Which National Park?
 

Being native-born Mid-Westerners who now live on the east coast, we haven't had the opportunity to visit many of the great western national parks (the exceptions being Denali and the Grand Canyon). This summer we'd like to change all that and add at least one new park to our list--probably Yellowstone, Glacier or Yosemite. If you could visit only one of these 3 parks, which would it be and why? Anyone been to all 3 who can compare and contrast?

FYI, we are a childless couple in our early thirties. Our top priorities would be scenic beauty and opportunities for day-hiking on uncrowded trails. We would probably look to stay in a cabin or nearby hotel as opposed to camping out.

Thanks!

I loved Yosemite but I have to choose Yellowstone. The thermal activity, wildlife, scenery and the
Tetons next door are just part of what the Park offers that is awesome.

Hi Julie. My husband and I have been to all three parks and like you, we are childless and in our early 30's. We also enjoy lots of dayhiking. We are major national park people, our goal is to evetually see all the parks and so far we've been to about 30 of them.

It is really hard to chose between these three because they are all wonderful and you would be happy with any of the 3. My favorite is probably Yellowstone because we saw the most wildlife there, and seeing the animals is the highlight for me. Glacier is probably my favorite as far as awe-inspiring scenery, we are going back there this fall. Yosemite is beautiful, but it seemed like the most crowded of the 3 parks and we were there in the spring. I have heard the highline country road in Yosemite is a real highlight but the road was closed when we were there.

I don't know if this has helped you any. You can't go wrong with any of them. I'll be glad to give more detailed answers if you have any specific questions. Have a great trip!

Yosemite was my favorite, until we visited Glacier. I think Glacier has such beautiful mountain scenery. In my opinion, it has the most "overall" beauty.

Yellowstone, to me, was not jaw-dropping beautiful, but the thermal features, geysers, etc. were fascinating.

What's great about all the parks is what you combine with them:

Yellowstone: Grand Teton, Cody

Yosemite: San Francisco

Glacier: Banff

Never been to Glacier. Of the other two, Yellowstone for wildlife, but Yosemite for 'take your breath away' views. I stood at Glacier Point (one of the highest viewpoints in Yosemite) after experiencing the valley and my brain kept flashing the message 'out of memory.' We have seen most of the national parks and vistas in Hawaii and Alaska and nothing compares to what we experienced in Yosemite.

Wouldn't it be great if all of life's dilemmas were like yours? You can't go wrong no matter which one you end up selecting!
If I was forced to make a choice, I'd go with the Yellowstone/Teton combine. The Teton is our favorite, and combined with Yellowstone, you've got a pair of winners, each of which offers a different--and wonderful--experience. For hikers, the Teton offers unlimited opportunities.

Well, you must go to them all sometime. Really. But since you are going in summer, I'd say Glacier (Yellowstone/Teton would be second). It has the most jaw dropping scenery of the three, and while people certainly do go there, it is relatively easy to leave the crowds behind at the parking lot. If you are driving from the midwest, keep in mind it's only 6.5 hours from West Glacier, Mt to Yellowstone-maybe you'll have enough time for for both?

I love Yosemite, too, but a fall trip is best there-good weather still, the Tuolomne Meadows area is still open, but far fewer people. Summer it is impossible to find uncrowded trails in the valley (not to mention campgrounds/hotels), and even those in the high country will have a good number of people.

I would suggest Big Bend, TX, but NOT in Summer.
M

We've been to all 3 and my vote would be for Yellowstone. The vastness of the park will amaze you. It is the best place in the lower 48 for wildlife viewing. It doesn't compare to Denali in that respect though, no park does. The thermal activity and vast array of trails means you can walk all day and not see another person. We stayed three days at Old Faithful Inn and two days at the Mammoth Hot Springs Hotel. Yosemite has striking beauty but is sooooo overcrowded in the summer. Glacier is beautiful with lots of peopless trails but not in the same level of Yellowstone IMO. Hope this helps!

I should just say ditto to what Hawaiian Travel said but I'll add some more.

We've been to Glacier 3 times, Yellowstone 7 times and Yosemite over two dozen times (we live only 4 hours from Yosemite).

Yellowstone by far is my favorite National Park. If you want some jaw dropping scenery drive the Beartooth Highway! This place is magical and near by is the Grand Tetons so you really get two parks in one trip.

All these parks will have crowds in the summer. Glacer probably will have the least and Yosemite the most. If you plan on Yosemite then come in the spring for less crowds and to see the waterfalls at there best.

Utahtea

gosh, i jaw-dropped all through Yellowstone but have never visited either Yosemite or Glacier. Now i can't wait to go.

Although I don't have QUITE the experience that UtahTea has, I've been to all three (Ye and Yo twice each) and I'll vote for Yellowstone as well. It is one of the most different places on this planet, with half of the world's geysers. Add the HUGE variety of wildlife, scores of waterfalls, an impressive colored canyon, petrified wood, AND forested mountains; and you have a combination impossible to beat.

There's no question but that Yosemite and Glacier have better alpine mountain scenery; and Yosemite Valley is one of the most impressive sights in the country. But, overall, Yellowstone wins.

I love Yosemite and Yellowstone but Glacier took my breath away like no other. After a day or 2 in Yellowstone, we were saying "oh, another bear, another, moose, another buffalo - whatever!" After a while, we became immune to the wonder of it all. Sounds weird, but Glacier stole the show for us.

