I've been reading some old posts here and the report on Canyon Lodge has not been good. We are staying there for one night, Old Faithful one night, and Yellowstone Lake one night. Is Canyon Lodge not a decent place to stay? What is wrong with it?

I can't specifically answer your question but when we were there a few weeks ago, we saw A LOT of renovation going on. I was able to see inside an Old Faithful cabin and it had been completely redone, inside and out.

President Bush has infused the national parks with some long overdue funds for upkeep.

My question is why you are moving around so much? Were you not able to get a room anywhere for more than one night?

Hi Connie
We are coming in from Jackson and the Tetons so want to spend that first night at Old Faithful. The second night we will be in the Canyon area visiting the waterfalls, canyon and doing a western cookout at Roosevelt so want to spend that night in the Canyon Lodge. The third night we will be in the Yellowston Lake area perhaps boating. We will spend the night there and be close to the Cody exit the next morning. Just trying to minimize our driving from one point to another.

Not quite one year ago in August did 2 nights in Tetons and 6 nights in Yellowstone. Stayed at Lake Lodge one night , Canyon 3 nights, 1 night in Old Faithful Inn, and 1 night at O.F. Snow Lodge. We actually were only going to do 2 nights at Canyon area but extended it to 3 nights. It is a great central location to see all the canyon and Falls sites and hikes on both sides of the Canyon. It was perfect for one day trip that we went west to Norris Geyser basin, then north to Mammoth Springs, then east to Roosevelt, then south with lots of stops along the north sevtion of the river with unique canyon views, opsrey nests on the cliffs, and a hike down to bottom of Tower Falls. Then continue south over the hills back to Canyon area. An easy day trip.

The KEY to the Canyon Lodge area is where you stay. The were hundreds of those 1940's looking cabins, but we were in the newer lodge buidings. I highly recommend them -- only a few years old and nice rooms in 2 story Lodge buildings. My conclusion was you really only need two different "base" locations to see and enjoy the whole park -- Canyon area and Old Faithful Area. Don't miss all the cool bubbling mud (Mud Volcano area) between Lake and Canyon. DO all the short hikes and see the various vista points on BOTH sides of the canyon, and do the short hikes to the top fo the upper and lower falls, and if you can handle 328 steep steps down (and up) into the canyon don't miss Uncle Toms trail. Worth it!
To answer your question -- nothing wrong with Canyon Lodge (the new buildings) NOR the location to see some of the great sites besides just geysers.

How do I remember all these details -- looking at the several page trip report / diary we kept during this trip. Give me your email address and I could send it to you.

Bigdog50
Thanks for such an informative post. Where do we pick up literature that gives the hikes and their length and level of difficulty? When we check in at Old Faithful? Tell me about Tower Falls please, where it is,etc. We are a party of four and one has mild respirtory problems. What is an opsrey? Birds?

When you go through the entry gates into the park, they will give you a map that clearly marks the usual sites to see.

There are LOTS of geysers and thermal features. After you see some, you will have to decide how much is enough. For most people, it isn't necessary to see all of them.

The road is in a figure 8 with very few and short roads off the main road.

Most sites are easy walks down boardwalks or paths. Tower Falls is a little more strenuous hike down and back up but you can see it from the top. As a matter of fact, a few weeks ago, the trail was closed due to a washout.

The only thing that might affect anyone with respiratory problems is the altitude. The park is pretty high even though it really doesn't look like it. It will bother most everyone else who lives at low altitude, as well.

It really is very possible to do the whole park from one location. IMO, Canyon is the most central location but the Lake hotel area would be good too.

We stayed at Old Faithful this summer because I had always wanted to (we normallyl camp). What I would strongly recommend is requesting a room on an upper level. It is very noisy on the first floor, with all the tourist walking through.

Thanks Connie - We have reservations for dining at Old Faithful Inn the first night, western cookout at Roosevelt the second night and Yellowstone Lake the third night. Did you eat at any of these locations? I understand Park food is not outstanding, but have I choosen the best of which to choose from?

We ate in the Old Faithful Dining Room and had a lovely experience. From past posts, I didn't expect good food but we were very pleased.

They really pack them in but we ate at 6:00 and were given a nice table by a back window. We just happened to get it and that really added to our enjoyment. It wouldn't hurt to ask.

Have a great trip!

Thanks again Connie
Glad to hear your experience was favorable! Here's hoping ours will be.

Before I went last year I got lots of info by searching old posts on this board, but also did some Google searches and got tons of great info about what to see and how off the Nat Park web sites.

http://www.nps.gov/yell

here is hiking
http://www.nps.gov/yell/planvisit/todo/hikes/

and frommers is good
http://www.frommers.com/destinations...enationalpark/


here is another link on hikes
http://www.us-parks.com/US_National_...e_hiking.shtml

Osprey are large birds with wing spans up to 6 feet that build nests on side of cliffs and dive into the river to catch fish There is a picture here and lots of other Yellowstone info here
http://www.us-parks.com/US_National_...lowstone.shtml

I printed all my maps and details on each region of the park off web sites before I went.

Thanks for the web sites and info Bigdog50

I've been going thru the websites and have learned a lot. But I can't find where these geysers are: Grand, Great Fountain and Castle. Someone said here that they were the best. Does anyone know where they are located?

Great Fountain is located 8 miles north of Old Faithful on Firehole Lake Drive.

Here's a map showing Grand and Castle wrt Old Faithful:
www.yellowstone-natl-park.com/ofvic.htm

You might consider purchasing the guidebook "Yellowstone Treasures" by Janet Chapple. By far the most comprehensive Y'Stone guide I've seen, and highly recommended by people who really know the park.
http://www.amazon.com/exec/obidos/AS...810179-8971959

Thanks so much drsawyers!

Bigdog50:
You wrote: "Give me your email address and I could send it to you." Well, I'm not the original inquirer, but I'd certainly like a copy of your " trip report / diary". Looks like it would prove invaluable in planning my Post-Labor-Day 2004 trip! Thanks! [email protected]