colter cabin or Signal mountain lodge
May 28th, 2012, 10:36 AM
#1
Original Poster
Join Date: May 2012
Posts: 34
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
colter cabin or Signal mountain lodge
We are planning to stay in Grand teton NP for 2 days. we have reservation at colter bay lodge for 2 nights. But then thought of staying in Signal mountain lodge too. But they have accomodation for only one night. Now we have 2 options - staying in colter bay one night and then signal mountain lodge 2nd night OR colter bay cabin for 2 nights. Please advice.
Thanks.
Thanks.
May 28th, 2012, 02:42 PM
#2
I think Signal Mtn is closer to the middle of GTNP.
I stayed at Signal Mtn and the cabins were a definite upgrade to OF Lodge. Right on the water. Very close to Signal Mtn Road. I would stayed there again for sure.
If you're going this summer and want to stay at Signal Mtn, make the reservation and keep your other one for a while. Call, call, call for cancellations.
I stayed at Signal Mtn and the cabins were a definite upgrade to OF Lodge. Right on the water. Very close to Signal Mtn Road. I would stayed there again for sure.
If you're going this summer and want to stay at Signal Mtn, make the reservation and keep your other one for a while. Call, call, call for cancellations.
May 29th, 2012, 03:55 AM
#3
Join Date: Feb 2005
Posts: 550
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
We have stayed at Signal Mt. Lodge twice and like it fine. Advice regarding cancellations correct. We are leaving today for Badlands and then to Yellowstone. Only decided to do it in Feb., so there wasn't much in the park and nothing at OF. Booked what I could and kept checking. Was able to cobble together 6 nights since the original bookings, in OF and Canyon, and cancel Grant. We probably had as many as 12 nights reservations (not all at one time) over the months. Also noticed that a lot more cancellations started happening the month before. We held single reservations hoping to get the day before or the day after and it pretty well worked.
May 29th, 2012, 04:50 PM
#5
Join Date: Sep 2004
Posts: 868
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
Colter Bay cabins are fine, but nothing fancy. They are log cabins and are right at Colter Bay, which is very pretty. You don't say how many are in your party, but the two bedroom cabins are nice if you have children with you.
Signal Mt. Is a little more centrally located and has a decent, reasonably priced restaurant. Unless you can get 2 nights at Signal Mt., I wouldn't bother moving twice. My favorite place to stay is Jackson Lake Lodge.
Signal Mt. Is a little more centrally located and has a decent, reasonably priced restaurant. Unless you can get 2 nights at Signal Mt., I wouldn't bother moving twice. My favorite place to stay is Jackson Lake Lodge.
May 29th, 2012, 05:40 PM
#6
Join Date: Feb 2003
Posts: 9,754
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
swtraveler,
I've stayed at Coulter Bay cabins several times and I like the location. There is much to do at Coulter Bay and some great hiking right there. The cabins are quite bsic and rustic, but comfortable. There are LOTS of them.
I just stayed at Signal Mtn Lodge on their opening weekend this year, first time there. I took my dog, so had a lower "Lakeside Retreat" unit. You are paying for the views - fantastic. My unit was comfortable, but I felt overpriced for what you got. It was musty and I had to call to have the bathtub cleaned, as housekeeping had dumped dirty mopwater in it and left it that way. Pretty gross. They did come promptly and cleaned it with bleach.
I had "opening day" discount rate of $20 off and I would NEVER pay their full rate. But then, I strongly feel the lodging in the parks is overpriced. That's what you get when there is no competition.
Again, you are paying for the views and location - if you don't like to camp
I've stayed at Coulter Bay cabins several times and I like the location. There is much to do at Coulter Bay and some great hiking right there. The cabins are quite bsic and rustic, but comfortable. There are LOTS of them.
I just stayed at Signal Mtn Lodge on their opening weekend this year, first time there. I took my dog, so had a lower "Lakeside Retreat" unit. You are paying for the views - fantastic. My unit was comfortable, but I felt overpriced for what you got. It was musty and I had to call to have the bathtub cleaned, as housekeeping had dumped dirty mopwater in it and left it that way. Pretty gross. They did come promptly and cleaned it with bleach.
I had "opening day" discount rate of $20 off and I would NEVER pay their full rate. But then, I strongly feel the lodging in the parks is overpriced. That's what you get when there is no competition.
Again, you are paying for the views and location - if you don't like to camp
May 29th, 2012, 08:59 PM
#7
Join Date: Feb 2008
Posts: 329
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
I've been watching this thread with interest. Last night we reserved a night at Signal Mtn "Lakeside Retreat" upstairs room for $273!!! We must be nuts. We've read some bad housekeeping reviews that have us a bit scared. Not worried about outdated style because the view will more than make up for that. We just don't want critters or grime, or views blocked by overgrown shrubs.
