My husband and I will be in Yellowstone in mid August. I am looking at staying at the Canyon Lodge cabins. Would it be best to stay there for the entire week or move to other areas? I know we won't be able to see all of the park, but I want to use our time wisely. Thanks for any info.

Move around, with at least one night each at the Lake Hotel and the Old Faithful Lodge.

Actually, it depends what you like. I would suggest splitting your time in 2 areas of the park as it's really tiring to do day trips. However, my husband likes the Roosevelt Lodge and last summer we stayed there all week. I wouldn't do that unless you like RUSTIC conditions and very expensive meals.

I prefer not to move every night, as packing is a pain and usually falls mostly to me. So that's why I say, it depends what you like. I like the Canyon area and it is centrally located, but the drives between areas are very long.

Like said above, depends on what works for you in general. You will get many different ways of doing it. We also don't like to pack up and move around. With a week you can easily see each area of the park from Canyon. There is no way you can see and do everything -- but you appear to be aware of that. We have the most fun with the unexpected animal sightings that you see as you drive from place to place (and I don't like to drive in general, but it doesn't bother me there because there is so much to see). We also usually leave our room early in the morning and return after dark. If you like to relax at the end of the day you would probably be happier staying in a couple of places (like Lake and Old Faithful). Again, depends on what you works for you. If you are spending time in the Tetons also (even if only for a day or two), I would definitely stay there also at least for one night.

Thanks for your quick replies.

We don't like packing and moving, seems to take so much time, but this is our first time to Yellowstone and I'm trying to get a handle on the scope of the place. Probably we will enjoy the drives from place to place because it is all new to us.

Yes, we are staying in the Tetons 2 nights at the beginning of our trip and one night at the end. I'm looking at Signal Mountain as our base there.

I think Old Faithful Lodge was not available on our trip dates and several others were also full. I'm hoping to make firm reservations this weekend. I don't mind rustic for a week or so, but would prefer our own bathroom.

Thanks again for the input.

The biggest problem at Canyon is trying to get to Lamar Valley early in the morning. You can easily get to Hayden Valley to watch wildlife and you're very close to the Grand Canyon and the waterfalls. If I was going to stay at one place, it would be Canyon. Last year we split time between Canyon and Roosevelt and will do the same in June 2008.

We put our pictures and trip reports from our two visits on our website. We tried to put informatin there that would be helpful to others. There's also a map to show mileages and has links to images to show what the areas look like.

www.AlandSueJohnson.com

If you're still LOOKING at Canyon, my guess would be that you'll have trouble getting a full week there. You won't believe how quickly the reservations get taken.

AIJ, Yes, I bookmarked your site to browse. Thanks so much. I appreciate the time you took to get that info together. I'm waiting for my husband to decide for sure what dates we can go. I'm hoping to make reservations tonight.

I would stay a few nights toward the South end of the park and a few nights toward the North end of the park. The roads are basically in a figure 8. That way you wouldn't have to back track as much. (I found the Roosevelt area a little too far from the "attractions".
It is easy to see the Mammoth Hot Springs area from Gardiner too (outside the park). Better book soon.. places fill up fast. I think you can always cancel. The Old Faithful lodge was the "zooiest". The Lake Hotel was more peaceful. If you do stay at these places make dinner reservations late too. (The park is so wonderul you will want to get up early and eat dinner after dark to see as much as you can. Make dinner reservations too!)

We camped at Madison Junction, which like Canyon is at the edge of the midpoint of the figure 8, only on the west. We found it convenient for spending the first afternoon/evening at Old Faithful and doing the top loop one day and the bottom another.

We were more interested in geyser hikes than wildlife, but I think you could easily spend a day with the Canyon and waterfalls. 3 days in one spot saves you the time of packing up and checking in somewhere else.

Thanks so much for all the info. I was able to book a cabin at Canyon Lodge for our stay in Yellowstone. I'm looking forward to all the adventures to come. I haven't booked a place in Tetons yet, but will on Monday. Do you have any input on that? Signal Mountain Lodge looks good so far.

We have stayed both in Jackson and Signal Mountain Lodge. We were very happy with Signal Mountain -- great location. Probably what I would do, assuming that you are flying in and out of Jackson, is stay the first two nights at Signal Mountain (or wherever else you stay in the Tetons -- I don't think there is really a bad choice in accommodations there from what I have seen and heard) and spend the night before you leave in Jackson. It is a neat little town to see and a very short trip to the beginning of GTNP so you could spend some more time there if your plane doesn't leave until later in the day.

When you leave the Tetons you can visit the sights on the way up to Canyon on that side of the park. West Thumb, Mud Volcano, Fishing Bridge, Hayden Valley. Be ready to take pictures as soon as you get in your car. In fact we usually drive around having both cameras and binoculars if not in my lap, within easy reach because you come upon animals so fast sometimes -- they don't usually stop and pose for you.

In case you haven't come upon these suggestions yet, a good book to look through, especially for a first time visitor is:

Frommer's pocket guide "Yellowstone and Grand Teton National Parks

There is so much information out there -- this book has it a little more condensed.

We used:
Yellowstone Treasures by Janet Chapple while we were there and found it helpful.

I got both books at the library first to see if I wanted to buy them (throwback to my pre internet days)

Also a real good resource for Yellowstone as you get nearer to your trip is:
http://www.yellowstone.net/forums/index.php

Great information regarding weather, animal sightings, etc. from people who live/work there as well as trip reports, photography, etc.

Al

Great resource you made -- thanks for posting it.