Ok, I've been researching. Spending approximately 4 days in GTNP and about 5 days in Yellowstone. I've got back-up lodging taken care of in Jackson, but trying for something in-park. I know I need to call for cancellations in Yellowstone, but I need to have another plan in case I get nothing. My plan was to stay all over the park- whatever was available- so, my questions are. Should I try for a couple days in Cody, a couple in West, and one day in North? Any suggestions where to stay? We end up spending very little time in the room, so less expensive the better.
Lodging near Yellowstone?
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West Yellowstone is good. (west)
Cody is good (east)
Red Lodge is good (north)
Splitting it 2 - 2- 1 is good because that means you can do the Beartooth Highway.
Plenty of suggestions on the board and in trip reports re hotels.
West Yellowstone has about every chain lodging you can imagine - and most are within a mile of the entrance to the Park. A good alternative. Gardiner (north) has fewer options - we stayed at Abaraskota Lodge - which is really a motel - which was a little "tired" but overlooking Gardner River and worked for us. Was not expensive.
An advantage of staying outside Park is that you can get a feel of local area - had some interesting conversations with local residents, went to local rodeo in West Yellowstone. So I think it is a good plan to book something and keep trying for in-Park
It's a long drive from Cody to the park entrance, and then a long drive from the entrance to places in the park you will want to see - a poster on another thread mentioned 120 miles from Cody to Old Faithful, and that sounds about right. Factor in that the maximum speed limit once you're in the park is only 45 mph, and it can make for a long day behind the wheel if you stay in Cody.
I found West Yellowstone to be the most convenient lodging outside the park. It's right on the border of the park, and a pleasant and scenic 14 mile drive along the Madison River (with its elk and bison and bald eagle sightings) to Madison Junction. From Madison Junction its only 16 miles south along the Firehole River to Old Faithful, and 26 miles east to Canyon.
One evening several years ago, as we were leaving the park from Madison to West Yellowstone we noticed a bald eagle flying west with us. We paralleled his flight for about 5 miles as he soared over the Madison River harassing other birds and occasionally dipping down close to the water to check out something interesting.
The town of Gardiner is also right on the northwest edge of the park and a short drive to Mammoth Hot Springs.
Yes, I've been looking at maps and I'm knocking Cody off the list. What about one night outside the northeast entrance?
A lot of people stay in Cody to do Yellowstone.
West Yellowstone is closer. I've stayed in Island Park, ID to do Yellowstone. If you keep calling you'll get something in the park.
Do you know what's out of the NE exit - as in the Beartooth Highway?