National Parks
Mar 19th, 2003, 01:00 PM
#1
Original Poster
Join Date: Mar 2003
Posts: 143
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
National Parks
Our family is planning a trip out west. We will arrive in Salt Lake City and drive north to Yellowstone stopping in Grand Teton and Jackson.Then we want to head east to Bighorn, Ucross,Mt. Rushmore and the Black Hills. Has anyone made this trip? Is it doable in 8 days? Anyone stay at the Grant Village in Yellowstone? Any suggestions or don'ts will be appreciated.
Mar 19th, 2003, 01:22 PM
#2
Join Date: Jan 2003
Posts: 41
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
Wags: Last year I spent 6 days in Yellowstone and 2 1/2 days in Grand Teton and it was barely enough! Sounds like you will be spending all of your time driving! My suggestion would be to cut back on your itinerary and spend enough time to experience the majesty of Yellowstone and Grand Teton.
Mar 19th, 2003, 01:30 PM
#3
Join Date: Jan 2003
Posts: 849
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
I agree that the time you have is just right for Yellowstone/Tetons. I would save the Dakota trip for another time, or extend this trip to about 2 weeks. You can do it in 8 days, but it will be rushed, especially if you plan to return via SLC. If you could return home from somewhere near the Dakotas, it would help.
Mar 19th, 2003, 02:47 PM
#5
Join Date: Jan 2003
Posts: 6,019
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
If you are staying at Grant Village, you have my sympathy. My impression of it is poor.
As for Yellowstone, I took my son there for the first time when he was almost 6. He remembers many of the details 35 years later.
Two summers ago, he and his wife took their 2 boys ages 6 and 9 to Yellowstone. With the parents' help both boys finished the reqirements for the Junior Ranger award. They had a good time doing it and it got Mom and Dad involved with the children.
(The requirements are adjusted for the age of the child, particularly if the child has not yet started the first grade.)
Then they went on a chuck wagon cookout. They rode out on an old stage coach, ate, and listened to some tall tales around the camp fire.
The boys had fun with the wildlife. They decided to name all the buffalo!
I agree with the others that the Tetons and Yellowstone will be enough to occupy 6 days, because you will need 1 day to come from Salt Lake City, and 1 day to return.
It a full days drive from Old Faithful to Mount Rushmore, and a long day from Rushmore back to Denver. (Like 630 miles, which is a non trivial distance.)
So bottom line, your schedule is overly ambitious and will make cut short the best part of your trip.
I like the Bighorns, but if you want to drive over a mountain range, go out the northeast gate of Yellowstone and drive to the top of the Bearthooth Pass.
It is more spectacular and a lot closer.
As for Yellowstone, I took my son there for the first time when he was almost 6. He remembers many of the details 35 years later.
Two summers ago, he and his wife took their 2 boys ages 6 and 9 to Yellowstone. With the parents' help both boys finished the reqirements for the Junior Ranger award. They had a good time doing it and it got Mom and Dad involved with the children.
(The requirements are adjusted for the age of the child, particularly if the child has not yet started the first grade.)
Then they went on a chuck wagon cookout. They rode out on an old stage coach, ate, and listened to some tall tales around the camp fire.
The boys had fun with the wildlife. They decided to name all the buffalo!
I agree with the others that the Tetons and Yellowstone will be enough to occupy 6 days, because you will need 1 day to come from Salt Lake City, and 1 day to return.
It a full days drive from Old Faithful to Mount Rushmore, and a long day from Rushmore back to Denver. (Like 630 miles, which is a non trivial distance.)
So bottom line, your schedule is overly ambitious and will make cut short the best part of your trip.
I like the Bighorns, but if you want to drive over a mountain range, go out the northeast gate of Yellowstone and drive to the top of the Bearthooth Pass.
It is more spectacular and a lot closer.
