canyon, like you have at Lake, and especially at Old Faithful, but we liked being nestled in the woods. If we were to go again, without the RV, I'd choose Canyon and Old Faithful, I think. From OF you can get to a lot of the other areas fairly easily and you have a whole geyser basin right there to walk/hike.

For the Tetons we stayed in a lovely cabin at Flagg Ranch (extreme north end of the range). We chose Flagg because we knew we would only spend a part of one day in Jackson. This was partly due to time constraints - we had only 2 days for the Tetons - so we wanted to concentrate on the scenery. And we knew with it being the first week of August, Jackson would be super crowded - and it was. When we go back we'll have more time so we'll probably chose a more centrally located spot to minimize driving time between the things we'll want to do/see.

I, personally, would not stay in Jackson, but that's because I prefer as much solitude as I can get. I would stay elsewhere and make Jackson a day trip. But remember, I carry my bed and kitchen with me so finding a place to eat close to my lodging isn't an issue. ;-)

You, on the other hand, might love all that Jackson has to offer. Some people might need or want several days to see and do everything they wanted to in Jackson proper whereas I was satisfied with less than a full day. Only you know what fits your style of travel. And people do use it as their base for the Tetons. It just isn't centrally located like some of the other places you could stay. With a quick search, you'll find lots of recommendations for things to do, places to stay (in Jackson and outside it), as well as places to eat and shop in Jackson.

September is supposed to be wonderful in Yellowstone and the Tetons. If the price of gasoline doesn't go ridiculously high my husband and I will get to see for ourselves.

sludick

Floridafran - September IS glorious in Yellowstone and the Tetons! We went a couple of years ago in September, and loved it so much we returned the next year, bringing friends. How did we spend all these years without experiencing this wonderful place, I cannot fathom.

beckydoodle

Hi,
We have been to Alaska in early September 2 times and it is a glorious time to visit, especially Denali.

We have also been to GTNP and Yellowstone in September a few times. Again, it is a lovely time to visit, but early September may be too soon to see fall colors.

See our Alaska and Yellowstone/GTNP pics at

http://stravels.intuitwebsites.com/

Have a wonderful time whatever you decide!

Amere

Thank you beckydoodle. Your pictures are great!

jnjfraz

Amere,

This is a tough one as all are beautiful in their own way.

I live in SE Idaho and our family has had a cabin just outside of West Yellowstone for 60 years. September is incredibly beautiful. Nice sunny days and the Tetons are spectacular.

I also spent all of the 1970's in Alaska, living in Fairbanks, Anchorage and Juneau. The weather will be cooler by just a bit but it is still drastically beautiful.

Probably the difference is the scope of the two. Yellowstone is relatively compact and it takes very little time to see a lot. Alaska is huge and incredible but it takes days to see a lot. A week and a half in Yellowstone can be almost too much if you are not a big hiker or meander. That amount of time in Alaska is doable but you will have to plan well.

starrs

I've been to Alaska twice (both times in winter) and Yellowstone/Grand Tetons several times. For a week and a half, I'd choose YNP/GTNP. There's plenty to see in and around the area. Alaska is BIG (obviously) and I'd like more time than that to do it justice.

Amere

Thanks so much. This advice is so helpful. SOunds like if we want to do Alaska justice, 2 weeks would be a must!

christabir

September is a great time for Alaska because the flies are gone, and it's not too cold yet. You can go to Yellowstone/GTNP in May, June and the end of Aug - beginning of Oct, just not summer due to crowds. Alaska's best month is Sept, except for the shortening daylight. Please keep that a secret.

2 weeks isn't enough for Alaska either. Just go for a long as you can and go back to see the stuff you miss.

karn

If you choose the Grand Tetons, a place we love to stay is the Triangle X Ranch. It is in the park, not far from the Cunningham Ranch Cabin. We even took our entire family for Christmas one year. There is a lot to do, such as sightseeing, horseback riding, fishing, hiking, watching the moose, fox, bison, etc. and your view is of the Grand Tetons, right in front of you, in their full glory. The cabins are older, as this is a historic ranch, but they are in good condition, the people and service are great, and so is the food. A very "Western" experience.
We have also stayed in a very nice newer log cabin, at Dornan's, near Moose. You can find them in the GTNP website. They have a kitchen, fireplace living room and bedroom. No TV, but that was not important to us. Right near the Snake River too Another place I have not stayed at but would like to try is the Moulton Cabins, also historic buildings and in the park. They are right near the Morman barns you often see on the GTNP website and in brochures.
While in Jackson be sure to go to the Cowboy Bar for a drink. We like their greasy bison burger, and we love to go at nite and dance. Very authentic, to us. Also, if time, stop at the Silver Dollar for a drink or breakfast, which we really enjoyed too. You will probably not be there for the fall color, which usually begins around the second or third week, peaks at the end of Sept and sometimes into the first few days of Oct-depends on conditions.
In Yellowstone we stayed in Old Faithful area, Snow Lodge. Nice, new, and crowded. Great building, but I prefer the quieter spaces and solitude in the Grand Teton National Park.
Whatever you do, Alaska or the GT & Y, it will be great. You can't miss!