Help with Yellowstone and Grand Teton itinerary
 

Hello Fodorites,

My Husband, his Mother and I are planning a trip to GTNP and YNP this Sept. 6th thru the 14th. Here are my plans so far but I still have a few questions I'd like to ask you experts.

To clarify things, we are flying into and out of Jackson Hole. We were thinking of starting the trip in YNP and ending it in GTNP.

9/6: Fly from NYC to Jackson Hole. Although we arrive mid-day, MIL doesn't arrive till 9PM. My husband wants to head right up to park, either staying at Signal Mt Lodge or try to get a room at OF. I think it'll be late to do that so I suggest we stay in Jackson Hole that first night. Any thoughts? How's the driving at night?

9/7: Drive to YNP, explore OF and lower geyser area. Stay overnight in West Yellowstone.

9/8: Explore YNP, overnight in West Yellowstone

9/9: Explore YNP, stay overnight in West Yellowstone or Gardiner

9/10: Explore northern parts on YNP, overnight in Gardiner

9/11: Explore northern parts on YNP, overnight in Gardiner

9/12: Leave Gardiner in the morning and drive straight thru to Jackson Hole. OR should we try to get rooms at Signal Mt Lodge since the next day we want to explore GTNP? Is this too much driving in one day?

9/13: Explore GTNP, overnight in Jackson Hole

9/14: Catch a very early flight home

My husband and I want to spend some time alone and maybe go horseback riding or take a float trip. Is mid Sept. too late in the season? I already called a place in Gardiner and they stop horseback rides on Sept. 7th.

I haven't booked any hotels yet, but am assuming YNP hotels will be booked. That's what I get for planning late!

Any advice would be greatly appreciated.

I would definitely stay in Jackson area the first night -- you can check in and walk around Jackson or even see part of the tetons around the airport while waiting for MIL to arrive. The airport is only about 15-20 minutes or so away from the town of Jackson. I wouldn't drive to Old Faithful in the dark -- you miss too much along the way -- or even Signal Mountain Lodge. It is very dark driving at night and you really have to go slow because you don't want to risk hitting any animals. You can get a good meal in Jackson and then leave early in the morning and enjoy your ride through the Tetons on the way to Old Faithful.

It is not too much driving to go from Gardiner to GTNP, but I would stay at Signal Mountain Lodge that night (location, location). Probably a good idea to stay in Jackson the last night if you have an early flight the next day.

The trail rides stopped in Yellowstone Labor Day weekend last year. I would check the different web sites, etc. to see when the trail rides and float rides stop in GTNP. There is one at Signal Mountain Lodge that we took the first week in September, but don't know when they end.

YNP hotels can have cancellations (on a daily basis) until the time you leave. You are better off calling than checking the web site. I would get reservations you can cancel without a fee and then change them as your plans finalize -- that is what many people do, hence the availability being so unpredicatable. We got reservations inside the park within 2 months last spring. And the time of year you are going isn't the busiest season (which is great). If you prefer to stay outside the park, your plans sound fine also.

Have fun planning -- I know you'll have fun on your trip.

I meant you are better off calling to make reservations inside the park (go through Xanterra -- you are directed there through the nps.gov web site instead of any other third party sites) instead of just checking their web site for cancellations.

http://www.nps.gov/yell/planyourvisi...closedates.htm

Winter can come early. Check the dates for services in YS.

I would stay in Jackson the first night. The way airlines are always delayed your MIL may not get there until 11:00 or even the next morning.

Agreed with others. I would stay in Jackson Hole or Tetons for the first night (Jackson Lake Lodge was our choice).

You're pretty much there when you fly into the airport and will take the pressure off of driving after a day of flying.

I would never drive at night that far for fear of hitting an animal or one hitting me. Elk were everywhere at night and I just didn't want to risk it.

I agree with the others. First night in Jackson. No point in driving through the Tetons in the dark. Way too pretty. Also, at dusk be careful. We've come through going south just before dawn and the elk are everywhere. I assume northbound at dusk would be similar.

Get up early and head out to YNP. You'll have enough time to look at the Tetons on the way. Your first day activities aren't all that ambitious anyway.

I might stay in Gardiner on 9/9. Much easier access to Lamar Valley and that part of the park.

It isn't a bad drive from the northern part of the part of Jackson but you might get a place at Signal Mt Lodge anyway. Its about 50 minutes from there to the airport. That might play into your decision too.

www.alandsuejohnson.com is our website and has lots of pictures and information on the park. It also shows how we spent a day in the Tetons. We were there a couple of weeks ago.

Yellowstone link is on the left. Tetons included with YNP.

Plan on making your reservations before you go. The crowds won't be as bad as in the summer, but they are still there.

Driving in the dark in WY is great, watch for wildlife .

If you haven't been before, you will be in awe of the colors, the pristine area, and you'll want to move there. (I promise).

Al and Sue Johnson! I visited your website when I was planning a trip to Belize last year!

Thanks everyone for the advice!!!