First time to a national park
 

Hi,
My husband, myself and our 3 children ages, 14, 12 and 9, are planning a trip to see Yellowstone this July. I must confess that we are city people and have never taken this kind of a trip before. It is very clear from reviewing this forum that all of you love the park and the wildlife and that there is so much to see and do. I just have a few questions.
Is it plausible to stay near Jackson Hole (we were thinking of either the Four Seasons or Hotel Terra) and drive to the park each day? Would that kind of hotel detract from the trip? Also - we are vegetarians so I am concerned about staying in the areas close to the park as opposed to places with more options.
Finally - what would be the top five or so things to do that you would recommend for the kids?
Thank you so much,
Amy

You could do that but it is not practical. Yellowstone is a big park and driving was slow enough when we were there in early June. July is a peak month.

I would recommend stayiing in the park, but you are probably unable to get a place at such a late date.

Hi Amy
I agree that you would probably enjoy the trip more if you stayed in the park - although you wouldn't be staying in Four Seasons standard accommodation! It might well be too late to find in-park accommodation now though. So, yes, it would be possible to 'commute' each day from Jackson Hole. Other options are West Yellowstone and Gardener, but the hotels there will also not be of a Four Seasons standard. Cody is yet another option. As for vegetarianism - I don't recall what was on the menu inside the park when we were there, but I would imagine they would cater for vegetarians.
Top five things as recommendations for the kids? No need to recommend anything - just driving around the park, looking out for wild animals will be exciting for them. And then there is Old Faithful, and Norris Geyser Basin, and Mammoth Hot Springs etc etc etc. Fresh air tinged with the perfume of sulfur - they'll love it! Be sure to explain to them that Yellowstone NP (or the vast majority if it) is one big enormous volcanic caldera!

Maybe find a place in Gardiner &/or West Yellowstone along w/ Jackson. You don't say how long you will be there. If more than a few days, most people move around since YNP is so big. You need to have a firm reservation(s) and then keep calling and hope for a cancellation to stay inside the park. Most of us who LOVE the nat'l parks will take rustic anytime - and my kids have the funny stories to tell - rather than drive in/out of the park. Ck out the websites about dining - I suspect most of the facilities have a vegetarian menu. AND make those dinner reservations also.

Top 5 things? We divided the park into quadrants and then tried to cover the different parts - geyer basis, mudpots/paintpots, Lamar Valley, etc. Just make sure you walk and enjoy the sights. I read statistics that the majority of visitors to YNP never venture far past the parking lots. You can ck out a map online. Ranger tours/programs, whitewater Snake trip, chuckwagon horseback ride and dinner (probably veg. option), wildlife watching, are my favorites I remember right now.

Mom is right; you would be more comfortable, less rushed, staying in one of the many places in Gardiner or West Yellowstone. (BTW, I'd pick a place with a pool; I found over the years that letting them unwind after the heat of a long day is a boon!)

The Stagecoach in West is pretty nice... not remotly 4 seasons but nice.

I'd also advise seeing Yellowstone from a lodging either in West Yellowstone or Gardiner simply because of the speed limits and distances you have to travel.

Speed limits in Grand Teton range from 25 to 55 mph (with very little of it being at 55). The limit inside Yellowstone is 45 mph, period.

Thus, coming from near Jackson Hole, it's going to be a looooong drive each day you visit Yellowstone; made especially so by the fact that the things worth seeing and doing in Yellowstone are pretty far from the southern entrance to the park.

Thank you all for your advice.
I will actually try to see if there is any availability in the park.
Also, would anyone know which airline flies direct from NY to Jackson Hole? I usually fly continental but they don't seem to have any flights.
Thanks again,
Amy

For airlines that fly to Jackson Hole, check out http://www.jacksonholeairport.com/fl..._airlines.html

The best thing to do for yourself and the kids are the Ranger tours, which are free. Get the schedule, either online or by mail. And there may be some night activities that would interest them, so staying in the park would be great.

BTW, it would have been better to put "Yellowstone" in the title. ((*))

I don't think there is a direct flight from NYC to Jackson.

The kids might like to white water out of Jackson.

Hi Amy,
We'll be going in June with our three boys ages 14, 12 & 9...same age as your kids. You are going to have to make a connection to get to Jacksonhole. American usually goes through Dallas. Delta will get you there through Atlanta.

One of the things I am most looking forward to is having the kids away from television and their Wii, Playstation 3 and computers! It will be a real time to bond with them as they will not have those distractions.

You can pick up a guidebook or read lots on this site that will give you tons of suggestions on what to do and see. Jacksonhole is about 50 miles from the south entrance of Yellowstone and its another 2 hrs from that point to reach the northern end of the park. I would definitely consider staying in the park if you can but that is going to be difficult to get now. I would split your time between staying outside the park in West Yellowstone and Gardiner to fully enjoy the park. There is nothing like the Four Seasons there though. If that is the caliber of hotel you are used to, then you will be considered roughing it at hotels such as a Best Western. As long as you adjust your expectations you'll be ok. You are going to be out all day and only be in the room to sleep so you will not be spending a lot of time. You might try looking at private cabins in West Yellowstone and Gardiner, there are some that are very nice that can be rented. Do a search.

We have 8 days planned, 6 in Yellowstone and the last 2 in Jacksonhole in Grand Teton National Park, since we are flying out of Jacksonhole. As someone suggested, we plan on doing a float trip down the Snake River with the kids there.

Also from the Roosevelt Hotel in the park there is a chuckwagon cookout which would be fun for them (there is a thread on it here), however you would need to stay that night close by as it is too far to drive back to Jacksonhole.

Most people divide their hotels between the south end of the park and north end of the park so they can enjoy each area to the fullest. To see some wildlife it is recommended getting out there early in the morning, something that would be tough from Jacksonhole each day.

TS

check out

http://www.westyellowstonenet.com/lodging/

It will give you some lodging options in West Yellowstone

Also consider Jackson Lake Lodge and Jenny Lake Lodge (both in the Tetons). We've stayed at both and used day trips into Yellowstone as well as the Tetons. Worked out very well.

Don't know whether they'll have openings, but we did get into Jackson Lake at somewhat the last minute. Jenny Lake is very nice, fairly upscale with an excellent restaurant. Jenny Lake isn't cheap and you may actually have better luck there at this "late" date. Both locations also make a trip into Jackson Hole pretty easy.

See gtlc.com for both properties.

I'd also suggest you keep trying if you're not successful the first time because many places in the parks do get cancellations.

Another alternative would be to fly into Billings on Continental. Drive to Red Lodge and stay overnight. Take the Beartooth Hwy to the Park (type both into Search). The problem you are going to find is that many tourists are going to be traveling in the US because of the dollars value. Getting lodging in the Park is going to be difficult in Peak season. W. Yellowstone and Gardiner are going to be packed so taking the road less traveled may be best. Billings to Cody, Wyo. where there are Dude raches along the way along the Shoshone R. maybe more to the kids appeal. No problem with meals at most places. Cody is all about Cowboys and Indians. Rodeo's all the time and lots to see.

You should be able to get connections on Delta in SLC and on United through either Chicago or Denver. Less of a detour than Atlanta and Dallas