I am hoping for some suggestions - I have tried to read the books and posts and am overwhelmed. I am not sure I have made the right lodging choices so that we have enough time in Yellowstone and need suggestions on planning the itinerary for my family - me, my husband and two boys, ages 7 and 11. This is a last minute trip. Here is what we have so far...

May 29 - Fly into Missoula
May 30-June 1 - Stay at Glacier Park Lodge (should we stay one or two nights at Lake MacDonald instead - no vacancy at Many)
June 2-7 - Averill's Flathead Lake Lodge (dude ranch - can't change because we have a conference there)
June 8 - Chico Hot Springs
June 9 - Irma Hotel in Cody
June 10 -12 - Jackson Lake Lodge in GTNP - should I try to stay another night in a Yellowstone gateway town or can you commute
June 13 - Grant Village (only lodging available in Yellowstone the whole week) - wondering if should just stay in Jackson
June 14 - Open - thinking Teton Mountain Lodge but not sure
June 15 - fly out of Jackson

This is our first trip out west. We live on Hilton Head Island so it should be quite a change for us. Thanks!

I would spend a night either in West Yellowstone or Gardiner. Unless you just want to make a quick drive through Yellowstone, I think it is too far to commute from Jackson(although some people do). Grant Village is in the southern part and, especially at that time of year, you will want to spend some time in the animal-rich northern loop. Keep trying for a cancellation (call, don't just use the internet) in the park -- they change daily. It is easier to stay somewhere in the Tetons or Jackson the night before you leave, especially if it is an early flight.

I don't think it probably matters as far as Glacier which one you stay at.

You're in for a treat -- there really isn't a "wrong" way to do it. You can't possibly see everything -- and will want to go back.

Hi PamelaJo,

I'll give it a go on helping you out.

First off, did you read my recent post on Yellowstone as of May 23, 2008? Here is the link:
http://www.fodors.com/forums/threads...1&tid=35132559

Even though I live in Bozeman, MT I have never made it up to Glacier NP so I can't contribute anything about that. However, I have been as farth north as Whitefish which is just outside the west entrance of Glacier.

Your drive from Flathead to Chico Hot Springs in the Paradise Valley will be pretty straightforward. Just get on I-90 and drive east through Butte and Bozeman and head south at Livingston. It will be a long drive, probably about 5 hours or more depending on how many stops you make along the way.

Do you intend to backtrack to I-90 from Chico to get to Red Lodge and go over the Beartooth Hwy and then down the Chief Joseph Hwy to get to Cody? Or do you intend to drive through the Gardiner entrance to Yellowstone and out the east entrance to get to Cody? (Geesh, you could even go out the Cooke City entrance and take the Chief Joseph!) Either way will work and will be beautiful. The Beartooth will take longer but is more spectacular. If you don't think you'll ever make it out here again I definitely advise you to drive the Beartooth.

Think about making a reservation for the Rib & Chop House in Cody. Have a bison ribeye. This restaurant is not cheap but it's got great food. There's one in Livingston, too. The Rib & Chop House is on the main drag in Cody near the Irma.

Yellowstone is probably at least 4 times as large as Teton NP. Teton is gorgeous but there is much more ground to cover in Yellowstone. Therefore, I suggest two nights in or near YNP if you can arrange it and the other two night in Teton.

I hope this is of some help.

-doo

You should know that Going to the Sun road in GNP is not opened yet to vehicle traffic except for the first 10 miles (lower elevation) It is opened to hikers and bikers ONLY (non motorized) up to the loop. Expected opening of the road is mid June though higher elevations just had a very heavy snow storm with lower elevations getting 3 to 5 inches of rain causing minor flooding in West Glacier.
It is raining here again today and showers expected all week.
I believe the road to Many Glacier is closed again due to snow.
Check the Park web site for more road info

I've been to Chico Hot Springs several times and it's wonderful. Don't forget the bathing suits.

Also if you are considering a massage while there you may want to make an appointment.

And finally suggest a cooler for the car for sandwich making/snacks and drinks while on the road.

enjoy
wintkat

Hello I have been to yellowstone several times and there is a lot to cover. I would suggest if you can stay two nights the 13th and 14th in yellowstone it would be better than driving back and forth to tetons. That can be a long drive depending what part of the park you are in during the day. If you can't get two nights in Yellowstone I would stay in Westt Yellowstone. At this time of the year that shouldn't be a problem finding rooms. West Yellowstone also has a lot of restaurants and unique shops.