I understand that there are nine different lodging properties in Yellowstone Nat'l Park. What are your experiences at some of the different lodges? Which would you recommend for a family of four (two kids, ages 10 and 8)?
How far in advance should one make reservations?

i have a off beat question
we are going horseback riding out west and my children wish to bring their helmets
can they wear them on the plane?

thanks

wrong question

sorry

ttt

I like Old Faithful Inn if you can stay in the original inn itself. Don't confuse this with Old Faithful Lodge -- not the same thing. The Inn (which is 100 years old this year) has a great feel and lots of history. You can step out onto the deck on the second floor, grab a seat and watch Old Faithful erupt, or you can stroll right out to the boardwalk and take a quick walk to some geysers. You'll see buffalo grazing right out front, too. If you are interested in staying there, you might inquire about the planned upcoming structural renovations and decide if it's going to impact your stay.

The last two times we've been to YNP, we've split our stay up between the Old Faithful area and Mammoth. We really enjoyed the cabins at Mammoth. The pace is much slower and kids love the ground squirrels that live under the cabins and are always running around everywhere.

Note: Neither of these have baths in the room. Both have sinks, and at Old Faithful the toilets and showers are down the hall and very convenient. It's more rustic at Mammoth, with a more campground-like situation that you have to walk outside to get to toilets and showers.

Either location would be good for your family and you can request two beds per room.

Make reservations as far in advance as possible (several months) to get what you want. I've heard you can sometimes catch a last minute deal when people cancel, but it's worth it to plan ahead. Staying inside the park is so much a part of the experience.

The only cabins I don't recommend are the ones at Lake Yellowstone. When I stayed there, they weren't very clean.

At Old Faithful Inn, I highly recommend requesting a room obove the first level. This is a high traffic area and it is very noisy on the first level. No one seems to remember that people are actually trying to sleep in the rooms. They just seem to think of it as another Yellowstone site to visit.

We stayed in the "Old House" section and I didn't mind at all going to the shower. It's on the 2nd floor--another good reason to ask for a higher level. I once came back from the shower with a big white towel on my head and had to go through a large tour group to get to my room!!!!

You can get cabins with a bath at Mammoth. We just returned - had 6 children with us among three families. The Mammoth cabins worked out well, and they are near (40 minute drive) the Roosevelt cookout if you're doing that.

Old Faithful Inn worked out so much better than I imagined. I picked the Old House part because I had stayed in the wings and thought they lacked "character." The Old House rooms are inexpensive (under $80) and the Inn is so welcoming - I'd choose it again in a heartbeat. In the evenings the kids worked on their junior ranger badges sitting at the desks on the second floor. There are tables - bring some family games to play. A pianist entertains. I just love the place. But then I like that whole OFF area for kids. The rooms are NOT fancy - no TV or phones - but we had the best time hiking the geyser basin and doing ranger talks there.

Another place that worked out well with the kids was Signal Mountain Lodge in Grand Tetons. Get a waterfront cabin - sleeps 6 and lots of outside space for kids to play.

I often read on this board that Old Faithful Inn does not have rooms with bathrooms and this is not true. We stayed there 3 years ago and had a lovely, nicely decorated room with a full bath, so if this is what you're looking for, it does exist at the Old Faithful Inn. Some of the rooms do require guests to use a bathroom down the hall, but not all.

We stayed at Lake Yellowstone Lodge and liked it very much. We stopped at Old Faithful Lodge and were glad we stayed where we did as IMO Old Faithful was too crowded for me--people everywhere all the time. Lake Yellowstone was quieter and had an "old world" feel, plus the restaurant was surprisingly decent. Also, it was near the Canyon region which was my favorite part of the park. As suggested, book well in advance.

So you know what to ask for---

The original part of Old Faithful Inn is called the Old House. The rooms are very rustic with no toilet or bath. It does have a sink and the rates are lower.

The wings were built later, not as rustic and have their own baths. Of course, the rates are higher.

I wanted to experience the rustic feel of Old Faithful Inn and thought it was a kick to go down the hall to the showers. After all, we are usually camping at Yellowstone and have to do that every day.

As I said earlier, just be sure to request a room higher than the first floor--too noisy.

On our last trip to yellowstone, we had a 2nd floor room in Old Faithful's 'old house'. Altho it only had a sink (we're not campers so going down the hall to shower WAS an adventure ) we absolutely LOVED it and would request it again. After a fun day of exploring we played cards, wrote postcards and watched people in the lower lobby from our shared balcony.

In the morning it was only a few steps to the private 2nd floor balcony to watch Old Faithful be faithful. It was a chilly morning so we took hot chocolate and blankets. Very serene and special!

During out Yellowstone/Grand Tetons trip last summer we stayed at the Canyon Lodge due to its central location. The cabins were "okay", but more rustic than even I expected (and I've stayed at National Parks cabins before and know what to expect). We had a Western Cabin so there was room, but somehow the cabin just seemed rather gloomy. Not enough light or something. However, I will say the location was perfect and made Lake Jackson Lodge so much sweeter when we arrived in the Tetons.

If we ever visit Yellowstone again, Old Faithful Inn would be our first choice. We loved the geyser area.

FTR - most National Parks room do NOT have TV's. I find this refreshing. Also, be aware that most National Park lodges require a deposit immediately upon reserving a room. This is clearly stated on the different lodges websites and I've always been told upfront about it. But apparently some people are shocked when they look at their credit card statement and see the charge, so be aware. Also, some lodges require their deposit by check.