Thanks to all who helped us plan a great trip Sept 1-13. Maybe this can help someone else. Landed in Billings and waited more than an hour, with many others, for National Car Rental to clean cars. Car had a dent and a ping in the windshield. In the end that was helpful to distinguish our Nissan Versa from the many others we saw. Great meal in the bar at the Pollard Hotel in Red Lodge. Beartooth Highway not to be missed. Cody BB Museum was well worth the visit, and Sierra Trading Post also a success. Went to Cody's branch of the Rib and Chop House. Food was fabulous, but we were really rushed out of there (37 minutes from start to finish). That wrecked it for us.
At Yellowstone, loved Dunraven Lodge at Canyon. Great cellphone service at the general store in Canyon Village where a crowd gathered nightly. Best hike was Lookout Mountain. We did an all day horseback trip with Yellowstone Wilderness Outfitters and it was just too long. The 1/2 day trip does the more exciting and varied part of the journey, so opt for that one. Expensive. We followed it with a dip in the Boiling River - great.
Old Faithful Snow Lodge Western Cabin not good. Cabins sit in a dusty parking lot and the carpet in ours was really gross. Snow Lodge itself is gorgeous. Old Faithful Inn is magical - don't miss taking a tour if you cannot get a room in the Inn. We had a great meal in the bar at OFI where reservations are not needed.
Yellowstone/GTNP report
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part 2:
GTNP - we stayed at The Point in Jackson. Never felt springs in a hotel bed before, so that was a disappointment. Breakfast is as mentioned on TripAdvisor - no room and many people and pretty slim pickings. There is an Albertson's market and liquor store right next door, which worked out well as we had a microwave and fridge in the room.
Did the wilderness caravan at GTNP as suggested here - OK but having ten cars means the ranger has to find places where 10 cars can park, and moving as a large group was predictably difficult. GREAT hike into Death Canyon where a black bear munched nearby. Thought Inspiration Point and beyond was a little boring - but you do lose ninety percent of the crowd within about 20 minutes. If you are a road biker, rent a bike from Fitzgerald's and try to head up the Teton Pass on the bike path - good challenge.
Good consignment shops in Jackson - Home Again, Beautiful Thrifty Rich, and Gottahavit.
We had a great trip, though it sounds like I am complaining in this report.
PS Rent a spotting scope for Yellowstone - so much more to see. Those with scopes were very generous, but better to have your own.
Did a one way car rental and left the car at Jackson Hole. Price for 2 weeks was $400 total, which seemed quite fair. Booked way ahead of trip.
It's a glorious part of the world, and September weather was perfect. So happy to have seen those two parks.
Sounds like a wonderful trip. Thanks for reporting.
Thanks for posting the report. Glad you had a good trip. We were there for part of your trip and the weather was fantastic.
Did you get to see the wolves in Lamar (and maybe Hayden)? Labor Day weekend was a fantastic time for wolf viewing in those two areas. People on their first trip there don't realize what a lucky opportunity that was. Both packs were predictably visable and close enough to see, even with the naked eye at times, although much better with scopes.
MAJ, we were probably standing right next to you. The bison carcass at Lamar meant our first day was a great success - wolves and bears and generous people with scopes. The wolf pack moving back and forth across the road was amazing, too. We would never have known about this particular opportunity but for the reception desk at Canyon where they told us to try and get out to Lamar soon. It always helps to talk to people, which I used to hesitate about and now realize is crucial. What a great trip.