NickWil

Hello!

My name is Nick, my girlfriend and I are currently working on planning a trip to Yellowstone (from St. Louis) in August 17'. My thought is to leave very early and drive the majority of the way there the first day, stay overnight, and get to our main destination in the afternoon the following day.
I'm playing with the idea of coming up through the Tetons and staying our first night there, then up through the south entrance of Yellowstone and in to the park. I'm looking for any suggestions that you think could be of benefit to us- i.e Where to stop along the way (attractions and/or lodging), where to stay once we get there (we plan to camp and stay in lodging), also maybe some hikes that you suggest. Really, any information will help us shape the the outline of what we decide to do, so fire away!

Thank You,
Nicholas

Kathie

You are late for getting lodging in the park or even reserving a campsite in Yellowstone. So get moving and get yourselves on a wait-list for lodging/campsite in the Park. You may get lucky and get a spot that someone else cancels.

tomfuller

It is 13 hours from St. Louis to Cheyenne WY which is enough for 2 drivers in one day IMO. It is 6.5 hours from Cheyenne to Jackson, WY.
Good luck on getting a campsite or lodging within the National Park. Most lodging and campsites for national parks is done through Xanterra.

NickWil

Thank you! I am trying to get things booked in the next few days, but having a tough time finding any availability. This is our first experience planning a trip there and just recently decided to do so. There are the obvious attractions that the park has to offer, any suggestions on things that be a little less well known?

Nelson

Do you know about the solar eclipse on August 21?
https://www.greatamericaneclipse.com/

You'll be on the road with bizillions of other folks heading to that corner of Wyoming (I'll be one of them). Most lodging / camping near the path of totality has been sold out for months.

You might have to expand your search to a wider geographic range, but if you find something you're happy with then grab it. Good luck.

fmpden

I think everyone is trying to tell you that you are way behind in booking for Yellowstone. You will have to take what you can get. Yellowstone is very popular in the summer. We booked our rooms in Yellowstone for this next July 4th in May of 2016. Fourteen months ahead of time.

Look at a map. There is no way to drive from St. Louis to the Tetons in one day. Unless, of course, you mean a 24 hour day.