spirobulldog

You might consider a night at both Yosemite Lodge and Wawonna. They are about an hour apart. Wawonna is near the Giant Sequoia Trees.

Do be aware that Old Faithful Inn, OF Lodge and OF Snow Lodge are 3 different properties.
I like to stay in multiple locations(2 or 3) while at Yellowstone.


http://www.yellowstonenationalparklodges.com/
http://www.yosemitepark.com/lodging.aspx

Above are the links to the official sites in both parks.

Tomsd

I/we do that all the time as many times - trips are last minute.

Get/reserve what you can and then you can usually find something close if not right at your destinations.

Hey -in a pinch - have even dozed in the car for a few hours.

ozgirl

If I stick with Yosemite on the 20th (and add days either before or after depending on what becomes available)and also stay with the 27th at Yellowstone, what should we do inbetween?
Would Grand Tetons fit here and would we need that long?
If not, any suggestions?
Thanks.

spirobulldog

Grand Tetons is right next door to Yellowstone. You should spend a day or two there. Some people actually like it better than Yellowstone, I prefer Yellowstone. I'm a bit confused now on you schedule and how many days you are staying in each place.

ozgirl

So am I spirobulldog!

Prior to the 20th June the plan is to do the 'Southern' parks and LV (GC, Bryce, Zion, ? Arches, maybe more, haven't had time to focus on this part yet) and then as Tomsd suggests above, head to Yosemite.

So far, I have secured the 20th June in Yosemite but would like ?2 more.

From there, over to GT and Yellowstone. I have 3 nights from the 27th at Yellowstone.

Problem is I have about a week between those two confirmed bookings as explained above - not sure what to do with? Hope that better dates are freed up?

This is a very loose itinerary, solely based on those two confirmed bookings - open to suggestions please!

Tomsd

When that happens to moi - there are a couple of things I do. Keep checking back as those places have cancellations all the time. And check on other places fairly close to them where you can bail to in a pinch and double hey: There is a lot else to see in Wyoming/Montana if you need to occupy some days in-between.

And as your trip is a long way out - I think you will probably be able to piece something else together - and what the hey: Soon you will be the travel agent/expert for the areas.

Tomsd

And one other place you might consider: Park City/Deer Valley Utah - about 45 minutes outside/above Salt Lake City. Just a wealth of things to do there, including hiking, mountain biking (take the ski lifts up and ride down - exploring old silver mines, the classic/Victorian themed Main Street (maybe catch a glimpse of Robert Redford if he comes to visit from his nearby ski area), great restaurants - and on and on. http://www.parkcity.org/

Myer

You mentioned that you have 1 night in Yosemite. It's a very long drive from any lodging outside the park.

I was there for about 4 or 5 nights. We had all in the park except 1 night in the middle.

I called and threw myself at their mercy. They told me they keep a few rooms for the last two weeks before a trip for people missing a day or so. They gave me that missing day.

spiro mentioned Yellowstone vs Grand Tetons. I think Yellowstone has more in the way of attractions (geysers, waterfalls, some wildlife) while in my opinion Grand Tetons have better scenery and places such as Mormon Row, Schwabacher Landing and general scenery.

Due to the mere size you'll need more time in Yellowstone.

I could easily go back to see them both.

jill_h

You can purchase a National Park Pass at the entry gate of the first park you visit. No need to order in advance. The parks generally cost ~$25 USD each to enter, so if you visit at least 3 parks during this trip, it basically pays for itself. Visit the website @ www.nps.gov for more info.

National Park Pass info:

America the Beautiful – National Parks and Federal Recreational Lands Pass – Annual Pass
•Cost: $80
•Available to the general public and lasts for one year, beginning from the date of sale
•Provides access to, and use of, all national parks and Federal recreation sites that charge an entrance/standard amenity
•Pass may be used for passengers in a non-commercial vehicle (at per vehicle fee areas), as well as pass holder plus 3 adults at per person fee areas. Note: Children under 16 are admitted free
•Purchase: By calling 1-888-ASK USGS, ext. 1, or online

ozgirl

Jill thanks for the pass info, will definitely do that.

Myer, any comment on ranking the lodging in Yosemite? The night I have is in OFI and I could get western cabin at Canyon or lakeside room at Lake Lodge?

Some of the other cabins available get pretty shoddy reviews...

spirobulldog

I really like Roosevelt area and Lake Hotel too. You might want to snag what you can get and then cancel later.

ozgirl

Nothing at Roosevelt so maybe I'll go with Lake for now.

Myer

In Yosemite the Ahwahnee is luxury and priced that way. Yosemite Loadge at the Falls are ordinary motel rooms.

