My husband and I are planning a trip to Yellowstone/Grand Tetons area 5/29/04 to 6/5/04. We are flying in to Jackson Hole and out of Billings. We get in 5/29/04 around dinner time, and are planning on staying in Jackson that nite and see some of the town/galleries. Any suggestions on places to stay would be appreciated---simple and not too expensive--we will really only be sleeping there that one night.
We are planning on doing one of the combo float/fishing trips down the Snake River and seeing and photographing GTNP the next two days. Have reservations at Signal Mountain Lodge those 2 nights. Then on to YNP where we'll spend the next 3 days and nights (all at different hotels since I just started calling for reservations) at Old Faithful Snow Lodge, Lake Yellowstone Hotel and Mammoth Hot Springs Hotel. Then leave YNP sometime 6/3 to drive the Beartooth as far as Red Lodge probably and stay somewhere overnight (any suggestions??)then fly out of Billings around early dinnertime on 6/5.
We have been talking about this trip as a destination for quite some time, so know some from the various times we've researched the area, and have really enjoyed everyone's comments and suggestions that we've read so far and would welcome input!

LaurafromFL
You will love your vacation! You are doing this year what we did last year. We arrived in Jackson late afternoon and had a hard time finding accomodations. I would recommend reservations. It is also expensive. We finally found rooms at Motel 8 which were quite decent and clean and served a good breakfast for around 100.00. Have fun!

During your stay in Jackson, I strongly recommend dining at Nora's Fish Creek Inn in nearby Wilson, a short drive. Excellent food at reasonable prices. It's where the locals eat.
You mentioned that one of you top activities willb e photograph. I recommend you buy "Photographer's Guide to Yellowstone & the Tetons" by Joseph K. Lange, published by Stackpole Books. I got it at Border's but I'm sure you can order it online. I found it very, very helpful. (Forgive the bragging, but the book must have done some good, as I recently took top prize in a Wyoming photo contest--see http://wyomingcompanion.com/photo03/p03best.html. Also, an honorable mention: http://wyoming companion.com/photo03/p03scapes_2.html)Back to the suggestions. Some photo tips:
*Make sure you drive down Antelope Flats Road and photograph the bison and the Moulton Barn (with the mountains in the background).
*Good photo sites include Jenny Lake, Inspiration Point, Leigh Lake, Oxbow Bend, Snake River Overlook.

Here are some websites will very useful information about photography in the Grand Teton:

http://americanparknetwork.com/parkinfo/gt/index.html

http://phototraveler.com/teton.htm

http://utahtravelcenter.com/national...hotography.htm

http://drgibson.com/tetons/photo.html

Obviously, you can easily find info about other national parks from these websites.

Thank you so much for your recommendations. It is so great to read everyones opinions and experiences. Keep them coming!!

I have heard that the Beartooth Hwy reopens about late May/early June depending on conditions. Since we expect to drive it on June 4th, I'm wondering if it will be open. Is there somewhere I can go to check it before our trip? I would really hate to miss travelling that road, and we'd need to change plans to get from Mammoth to Billings to fly home.... any suggestions?

We did the Beartooth Hwy in early June and it was so beautiful. There were lakes that were still frozen over and lots of snow (but not on the road!)

The offical Yellowstone Website will keep you posted on road openings.

http://www.nps.gov/yell/planvisit/or...l/roadopen.htm

Utahtea