Yellowstone
 

I would appreciate advice on selecting a place to stay inside yellowstone. We are two adults and two 9 year olds and we are going in June 2006.
Thank you

The nicest accomodations are at the Lake Yellowstone Hotel. The Old Faithful Lodge is so beautiful and has such interesting architecture it is worth a stop. It is such fun to take a late night walk to watch the geysers by moonlight. I also like the hotel at Mammouth Hot Springs. Plan to reserve as early as possible. They go fast.

Mamoth, Hot Springs accomodations were very rustic when we were there...don't expect fancy except in the restaurant! (Casual attire-ski suits,etc. in the winter), but rather expensive cuisine.

I have to say that the dining room at the Yellowstone Hotel is lovely (nice young people from all over are servers), but the price for old, musty, out-of-date rooms is ridiculous. Ditto the Old Faithful Lodge (tho haven't stayed in the new/remodeled annex). I always suggest folks stay on the borders of the park,for example in Gardiner (better for scenery)or West Yellowstone(better for big range of dining options), in a reasonably priced modern motel. So, you drive an extra mile? Big deal, the scenery's great, and you can be all over the park late or early.

Hi, the Old Faithful Lodge, is great. It's a beautiful location and easy to find. It is a little expensive and the rooms aren't made for much to do... but for everything else it's great. You'll love the lodge and all it's beauty.

Yellowstone is a large park and I would highly recommend staying in 2 or 3 locations over a 4 or 6 day stay. The first time we went we spent a couple nights at the Old Faithful cabins, one night at Mammoth Hot Springs cabins and one night at Roosevelt Lodge cabins.

Utahtea

I find the best way to stay is either Gardiner(1 mile from the north entrance or West Yellowstone (close to the West entrance)Inside the park its much to crowded and in 10 minutes you're inside the park from the above two locations. And much cheaper.Paul

We stayed in two different locations and found it best for seeing the whole Park. My favorite was Old Faithful Inn. I loved the location next to Old Faithful and so walkable with all the boardwalks. The Snow Lodge is next to Old Faithful Inn and would also be a good place to stay. The area is just beautiful and we found the food in the Old Faithful dining room to be very good.

We were at Yellowstone and Grand Teton this summer (2 parents, 2 teenagers). Do not underestimate how big area is and how long it can take to drive shorter distances if you hit an "animal jam". Road inside Park is like a big figure 8 - so if you stay in one place you end up driving past the same places again and again (not always a bad thing - but time consuming).

We spent 7 nights for 2 Parks. Three nights near Jackson (Teton Village), 2 nights at West Yellowstone, 2 nights at Gardiner - all outside Park since we made arrangements late. This was a good balance for us as we got to spend time walking, viewing, vacationing rather than driving.

I've been to the park tens of times over the years, and I think it is very easy to get around. Top half, or even one side of the park, then the bottom half, or other side--lots of options, no need to backtrack. The actual mileage isn't much at all. BE WARNED--with two 9 yr olds, a long day of sightseeing (oh no, another boardwalk around another hot pool of water?!) can be stressful, and there are no TVs, pools, or hot tubs at the in-park places. I say again, with kids, the best bet is a modern hotel with pool and tv, and fast food options. And the price (lodging, gas, food) is MUCH lower that way. Happy kids means happy adults.

Sylvia, I strongly disagree with your blanket statement about traveling with children in Yellowstone. We have been to Yellowstone twice with two boys in that age range. We have stayed at the Canyon Lodge, Old Faithful Inn and The Old Faithful Snow Lodge. I recommend all three. The lack of a television and swimming pool was never an issue. With sightseeing all day and evening ranger programs there is not time to sit around and watch television. In addition, my boys have been fascinated at each stop whether it is another hot pool, geyser or paint pot. There is something unique at each & every stop. There are also numerous food options in the park that kids will enjoy.

I agree with wtm003, kids don't need TV. We didn't have TV to watch while we were camping and we always camped once the boys arrived and we frequently took 4 week vacations...and no TV!

We went to Yellowstone 3 times as the boys were growing up and each time we spent 5 to 7 days in the park. They were not bored. Bring a deck of cards or one of those little pocket games and you can interact with the kids. Bring or buy books to read or just talk about what you did and saw that day.

Utahtea

We were in the park this past Aug. and enjoyed 2 nights at the Snow Lodge western cabins. Very large clean rooms away from all the noise,and still close to geyser viewing. Great bargain we thought. Enjoyed our meals in the main Lodge, which always seemed very busy. We then moved onto the Mammoth Hot Spring cabins for 2 nights. Not quite as nice as the above, but we enjoyed our lawn & porch to sit on. Lots of elk in the area to view.

oops, my last post got away before I finished...we had a single cabin with a rather large bathroom, and 2 beds, desk and chairs. Nice quite spot way in the back. Heard the elk out are window at night. We also ate at the lodge and fared fine. Our last 2 nights in the park were spent at Dunraven Lodge in the Canyon area. this was by far our favorite spot. Nice large room with 2 great beds, table & chairs overlooking the woods...we loved it here and wished we had stayed here the entire time. Lots of wildlife viewing in the area...it was also super quite in the building at all times. Never heard any noise or neighbors!

I was just at Yellowstone last month. Old Faithful is gorgeous, but the entire lodge is under scaffolding for renovation as part of a huge project. If you don't want to stay amidst all the construction, you must still visit, it's amazing.

