Wyoming trip
 

Want to plan a trip in late June to Wyoming. Thinking of Devils Tower and Yellowstone, and Grand Tetons. Need help. What airport should we fly into, while trying to keep costs down. Want to do some short hiking and only have 7-8 days to travel in. Is this realistic or is it too much traveling across the state? Should I plan on seeing something else while out there? Any help would be great.

I recommend you fly into Jackson and stay two or three days in GTNP (I like Signal Mountain Lodge) and then head up to Yellowstone for three or four days. There are many hiking options at all levels of challenge. It is a great adventure.

Here is the dilemma - flights into Jackson tend to be far more expensive than into other larger airports such as Salt Lake City - but that adds many hours of driving to your trip and cuts out National Park time. We did 10 days at GTNP and YNP 2 years ago, flying into and out of Jackson.

Jackson is definitely the most convenient airport. Sure, it may cost you more than flying into, say, Salt Lake City. But, it'll save you a 4-5-hour drive!

Rapid City is an alternative as you said you wanted to see Devil's Tower. Mt Rushmore is just south of Rapid City and Devil's Tower is on the way to YNP from there this is going to take a full day if you try to do both. Bozeman, Mt is also an option and a scenic drive to the north entrance to the park. Finding lodging maybe the problem this late at least in the prime locations in the park.

If you only have 7-8 days I would definitely fly into Jackson, more expensive maybe, but SLC is 4-5 hours on both ends of your trip. I would skip Devil's Tower and focus in on Yellowstone and Grand Teton. Late June is going to bring many tourists and lots of cars so traveling will be even slower. You must remember you will average really no more than 35-40 miles per hour in the parks, especially YNP. The mileage may not seem so long but it takes a long time to get around and you will find that you are constantly pulling over to see vistas, geysers, animals, etc.

I would fly into JH and spend the night in Grand Teton Park and spend the next three days there then head out to YNP. The road is basically a figure eight. You can stay in the park at Old Faithful Lodge (although you better get looking for reservations now) and then head up to Mammoth or stay just outside the park in Gardiner. Head through to the Lamar Valley and stay the night in Cooke City then head back and go down through Canyon ending up at Lake Yellowstone. Then depending on your flight times stay there or get closer to the airport in JH.

You will be amazed at this trip and see scenery that you never imagined.

If you want to get out and hike then you will definitely need the extra days.

Don't know where you're flying from, but you are more likely to get a direct flight to Salt Lake City than Jackson. The extra 4-5 hour drive from SLC may be negated by having to wait in the airport to change planes. For example, a 2 hour layover and extra 1 hour flight would only save you 1-2 hours. That may not be worth the cost difference.

I agree that you should stick to GTNP and YNP, and throw in a drive on the Beartooth Highway.

Billings MT airport is probably the best bet for cost/location.

2 hour drive from Billings to Cody and gateway to Yellowstone (BTW Cody is a good stop for fun Western Town and stock up on suplies at Wal MArt. Stay at AmeriCinn hotel and eat at Bubbas BBQ next door, see Buffalo Bill Museum, Irma Hotel and wild Bighorn sheep exhibit.)
I would suggest you pull up www.wyomingtourism.org and look at the maps just to get an idea of travel time & to help make a decision. WY has great tourism stufff free.

Just checked prices on sidestep and they went in this order lowest to highest.
1. SLC-$270 r/t pp two adults
2. Billings- $363 same as above
3. Bozeman-$393
4. JAC-$465
These are from Omaha you may have different results from your airport.

Thanks for all the input. Met with our group and some can't go this year so they talked the rest of us into not doing the western part of Wyoming, so....we are thinking of flying into Denver, traveling up to the Badlands, Windcave, Custer, swing by Mt. Rushmore, Devils Tower. Then head back down towards Cheyenne and then into Denver. Any other suggestions for these areas??

Have you been through the sandhills of Nebraska? Take I76 from Denver to Ogallala and then Hiway 26 nw along the North Platte River. There are several spots along the way as this is part of the Oregon Trail. Some sights are Chimney Rock and Scotts Bluff National Mon. Than work your way north to Mt Rushmore the Agate Fossil beds and Ft Robinson.

I love the Badlands!!

Wind Cave is just ehhh.

I'm having similar problem. Flying into which airport or driving from airport to Grand Teton (from New York), Everyone offered some great advice! The air fare difference into Jackson is a bit steep.

I'm looking to visit Yellowstone/Grand Teton for 7 days 6 nights in May or June and I was wondering if someone could suggest an all-inclusive place to stay that's a bit more reasonable than the lodges in the heart of the area? If not all-inclusive, a place to stay that has a restaurant inside, or restaurants in walking/driving distance?

Thanks in advance.

Inova -Many people who visit GTNP and YNP prefer to stay in 2 or even 3 different places during their stay to limit driving time each day (that worked well for us, although others here have also preferred one home base).

For Yellowstone there are many budget to moderate priced chain hotels in West Yellowstone and some in Gardiner (both in Montana) which are only about a mile from Park entrance. Some come with breakfast and there are stores in both towns where you can buy lunch supplies.

Has anyone been to Cheyenne? Anything there to do or see? Is Deadwood a good place to experience a little western town with a saloon..for atmosphere? Want to go on a tour of a gold mine...there are several in SD..any reccomendations?

mark

Jackson was pricey when we visited this area. Flew into Bozeman and out of Billings on one trip. Another trip we flew into Casper. Price these locations plus Cody and Denver. Once you have air planned, plan a driving loop . Also check multi city flights, it may be a little more money but gives you more options