Please Help
 

We are planning a trip to Grand Tetons/Yellowstone in early June (8th through 18). In addition to the time spent at those two parks we were thinking of going to Glacier National Park for a few days and possibly to Waterton Lakes, AB, Canada. Since the going to the sun road won't be completely open, is it even worth it or should we save Glacier for another trip.

If we don't do Glacier, then we will have a few extra days and I was thinking of maybe two days in Cody. Or anyother ideas would be welcome. Thanks

If the GTTS Road won't be open, you'd miss the Many Glacier area and Waterton, and of course, the scenic drive up the GTTS road. So in your place, I'd save Glacier for another trip.

I also think that 3 parks in 10 days - altho' doable - would be shortchanging at least one of the parks a bit.

I'd spend a more leisurely time in Yellowstone and GT, and you could fit in 2 days in Cody.

I'd save Glacier for another time

I agree with panecott. Save Glacier for a later date. There is plenty to do in Yellowstone and Tetons. You could spend a day or so in Jackson(if you have kids maybe ride Alpine Slide). You might want to spend a day driving the Beartooth HWY(if it's open). The Beartooth and GTSR are often thought of as 2 of the best drives in the US.

Go fishing
Whitewater or calm water on the Snake River/rafting
Horseback ride in Roosevelt area at Yellowstone
Spend an entire day Geyser Gazing(or more)
Take a Historic Yellow Bus Tour (Lake Butte is the one we did)

I hope you already have your lodging reservations

A lot of people also at Rushmore/Custer State Park/Wind Cave/Jewel Cave/and Badlands. You could spend 3 or 4 days there and then 6 or 7 at Yellowstone/Tetons.

Also, remember that the weather can change, and change quickly.

I worked a full season in the Tetons. It was snowing when I got there in April, it snowed in July and was snowing when I left in October.

In between, sun, rain, etc..., often on the same day.

Take a hike from one of the trails off of Jenny Lake. Very pretty.

You'll be there before the resorts are fully open to tourists. It's the time a lot of professional groups book for meetings and conventions.

Totally agree, save Glacier for another visit. The Tetons and Yellowstone have enough to see/do to devote all your time. Plus, you'll be doing a lot of driving in Yellowstone since it's so spread out.

In my opinion the best time to visit Glacier National Park is late August/early September. The crowds are gone, bugs are gone, and there's no threat of the Going to the Sun Road being closed due to snow.

When you do decide to visit Glacier, reservations within the park fill up very early. We made our reservations this past October for our August visit.

Give Glacier at least a week and spend most of your time on the east side of the park (Many Glacier area). It's the most scenic area of the park.

Some of the best hikes are off the Going to the Sun Road. The Highline Trail and Hidden Lake Overlook both begin at Logan Pass visitor's Center - the highest point in the road. So you wouldn't want to miss out on that!

http://www.hikinginglacier.com/haystack-pass.htm

http://www.hikinginglacier.com/hidden-lake-overlook.htm

Personally, I don't think Waterton Lakes is nearly as scenic as Many Glacier.

Alright, so we will save Glacier for another trip. Here is what we are thinking now.

June 8th Fly into Jackson and stay near Grand Teton
June 9th Spend all day at GTNP. Stay another night
June 10 Spend the day at GTNP and in late afternoon drive to Yellowstone. Stay in West Yellowstone.
June 11 and 12 Explore Yellowstone: not sure how to best see everything. Ideas would be welcome.
June 13 Explore Yellowstone. Go to Cooke City to stay.
June 14 Get up early and explore Lamar Valley and maybe do Washburn Hike. Back to Cooke City.
June 15 drive from Cooke City to Cody via the Beartooth Highway. Stay overnight.
June 16 Explore Cody and maybe go to rodeo. Stay in Cody.
June 17 Drive back to Jackson and stay overnight.
June 18 Fly home.

I am not sure if I should allow more time for GTNP or if I have too many days in Yellowstone. If there is a better day trip than Cody, I am open to more ideas.

I think you could easily spend a day in the Old Faithful area. You'd want to walk thru the Upper Geyser basin a couple of times at different times of the day. Also, in addition to Old Faithful that's very easy to see as it errupts approx. every 90 minutes, there are four other geysers that are predicted.

At the far end near Riverside Geyser is Morning Glory. A couple of miles up the road is Grand Prismatic Spring (GPS). If you want to spend an additional hour or two there's an unofficial trail starting at the Fairy Falls trailhead where you can get an elevated view of GPS.

Likewise between the various viewpoints for the Lower Falls on either side of the Canyon and Hayden Valley that's just below the Canyon area you can spend most of the day.

The signature hike in Yellowstone is Mt Washburn. About 3.5 miles up to a ranger station on a dirt road that's not steep and is pretty smooth.

The problem is that it starts at 8,800 ft and ends at 10,300 ft. Not much oxygen but a great hike. It's a little above Canyon. Get there pretty early as the parking lot fills up. A popular hike.

This hike will take a good part of the day as you'll probably hang around the top for a while taking in the views. And maybe also some pronghorn if you're lucky.

In my opinion Yellowstone is more of an attraction park and Grand Teton is more of a spectacular scenery park.

On the outside road fairly early in the morning go to Mormon Row barns and Schwabacher Landing. Near each other and a short drive off the main outside road. Just enough of a drive that few people will bother.

You can see my photos at: www.travelwalks.com

I agree with all of Myer's suggestions. Definitely spend at least a full day at Old Faithful. There is so much more to see there than just the OF geyser.

Last winter was my 4th visit to Yellowstone and the first time I spent any appreciable time at OF. I never knew what I'd been missing!

I spent 3 days exploring the geyser basin and surrounding area. There is much to see there so don't shortchange yourself.

Be sure not to miss the Canyon area and the waterfalls. Spend at least a day exploring and drive around the lake.

You will like Lamar Valley. I took a wildlife tour there and saw many species, including wolves. I think you will pass through it on your way to Cooke City so you will have more than a day to explore.

While you are in the area, Mammoth Hot Springs is worth a look. A lot of people are unimpressed with Mammoth, but I definitely think a walk along the springs for a few hours is well worth it. I walked it it late afternoon when the lighting was beautiful.

P.S. In GT, be sure to enter at least once from the Moose/Wilson entrance, and don't miss the Lawrence Rockefeller preserve.

IMHO, GT is the most beautiful national park -- at least of the ones I've been to.

I was able to get Canyon on the 8th, 9th and 10. I don't know if I should stay there all three days or just two of them. With those being the available days, I would move GTNP to the end. Is Lamar Valley easy to get to from Canyon or should I keep Cooke City? Should I spend a few days in West Yellowstone to be closer to OF area or is there a better option?

Grab Canyon. From there you have lot's of options.

Mt Washburn hike.
Lamar Valley is a bit of a drive but not bad.
Hayden Valley.
The Lower Falls from both side of the Canyon. Check out little visited Red Rock Point for a great angle to the Lower Falls on the north side. Artist Point on the south side with a more distant view.

You can easily fit Lamar Valley and Mammoth Hot Springs the same day. I wasn't impressed with Mammoth as it was totally dry. I don't know if that's a recent thing or just the year I was there.

Canyon is a great location as you can drive in 3 directions very easily.

Keep trying for OF area lodging and fit GTNP where you can.
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panecott, I might have agreed with you about GTNP until I went to Glacier NP in Montana. Several absolutely spectacular scenic hikes in various areas. I took my daughter who is married with a 6 year-old so I negotiated for more days and she for less. We were there 3 1/2 days.

I'm going back this summer for a week with a friend.

I can see going back to YNP and GTNP at some point as well.