Itineraries in Yellowstone / Teton
 

We will be arriving to the Yellowstone from Idaho Falls in the morning, and spending 2 nights in West Yellowstone, and 1 night near Moran, returning back to Idaho Falls for the total of 4 days. What itineraries would you suggest ? It will be at the end of May - start of June.

I would spend pretty much spend the better part of a day seeing the Geysers around Old Faithful. See, Riverside, Castle, paint pots on the way in. Another day at Canyon area, you could include Lamar Valley, Hayden Valley, and Tower area. I wouldn't spend a whole lot of time at Mammoth, it is my least favorite area. I would have a meal at Old Faithful Inn or at least just go in it. Lake Hotel is a good place for a meal. Maybe have breakfast or lunch ar Roosevelt Lodge.

We saw several moose not far from Moran. We did the Jenny Lake boat and hike to Inspiration Point/Hidden Falls. You could opt for snake river float.

I was in Yellowstone and the Teton last Fall. If you want sightseeing, spend more time in Yellowstone. We were there for the wildlife and at that time, the Teton was way more active than Yellowstone.

Hopefully there will be lots of baby animals to enjoy. You still may get snow, so be prepared for everything.

bugsietot,

I beg to differ. I think Yellowstone is more of sight/event park and the Tetons are more of a scenery park.

Tetons
On the outside road you have Mormon Row and Swabacher Landing. Most people staop at the routine viewpoints but don't go to these as you have to drive a half mile off the main road. Spectacular sights.

The barns with the Tetons in the background and the Snake River in the foreground with the Tetons not only in the background but reflecting off the water.

Oxbow Bend
Signal Mtn
And more.

For Yellowstone, I agree with spiro.

The better part of a day in the geyser area. I would start early around OF (erupts app every 90 minutes), walk Geyser Hill and probably all the way out to Morning Glory.

The guyser area changes its look at different times of the day. So I would go to Grand Prismatic Spring area in the middle and wander around the geysers again late in the day.

In the Canyon area there are various views of the spectacular Lower Falls. Hayden and/or Lamar for wildlife.

I'd make it simple. On day 1, do the lower loop (including Old Faithful). On day 2, do the upper loop (including a quick stop at Mammoth even though it may still be "dry"). On day 3, do Grand Teton NP. On day 4/your last day, do something you missed or discovered you wanted to do. It will probably be cold so although I like river rafting, I'd personally opt out of a float trip. If you like pancakes, go to the pancake breakfast at Dorman's at Moose in Jackson Hole. If you are there on a Sunday, go to church at the tiny chapel. I like to drive, explore, walk the boardwalks and the trails. Look at the newspapers they give you and find something you would really enjoy doing and fit it in. One of my favorite hikes ever was a ranger led hike to standing petrified trees on a ridge in Yellowstone. Eat at the dining room at Old Faithful if you can. Our meal was WONDERFUL.

Check to see if the great horned owls are nesting in Gros Ventre campground at GTNP. It was wonderful stopping by to take pictures and just look. Amazing experience.

Thanks for your replies. Is driving in the Yellostown dangerous (serpentine roads, ice at the end of May) ?

Also, many folks suggested eating at Old Failthful with a disclaimer "if you can" :) Is it because reservations are hard to get, or because it is very expensive ?

Reservations are recommended for 'busy' times(6 to 8:30. If you like to eat early or late you should have no problem. As far as an itinerary the best advice I can give you is to remain flexable. Have a list of 'want to sees' but remember that anything not close to the road may not be accessable.