Cecilia

Planning to visit Yellowstone in early July. will be flying out of Tornoto, which is the closest airport to fly into? How many days should we spend in the park? Should we visit Grand Teton too? Need advice on accomodation.

Denise

I believe the closest airport is Billings. It is a fairly good sized town with lots of accomodation. From there, you would probably drive to Red Lodge and on to Cooke City which is the East Entrance. If open, you can then drive the Bear Tooth Pass which is incredible. Don't forget to drive the Chief Joseph hwy if you have a chance, it is also incredible. We always stay outside the park in Cooke City at a tiny little hotel called Hoosiers. It is very basic but if the same owners still have it (Rick and Mick and Dick, really) you will never find a cleaner place and they are extremely nice people. In Red Lodge, we stay at Yodeler, also not grand but wonderful owners.

We haven't been there in a couple of years but always had a wonderful time. You can pretty much travel the park in a couple of days, even with tramping about depending on traffic. The roads were not well maintained last time we were there though so it could be slow.

Enjoy your trip.

Connie

A closer airport would be Bozeman. It is a beautiful drive that will take less than an hour to get to the park. How far after that depends on where in the park you stay.

Yellowstone is very large and takes time getting around in. Give yourself at least three full days. More would be better.

You are too close to the Tetons not to at least take a day trip down to see them. Give yourself another day for that. If you want to stay there, give yourself a couple of days for the park and Jackson.

It would also be possible to fly into Jackson and work your way north and fly out of Bozeman--or visa versa.

Utahtea

I would recommend spending 5 to 7 days in Yellowstone and making a day trip down to the Grand Tetons.

There is so much to see and do in Yellowstone! It's a lot more than just Old Faithfull!!

Utahtea

steve

Get reservations NOW! I stayed at the Old Faithful Lodge Cabins and found them to be fine and very inexpensive. Yellowstone is so large that I would recommend staying at 2 different places so you don't have to use so much time driving.

If you can't book on the internet, call directly as I have heard (and probably read on this forum) that the lodges hold back some rooms from the internet booking system.

I would visit Grand Teton also, staying there rather than making it a day trip.

I spent 1 night at Grand Teton and 3 in Yellowstone. I would be no problem to double that time.

Syv

Hey Cecilia! I will be there in early July too from BARRIE, Ontario !

It's amazing on these trips how many "locals" you meet going through the national parks.

hilda

Do a multicity flight. Last summer we flew into Bozeman, 1 hour from West Yellowstone entrance, then flew home from Billings. We spent 8 days in the area, including 2 full days in the Tetons at Jackson Lake Lodge which is wonderful. You should spend at least 2 nights at 2 separate Yellowstone locations to see more. Yellowstone driving distances are pretty great. We also spent a few hours in Cody on the way to Billings, it was a gorgeous drive over there. Book now, dont wait if you want inside the park lodging. It is worth staying inside to make the best use of your time. One of the best trips we ever took.