Major PNW trip sched for Sept 2009--will fly into Jackson, visit the 'Big 3' parks, then take Amtrak from Whitefish to Seattle to tour Vancouver, with return flight from Portland. Timing is critical for connections; so, to see the 'major' sights with some very short hikes of GT, Y & G would the following be relaxing yet well paced:
Day 1`) arrive Jackson, spend 2 nts in Grand Tetons
Day 3) depart for Lk Yellowstone Inn, spending 3 nts
Day 6) depart for Missoula, spend the night
Day 7) depart to Glacier, spending 2 nts (Lake MacD or Many Glacier)
Day 9) drive to Whitefish, stayover there, or catch night train to Seattle
With Seattle-Vancouver-Portland plans, we're ok-- thanks everyone!!

I would plan on spending a full day in and around Old Faithful. Easy geysers to watch are Old Faithful, Castle, Riverside, Daisy, and a couple of others that they can predict. our least favorite was Old Faithful. Castle is spectacular and you are up close and will only have a handful of people around. Check out Old Faithful Lodge and eat a meal there. Spend a day in Roosevelt/Tower/Canyon area. Our least favorite area was Mammoth Hot Springs area. Take a ride in Vintage-Yellow Tour Bus at Yellowstone, or Red Tour bus at Glacier. I suspect that is not enough time for Glacier, but you maybe getting tired of NP's by then. We saw a lot of bears near the Tower/Roosevelt area mid-june.
I haven't taken the train, but it is my understanding that it is late most of the time. Sounds like a good trip. Have fun!! What is the LK Yellowstone Inn. Did you mean Hotel?

Yes, meant the Lake Yellowstone Hotel; do you think one full day at Grand Tetons NP is sufficient? If you went again, would you spend more time in Yellowstone or Glacier?
Thanks-

I think one day in Tetons is enough. We liked Yellowstone much better than the GT's. I haven't been to Glacier, but we are planning on going next year. It just looks like a lot to do there. There many good hikes there. I really want to hike to Granite Chalet and spend the night. Iceberg Lake hike looks good as well. I want to go to Waterton and have afternoon tea in the hotel there. I would say the majority of people hit the Going to the Sun Road and a few of the trails from it. That might be enough for you as well. We actually didn't do much hiking in YS. There was just so much to see right along the road. Plus, we are a little afraid of the bears. I don't really think you can go wrong with any of the parks you are going to. in YS a person could just drive around and find plenty to see without really planning anything. I am a big planner, so this threw me for a loop. lots of spontaneous animal encounters that you end up watching for an hour. we watched, bison, fox, bears, pronghorn, beavers, bald eagles, moose, elk, coyote, porcupine. bison nearly came in the lobby of LK Hotel. they scratch their winter fur off in june and they knock all of the signs around the area down, using them as scratching posts. same goes for the geysers. there is a lot to do and see, you will have a blast. I don't think Yellowstone has a really jaw-dropping experience such as you think of the first time you see the Grand Canyon. but, it is much more of a complete package park. We have been to around 20 of the NP's and don't really have a favorite, but YS would surely be in the top 3 that we have visited so far.

My first thought was that I'd probably take a night away from the Tetons and add it to Yellowstone with the schedule you have. (the airport is very close to the entrance to the Park.) If I'm understanding you right you will then have the day you arrive and as much of the next day as you want to spend in the Tetons before you head up to Yellowstone. We've done it that way a couple of times and it worked out fine. If you want to hike to Hidden Falls, take a float trip, visit Jackson for example, you might want to stay there another night.

You could make reservations you are able to cancel without penalty that overlap until you finalize your plans. (many people do that -- part of the reason there are cancellations all the time).


Your Glacier plan sounds fine to me. Most of the hikes there are probably longer than you will want to do, so your plan should give you enough time to see what you want to there. And Whitefish isn't far so that gives you some leeway for when you leave Glacier. We were there in mid September and the weather was fantastic that year, but you may have a problem with Going to the Sun Road closing if you go later in the month.

Glacier is gorgeous. The old park inns, the "going to sun" drive, etc. Water is just clear as a bell....and downtown Whitefish is a great little western town as well.

wow you are going to one of my favorite places of all time Glacier.
I would spend more time if I could there. If you are hikers there are so many hikes there. We were there 4 yrs ago and spent a week there before going to the Tetons, and we didn't even scratch the surface. (we were in YS the yr before) Many Glacier area has lots of hikes and the scenery is spectacular.

GT I would do Hidden lake, and then up to inspiration point. Another loop hike is string lake
YS Make sure you walk the board walk at old faithful and go to Morning Glory pool. You can walk the south rim of the canyon and take uncle toms trail down lots of stairs to get closer to the falls. Another good hike was Mystic falls.
Glacier: I don't know where to start here If it was me I'd lose one day in GT and put another day here, the park is so big and beautiful that even though we had a week we could have spent a lifetime here. At Many Glacier area near swiftcurrent lodge iceberg lake hike is my favorite hike. I have heard that Grinnel glacier hike here is spectacular also but we haven't done it. At Logan pass area hidden lake hike comes to mind. Two medicine area has a good hike to Twin falls. In st mary area there is a hike Virginia falls you pass three waterfalls and it is a great hike.

If you don't have reservations for the parks yet I would stay at Jenny lake lodge in GT (we stayed at Coulter bay cabins)

In Yellowstone we stayed at the Canyon village cabins.

In Glacier I would stay at Many Glacier hotel or Swiftcurrent. We stayed at Rising sun cabins.

Whatever you decide have a great trip.