Yellowstone

Old Aug 29th, 2016, 03:30 AM
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Yellowstone

Trying to plan a VERY last minute trip to YNP/GTNP (checking for cancellations). We have a week and am having a hard time planning the trip. I've been doing some research and am overwhelmed by the size of the area so in order to maximize our time and minimize our driving, would it be a good idea to fly into one of the airports (Bozeman?) serving the north or west entrances, spend maybe 3 days in YNP (this is where I am hoping to book a cancellation) and drive south to GTNP, spend maybe 2 days there and then just kick around some of the other towns for a day and fly back east out of Jackson? Someone told me to fly into and out of Jackson, but it seems that would have us driving north up to and thru YNP only to come back down again. Help me, my Fodorite friends!
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Old Aug 29th, 2016, 04:34 AM
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If you fly in/out of Jackson, you may find more options for flights and no drop fee for the car.

The roads through Yellowstone form a sort of figure 8, but you could plan your drive to go up one side of the 8 and down the other with excursions into the middle, depending on where you get lodging. That way you would not be driving the same roads both ways.

We lucked out with a very last minute cancellation when we went there, so keep trying. Make reservations outside the park, maybe in West Yellowstone, Gardiner and/or Cody that can be cancelled as a backup.
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Old Aug 29th, 2016, 04:05 PM
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is there anywhere you would suggest we stay in the park, assuming we could get a cancellation? I really want to stay in the park.
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Old Aug 29th, 2016, 04:31 PM
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My very favorite place to stay is Old Faithful Inn, but honestly if you want to stay in the park, you will probably have to stay wherever you can snag a room. You might even have to stay at a couple of different lodgings, but that can be OK because it can cut back on some of the driving. It's kind of fun to stay in different areas, too.
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Old Aug 31st, 2016, 03:18 PM
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If I am lucky enough to score a last minute cancellation at Old Faithful Inn, are there any other areas in the park where you would suggest I try to find a cancellation, that would also cut down on driving time?
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Old Aug 31st, 2016, 07:49 PM
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I like the Mammoth area, and many like the Canyon location. I have never stayed there so can't say.
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Old Aug 31st, 2016, 08:22 PM
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Remember there are MASSIVE wild fires in Yellowstone right now. Not sure what all will be contained when you get there. Check the Park website.
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Old Sep 1st, 2016, 11:31 AM
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If you can't get anything at Mammoth, the town of Gardiner is just a few miles away. I would also have some concerns about the wildfires and air quality.
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Old Sep 1st, 2016, 02:33 PM
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I just got off the phone with the reservation service; they said the entrance where the fires were is open now, but you are right about the air quality perhaps being not so great. I 'took what I could get' and booked one night each in the Lake Hotel, Mammouth and Old Faithful since the cancellation fee is only $15. So my head is spinning now. I am thinking I may be better off booking this trip for next September (although I never like planning that far in advance) and doing something else this Fall. I would probably be better able to plan my time rather than just taking what I could get. I think moving each night isn't the best option. Was in Arizona once and the wildfires in another state (can't remember which one) affected the air quality horribly.
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Old Sep 1st, 2016, 03:47 PM
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Yellowstone is so large that moving each night is really not so bad, and your lodging is in different parts of the park.

I don't find it necessary to unpack a lot. I just take out the clothes for the next day and my toiletries and put the soiled clothes in a laundry bag back in the suitcase before I go to bed. Taking off the next day is quick.
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Old Sep 7th, 2016, 12:53 PM
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I am thinking of delaying this trip until the Spring, especially as there is much more of a choice for accommodations and flights available. Also thinking it will stay light out longer in early June and I would just love to see the baby animals (this is according to a reservation agent). Does anyone have any thoughts, positive or negative, about going in early June? I definitely want to go before the July/August peak season. Thanks as always for your help.
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Old Sep 8th, 2016, 10:10 AM
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We went in May this year and spring is a great time to go for wildlife. June will probably be a bit busier than May but you'll see more baby animals. At the time that we went, it was mostly bison calves as elk, pronghorn, etc. calve a little later than bison. Spring is also a good time for bears as they tend to move higher in elevation by summer. We saw grizzlies and black bears including cubs of both. Here are my photos from that trip http://www.fodors.com/community/unit...n-may-2016.cfm
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Old Sep 8th, 2016, 12:41 PM
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I was in your position last year and kept trying until I got the rooms I wanted at the last minute, yes it was very stressful. We went in the 2nd week of June and drove from Salt Lake City airport. Weather was great, some crowds but not bad and there were baby animals everywhere. I think if we went just a little earlier in the month, the crowds would have been better. Great time of the year! Such a cool and interesting park, you will really enjoy it there.
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Old Sep 8th, 2016, 04:05 PM
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"and booked one night each in the Lake Hotel, Mammouth and Old Faithful "