One of the reasons we're justifying paying so much is because we'll be able to cook a simple dinner there and also have breakfast, saving some money. We're not canceling our 2 rooms at Motel 6 in Jackson just yet though!
One of the reasons we're justifying paying so much is because we'll be able to cook a simple dinner there and also have breakfast, saving some money. We're not canceling our 2 rooms at Motel 6 in Jackson just yet though!
May 30th, 2012, 02:31 AM
#8
Join Date: Oct 2005
Posts: 3,912
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
We stayed at Signal Mt. Lodge about two years ago and would go back in a heartbeat. One of our favorite park lodging experiences for the location, views, comfort. We had an upper lakeside retreat and could have moved in. It's not fancy but it suit our needs perfectly. Things change, and on occassion things go awry, but our room was spotless and very comfortable. From here, we moved to the seemingly endless buzz at the Old Faithful Inn 
We missed Signal so much that we left for the airport early so we could stop in one last time.
We missed Signal so much that we left for the airport early so we could stop in one last time.
May 30th, 2012, 06:43 AM
#9
Original Poster
Join Date: May 2012
Posts: 34
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
Thank you all so much. I am still on the same boat, 2 nights at colter bay. Between I blocked one night at Lake hotel yellowstone too to get more confused! Do we need full two days at GTNP or can it be seen in one day? we don't do hiking but love scenery a lot.
May 30th, 2012, 07:49 AM
#10
There's hiking and then there's hiking.
As I wrote above we stayed at Signal Mtn.
If you're into photography at all then you could duplicate views at different times of the day.
Very often a little bit of work is definitely worth the prize.
On the outside road. Mormon row and Schwabacher Landing early in the morning before the sun gets too high or moves to the west in your face.
Mormon Row is two old barns with the spectacular Tetons behind them. About a quarter mile off the main outside road.
Schwabacher Landing is a little over quarter of a mile off the main road down an open dirt road. Most people just stop at the viewpoints along the main road. However, when you go down this road you can walk a little along the river and get amazing reflections of the Tetons in the water.
Signal Mtn Road. There are a couple of viewpoints with small parking areas up the road. Again, go early before the sun is too high or moving west and in your eyes. Late in the day we saw a bear just off the road.
The day we left for the airport we made some random stops along the way and got great views.
I took some photos early in the morning from the lodge and got clouds running right thru the middle of Mt Moran on the other side of the lake.
You can take the boat across Jenny Lake and join the crowds (weekend) or the smaller crowds (weekdays) doing the relatively short hike to the Falls and beyond. Go as far as you want. I think this is the most popular hike in GTNP.
There are several fairly short hikes that are level and have excellent scenery.
Much more but can't remember.
For lodging. The tours companies book rooms a year ahead and then start to release the unused rooms in the last month.
Call, call, call!!!!!
You can see my photos at:
www.travelwalks.com
As I wrote above we stayed at Signal Mtn.
If you're into photography at all then you could duplicate views at different times of the day.
Very often a little bit of work is definitely worth the prize.
On the outside road. Mormon row and Schwabacher Landing early in the morning before the sun gets too high or moves to the west in your face.
Mormon Row is two old barns with the spectacular Tetons behind them. About a quarter mile off the main outside road.
Schwabacher Landing is a little over quarter of a mile off the main road down an open dirt road. Most people just stop at the viewpoints along the main road. However, when you go down this road you can walk a little along the river and get amazing reflections of the Tetons in the water.
Signal Mtn Road. There are a couple of viewpoints with small parking areas up the road. Again, go early before the sun is too high or moving west and in your eyes. Late in the day we saw a bear just off the road.
The day we left for the airport we made some random stops along the way and got great views.
I took some photos early in the morning from the lodge and got clouds running right thru the middle of Mt Moran on the other side of the lake.
You can take the boat across Jenny Lake and join the crowds (weekend) or the smaller crowds (weekdays) doing the relatively short hike to the Falls and beyond. Go as far as you want. I think this is the most popular hike in GTNP.
There are several fairly short hikes that are level and have excellent scenery.
Much more but can't remember.
For lodging. The tours companies book rooms a year ahead and then start to release the unused rooms in the last month.
Call, call, call!!!!!
You can see my photos at:
www.travelwalks.com
May 31st, 2012, 07:54 AM
#12
I look at Yellowstone as an event (geysers, wildlife, waterfalls) destination and Grand Tetons as a scenery destination. Beautiful views at every turn.
In my last post I forgot to mention Oxbow Bend in the north part of GTNP where the inside and outside roads meet.
This is a favorite of photographers and not alike. Beaitful views early in the morning and late in the day of Mt Moran with the water in front. Also wildlife hang around there early and late.
