4 days in Yellowstone and Grand Tetons
 

My husband and I will be driving from Glacier NP to Yellowstone NP on Sep 8th. Staying the 1st night at Mammoth Hot Springs Hotel, 2nd night in a Canyon Lodge Frontier Cabin and 3rd night in a Lake Lodge pioneer cabin. He very much wants to see wildlife. Are there places we can drive to in the different areas at dawn and dusk to position ourselves to see wildlife? I realize 2 days is not much time to truly explore YNP. So I would appreciate suggestions to catch the highlights. From Mammoth to Canyon Village is it better to take the west or east side of the loop, or should we make the whole circle? Fireside Falls sounds fun - will it be warm enough to go for a dip? I love sunsets and waterfalls. I read Artist Point is a good place for sunset. A boat ride on the lake? Would like to try and get in a few short hikes.

On Sep 11th we're heading to Grand Tetons. So we probably have a half day more in YNP before leaving. Which are the best geysers to see in the time we have?

We're spending the night at Colter's Bay. Is it worth trying to get there in time to do an afternoon boat ride on the lake? Hoping the next day to hike to Jenny Lake before heading to Jackson Hole for the night. Does this sound like a good plan?

Thanks in advance for any suggestions, as I want to make the most of our short time. Would also like thoughts on where to eat in the parks?

Hayden Valley and Lamar Valley are your best bets for wildlife, but can be found anywhere.

I haven't heard of Fireside Falls. The only places I know a Firehole Swim area and Boiling River(other places in the back country). Personally, with just 2 days, I wouldn't try to swim.

Try to spend a lot of time around Canyon Area and the geysers around Old Faithful. Those are the main two spots to see, in my opinion.

I assume you mean take the boat across Jenny Lake and hike to Hidden Falls? Yes, that is a good hike and very popular.

I would have a meal in Lake Hotel and Old Faithful Inn, just because those are unique historical lodges to see. Consider buying some food(sandwiches or whatever) and have a picnic for a meal somewhere in the park.

To get somewhere at dawn and dusk means you'll be driving on the roads in the dark. Be very, very careful not to hit any wildlife.

The best places to see wildlife will be in Lamar (eat of Tower) and Hayden (just south of Canyon) Valleys. You will definitely see bison. Other wildlife is more a matter of luck.

For the amount of time you're there I would try to get all of my lodging in Canyon and Old Faithful areas. It's probably all booked up now but there will be cancellations. Call every day.

You will not see much in the way of sunrise or sunsets in Canyon as the river is down at the bottom.

In my opinion, the two best places to see the giant Lower Falls is Redrock Point (on the north side of the canyon) (or the closer viewpoint above it) and Artist point which is much further back and on the south side.

There are a fair number of waterfalls sprinkled throughout the park. Don't waste your time at Tower Fall (no "s"). The growth almost totally obscures the waterfalls.

There are 5-6 predicted geysers. The easiest to see is Old Faithful as it's closest to the parking lot and erupts app every 1 1/2 hours. The best time to see it is early in the morning just after sunrise as the sun is behind you and before the breeze kicks up.

The other predicted geysers are at least 4-5 hours between eruptions and are sprinkled throughout the Upper Basin. If you can walk its full length at different times of the day to get the effect.

The most spectacular colors will be Morning Glory near the end of the basin and Grand Prismatic Spring a couple of miles up the road from OF.

I was in YNP in 2010. In my trip report I wrote a lot about waterfalls. Try and do a search for it.

Also, you can see my photos at www.travelwalks.com

Around the GTNP, please be careful after dark of moose crossing the road.

They can do great damage to your car and wander away, seemingly unhurt.

When I worked there, one of my neighbors totalled his car.

After the boat across Jenny Lake don't just stop at Hidden Falls, cont the 1/2 mile up to Inspiration Point.