Those are great choices! Some people spend months trying to book that combination of rooms. Go this fall. It will be gorgeous. Be sure to go see the Tetons too.
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Old Sep 9th, 2016, 07:16 AM
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I would concentrate on Old Faithful, Canyon and Signal Mountain in GTNP.

Old Faithful gets you to the thermal stuff.

Canyon is excellent for the large waterfalls and wildlife, Lamar Valley (wildlife) to the north, Mt Washburn hike, Hayden Valley (wildlife).

Signal Mtn. Oxbow Bend, Schwabacher Landing, Mormon Row Barns.

If wildlife is a priority then you should be inside the park. They are most active early and late and driving in the dark chances hitting animals.

You can see my photos of trips there at: www.travelwalks.com
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Old Sep 9th, 2016, 11:43 AM
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Roosevelt would also be a good location for wildlife but it has the shortest season of the in park lodgings so may or may not be open depending on your timing. The immediate area is good for black bear activity and it's convenient for both Lamar and Hayden valleys as well.

Signal Mountain is in a good central location for GTNP. You only need one base in GTNP whereas Yellowstone is large enough to split your stay at different locations.
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Old Sep 13th, 2016, 05:49 PM
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We have decided to go in early June. Have reservations for OFI and Canyon Lodge, and will continue calling in the hopes of getting a room in Mammouth. I think this is the most complicated trip I've booked! Haven't booked flights yet, but they don't seem to be a big issue.

Since I may end up staying in Gardiner if I can't get a room at Mammouth, I think I would fly into Jackson, spend the first few days at GTNP, then drive north and fly out of Bozeman, as I am told it is about an hour and a half from the north entrance. Would save us driving 4-5 hours back down to Jackson. Any other suggestions you send my way are more than appreciated! I'm SO glad I have many months left to get this together. Thank you for all the help thus far.
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Old Sep 13th, 2016, 06:50 PM
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Probably a good choice to wait until next June. We are near Teton NP now. It rained all night here. Yellowstone had snow. My brother went from Gardiner to Jackson today. He had to wait for the snow to be plowed from Mammoth Hot Springs to Madison Junction. Luckily the south entrance to Yellowstone opened late this afternoon. It had been closed for two days due to the Berry Fire.

Keep trying to get reservations at Mammoth Hot Springs. The elk around the hotel are so interesting. Our favorite was Canyon Lodge. Least favorite was Old Faithful Inn. So, so crowded. Payed big bucks for a room with no view ( supposed to be a limited geyser view, but looked at the parking lot). Lake Lodge was wonderful also. Best place to view Old Faithful during eruption is on the second floor balcony at the Inn.

We rented a condo in Wilson for GTNP. We have a view of the Tetons and view wildlife every morning and evening. Took a private tour of GTNP today. Hit all the places Myer mentioned. Views, wildlife and history is so fabulous.

Have a great trip.
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Old Sep 14th, 2016, 05:54 PM
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BarbAnn: Can you give me any info on the condo rental and the private tour? Both sound wonderful. Am hoping, but not counting on, good weather when we go. How far is Wilson from GTNP?
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Old Sep 17th, 2016, 10:27 AM
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Sorry it took so long to reply. We were on the road back to California.

Condo in Wilson, WY is VRBO #506880. The condo is part of the "Aspens". It is on Wilson-Moose Road just south of the south gate to GTNP. Moose, bear, elk, and other wildlife can be seen in th condo area. Great location, fabulous views and the owner, Bill, is so easy to work with. The condo has 3 bedrooms/3 baths.

We had a private tour of Grand Teton National Park with Dan at Jackson Hole Grand Expeditions. We covered most areas of the park. He is photographer and took us to all the iconic photograph areas of the park. Lots of history of the area and park. He used a Suburban to drive us around and provided a variety of snacks and drinks for the almost eight hours we were with him.

We had a great time, but the weather the last few days was very rainy. It snowed in Yellowstone the day we left.

Have fun!
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