I am starting to think about our 2002 vacation, which will probably been in May or June. My husband and I want to get a cabin to base ourselves out of then explore the surrounding area. Right now I am considering the Jackson/Tetons area; Durango, CO; and Sedona, AZ. But I am not wed to any of these and am open to other suggestions. We want to relax, enjoy beautiful scenery, do some hiking, and hopefully see some wildlife. We have been to Glacier National Park and Lake Louise/Banff/Jasper and loved it - our best vacation ever. I am looking for lodging suggestions (preferably a cabin but not too rustic). I would love to hear comments and experiences on the above places or suggestions on other places that might fit what we're looking for. Thanks.

I love Jackson - I got married there. But since you've already seen Glacier and Banff, maybe you'd enjoy a change of scenery. Sedona or Durango would offer that. personally, I'm not that keen on Sedona; it just seems a little too contrived. But I do like the topography - the buttes and mesas. But I like the buttes and mesas better in southern Utah and/or Santa Fe. But if you want to see Sedona -- go for it. there is something spiritual about the redrock country. Durango is sort of a half way spot. It's got some mesas and buttes and the awesome Mesa Verde, but it also has the rocky mountains as so brilliantly seen at Ouray, Silverton and Telluride. There have been numerous posts here re: Sedona, Jackson and Durango. Do a search, and if you have any specific questions, list your questions. let me finish by saying I LOVE JACKSON. And the Grand Teton National Park is GREAT.

May and june around Jackson etc. weather can be quite unpredictable. Especially May ---cold sometimes with leftover sn ow. However, the "southern " area by contrast could be fairly warm..(I agree waith other poster about Sedona-I got tired of the pink rocks !!!
Ever consiodered Yosemite--that time of year- great waterfalls, hiking trails. I usually stay away from there after first weekof June as schools are out and it get VERY crowded.
If you plan to go get reservations right after Jan. 1st. Half of a day drive
west of Yosemite is the Cental coast----Big Sur--weather in June usually cool (not usually wet) and the hiking options are limitless. State Park (can't remember name) has a lodge and cabins. Info under web site for California State Parks...
Good luck....

May and June are great months in Durango. The weather is usually sunny and the snow is melting from the mountains. Rafting gets particularly good at that time of year. You can do a lot of hiking, but some of the high country will still be snowed in. We can get freezing temperatures at night until the end of May, but we wear T shirts and shorts in the day.

I can't tell you much about lodging, except that there are lots of choices. You might want to consider something a little way up the Animas Valley (north on 550) or just east of town on 240 toward Vallecito Reservoir. You might consider a B&B.

Moab, UT and explore the National Parks of Southern Utah - Bryce Canyon, Zions, Arches, etc. Weather in May might be unpredictable (cold nights) but the parks and hikes are amazing.