Wanted to see Teton & Yellowstone Ntl Prks for some fun then end up taking Dad to MD in Cody WY.
(See 4/18/09 post 1JAR tagged WY.)
No lodging avail at all for July Tetons or Yellowstone. Grrrrr
Back to 2nd choice Sun Valley... any great lodges near water?
Or maybe we should fly into Seattle for a couple of days and then fly to Cody?
Any new places in around Seattle?
Really had wanted to do something fun as this is the only vac this year....
Anyone got any thoughts?
We are looking at 1,2 or3 wk July...

I wouldn't give up on NP reservations. I would book a room in Jackson Hole, which is just south of Grand Teton NP and keep trying for a reservation up until the time I can no longer cancel my reservation in Jackson Hole.

I have had excellent luck with this strategy, and, in any event, Jackson Hole is a good place to stay.

HTTY

Did you try Gardiner MT? We stayed there one year when we couldn't find anything in the park.

Agree with the above, rooms in the National Parks open up due to cancellations all the time and as a back up, since you need to go to Cody, book a room there for an extra day or to and get into Yellowstone for day trips.

Did you try West Yellowstone or maybe even Island Park, Idaho. We used to rent the cutest cabins in Island Park. The "boys" would go fishing all day and I'd head into the park. Book something you can cancel in case a NP room opens up - which can very likely happen.

You will certainly be able to find something in West Yellowstone or even Targee. Cody is also an option. They have a great cowboy museum there. However, I am sure you can find accomodations in West Yellowstone, just not on a lake.

Seattle or even Sun Valley would not be a good substitute for Teton/Yellowstone area.

Seattle or even Sun Valley would not be a good substitute for Teton/Yellowstone area. I agree with everything said here, especially this.

If you stay in Gardiner, avoid the Comfort Inn.

I'm not sure what you mean by "new places" in Seattle?

I agree...Jackson Hole is a fun place to stay,and very close to Grand Teton NP for day trips. You can also check Teton Village, which is closer to the park, but farther from town. For the central Yellowstone sights, I'd recommend the town of West Yellowstone, which has a ton of lodging options & is literally at the park entrance. Gardiner is also a good option, but gives you easy driving access to the Mammoth and north area of the park only, not the more "classic" things like hot pools and Old Faithful. Cancellations in the park are also really common, so don't give up!

Don't rule out Cooke City.

http://www.cookecitysinclair.com/webcam.htm

Don't give up your Yellowstone plan. Go over to tripadvisor and check out hotels in West Yellowstone,Gardiner,Cooke city and Jackson Hole. I am sure you will be able to find something.

Txs everyone but we did give up on Tetons this year as we had to get Dad's Cody MD appts made & airline tickets bought for July & we can not wait for cancelations. Txs tho..maybe better luck next year...