Oh NO! We committed to a quick trio to Grand Teton National Park and Yellowstone today (leave Wed Sept 1, return home Monday Sept 6) then realized it will be Labor Day holiday.

Not surprisingly, everything in Yellowstone is booked. Not knowing the area, can you help me figure out what we could stay for a few nights? We are interested in long daily hikes. From Moran, It's 45 minutes to GTNP but unfortunately it's 1.5 hours to Old Faithful. (I found availaiblity at The Togwotee Mountain Lodge in Moran)

Seems like it would be ideal to stay 2 nights near the Tetons then move for the final 3 nights. I'm sure all of the best places to stay are reserved at this late date. We do not want luxury or even high end, a modest cabin with a kitchette would be perfect.

Please help!

Two things come to mind. First, phone Xanterra for in-park accommodations; they get cancellations daily and you might hit it lucky to reach them in the moment after someone else backs out.
Second, there are lots of motels in West Yellowstone, the park entrance closest to Old Faithful, so you may be able to find something there as a a back-up while you continue to phone Xanterra daily. Good luck, and remember that many school districts start classes before Labor Day, so family travel has already tapered off.

Second what Kayd said--cancellations happen as last minute because there is no penalty.

If you want to see Lamar Valley, the Beartooth Highway etc. in the NE part of Yellowstone, there are rooms available in Cooke City.
There are rooms available in West Yellowstone. There are rooms available in Jackson.

Plan to move from one place to another after a couple of nights. Most folks do to see YNP and GT.

Hi Judy, you have gotten good advice; we just got back and there are always cancellations--I got one a week before we left. Also, you will want to move from GTNP to closer to Yellowstone. Try Signal Mountain Lodge which is in GTNP, but not part of the Grand Teton Lodge Company.

There are lots of accomodations in Jackson, I think you should be able to find somewhere for your GTNP base, then move on to Yellowstone.

Hope this helps,

Mary

Did this trip 8/6 thru 8/16 and we had NO reservations in YNP until the day before we arrived: we were calling Xanterra daily and were able to get resv that way, sorry as they were.

We stayed in Snake River Lodge Jackson (prob not what you wnat as it is an upscale resort w/no kitchenette)was very accessible/very easy drive to YNP except perhap very Northern loop would be a long day.
We were able to get resv in GTNP at Jackson Lodge 45 minutes up the road from JAckson without advance: again prob not what you are looking for but very nice cabin, no kitcenette. I would stay here any day: cabins nice GTNP resv much easier and frankly they run a better lodge than Xanterra and YNP.
Our worst stay was at Old Faithful Inn YNP: we were able again to get resv with no advance, had a West side ground level room w/view of geyers: but the lodge was over run w/day visitors,kids out of control, food was HORRIBLE, noise was awful, and Xanterra tried to get money everyway they could. Stuffed toy moose on bed: donate. Check out; would donate I have to say we were very disapponted. But it was a roof over our heads and I did not sleep with a bear.

One other thing you might consider. Rent an RV and go camping. You will probably spend more money, but might be fun.

Call, call, call.

People will cancel right up until a couple of days before.

Call several times a day so that you hit as soon as somebody cancels.

Thanks so much! We'll hit speed dial all day long.

We returned last night from YNP and GTNP. Stayed at the OF Snow Lodge which was very nice (no kitchenette though. Make sure you carry bug spray. I got bit a lot as I was wearing shorts and there are lot of bugs, big flies around the geyser trails in OF. Canyon area is a zoo but the falls and the canyon are fantastic. We stayed at Best Western Lodge at Jackson Hole. This has big rooms with a kitchentte. Unusually large bathroom with upscale toiletries. Complimentary breakfast is one of the better ones we had. We had lunch at Signal Mountain Lodge which was the best lunch we had. A foot tall nachos mountain that is easily enough for 4 people. I found Jackson Lake Lodge the worst place to stay. We were in one of the 40 or so rooms they have, rest are cabins (they call cottages). The kitchen is just below and the rooms is always filled with smell that becomes intolerable after a while. The bath rooms are lousy and poor design, for example, the faucet in the sink is close to the sink wall and one cannot get a handful of water to even wash your mouth. The view from Mural room dining is great but the food is very bad. I would prefer to eat in the Pioneer Grill. The biggest problem with this hotel, and I suspect with all hotels in YNP and GTNP is that they hire lot of guest workers from foreign countries (no problem with this for me) but the service is terrible. Most are overworked, several I spoke to are working 96 hours a week and so I can understand the quality of service.
I would suggest to call every morning early or go online late night or very early morning. The database are refreshed since cancellations often happen late eveningings as deadline approaches.

Hi Judy, just talked with someone last night at my pool who got a room for two nights at Old Faithful the night before they left, so you know what to do.

I'm sorry the previous poster had the experience they did at Jackson Lake Lodge--we had the complete opposite, but we stayed in one of the buildings outside the main lodge. Our food was wonderful at the Mural Room. We had consistently good service.

Have fun,

Mary

We went this summer also. I have a trip report if you are interested.

I agree - call, call, call - every single day. You are trying to get cancellations, and cancellations are common.

For GTNP, you'd be fine with a hotel room in Jackson. The entire valley (Jackson Hole) is not very large and Jackson works well as a base.

For YNP, a room in the park is best (so call, call, call!) but West Yellowstone and/or Cody are good options outside of the park.

I strongly disagree with the comments about Jackson Lake Lodge. We stayed there in the motel and our room was on the second floor, just off the atrium (open to the restaurant entrance below). We had no problems with sounds/smells.

We loved our breakfast at the Mural room and the service was wonderful. We loved our dinner at the Pioneer Grill and the food was great and the service was some of the best (and friendliest) on the whole trip. The waitstaff for our little section of the counter consisted of long-time veterans and younger Eastern European girls. All were helpful, personable and provided great service. My countermate was a fellow who is there almost every week of the year (conducts high end tours of the park) and he raved about the waitstaff. He is definitely a regular.

I think your times are off for Togwotee Mountain Lodge. We took a wrong turn and drove past it (and I made a mental note for a possible return).

It's just 16 miles (about 21 min) down the road from Moran WY and Moran is pretty much in the middle of Jackson Hole. You're a little bit off to the side, but otherwise in the middle of GTNP. It would be a great base for GTNP. The town of Jackson would offer more restaurant options, but it would be a gorgeous drive back after dinner in Jackson. I'd stay there.

Another option to check would be the cabins at Dornan's at Moose, WY. GREAT dining options at Dornan's -
http://www.tripadvisor.com/Hotel_Rev...e_Wyoming.html

I also need info about Yellowstone,thanks

I disagree about staying in Jackson for GTNP.

It depends what you want to get out of the trip.

I was up early taking photos and looking for wildlife. The same thing at dusk. I'd hate to be at the top of Signal Mountain at 9PM and then start driving to Jackson for dinner and sleep. Then back up early to start my day before 7AM.

"I disagree about staying in Jackson for GTNP."
If she can't get a room in the park, what would you suggest?
Skipping GTNP?

Call 5 times a day until a cancellation opens up.

I guess it's possible nothing will open up so make a backup plan. But I wouldn't just take Jackson and forget about trying.

It was great getting out before 7AM and then coming back to Signal Mtn Lodge for a bite at 10AM before continuing on.