I'd also HIGHLY recommend Big Bend in the winter. AMAZING and not crowded at all, obviously. Camped there for a week and was blown away every day with what we saw.

Steve
Maryland

Yosemite is beautiful however Yellowstone/Tetons is also so beautiful. Either way, you can't go wrong. Been to both and would flip a coin for the choice.

Hi Julie! Wow, tough call but thought i'd chime in, too. All are unique and absolutely incredible, and you really must explore them all someday. But if you're going this summer, i'd suggest yellowstone.

Not only is yellowstone our fave, but while all will be very crowded in the summer, yellowstone gives you the most to explore and you will feel the crowds less IMO. Plus, while not as jaw dropping as glacier, we are continually delighted with each area we visit within the park, so much so that it's on our itinerary for the umteenth time again this summer too.

An added benefit is spending some time in the tetons which are also magnificent. The elk preserve is between the two and worth a visit too.

If you do choose glacier, be sure to explore Waterton (great bear viewing!) and especially Banff, which will take your breath away!

But as others said, regardless what you choose, you can't go wrong!

OK - I have to add my 2 cents. We went to Glacier in 2003 only to find major forest fires. East Glacier was perfect, but you couldn't see a thing on the western side. We did go up to Waterton and absolutely loved the wild life viewing there. Because of the fires we had extra time and headed due south to Yellowstone, which even in mid-September was very crowded. Great wildlife viewing though. But then went even further south to the Grand Tetons. Just amazing. I cannot describe how beautiful this area is. So even though we will be going to Yosemite in September, 2005, I would have to vote for No. 1 - Grand Tetons, No. 2 Yellowstone and only because of the fires coming in last would be Glacier. Hopefully we will get back there someday. Also, just north of Missoula is the National Bison Range. Saw not only bison, but elk, antelopes. I thought that was certainly worth a stop.

Thanks to all for the feedback! I think we've finally decided to go with Yellowstone/Grand Teton for this year--your comments have me getting excited about it already! Will hopefully have a chance to catch the others somewhere down the road.

Now if I could just come up with some good reservations for the August high season....

Thanks again!

We have also been to Yellowstone two or three times, Glacier/Waterton Glacier once for 10 days and Yosemite many times as we also live 4hrs away. Yellowstone is hard to beat especially if you go drive the whole thing. When you throw in Grand Tetons, Cody, and all the park has to offer, it is really good. We camped in Glacier (Fish Camp) I believe, also on the other side for a couple of nights. Drove the Road to the Sun many times and spent several days in Waterton. This is also a nice park with all the lakes, wildlife, never saw the closeup grizzlies like denali or coastal browns in Katmai, but elk etc, pretty nice. Also stopped at Natl Bison reserve right along that road, nice little sidetrip. So, as most are saying, tough to go wrong with any of them. You didn't mention Kings Canyon/Sequoia/Mineral King either? Also very nice but spread out.

Our most recent experience has been with Yellowstone and the Tetons-Yellowstone is wonderful due to the variety of areas-lakes, forest and thermal areas but the usual trials can be crowded. Yellowstone is wonderful if seen at different times of the day-up at 4 am to travel to see the wolves at daybreak, 3 am to see a geyser erupt with only a handful of other people(we were not the only crazy ones)and this was with older teenagers in tow with very few complaints out of them. We stayed at the Lake Hotel cabins and Old Faithful Inn(old section,still our favorite) Tetons are my favorite-I always am mesemorized by them and we also have been to Denali to see it's beauty. We stayed at the Jackson Lake lodge cabins and if you enjoy hiking we did one of the more difficult listed hikes to Amphitheater Lake-highly recommend it-took us about 8hours and probably saw about 25 other people all day including the rangers with the rescue horses to help evacuate an injured hiker. I was very concerned being out of shape and in our mid 40's but we made it with many many rest stops along the way-the grade and increase in altitude is what makes it difficult but the reward of the glacier lake at the end with 4 other people around midday made it worthwhile-make sure you enjoy it at the top,we stopped and had lunch up there while the kids climbed higher into the glacier, we saw many people quickly turn around and go back down the mountain. I did trip going back down the mountain,sliding down the rock trail so it took us a long time to go back down with swollen knee and hip but towards the end of the trail we came across a bear 10 feet off the path eating berries which again delayed our descent as we watched him for a lengthy time (my concern being the blood that was dripping down my leg and arm)We eventually made our own path in the woods and left him to eat his lunch-after all of this still one of our greatest hikes, next time we return to Yellowstone/tetons plan to do even more of the day hikes-go to the national park web site and you can order some inexpensive books about the trails-have a great time!!

Hi Julie
It sounds like you have already decided to visit Yellowstone and Grand Teton. That would be my choice also.
We did some nice hikes at Yellowstone, Yellowstone Canyon is awesome.
At the Teton's, take the boat across Jenny Lake, then hike up Inspiration Point, it is so beautiful. And take the time to explore Jackson Hole, it's a fun
area.
Also, I have enjoyed your posts about your Alaska trip. We're going to AK this summer, looks like we will both have some great travels this year.

been to all three, although my favorite is Glacier, i think EVERYoNE should see yellowstone, it is like no other place. moonscapes, geyers, buffalo, bears, etc. it will be crowded. i didn't think i'd be too thrilled about mammoth hot springs but it was one of my favorite spots there. there are some lesser used hiking trails that can take you past thermal features to hidden lakes in the woods. As for yosemite, busy busy busy. think about going to banff and jasper sometime too, the canadian rockies are spectacular.