Yellowstone and GTNP
Dec 26th, 2009, 05:18 AM
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Yellowstone and GTNP
There is so much information out there on navigating these two parks that it is a bit overwhelming. I think I have a good idea of some direction for our family trip next August (2 kids, ages 7 and 9), but please let me know if I'm off track on anything. We are flying into Jackson Hole and plan to stay at Jackson Lake Lodge for 2 nights and explore GTNP. Then we'll travel to Yellowstone and divide our stay between OFI and Canyon Lodge. Since we're arriving on Wed (8/25, evening) and leaving on the morning of Thurs (9/1), does it make sense to spend more than 4 days in yellowstone (maybe adding another night at other lodging) or head back to the Jackson area? We need to spend the last night in Jackson as our flight is 9 am. Thanks in advance for any suggestions.
Dec 26th, 2009, 05:50 AM
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You will be fine with what you have. However, If you can add another day I would certainly do it. There is plenty to do and see. If you are tired of nature you might consider doing the Alpine Slide in Jackson on your last day there. We had 3 nights in Yellowstone and 2 nights in Grand Teton. You might look at Roosevelt Lodge for an extra night. I would have a meal at Lake Hotel as it is almost as interesting as OFI. Your kids might enjoy the Roosevelt Cookout. You could always use your extra day to Drive the Beartooth HWY. Yellowstone is GREAT!!!
Dec 26th, 2009, 07:47 AM
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Thank you - we're excited to see Yellowstone. Would I add the Roosevelt lodge after or before Canyon Lodge? I guess it would help to have a map of the park to figure out what makes sense.
Dec 26th, 2009, 08:13 AM
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Well it is between OFI and Canyon. You could do it in the middle or at the end, if you are seeing OFI first.
In Yellowstone an entire day just looking at geysers in and around OFI. We saw Old Faithful go off 3 times. I saw it once in the morning about 630am and it was just myself and a couple of other people. In the day you can expect thousands. Don't miss Riverside Geyser and Castle Geyser. Castle only goes twice a day and you may need to sit there a couple of hours just to see it, but it is awesome. It goes for 20 minutes and old faithful goes for about 2 minutes. Check at the visitor center as they are able to predict about 5 or 6 of the geysers. You have to wait for all of them a couple of hours. Old Faithful will require only 15 minutes or so. Not sure how patient a 7 year old would be, but there is always buffalo, elk, coyotte, or something around to keep you entertained while you wait. Some people had board games and played cards while at castle geyser. At the other geysers there will be only a few people.
Canyon area is awesome. We also liked Tower area. Mammoth area was our least favorite, but there is a ton of elk there. You will want to drive along Hayden and Lamar valley for wildlife viewing. I would take an Old Yellow Bus Tour sometime during your stay.
There are two restaurants in Jackson Lodge. Be sure and eat one meal at the cafe with the long countertops. We also enjoyed picnicking in both parks. In the canyon area, there is a little deli that makes pretty good sandwich lunch boxes, just for picnics.
Here is a link to our pics. We were there in Mid-June.
http://www.photoworks.com/slideshow/...D?source=pw980
Make all of your lodging reservations ASAP!
In Yellowstone an entire day just looking at geysers in and around OFI. We saw Old Faithful go off 3 times. I saw it once in the morning about 630am and it was just myself and a couple of other people. In the day you can expect thousands. Don't miss Riverside Geyser and Castle Geyser. Castle only goes twice a day and you may need to sit there a couple of hours just to see it, but it is awesome. It goes for 20 minutes and old faithful goes for about 2 minutes. Check at the visitor center as they are able to predict about 5 or 6 of the geysers. You have to wait for all of them a couple of hours. Old Faithful will require only 15 minutes or so. Not sure how patient a 7 year old would be, but there is always buffalo, elk, coyotte, or something around to keep you entertained while you wait. Some people had board games and played cards while at castle geyser. At the other geysers there will be only a few people.
Canyon area is awesome. We also liked Tower area. Mammoth area was our least favorite, but there is a ton of elk there. You will want to drive along Hayden and Lamar valley for wildlife viewing. I would take an Old Yellow Bus Tour sometime during your stay.
There are two restaurants in Jackson Lodge. Be sure and eat one meal at the cafe with the long countertops. We also enjoyed picnicking in both parks. In the canyon area, there is a little deli that makes pretty good sandwich lunch boxes, just for picnics.
