Yellowstone
 

Trying to plan a VERY last minute trip to YNP/GTNP (checking for cancellations). We have a week and am having a hard time planning the trip. I've been doing some research and am overwhelmed by the size of the area so in order to maximize our time and minimize our driving, would it be a good idea to fly into one of the airports (Bozeman?) serving the north or west entrances, spend maybe 3 days in YNP (this is where I am hoping to book a cancellation) and drive south to GTNP, spend maybe 2 days there and then just kick around some of the other towns for a day and fly back east out of Jackson? Someone told me to fly into and out of Jackson, but it seems that would have us driving north up to and thru YNP only to come back down again. Help me, my Fodorite friends!

If you fly in/out of Jackson, you may find more options for flights and no drop fee for the car.

The roads through Yellowstone form a sort of figure 8, but you could plan your drive to go up one side of the 8 and down the other with excursions into the middle, depending on where you get lodging. That way you would not be driving the same roads both ways.

We lucked out with a very last minute cancellation when we went there, so keep trying. Make reservations outside the park, maybe in West Yellowstone, Gardiner and/or Cody that can be cancelled as a backup.

is there anywhere you would suggest we stay in the park, assuming we could get a cancellation? I really want to stay in the park.

My very favorite place to stay is Old Faithful Inn, but honestly if you want to stay in the park, you will probably have to stay wherever you can snag a room. You might even have to stay at a couple of different lodgings, but that can be OK because it can cut back on some of the driving. It's kind of fun to stay in different areas, too.

If I am lucky enough to score a last minute cancellation at Old Faithful Inn, are there any other areas in the park where you would suggest I try to find a cancellation, that would also cut down on driving time?

I like the Mammoth area, and many like the Canyon location. I have never stayed there so can't say.

Remember there are MASSIVE wild fires in Yellowstone right now. Not sure what all will be contained when you get there. Check the Park website.

If you can't get anything at Mammoth, the town of Gardiner is just a few miles away. I would also have some concerns about the wildfires and air quality.

I just got off the phone with the reservation service; they said the entrance where the fires were is open now, but you are right about the air quality perhaps being not so great. I 'took what I could get' and booked one night each in the Lake Hotel, Mammouth and Old Faithful since the cancellation fee is only $15. So my head is spinning now. I am thinking I may be better off booking this trip for next September (although I never like planning that far in advance) and doing something else this Fall. I would probably be better able to plan my time rather than just taking what I could get. I think moving each night isn't the best option. Was in Arizona once and the wildfires in another state (can't remember which one) affected the air quality horribly.

Yellowstone is so large that moving each night is really not so bad, and your lodging is in different parts of the park.

I don't find it necessary to unpack a lot. I just take out the clothes for the next day and my toiletries and put the soiled clothes in a laundry bag back in the suitcase before I go to bed. Taking off the next day is quick.

I am thinking of delaying this trip until the Spring, especially as there is much more of a choice for accommodations and flights available. Also thinking it will stay light out longer in early June and I would just love to see the baby animals (this is according to a reservation agent). Does anyone have any thoughts, positive or negative, about going in early June? I definitely want to go before the July/August peak season. Thanks as always for your help.

We went in May this year and spring is a great time to go for wildlife. June will probably be a bit busier than May but you'll see more baby animals. At the time that we went, it was mostly bison calves as elk, pronghorn, etc. calve a little later than bison. Spring is also a good time for bears as they tend to move higher in elevation by summer. We saw grizzlies and black bears including cubs of both. Here are my photos from that trip http://www.fodors.com/community/unit...n-may-2016.cfm

I was in your position last year and kept trying until I got the rooms I wanted at the last minute, yes it was very stressful. We went in the 2nd week of June and drove from Salt Lake City airport. Weather was great, some crowds but not bad and there were baby animals everywhere. I think if we went just a little earlier in the month, the crowds would have been better. Great time of the year! Such a cool and interesting park, you will really enjoy it there.

"and booked one night each in the Lake Hotel, Mammouth and Old Faithful "

Those are great choices! Some people spend months trying to book that combination of rooms. Go this fall. It will be gorgeous. Be sure to go see the Tetons too.

