We are traveling to the Tetons and Yellowstone the first week of Sept. We are late in making reservations and choice lodging in the Park is not available. There are hotels available at the West, South and East entrances. Anyone have experiences and recomendations.

With the south entrance you could do both parks.

West Yellowstone is a nice little town immediately at the west entrance. I stayed there this winter while snowmobiling and found prices reasonable that close to a national park. Last summer I was surprised how many motels had vacancy signs out. I also think West Yellowstone would be more central for a lot of sights in the park.

You didn't mention it, but what about the North Entrance? Gardiner, MT is an odd little town that has some hotels and other services.
http://www.gardinerchamber.com/

It's alot less crowded and (dare I say it?) much less touristy than West Yellowstone, MT.

It does, however, sound like the South Entrance would work best for you to do both parks.

Keith, you didn't say which direction you were coming from. We are coming in on I80 to Rock Springs, and then wy 191 north to Pinedale. Staying overnight there and then going on to the Tetons in the morning. Then on to West Yellowstone while we do the lower loop, and then up to stay in Gardner while doing the upper loop. That makes it an easy start to go Bear Tooth.

We're driving up from Denver and visit the Tetons, Yellowstone and hopefully leave by the Northeast entrance via the Beartooth hwy heading back to Wisconsin.

Keith,

Not knowing your exact dates I just did a search for the first week of September and found Lodging available at three Yellowstone properties (Canyon, Grant, and Lake). Check out:

http://64.33.95.107/canyon_lodge_cabins/accommodations/011C_reservation.htm

And do a search on All Yellowstone Park Lodging.

Good Luck. Canyon is a good central location for exploring Yellowstone, but it is a distance from the Tetons.

jpm

On the East side is Cooke City, right on the edge of Yellowstone. There is a larger motel there. It seems kind of run down. There are some smaller places. The one we always stay at is Hoosiers. Very basic but absolutely spotlessly clean with the nicest owners. You could also travel on to Red Lodge, a quaint little town about 3/4 of an hour from Cooke City, depending on traffic.

Keep checking with Xanterra lodging company for cancellations inside the park lodges. Otherwise West Yellowstone is a good alternative with Fairfield Inns', Best Western's etc. It is 45 minutes to Old Faithful area from W yellowstone.

Keith, As posted earlier, we are staying in Pinedale at the Best Western. We will be leaving from Colorado Springs, and it should be a 9 hour drive for us. We didn't want to push on any further. When we leave Gardner, we'll do the Bear tooth in both directions and head for the Big Horn area.

Leaving from Gardner and doing the Beartooth in both directions and then heading to Big Horn is going to be quite a day. The maps don't do these highways justice. First of all, the Beartooth is so spectacular that you will want to stop in many places and view. Gardner to the Beartooth may not seem long on the map but it can be long in terms of hours. Often, there is slow moving traffic due to wildlife on the road, the roads in Yellowstone are not freeways and the last time I was there, were not in the best of shape. Keith, I think you are cheating yourself doing this in only one day if that is what you meant. I am not sure. Do take a couple of days for this trip at least.

Traveler, Thanks for the input. The Big Horn area isn't our goal after the retun trip on Bear Tooth. I plan on getting beyond Cody on 14A to maybe Powell. Then we will continue on 14A to 14 and double back on 14 to Greybull. Then south to Worland and east on 16 to Buffalo and over to the Mt Rushmore area. We're retired and have the time to go at an easy pace, stopping when we feel like it.

Can recommend Al's Westward Ho motel in West Yellowstone--clean, cheap, no frills (no phone in room). WY would put you close to the geysers and not too bad to the Canyon. If you are wanting to spend time at dawn/dusk in Lamar Valley, I'd look outside the northeast entrance. Lots of links via www.yellowstone-natl-park.com

xx,

Bighorn National Forest is one of my favorite areas. If you'd like some suggestions:

1. Bighorn Canyon: drive up to Devil's Canyon Overlook. Great view of the junction of Devil's and Bighorn Canyons, 1000' sheer drop to the river below (I think it's more impressive than Royal Gorege). Plus, good chance to see wild horses.

2. Medicine Wheel: I would assume this is why you're taking 14A but if not, consider stopping. A Native American stone circle on the top of a 10,000' mountain. Requires walking (2-3 miles round trip) unless you have a disabled sticker, but aside from the altitude it's relatively easy going.

3. If you have time, drive east on US14 past Burgess Junction (where 14A meets 14) to Sand Turn, at the top of the switchbacks that lead down to Dayton. You'll pass Sibley Lake, Black Mountain, Twin Buttes, and Steamboat Rock; not spectacular scenery, but nice. Sand Turn offers an incredible view of the Powder River Basin towards the Black Hills. Offhand, I'd estimate this would add 1.5 hours to your trip.

4. Shell Falls: difficult to miss as you descend US14 through Shell Canyon. There's a visitor's center and an overlook of the falls. Also, decent views down the canyon towards Shell.

5. As you drive further down Shell Canyon, watch for Copman's Tomb and the Elephant's Head, very distinctive features on the northern side. Also the distinctive red of Chimney Rock to the left after you exit the canyon.

6. After you ascend Ten Sleep Canyon (US16), you'll pass Meadowlark Lake. Just beyond is a gravel road to the right which leads up to High Park lookout. The road is passable by low clearance vehicle. It's a short, but STEEP, hike (20-30minutes 1way) to the High Park Lookout station. There are great views of the Cloud Peak wilderness area from here.

Hope you have time to explore this wonderful area.
Dave