I just made reservations for 2 nights in the Lake Yellowstone cabins followed by 2 nights in the Old Faithful Inn for the end of July 2004. We are thinking of also staying in the Grand Tetons. Would appreciate recommendations on lodging in the Grand Tetons and also recommendation if we should stay there first or stay in Yellowstone first. Lastly, we plan to fly into Salt Lake City from Chicago. Would it be possible to drive to Yellowstone or Tetons after flying in and arriving @3-5PM?? Or should we stay in Salt Lake and start fresh the next day? Lots of questions here...any advice appreciated!

We also flew into slc on our wy. trip this year, although we got in alot later and stayed the first night at hotel by airport. I would have to say that it would be about a five to six hr. drive from salt lake to the Tetons. I would suggest a place maybe half way like Pocatello or if you wanted to stay in Jackson. Still a good five + drive. I wouldn`t drive straight to the parks from the airport, get half way or closer and start out the next day fresh. We stayed one night in the Teton at the Jackson lake lodge which was very nice. We had a room with a balcony overlooking the Teons and it was worth every penny. I would also suggest Signal Mountain Lodge. Scenery just as good, prices alittle cheaper. We also stayed two nights in Old Faithful area (Snow Lodge) and if I had a chance to do it over again I would have made it at least three nights. so much to see. If you can take the short walk (3/8 mile) up observation point to see Old Faithful from above. great veiw.
Bill

We stayed in Old Faithful Inn this summer and I wouldn't take for the experience but let me warn you about a few things.

The Inn is one of the stops everyone make in the park. They forget people are actually staying there and the downstairs halls are loud, even late at night. When you check in, ask if you can have an upper story room.

Be prepared that there is no air conditioning and it gets warm that time of summer. (Most homes in the area don't have A/C either)

The rooms are very rustic and small with no phone or TV.

If you are staying in the cheaper Old House rooms, you will have to go to the 2nd floor for showers and to use the restroom. You will have a sink in your room.

None of this bothered us (except the noise), I knew what to expect. Just wanted you to be mentally prepared for it. I've read a lot of posts from people who were surprised and unhappy about it.

You will be there the summer of it's 100th anniversary. This is an old hotel--not a modern one.

dklein,
We also flew into SLC, on July 1 this year. We arrived about the same time of day you did. I agree you could go half way. I wouldn't try the whole trip to Jackson or Teton that first night. We stayed at a Days Inn ($49.95) near the airport. It included a nice breakfast. We opted to go have dinner in Park City, UT. Since you are midwesterners, you would love the scenic drive to Park City. Anyway, the next day we left early and took a more scenic route toward Jackson. As we are former midwesterners, current Floridians and boy do we appreciate topography!!

We took I-15 North and then headed east on SR 39 out of Ogden, toward Woodruff. Spotted 6 deer, many wildflowers, chipmunks and a rabbit on that leg. Then we took 16 North to 30 and around Bear Lake. Anyway, you can figure out your route and there is much discussion on the Wyoming Board and the Utah Board, almost to the point of confusion, about routes to take from SLC to Teton. I do strongly recommend going over Teton Pass into Jackson.

For a very inexpensive option, we stayed in the Colter Bay cabins in Teton. We found the accomodations nice. The walls are thin between the cabins, however. Could hear the guy snoring!! We also stayed in the Lake Yellowstone cabins. Ask me questions as I kept a journal of various things.

Happy planning.

Thanks for all of the responses. I have a question for jaye, who stayed at the Yellowstone Lake Cabins. How did you like them? I heard today about the Roosevelt cabins and the stagecoach rides/cookout. We have an 8 year old --can we stay at Yellowstone Lake Cabins and go over (drive?) to the Roosevelt cabins to enjoy the stagecoach/cookout experience? Your thoughts are appreciated!

dklein,
We really enjoyed our stay in the cabin for two nights. Mattresses were very soft, however. For decent, inexpensive dining, go over to the cafeteria at the Lake Lodge. (very close to the cabins)Nice views from the dining room. Your eight yr. old won't believe all the bison right near the cabins and hotel. When we first came outside after checking in for our cabin at the hotel, I'm embarrassed to say we thought the bison about 25 yds away was a statue.LOL You can tell we haven't travelled much in that part of the west!

You could drive up to the Roosevelt Lodge area. It does involve some winding roads with elevation, so if that is intimidating to you after dark, you might want to rethink. It won't take you more than an hour. That area is very neat and we had lunch at the Roosevelt Lodge and enjoyed it very much. Just past the Roosevelt Lodge area is the Tower area, a frequent bear spotting area.(near the petrified tree)

Check out the Yellowstone Chat page for animal spotting close to when you are departing. It was a helpful site.

If your looking for a great western bbq dinner spend a night in Jackson and go to the Bar T-5 cookout. They bring you to there pavillion in covered wagons and in the meantime you get attacked by indians who are driven off by mountain men. when you reach the top they feed you a great dinner and put on a show with alot of laughs. After everything we saw in Wy. my kids still talk about the covered wagon dinner
Bill

As suggested, also check the yellowstone-natl-park.com page for lots of info. The park keeps planning to close the road from Canyon to Tower for major repairs. IF that road is closed next summer, it would make returning to Lake from Roosevelt after the cookout a very long drive. If you like rustic, many people like staying in the Roosevelt cabins with central bathhouse, putting them close to the cookout and the Lamar Valley for wolf and bear watching.

We also stayed at Colter Bay--similar level of accomodation as in Yellowstone.

If you want to break the driving up, you could overnight a few hours north of SLC. Then head to Yellowstone for 4 nights, then down to Teton, then leave from there for SLC.

In Grand Teton National Park I would recommend Signal Mountain Lodge. Ask for one of the lakeside retreats. I have read some postings on this site about the Old Faithful Inn being rustic and loud in the hallways. While this may have been true for some posters, we stayed there 2 years ago and had a first floor room that was in a quiet hallway. The room was nicely decorated, well equipped, clean and far from rustic. We loved it there.