EJ_USA

We are a couple travelling to GNP in late August. Last week. We are then driving down to the Tetons and staying at jenny lake Lodge as we do each summer.
This is our first trip to GNP and sort of spur of the moment.
I was able to get one night at lake McDonald in a cabin for the high price of $399! (ouch) and another at either Swiftcurrent or Rising Sun. I temporarily booked them all to hold the room.
Xanterra wanted me to book Cedar Creek Inn,which I did but it is $250 per night.
We are staying 5 nights.
It would 3 nights at Cedar and 2 at the other.
My question is this.....I have been looking online at VRBO's and I can get a freestanding cabin with great reviews for about $150.00 a night. 6 miles from West entrance. We could food shop and pack lunches on our own which I prefer. B'fast in our cabin too. Dinner wherever. I dislike being tied to a schedule and we hike all day.
Do any of you have experience with renting one of these places? The pictures look nice and people say it's quiet.
Should I keep my reservations on the ea side and only stay at the West Entrance three night?
HELP!
Also, we are wanting to drive directly to the Tetons with no stop in Yellowstone and I think *maybe* We should stop for the night in between . What is there to see in between?
Thanks in advance

Patty

Cedar Creek is in Columbia Falls which is about 18 miles from the west entrance. Lake McDonald is on the western side of the Going to the Sun Rd, Rising Sun is on the eastern side of the GTTS Rd and Swiftcurrent is at Many Glacier (which is also east but accessed via a separate road that's farther north). The Many Glacier area is gorgeous so I might keep that one and see if you can add another night later. People book far in advance so there are often cancellations. Have you looked at the town of St Mary (just outside of the east entrance) to see if there's anything available there? Babb is another town that's between the east entrance and Many Glacier. These are pretty tiny towns though. The west side is much more developed. As far as VRBO's, I've rented many of them. Your experience will depend on the individual owner. Does the listing have reviews?

kureiff

I'd look at the vrbo for the west side, but I'd keep a couple nights on the east side. I think the east side of the Park is beautiful, and it would be nice for you to have a base there.

We rent a lot from VRBO and haven't had any issues. We rented a cabin through VRBO near the west side and it worked well for a base. But, again, I think you'll want to keep a place on the east side, too.

EJ_USA

Thank you so much. Yes. This vrbo has excellent reviews and 6 miles from entrance. I am in process of booking four nights there. Lake McDonald I guess I should keep? It is 280 per the night. Not $399 as I had thought. Then we would spend our last night at either Swiftcurrent or Rising Sun....that is the one I am stumped about . Which one to keep.
I was looking at a map and it looks to be an 8 hour drive to the Tetons...any one have any info on Lewis and Clark Caverns? Maybe we would go there and visit, spend the night before heading to Tetons.
Or, I actually managed to get one more night in another building at Swiftcurrent but the website is down and I have no idea what the accomodation is like.
If we go to Lewis and Clark Caverns, I am looking and there does not seem to be anywhere to stay the night that's not yucky

kureiff

Lewis and Clark Caverns is great! I used to be a tour guide there when I was in college.

Plan on two hours for the tour itself. It's a 3/4 mile hike to the entrance, 3/4 of a mile through the cave (600 steps), and a half mile walk back on a level path. The caverns are highly decorated with formations.

I'd look at staying in Bozeman that night or the Sacajewea Inn in Three Forks.

Underhill

When I read the post title I immediately thought of "gross national product." That seemed to be a strange travel topic.

DaveS

Definitely keep the Swiftcurrent reservations, very basic accommodations great location though. Keep trying to get into many Glacier, took months but finally got two nights there early September 2016.

John

Swiftcurrent Motor Inn is IN Many Glacier. Best location in the park!!

DaveS

Your right John, should have been more clear - try to get into Many Glacier Hotel.

Patty

If you can get a second night at Swiftcurrent that's great. I'm not sure you need to move from the VRBO to Lake McDonald for one night. It has a nice setting but the two locations aren't that far apart.

EJ_USA

thank you! I was thinking the same thing about Lake McDonald . It would be $100.00 more per night and the vrbo....there I can cook, do laundry,TV, wifi....and it is supposed to be quiet. I know it is freestanding. Unlike Lake McDonald. What to do ,what to do....it would mean adding on one additional night and not moving from there but....if I keep Lake McDonald reservation it puts us IN the park on Aug. 31st and then the next night I can choose from one of three reservations (I know, nuts, right? I just booked them all and can cancel later) at either Rising Sun, Swiftcurrent and I actually just snagged a room at many Glacier. Then I took a room at Swiftcurrent on Sept 2nd that I will probably cancel because we need to be in the Tetons on the 3rd. Still on the fence about Lewis and Clark or driving straight through. A Bozeman stay is definitely out of the question and I don't see and nice accomodations along the way between GNP and Tetons.
I also booked a night at Mammouth on the 2nd just in case we decided to go that route.
I know. My head is spinning too but I wanted to book anything I could get and sort it our later.
The room at Swiftcurrent on the 2nd ...I was told it was "in the back" I have no idea what that means!

kureiff

A Bozeman stay is definitely out of the question and I don't see and nice accomodations along the way between GNP and Tetons.

What kind of accommodations are you looking for? Are you thinking more cabin style or more upscale hotel?

Many Glacier Hotel is nice because it sits right on the lake. But like most National Park hotels, the rooms are old, tiny, loud and expensive. I enjoyed staying there because it was so beautiful, but the room is pretty expensive for what you get.

EJ_USA

between Glacier and the Tetons we are looking to put our head on a pillow at a motel along the highway BUT there do not seem to be any accomodations....strange.
I cancelled my reservation at Lake McDonald as suggested and was told they had a room instead at Rising Sun so I grabbed it......now I find out it is in a "store" motel room. HELP! At this point I just want to spend ONE night on the east side ahead of our Swiftcurrent reservation the last night. I don't see anything outside the park on the east that looks decent....unless I want to spend a small fortune . Already doing that at JLL

kureiff

There are many hotels in Bozeman, Helena, Butte Great Falls or Missoula (depending on what route you take). I guess I'm not understanding what you mean when you say there aren't any accommodations as there are many hotels along the way.

EJ_USA

I think per our route. That is what I need to look at closer. I am sure, as you say, there are accomodations. Just need to figure out where we want to spend the night.

John

What is a "store" motel?

EJ_USA

Rising Sun Motel accommodations are motel style, cabin or "store" motel rooms. Apparently they are within the building the store is in. Have been trying to find someone that has ever stayed in one

John

Swift Current Inn in Many Glacier also has stand alone cabins which I have stayed in a few times. Very modern, some with shower and toilet, some without, squeaky clean but no tv or phone. Easy walking distance to most major trails.
http://www.Glaciernationalparklodges...motorinncabins