marymarra

Many of you helped me earlier in my planning for this trip and now I have the time to complete our plans. We are coming from D.C. and our thought is to fly into Jackson, spend one night in Jackson (when we went to Glacier, we spent one night in Whitefish and liked getting ourselves oriented before heading right into the park, ) I have reservations for 2 nights at Jackson Lake, followed by two nights at Old Faithful Inn, then two nights at Canyon Lodge (I know this is a lot of moving about, but it was partly determined by room availability), then my family (husand and daughter, 10) just want to hang out at a "ranch" (we're not horse people, but my daughter loves to fish) and I found 320 Ranch in Big Sky that seems to fit the bill (no minimum stay, decent food, fishing, hiking). It looks like we would then fly out of Bozeman. I found flights and that piece is doable.

Does this make sense in terms of geography? Any thoughts, opinions welcome. If you have been to the 320 Ranch, I'd especially love to hear about it.

I've enjoyed reading everyone's posts about Yellowstone--they have been enormously helpful.

Many thanks in advance,

Mary

texasbookworm

Last summer we came into YNP from the east and stayed 2 nights in Canyon Lodge (cabin) and then 2 nights at Old Faithful and did not feel like it was too much moving about; YNP is a big place and it's better to divide it up this way.

tomboy

We stayed at the Old Faithful Inn a year ago September, as well 2 other motel-type lodges within Yellowstone. Far preferred the latter. The room in the former may have been low-end (at $139 or so hard to believe), so we think one is paying for the "authenticity", it being the original inn. The room was VERY small; adequate, but small. In retrospect, we would have opted for another property nearby. Far preferred Canyon Lodge, and the other 2.
Be sure to take the mountain drive out the east entrance of Yellowstone. Awesome scenery!!!

marymarra

thanks for the good advice!

Mary

spirobulldog

I think you are fine and moving about is the way to go, IMO. We stayed at a different place 4 nights in a row. Lake Hotel, Roosevelt Lodge, OFI, and Colter Village. I prefer the cabins. We stayed in the historic section of OFI, without a private bath and I thought it was great, wife didn't like it because she had to walk to the bathroom 20 steps.

You might want to drive Beartooth HWY while there.

While @ OFI, take an entire day to view the geysers. Our least favorite was Old Faithful(saw it go 4 times though, once in the morning with just myself, one other person, and a buffalo herd). Our favorites were Castle and Riverside Geysers. Check with visitor center for eruption times when you get there. Castle only goes every 9-12 hours or so. You may have to sit there and wait for a couple of hours, but it is worth it. You will see buffalo, coyotte, and possbily other wildlife while waiting. Mammoth area was our least favorite part of Yellowstone. Canyon and Tower area is pretty cool.

tomboy

Beartooth, that's it!

marymarra

Tomboy--thank you!

and spirobulldog, I have been enjoying your posts in the archives on Yellowstone.

Mary

spirobulldog

http://forums.yellowstone.net/

There is a lot to read about Yellowstone at this link

janetchapple

You mentioned the 320 Ranch, and that really takes me back. My parents managed that ranch the summer before I was born! I have not stayed there recently, but I expect that it is very nice.

Just for the record, though, I'd suggest you look into another ranch in the Gallatin Canyon that I know is smaller and simpler and is probably quite a bit less expensive. It's also just across the road from the Gallatin River, where the fishing has been good for a century or so. It's called the Covered Wagon Ranch, and that's where we often stayed when I was a child (a while ago!). In fact, just the thought of it makes my mouth water for the trout my father would catch for our breakfast.

Have a great trip!

Janet Chapple, author of
Yellowstone Treasures: The Traveler's Companion to the National Park

Gretchen

Thanks to the OP for the 320 Ranch idea. It looks really nice, and is very reasonable--Covered Wagon gets a little pricey--at least at a cursory glance.
OP, your daughter can also fish in the Tetons, of course.

marymarra

Janet--that is great about your parents! I will look into the Covered Wagon.

Gretchen--doesn't 320 look nice? it seemed to fit the bill on a couple of points.

Thanks again everybody!

Mary