I would concentrate on Old Faithful, Canyon and Signal Mountain in GTNP.

Old Faithful gets you to the thermal stuff.

Canyon is excellent for the large waterfalls and wildlife, Lamar Valley (wildlife) to the north, Mt Washburn hike, Hayden Valley (wildlife).

Signal Mtn. Oxbow Bend, Schwabacher Landing, Mormon Row Barns.

If wildlife is a priority then you should be inside the park. They are most active early and late and driving in the dark chances hitting animals.

You can see my photos of trips there at: www.travelwalks.com

Roosevelt would also be a good location for wildlife but it has the shortest season of the in park lodgings so may or may not be open depending on your timing. The immediate area is good for black bear activity and it's convenient for both Lamar and Hayden valleys as well.

Signal Mountain is in a good central location for GTNP. You only need one base in GTNP whereas Yellowstone is large enough to split your stay at different locations.

We have decided to go in early June. Have reservations for OFI and Canyon Lodge, and will continue calling in the hopes of getting a room in Mammouth. I think this is the most complicated trip I've booked! Haven't booked flights yet, but they don't seem to be a big issue.

Since I may end up staying in Gardiner if I can't get a room at Mammouth, I think I would fly into Jackson, spend the first few days at GTNP, then drive north and fly out of Bozeman, as I am told it is about an hour and a half from the north entrance. Would save us driving 4-5 hours back down to Jackson. Any other suggestions you send my way are more than appreciated! I'm SO glad I have many months left to get this together. Thank you for all the help thus far.

Probably a good choice to wait until next June. We are near Teton NP now. It rained all night here. Yellowstone had snow. My brother went from Gardiner to Jackson today. He had to wait for the snow to be plowed from Mammoth Hot Springs to Madison Junction. Luckily the south entrance to Yellowstone opened late this afternoon. It had been closed for two days due to the Berry Fire.

Keep trying to get reservations at Mammoth Hot Springs. The elk around the hotel are so interesting. Our favorite was Canyon Lodge. Least favorite was Old Faithful Inn. So, so crowded. Payed big bucks for a room with no view ( supposed to be a limited geyser view, but looked at the parking lot). Lake Lodge was wonderful also. Best place to view Old Faithful during eruption is on the second floor balcony at the Inn.

We rented a condo in Wilson for GTNP. We have a view of the Tetons and view wildlife every morning and evening. Took a private tour of GTNP today. Hit all the places Myer mentioned. Views, wildlife and history is so fabulous.

Have a great trip.

BarbAnn: Can you give me any info on the condo rental and the private tour? Both sound wonderful. Am hoping, but not counting on, good weather when we go. How far is Wilson from GTNP?

Sorry it took so long to reply. We were on the road back to California.

Condo in Wilson, WY is VRBO #506880. The condo is part of the "Aspens". It is on Wilson-Moose Road just south of the south gate to GTNP. Moose, bear, elk, and other wildlife can be seen in th condo area. Great location, fabulous views and the owner, Bill, is so easy to work with. The condo has 3 bedrooms/3 baths.

We had a private tour of Grand Teton National Park with Dan at Jackson Hole Grand Expeditions. We covered most areas of the park. He is photographer and took us to all the iconic photograph areas of the park. Lots of history of the area and park. He used a Suburban to drive us around and provided a variety of snacks and drinks for the almost eight hours we were with him.

We had a great time, but the weather the last few days was very rainy. It snowed in Yellowstone the day we left.

Have fun!

That is gorgeous! Great find!

Any suggestions as to where to stay in West Yellowstone?

Hi SusieQ - I see you are hitting my favorite National Parks this fall with Yosemite and next spring with YNP and GTNP! How long are you planning to stay in West Yellowstone and is this an alternative to staying in Gardiner (if you can't get Mammoth lodging)? Anyway, what you will find in West Yellowstone (also in Gardiner) is primarily small independent or chain motels.

