Rapid City and Yellowstone...Help!
Feb 2nd, 2003, 07:41 PM
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Rapid City and Yellowstone...Help!
We are considering a trip to Rapid City and Yellowstone in June, driving from SE Wisconsin. I have my itinerary all set to Rapid City, but am completely stuck from Rapid Ctiy to Yellowstone! Can someone help me please?
Is it best to drive on I-90 to Hwy 14 and stay the night in Cody, or stay on the Interstate and enter on the North end of the park? Also, I am gathering that unless you stay in the park (which, most lodging inside the park is already booked for June 2003) West Yellowstone is about the only place to stay. We are considering 3 nights/4 days in Yellowstone, and then are driving to Salt Lake City to visit with family.
At this point, we are thinking of driving from Rapid City to Cody, then crashing for the night and getting up early to head for Yellowstone. The hotels in Cody are very expensive, especially when we are just planning to "sleep and go". Or, is staying on the Interstate a better idea? I am about at my wits end, and really could use some of your expert opinions. Thanks in advance - everyone is so helpful!
Is it best to drive on I-90 to Hwy 14 and stay the night in Cody, or stay on the Interstate and enter on the North end of the park? Also, I am gathering that unless you stay in the park (which, most lodging inside the park is already booked for June 2003) West Yellowstone is about the only place to stay. We are considering 3 nights/4 days in Yellowstone, and then are driving to Salt Lake City to visit with family.
At this point, we are thinking of driving from Rapid City to Cody, then crashing for the night and getting up early to head for Yellowstone. The hotels in Cody are very expensive, especially when we are just planning to "sleep and go". Or, is staying on the Interstate a better idea? I am about at my wits end, and really could use some of your expert opinions. Thanks in advance - everyone is so helpful!
Feb 2nd, 2003, 08:56 PM
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Taking Hwy 14 is a scenic mountain drive and going thought Cody to West Yellowstone is 525 miles.
It is 500 miles if you stay on the interstate and coming in the North entrance at Gardiner. This is going to be the more boring of all the choices.
If you wanted a really scenic way to come into the park then stay on I-90 and come in on the Beartooth Scenic Highway, Hwy 212. Spend the night in Red Lodge before heading to West Yellowstone.
West Yellowstone will probably be your best place to stay if you can't get accommodations in the park. I would keep calling back hoping to get cancellations for lodging in the park.
Utahtea
It is 500 miles if you stay on the interstate and coming in the North entrance at Gardiner. This is going to be the more boring of all the choices.
If you wanted a really scenic way to come into the park then stay on I-90 and come in on the Beartooth Scenic Highway, Hwy 212. Spend the night in Red Lodge before heading to West Yellowstone.
West Yellowstone will probably be your best place to stay if you can't get accommodations in the park. I would keep calling back hoping to get cancellations for lodging in the park.
Utahtea
Feb 3rd, 2003, 05:06 AM
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Another alternative might be Red Lodge, MT. From Cody you could drive the beautiful Chief Joseph Highway. It is an easy day's drive. To Livingstone would be quite a bit farther. Since you are in Cody anyhow, if you have time try to visit the museum there, it is fantastic and well worth your time. Cody is a fun town, I think you might be sorry if you didn't spend a bit of time there.
Feb 3rd, 2003, 06:51 AM
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If you are in Red Lodge on the weekend, there is a neat little bar about 6 or 7 miles out of town (Bear Creek or something) that has piggy races, they are a blast. Also, the advice above to skip Rapid City and visit Cody instead would be my choice. Although, you probably want to see the sites around Rapid City perhaps?
Feb 3rd, 2003, 07:30 AM
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I'd do I-90 over to 212 into Red Lodge and then down the Beartooth Hwy.
The Beartooth will be one of the most memorable parts of your trip. I hate to see anyone get close to it and not do it.
If you want to get further than Red Lodge, Cooke City is a neat, small town at the northeast entrance. Soda Butte Lodge is their largest hotel. Haven't stayed there but have stopped for some great pie!
Keep calling back on Yellowstone. Don't just go by the internet either. I've found it to be unreliable as far as availability.
I've had friends take a chance and show up at Old Faithful Inn and get a room for two nights. I'm not advising this--just saying that rooms do become available.
Gardiner is another option. It is just at the north entrance and right on the Yellowstone River. It's a nice small town and I would think the motels would be fairly reasonable.
Then I'd move on over to West Yellowstone.Gardiner is as close to Yellowstone as W.Y. but is more centrally located for coming and going.
The Beartooth will be one of the most memorable parts of your trip. I hate to see anyone get close to it and not do it.
If you want to get further than Red Lodge, Cooke City is a neat, small town at the northeast entrance. Soda Butte Lodge is their largest hotel. Haven't stayed there but have stopped for some great pie!
Keep calling back on Yellowstone. Don't just go by the internet either. I've found it to be unreliable as far as availability.
I've had friends take a chance and show up at Old Faithful Inn and get a room for two nights. I'm not advising this--just saying that rooms do become available.
Gardiner is another option. It is just at the north entrance and right on the Yellowstone River. It's a nice small town and I would think the motels would be fairly reasonable.
Then I'd move on over to West Yellowstone.Gardiner is as close to Yellowstone as W.Y. but is more centrally located for coming and going.