In my last post I forgot to mention Oxbow Bend in the north part of GTNP where the inside and outside roads meet.
This is a favorite of photographers and not alike. Beaitful views early in the morning and late in the day of Mt Moran with the water in front. Also wildlife hang around there early and late.
May 31st, 2012, 09:09 AM
#13
Join Date: Feb 2005
Posts: 10,965
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
Signal Mt. Is a little more centrally located and has a decent, reasonably priced restaurant.
This was our experience, too, and we much preferred our lake and mountain view at Signal Mountain to our view of bushes at our Jackson Lake Lodge cabin.
HTTY
PS The restaurant at Signal Mt doesn't have the "you are so lucky to be here" attitude we've endured several times at the Mural Dining Room.
This was our experience, too, and we much preferred our lake and mountain view at Signal Mountain to our view of bushes at our Jackson Lake Lodge cabin.
HTTY
PS The restaurant at Signal Mt doesn't have the "you are so lucky to be here" attitude we've endured several times at the Mural Dining Room.
May 31st, 2012, 10:21 AM
#14
Join Date: Sep 2004
Posts: 868
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
We had a spectacular view of the Tetons at Jackson Lake Lodge, but we reserved way ahead and requested the view. We really enjoyed talking to the ranger every evening out on the terrace of JLL about the different animals he spotted below. The Mural Room has a good breakfast buffet.
Jun 7th, 2012, 03:09 PM
#16
Join Date: Feb 2005
Posts: 10,965
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
GTNP is so beautiful you'll just want to gawk.
The only place we saw YNP type crowds was at a dock from which shuttle boats come and go.
Here are some ideas: http://www.frommers.com/destinations...nnationalpark/
HTTY
The only place we saw YNP type crowds was at a dock from which shuttle boats come and go.
Here are some ideas: http://www.frommers.com/destinations...nnationalpark/
HTTY
Jul 17th, 2012, 02:52 AM
#20
For both Mormon Row and Schwabacher Landing you go north on the outside main road, Rte 89, above the airport..
Don't turn left onto the inside road, Teton Park Rd. Stay on 89. Just less than a mile above the road junction you'll come to Antelope Flats Road. The road only goes right, to the east.
Drive about a mile until you come to a junction that's Mormon Row on the left side and Gros Ventre Road to the right. One barn is in each direction only about a couple of hundred yards. You can't miss them.
Obviously from the road you'll see them with the Tetons behind. You can walk around the area and the barns. The best time for photography is early morning as the sun will be behind you and not directly above or in your face.
If you come really early be careful as there may be wildlife in the area though we didn't see any there.
For Schwabacher Landing go back to the outside road (Rte 89 or 26 or 191 same road) and continue north (towards Yellowstone) only about a mile and a half.
If I remember correctly there's a sign there. It's definitely not a viewpoint or pullout but a dirt road that goes down on the left side for about a half mile. You can park in the parking lot and walk along the river to get views of the river with the Tetons not only in the background but reflecting in the water.
When we went there we saw a few people in each place. Most people just stop at the regular pullouts/viewpoints off the main road.
Also there's Oxbow Bend. Continue up the outside road (or if you're going a different time and are on the inside road) until the two roads join at the top of GTNP. You'll see a sign for Oxbow Bend.
Although it's just a pullout and requires no additional driving, it's still a favorite spot for photographers both early in the morning and late in the afternoon/evening.
You could also see some wildlife there as well.
Don't turn left onto the inside road, Teton Park Rd. Stay on 89. Just less than a mile above the road junction you'll come to Antelope Flats Road. The road only goes right, to the east.
Drive about a mile until you come to a junction that's Mormon Row on the left side and Gros Ventre Road to the right. One barn is in each direction only about a couple of hundred yards. You can't miss them.
Obviously from the road you'll see them with the Tetons behind. You can walk around the area and the barns. The best time for photography is early morning as the sun will be behind you and not directly above or in your face.
If you come really early be careful as there may be wildlife in the area though we didn't see any there.
For Schwabacher Landing go back to the outside road (Rte 89 or 26 or 191 same road) and continue north (towards Yellowstone) only about a mile and a half.
If I remember correctly there's a sign there. It's definitely not a viewpoint or pullout but a dirt road that goes down on the left side for about a half mile. You can park in the parking lot and walk along the river to get views of the river with the Tetons not only in the background but reflecting in the water.
When we went there we saw a few people in each place. Most people just stop at the regular pullouts/viewpoints off the main road.
Also there's Oxbow Bend. Continue up the outside road (or if you're going a different time and are on the inside road) until the two roads join at the top of GTNP. You'll see a sign for Oxbow Bend.
Although it's just a pullout and requires no additional driving, it's still a favorite spot for photographers both early in the morning and late in the afternoon/evening.
You could also see some wildlife there as well.
