trekker2

Looking for recommendations for a place to stay near both national parks. We want the Western ranch experience with good food! We are also looking for a lodge or hotel with cabins because we need two bedrooms for our family. Price doesn't matter - we just need some guidance because this is our first trip to that part of the country. Thanks! (Oh, we're planning to go sometime in May or June which I know is right before peak season and some places are closed.)

Virgogirl

We are staying at Spring Creek Ranch in Jackson Hole, Wyoming in September, '09. The website lists 2 bedroom suites. We found it through RCI.com. The web addy is: www.springcreekranch.com.

Hope this helps.

gail

It is not really practical to stay in just one place and see both Parks - without a great deal of driving and back-tracking each day. From the northern part of Yellowstone to Jackson is at least 4 hours, without animal jams.

Would you consider breaking up your trip and staying half near GTNP and the other in central Yellowstone? Two things surprised me when I researched our trip a few years ago - first, that distances/mileage are so great (I am used to the northeast) and also that much of Yellowstone is in Montana (discovered that when I was looking for hotels in West Yellowstone and was entering the wrong state in search box)

pocohontas3

Having been to these two parks, I recommend a few days in both areas. There is SO much driving in Yellowstone that getting back to accommodations near Jackson Hole each day would be tiresome. Do stay down there for 3 or so nights, but also get some space closer to Yellowstone (or in the park!). We have a family of 5 and used 4 different Yellowstone spots for lodging. Let me know if you want more details.

trekker2

Thanks. When I looked at several maps it appeared that the two parks were close enough, but we have no problem with splitting our time between two places. I'd love to hear more details about doing that and where to stay.

crefloors

Years ago, when we went to the Tetons as a family, we stayed in cabins at Colter Bay. I just googled and they still have those accommodations, but didn't look any further so I have no idea of prices etc.

cd

trekker
The distances are great so you're smart to stay in two places. For the Teton's I can recommend Jackson Lake Lodge, Jenny Lake Lodge is also good but a lot more expensive and we really enjoyed Jackson Lake Lodge. http://www.gtlc.com/lodgeJac.aspx
For Yellowstone we LOVED The Old Faithful Inn. You have great views of Old Faithful even at night! http://www.travelyellowstone.com/old...ul-inn-96.html

dfr4848

trekker - the parks are close, but they're very large parks. From West Yellowstone to Jackson is 123 mi - and you won't average 60 mi an hour (even if you wanted to, which you don't).

Many people do like the idea of spliting up time between the two. However, on our visits we've spent a week at Jackson Lake Lodge; and also a week at Jenny Lake Lodge - both of which have cabins available. Jenny Lake was certainly the nicer of the two (and its setting is beautiful), but we thoroughly enjoyed both. The restaurant at Jenny Lake is outstanding so highly recommend eating a dinner there even if you don't stay.

I agree that I wouldn't want to stay in Jackson and try and see Yellowstone. But on both of our visits, we had no problems seeing both parks on day excursions from the "base" hotel. The scenery and wildlife are so spectacular that it's almost enjoyable backtracking since there was always something different to see.

trekker2

So we're now thinking of going from May 23 - June 1, spending the 23 - 27 in the Yellowstone area and the 28 - 1 in Jackson. I took a quick look at availability at Jenny Lake and it appears that they're fully booked from May - July. Is that possibly right? I was thinking of calling them to confirm that that is the case.

pocohontas3

We stayed at the picture-perfect Moulton Ranch cabins near the Tetons. They have a couple nights left in your Tetons timeframe. moultonranchcabins.com

Yellowstone: We also enjoyed Old Faithful Inn in a regular room and liked our Western Cabin at Canyon (2 queen beds) and our 3rd child was allowed a sleeping bag on the floor.

trekker2

The Old Faithful Inn also doesn't have any availability. Anyone know anything about Bar-N-Ranch in West Yellowstone?

Supercilious

"much of Yellowstone is in Montana"

Actually, 96% is in Wyoming but you are right about West Yellowstone being in Montana.

People often recommend calling back frequently for cancellations at the Old Faithful Inn. So, if you book elsewhere make sure you can cancel, and then keep trying to get into the Old Faithful Inn by phone.

cd

Supercilious is right about calling for cancellations. I knew where we wanted to stay, they were also full but I continued to call for cancellations and eventually got exactly what we wanted.

pocohontas3

In West Yellowstone we used a Holiday Inn Sunspree which had rooms with 3 queen beds. I'm pretty sure we had a door on our "master" bedroom, separate from another large living room with the 2 queen beds.

critternurse

Jenny Lake books up way in advance. It's worth every penny, and the food is divine.

trekker2

So we've decided on the following itinerary:
4 nights at Bar-N-Ranch to allow us to see Yellowstone and 4 nights at either Gros Ventre River Ranch or Triangle X Ranch (both in Moose, WY) as a base for exploring GTNP. If anyone has any experience with any of the three ranches, we'd love to hear more.

cd

trekker
No experience here but want to encourage you to write a trip report when you return including how far of a drive each of these places were and how long it took you to drive it, etc, etc, etc. It will be good info for others. Have a great time!

skibabe

I would recommend staying in West Yellowstone. It is the closest gate to all of the park and allows for a "homebase" for travelling throughout. Jackson is pretty expensive vs West (as the locals call it). We have done this trip many times since 1997 and have always stayed in West Yellowstone. You can do many different day trips both in and outside the park (Virginia City is fun) and be central to all. We stayed the last 2 years with Yellowstone Wildlife Cabins and Cynthia is great! Cabins are nice and roomy and have everything you could need. Priced right too! Just hope the secret doen't get too well known!

Supercilious

I'm sure the trekkers would have loved to hear about your "secret" but I believe they went to Yellowstone in May or June of last year. I hope they had a great time!

christabir

You should really check the websites for both parks. (nps.com). The ranger programs don't start until June and a lot of trails still have snow. The boats and horses aren't there yet. We are going in May but we have no kids and this is our third visit. Please check on when the services open. In your situation, I would rather go when all that extra stuff is available.