Lodging outside the Valley is a very long drive.

For Bryce I would first try for inpark lodging. There are some cabins and a few motel-type buildings. Ok but not luxury.

If you can't get that then Ruby's (is now actually designated a town) just at the entrance is ok.

In Zion if you can't get inpark then Springdale is juast outside and many choices there. Desert Pearl gets a lot of good marks here although I've only stayed inpark.

With a 5 month old you'll want as little back-and-forth as possible whenever a nap is required, etc.

sunbum1944

At Yosemite we stayed at Yosemite View Lodge - it was not a long drive into the park - you could even take a bus - which dropped you off at the valley floor.

I thought it was a nice place to stay, has a restaurant, swimming pool, on the river.

ozgirl

Thanks sunbum for this useful info.
Aaah Myer, not sure where the 5 month old came into it but my husband would kill me .....lol

Pitzikat

Yosemite seems to be locking you into a route that is much less than ideal. Unless you start or end there, you are going to be doing hundreds of miles of backtracking. Even in June Yosemite is packed with tourists. Seriously consider dropping it from your itinerary.

I love all the parks in Utah, and there are state parks that are also quite good, so don't completely overlook them.

You could easily fly into Las Vegas, rent a car and be in Zion in 2-3 hours, depending on your speed. The posted limit for many of the highways is 65 or 70 mph (and 75 when you get up north). Be careful in Arizona, the cops love to catch speeders with their radar guns. Sounds odd, but on your way to Zion, you go through a corner of Arizona that is cut off from the rest of the state. It's very scenic and the Arizona cops are there, so stay at the limit and enjoy the views. Once you have the car, you'll want to find a Walmart or Target store and stock up on stuff - cooler, plastic utensils, food - at least snacks, and any camping equipment, toiletries, etc. I'm pretty sure its cheaper around Vegas than once you get to Utah.

I also am less than in love with the Grand Canyon, and in June it too will be pretty full.

It will be hot in June in Utah, but not unbearable. Ozone dangers - pretty much like Oz, lots of sun block and UV sunglasses, hats, plenty to drink. It's high elevation (5000-8000 feet), so cool in the evenings and early mornings and usually very low humidity.

This is already way too long. But I'd consider going to Glacier (Waterton is the Canadian side of the park), then through the Canadian Rockies (Banff, Jasper) and driving back to return the car in Seattle and fly from there.

There are lots of very good motels in Springdale, which is about 2-3 miles from the entrance to Zion Park. There is a free shuttle bus that goes through the town to the park entrance, or you can drive it in 5 minutes. There are more options for dining in Springdale and the best pie I ever ate - the Bumbleberry Pie Store. Unless you want luxury, there's no reason to stay inside the park.

Bryce is about 2-3 very scenic hours from Zion. I have always stayed at Ruby's Inn, which is very close to the park entrance and reasonable, but you do have to make reservations. It's close enough to get up in the dark to go one of the overlooks for sunrise, then go back for a shower and breakfast before spending the day in the park.

I think Canyonlands is more interesting for the history (Indian, pioneers). Horseshoe is an excellent state park. Arches - 2 days at least, gorgeous. Stay in one of the motels in Moab.

From there you can shoot straight north to the Tetons, or take a slight detour to the Great Salt Lake. SL City is interesting for a day for the Mormon stuff, or skip it.

Taos6

If you're going to Yellowstone and Grand Teton Parks you have to stay in the village of Jackonson Hole for a day or two.

ozgirl

Thanks Pitzikat ,great info and yes, Yosemite is a bit of an outlier I agree but was keen to see it again...... And my husband has never been there.

We have been to the Canadian Rockies previously.

Maybe we should save Yosemite to the end and fly out of SF?

Taos6, JH looks great will definitely factor that it in, any recommendations?

Pitzikat

You could then end in Wyoming (Yellowstone/Tetons) and fly to San Francisco (Oakland would be better) and get another car to drive to Yosemite. Jackson Hole WY to SF is pretty much 2 days driving, and much of it is boring.

Glacier is a long day's drive from Yellowstone, though pretty scenic. But then you'd have a long drive back to somewhere to get a flight.

Yosemite is a 4-hour drive from the Bay Area without traffic. From Yosemite, it's a long day's drive to Las Vegas.

Tomsd

I am now going in circles. Think you have to decide what are your primary places to see/tour and then fill in the dots/lines.

And I would not miss the Grand Canyon. There is a reason it is named Grand. It has something all the others have - plus a huge river (we loved looking thru the binos at the river rafters running some hairy rapids) - except perhaps the Hoodoos - or the number of "monuments" in Monument Valley.