Hi All...

it's been a little while since I've posted but I have the final plans now for the trip - we only have 5 days for our first trip to Yellowstone and the Tetons.

Here is our itinerary:
Sunday Sept 4 - Badlands Ntl Park, Windcave Ntl Park (staying in Rapid City)
Monday Sept 5 - Mt Rushmore, Devils Tower, Yellowstone (staying in Canyon Village, Yellowstone Ntl Park)
Tuesday Sept 6 - Yellowstone
Wednesday Sept 7 - Yellowstone
Thursday Sept 8 - Grand Teton (staying in CoulterBay, Grand Teton Ntl Park)
Friday Sept 9 - Grand Teton

Need advice:
- is this itinerary possible - what changes should I make??

Also, We know that we want to see Grand Canyon, Yellowstone Lake, Old Faithful, Mammoth Hot Springs in Yellowstone AND Jenny Lake, Grandview Point, Snake River Overlook in Grand Teton....what else do we HAVE to see and what is the best "order" to see them in??

Thanks alot everyone!!!
MaryRay

Are you flying or driving? If you are flying which airport? Personally I would skip the bandlands and Mt Rushmore and concentrate on Yellowstone and the tetons. I once spent 8 days in these 2 parks and thoroughly enjoyed every minute.

We were there last year and had a great 5 days in Yellowstone and The Tetons. I guess you should see Old Faithful but it was our least favorite stop of the trip--too many people. We took a great bike trip out of Moose (Tetons), around some country roads and awesome view of the Tetons. There's only one bike rental place in Moose so they can give you the details. Also, a really good bar/restaurant there that faces the mountains. We also stayed in Coulter Bay--basic but nice. We took the ferry across Jenny lake and hiked over there--a great day--saw both bear and a bald eagle and it's very peaceful. Not sure you can fit much else in in 5 days...Have a great time.

Is this possible...probably not!

Rapid City to Canyon Village in Yellowstone is just under 500 miles without any stops. Add Mt. Rushmore and Devils Tower and you're looking at 555 miles. About half will be on an Interstate 90 so you can drive pretty fast, but after you leave Sheridan, WY you will be traveling over mountains and you won't be able to drive as fast. Throw in road construction on Hwy 14 in Yellowstone between the park entrance and the Lake (see more info below) so you are looking at 10 to 10 1/2 hours of JUST DRIVING TIME!

You will have to find parking at both parks and walking around a little bit will take another 2 hours at least. You will need to make pit and gas stops.

Here is the BIGGY...you will need to be pass Sylvan Pass in Yellowstone before 8 P.M. or you won't be able to get to the Canyon area!

Hwy 14, between the East Entrance and Sylvan Pass will have road construction from opening (May 6-weather permitting) through October. It will be open 8:00 a.m.- 8:00 p.m. with possible half hour delays and closed nightly 8:00 p.m - 8:00 a.m. Construction started July 20, 2004. This road segment starts on the east side of Sylvan Pass and continues to the East Entrance Station. Completion is expected fall 2006.

http://www.nps.gov/yell/planvisit/or...l/roadclos.htm

I would go to Wyoming or South Dakota but not both with only 5 days.

Utahtea

I lost my message and just found it today after I posted a new one???

I trust you Utahtea - you've been right in the past - if you remember our Grand Circle adventure that you helped us with a couple of years ago. We are used to long days driving (we drive to Florida 24 hours straight from Canada 2xyear). But I wasn't aware of the road construction notice and the fact that we had to be in before 8 pm.

I'll make some adjustments and repost soon. If we skip Mt Rushmore and Devils Tower and catch it on the return trip do you think we'll make it before 8 pm?? We plan on checking out of Rapid City early...

To clarify...we are driving from Ontario, Canada.

Also, any suggestions on the order we should see/hike each site in Yellowstone and Teton?

Thanks again.
MaryRay

We were thinking last night..

Here is our driving route..
Ontario Canada straight to Sioux Falls.
Sioux Falls to Rapid City.
Rapid City to Canyon Lands (Yellowstone)
Canyon Lands to Coulter Bay
reverse....

Are we crazy?? We are used to long hours in the car so I'm not worried about that.

If we skip Rushmore and Devils tower and move it to the return trip home (enroute) and drive straight from Rapid City to Yellowstone will we make it before 8pm and the road closes??

Also, do we have to "check in" at a certain time in Canyon village to keep our reservation??

Thanks!
MaryRay

I totally agree with only doing YNP and GTNP. Remember that some of your days you are getting there late in the day or leaving the park so you really don't have much time there.

With your short period of time, my suggestion is to do a day trip to GTNP. It can actually be seen in just a few hours.

YNP is really large and it takes a lot of time just getting around.