Would it be crazy for a family of four to go to Yellowstone area without any reservations? Thought of flying into Jackson Hole, renting a car, and taking things a day at a time. Would lodging be available? What about horseback riding?
Any info would be great!

reavis, if you go toward the end of july...like the last full week...the big hype is cheyenne frontier days in the s.e. corner of the state. completely opposite of YNP. You might be okay for a motel. Around the first week....forget it. you might check one of the wyo websites and see what's available in cody. it too, is a great visit. you might try riverton or lander areas....lander is beautiful and about 2 hrs from jackson...or dubois is about an hour. not quite the tourist trap that jackson is, but horsebacking etc. may be just as available and a little more low key. have you thought about a condo/timeshare/vacation rental? in teton village you might get a great place as many of these places are maxed out during ski season and available for rental in the summer. there is a ton of vacation rental sites on line. good luck and have a great time in our beautiful state (can you tell I'm a little partial?) Enjoy!

Your chances of getting accommdations in the park are slim to non-existant. Your only hope is to happen to call just as there's a cancellation.

You may not even get motels outside the Park unless you reserve in advance.

The only way you MIGHT get a place inside the park is if you are camping.

I have seen "available" signs in front of motels in West Yellowstone but you are really taking a big risk.

People make reservations several months out for the Yellowstone/Jackson area.

Reservations for things like horseback riding are sometimes booked up over a year in advance. I know that to be true at Grand Canyon.

If you know when you are going why not make some reservations? If you're trying to be flexible, just cancel if you can find a room somewhere else you want to go.