Here is a link to our pics. We were there in Mid-June.
http://www.photoworks.com/slideshow/...D?source=pw980
Make all of your lodging reservations ASAP!
Dec 26th, 2009, 08:24 AM
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Excellent advice...thank you both. My daughter (the 7 year old) loves animals (I think more than people), so she won't have any trouble waiting anywhere where there are creatures to be found.
Dec 26th, 2009, 10:18 AM
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plumtree, we went to Yellowstone and the Grand Tetons the past two falls. Each time, we had 5 nights at Yellowstone and 2 in the Tetons, plus a couple of nights in areas close by. Even so, we ran out of time to see/do things. Part of that is just the time it takes to travel around, so you are doing well to divide your time. But if you can add another day in Yellowstone, I am certain you will not regret it.
There are so many short hiking trails that that are suitable for your kids, plenty of animals, etc. As Spirobulldog mentioned, you can find yourself wanting to see a particular geyser and needing to spend some time waiting for it. We didn't sit and wait long times, but would stay in the area, taking some of the short trails, etc.
There are so many short hiking trails that that are suitable for your kids, plenty of animals, etc. As Spirobulldog mentioned, you can find yourself wanting to see a particular geyser and needing to spend some time waiting for it. We didn't sit and wait long times, but would stay in the area, taking some of the short trails, etc.
Dec 26th, 2009, 10:59 AM
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spirobulldog, your trip looks much like ours, complete with daughter, but your photo's are much more beautiful than ours! May I have your permission to photoshop our heads on to your pictures???? (kidding, of course)
Dec 27th, 2009, 04:51 AM
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I have rented a convertible before. I own a 2 door jeep wrangler and they rent those in Jackson as well. It would be ok if you take virtually no luggage. Realize that with the top down the space is very limited.
I can't tell you how many times Buffalo will be right at your car with their faces pretty much on your window. We had a bear within 10 feet of our car. I don't know that I would want to be that close in a convertible. You are almost guaranteed to be in at least one Buffalo Jam somewhere along the way. There will be 30 or 40 of them just get in the road and kinda stop. Some of them even lay down on the road occasionally.
I can't tell you how many times Buffalo will be right at your car with their faces pretty much on your window. We had a bear within 10 feet of our car. I don't know that I would want to be that close in a convertible. You are almost guaranteed to be in at least one Buffalo Jam somewhere along the way. There will be 30 or 40 of them just get in the road and kinda stop. Some of them even lay down on the road occasionally.
Dec 28th, 2009, 05:00 PM
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I agree with the others about adding another night in YNP if you can.
As for the convertible. The next time we go, we'll get one if we can. Yes, you could have a bison walking by - very close by. We were stuck behind some guys on Harleys during a jam and the bison just walked right past them. They were so close the guy could have reached out and touched one if he'd been foolish enough to do it. Regarding the bear, I wouldn't want one as close as spirobulldog had it. But I'd rent a convertible because I love being able to have that open view.
I have to confess that I drive a convertible and am, therefore, biased toward them and the fairly unobstructed view you get with the top down. And not all convertibles have tiny trunks. My Toyota Solara has a good size trunk which doesn't change in size when the top goes down because it (the top) doesn't lower into the trunk area.
Whatever you chose to drive, I'm confident you'll find YSP and GTNP to be a trip you and your children will remember and talk about for years to come. I can hardly wait until my grandchildren (2years, and 2 weeks old) are old enough to take out there.
As for the convertible. The next time we go, we'll get one if we can. Yes, you could have a bison walking by - very close by. We were stuck behind some guys on Harleys during a jam and the bison just walked right past them. They were so close the guy could have reached out and touched one if he'd been foolish enough to do it. Regarding the bear, I wouldn't want one as close as spirobulldog had it. But I'd rent a convertible because I love being able to have that open view.
I have to confess that I drive a convertible and am, therefore, biased toward them and the fairly unobstructed view you get with the top down. And not all convertibles have tiny trunks. My Toyota Solara has a good size trunk which doesn't change in size when the top goes down because it (the top) doesn't lower into the trunk area.
Whatever you chose to drive, I'm confident you'll find YSP and GTNP to be a trip you and your children will remember and talk about for years to come. I can hardly wait until my grandchildren (2years, and 2 weeks old) are old enough to take out there.
