We're planning a trip out west the second week in June of 2002. We are splitting our time between Yosemite, Las Vegas and Yellowstone. How many days should I consider spending at Yellowstone?

We will have 3 kids with us ages 6,8 & 13. We are considering The Bill Cody Ranch and The Elephant Head Lodge. Has anyone stayed there and what are your opinions?

Does anyone know of any good swimming areas?(lakes, rivers or swimming pools)

Any advice will be greatly appreciated!

Thank You
Debbie

We spent 3 week in Yellowstone about ten years ago. Didn't see it all. My kids still talk about that trip.

We spent 4-5 days in Yellowstone last year, with a 1 1/2 year old and a 5 year old. It was fabulous for the whole family. I had visited several times as a child, but had forgotten how amazing those geysers are. And the wildlife is amazing too. Spend as much time as possible. We saw all the major sights in the time we were there, including some really nice short (2 mi.) hikes, and if our kids had been older, we would have taken longer (3-5 mile) hikes to some of the more remote geysers, and spent more time at Yellowstone Lake.

Forget Las Vegas and those days to Yellowstone - there's nowhere else in the world like Yellowstone.

How many days? At least 2-3, if not more. YNP is very large, with significant diversity. Look at a map. You see YNP by going on the 'figure 8' roadway. You will also be just north of the Grand Tetons, which may also be worth one day.

Although you didn't ask specifically, here are other suggestions:

1. Get the trip planner (paper copy) from the YNP Park Service. It is all you need to know. www.nps.gov will give you the address.

2. Make a reservation as soon as you can. Stay in the park. Reservation number also on the web site for YNP

3. Go to yellowstone-natl-park.com chat area, if you really want more information and have specific questions. That site is the best for YNP related Q&A, and is frequented by true-blue YNP supporters, employees (past & present). Just viewing past posts will give you a head start.

Will probably be too cold to swim out there in June. Daytime temps in 60-70's range, nights very cold, and most of the water will be snowmelt. BRRRRRR!