I posted this on the Wyoming forum, but when I read the "Montana" forum today I was surprised by how much Yellowstone/Teton discussion was posted here. So, I thought I'd ask you folks for help, too. (If you posted advice to us on the Wyoming board, thanks so much for your help!)

My husband and I are planning our first trip without our kids in MANY years (youngest will be away at college) as a special escape from the depression and work we're experincing due to Hurricane Katrina.

We will be flying out of New Orleans Sept. 15, and into Jackson, SLC, or somewhere in the Yellowstone area. We'll fly home Sept. 23. We plan to rent an auto or small SUV--will we need mud/snow tires?

We want to see the Tetons, Yellowstone, and drive Beartooth Parkway. Not sure if we'd have time for Glacier, but would sincerely appreciate your advice and suggestions regarding this trip.

What kind of weather can we expect?
What are the activities, sightseeing, drives, etc., that we shouldn't miss?
Can you make lodging recommendations for our Sept trip?

If we fly into Jackson, is it worth a night, or just go on into TNP?

I have read your posts from past threads and the recent ones I posted. We really need your suggestions with our specific timeframe in mind as we try to narrow down an itinerary and get reservations made ASAP.

As always, thanks so much for your help! And God bless!

All of the responses under Wyoming are fine. Pick between SLC, JAC and Bozeman, based on the best value for you.I would just add that I am a bad haggler but I would try for 2 nites "with a View" at Jackson Lake Lodge but the rack rate is very high.You have picked a perfect week for great weather and small crowds. it's hard to go wrong despite the huge size of the area that you are visiting.

Instead of Teton, we did Yellowstone and Glacier. I had to see Glacier (and would recommend it), but we lost two days to driving.

We tried to include the Beartooth Highway, but the landslides closed the road the week before we arrived.

We stayed in West Yellowstone and found it very convenient. It was a little touristy, but not too bad. You can spend the entire time in Yellowstone and still not see everything. I would recommend seeing Old Faithful, but I was amazed at the number of geysers within easy walking distance that we had to ourselves. For the best use of your time, try to determine when the eruptions occur so you don't spend lots of time waiting (not necessarily a bad thing). Have fun.

Mike Honeycutt

Thanks for the advice, cheapbutnice & Mike. We are really looking forward to this trip!

Mike, we want to save Glacier for a trip to Canada (Banff, etc.). We're hopeful that Beartooth will be open when we're there.

Thanks, again!

Beartooth has been worked on most of 2005, so check with the park to make sure it's opened. The weather could be wonderful, but prepare for rain/snow/cold just in case (nights will be cold), and even if it is, just dress for it! (That's my favorite time of year for Yellowstone: glorious weather, lots of animals, no people.) A sedan rental will be fine; a nice place to stay is at the park border in Gardiner (a little less touristy than West Y., lots of nice places on the river). And, if you see a waterfall right next to the road on the park map, be sure to visit!

When we did the Beartooth on September 9th 2002 and there was snow at the top but not dangerous.Paul

What do you like to do? If you love hiking I'd defintely do Tetons. But if you like to drive and walk a little way then Glacier might be better. Let me know and I'll give you some more suggestions re Tetons (I've gone and stayed there for 2 weeks).