I've stayed in several hotels in West Yellowstone over many years (usually for 1-2 nights on our way somewhere else or before camping in the park). Some are better than others but generally they are all along the same motel theme. Maybe take a look at tripadvisor so you can get a feel. Most recently we stayed at the Kelly Inn (last summer) merely because it has a pool for my kids and is close to the Grizzly Center that they and my husband like to visit (I highly recommend the Grizzly Center if you are in West Yellowstone). It was perfectly fine and easy to walk to restaurants. Some people really love the Alpine Inn as an older but clean Mom/Pop motel- I've driven by but never stayed there.

IMO the 3 Bear Lodge in W Yellowstone is the best deal around. Would stay there again in a heartbeat.

Yellowstone=GRNP
 

So here I am a year and a half later, finally going to Yellowstone and can't wait. I have 4 nights at OFI, but am going to try to snag 2 nights at Canyon Lodge and split the time. My question is: should we stay inside GTNP or stay outside in Jackson or another town? I haven't booked anything yet for the GTNP part of the trip. How many days for GT. Basically like scenic views and animals. Thanks as always for any insight!.

If you like scenic and animals, you need to be at the Jackson Lake Lodge! Signal Mountain Lodge would be good too. Good alternative to both would be the Coulter Bay cabins if you don't mind more rustic lodging. This whole area is loaded with wildlife! Lots of nice hiking, kayaking on the lakes if you like that. So many beautiful views that it's hard to take a bad picture.

If you stay in Jackson you will be in a very busy, very touristy town. It's fun for a few hours of walking around, but that's about it. I have always loved Jackson, but that was long ago and now it's just too crowded.

We like Signal Mountain Lodge. 2-3 nights in GTNP.

Signal Mountain sounds great and hopefully I can get a room. Thank you so much!

Marlene, two years later, we are actually going the 2nd week in June and thinking of flying from SLC to OFI. What can you tell me about the drive. How long did it take you? Two years later, I'll be surprised if you see this, but if you do, thanks for your help! It is a difficult trip to plan!

The park can be very busy! I've been several times and my best recommendation is get up early. We got up at 5:30 or 6:00 and had major park landmarks and attractions all to ourselves. Our last trip there was in June and we were at the Lower Falls, in the snow, with no one else in sight! It was incredible. Oh, and while it could be warm in June, when we were there last June we saw lots of snow and it was cold most days. :) I hope you have an amazing trip!

Driving from SLC going through Jordan Canyon is as scenic a drive as you will ever have!

If you only have a week and can maximize your time in the park by flying into a closer airport, I would do that. Otherwise if you decide to drive from SLC, 89 through Logan Canyon to Bear Lake is very scenic.

Wow, that is amazing to think we could have snow in June, and I'll be it would be absolutely amazing. Thanks for the info, it will help me pack with colder weather in mind as a possibility. Anything but rain!

I originally had intended to fly into a closer airport, but from the East coast, nothing seemed to work really well. Nothing direct, and either fairly long layovers, or layovers so short (32 minutes) I was stressing out about missing the connection because everyone says driving in the park in the dark is not a good idea. If Google maps is correct, it's 2 and a half hours from JH to OFI. So we are thinking of flying in a day early (will get in at 11AM), and spending the day seeing whatever we see in SLC, and either spending the night or drive a little north and start out early for the OFI the next day. Have dinner rez for that evening and 4 nights at OFI. From OFI we go to Signal Mountain Inn (2 hour drive?), for 2 nights. When we leave the next morning we can stop in Jackson for a few hours and then head down to SLC, leisurely, for our direct flight home which doesn't depart until 11:45 PM. Does this make sense to those of you 'in the know'? lol!
I could never plan this type of trip without my Fodor Friends!

If you are in SLC on a Thursday night one of the true highlights of our trip was to go to the Mormon Tabernacle Choir rehearsal on Thursday night. It was an experience I'll never forget.

Gretchen, that sounds so wonderful! We will get in on Wednesday and leave to head north on Thursday. I will try to push everything up a day, but doubt I will be successful as reservations at YSP are so difficult to get to begin with. But thanks for the suggestion, maybe I can tweak things a bit.

It was SO wonderful!! But if you can't, you can't. ;[o)