If you're not looking for luxury and want something more basic, we stayed in the Pioneer Cabins at Lake Lodge. Great location, too.

Just for the record to those who chose to make personal retorts or comments toward individuals:
I made no "blanket" statement, and yes, we can all get along with no tv. Having done Yellowtone with toddlers, kids, teens, now young adults over 30 years, I stand by my statement that, depending on the children, and the time spent, a time unwinding in a pool or in front of the glowing tube can be good for everyone involved. AND, there's no doubt that the in-park accommodations are much more expensive, and the food options much more limited. So, hope my 60 yrs of experience helped you a little mcmars, and I certainly won't be back to read diatribes on self-righteous television bashers. Get a grip!

gail and Bostongal - I am very interested in making this trip. As you are both from the Boston area as am I, I was wondering ifyou would mind sharing your transportation arrangements - ie what flights, to where, and the airfare if you don't mind. I have identified several appealing rentals on vrbo.com in Gardiner and West Yellowstone. Where do you fly into to get there and how far a drive is it from the airport to that area?

To Sylvia3,

You said you didn't make a blanket statement...it sure sounded like that to me. You said & I quote:

"I say again, with kids, the best bet is a modern hotel with pool and tv, and fast food options"

And not all options in the park are more expensive. We camped and I guarentee you won't find anything cheaper any where near the park! Now I realize camping isn't for everyone. We did enjoy pools when the campgrounds had them, but as far as fast food....we hardly ever ate out at all because we prefered our own cooking.

Now, in my 54 years on earth, I only have 32 years of experience in traveling and maybe my views will change in the next 28....but I DOUBT it. I have one son that will soon be 30 and now we have been traveling with his wife and son.

Utahtea

To Utah--why do you persist in singling me out?! I've camped lots, too--can't stand it. Cooking/cleaning up outdoors? Can't stand it. Never will again. I didn't offer YOU advice, OR critique your way of living or vacation, it's all personal taste, which I've made clear. The person asked about places to stay, not campgrounds specifically (BTW, there are no pools at campgrounds in Yellowstone, and tons of cheap campgrounds outside the park.) Many folks come from all over the world, not from neighboring states, and don't bring their camping gear with them.
Now, please waste no more space making personal commnents about me, and let it go.

To Sylvia3,

I thought you were done and not going to read any more responses on the subject?

I responded because you <b>were</b> IMHO making a blanket remark about kids. I at least said, &quot;I realize camping isn't for everyone&quot;. There was no need for you to defend your reasons for not camping. I for one am glad that camping isn't for everyone...it would make the campgrounds to crowded!

My comments about pools at campgrounds were regarding camping in general and not in Yellowstone. BTW, I know of several people who have brought their camping gear on airplanes and some who come from Europe that will buy it and turn around and sell it before returning home. Again...seems like a blanket statement about something you don't really know about.

It wasn't until a few of us remarked about your comments that you revealed it wasn't a blanket statement.

If you don't want to waste space on personal commnents and if you want to let it go...be my guest...don't respond to my post.

Utahtea

what on earth is your problem, utah? can't not have the last word? your turn...and I'm sure you'll have some more nasty comments to make. any bets?

sylvia,

Funnny, I was betting that you would respond even though you're the one spouting about wasting space with post just like you just made. Infact, I made it very clear that if you wanted to end it....all you had to do was not respond.

I don't have a problem, I just like keeping the record straight and on that subject, I never said I wouldn't respond. Besides, egging you on has been fun.

You are the one telling us that you're not going to read post on the subject but you do. You're the one telling me not to waste space, but yet you respond with nonsense and waste space.

I do want to appologize to mcmars for turning his/her post into a war zone, but on the brightside.... it does keep putting it to the top for others to see and respond.

Utahtea

We were in the area for a week this summer (late June) with 2 kids, 17 and 9. We spent several days exploring southern Yellowstone (the lower loop), not enough time in the park, but we all loved it. My kids never got tired of seeing the next thermal pool or mud pot, the colors are glorious, nor of seeing too many bison, etc. We stayed at Jackson Lake Lodge (great place - the view from the huge lobby area is spectacular)), but would recommend staying in Yellowstone for a day or two at various strategic locations - the scenery is gorgeous no matter how many times you see it, and it really does change from day to day (and time of day) based upon weather conditions, but driving the same roads to get to the next &quot;start&quot; location does get old fast - the time could and should be better spent exploring. The old Park hotels may be more expensive and a bit musty, but they represent an era for which there is simply no replacement - to me, it's part of the whole &quot;western park&quot; experience (I'm not a camper), I had always wanted to see them and we did stop to peak - they are each quite grand in their own way - and my kids love exploring big hotels. On a repeat trip I would definitely stay at Old Faithful and at Lake Yellowstone - I think the lodges add to the whole experience. Also, the in-park lodges have ranger programs in the evening that our family enjoyed. And you can play games in the lobby, we took our own dominos and cards, but the lodge had games as well. It makes for an enjoyable real &quot;family&quot; vacation.

If you have time, consider visiting Grand Teton as well as Yellowstone, very different scenery and (a little) less traveled. There are good family hiking trails, some old homestead properties that show kids a different way of life, and some different wildlife - we saw more variety/ quantity in GT than in YS. Also, we took time out to do a trail ride and to white-water raft, which my kids really enjoyed.

Mcmars,
Please do stay inside the Park as you
originally planned~ all our kids were there as 9 year olds (and younger) and
did fine without tv and similar commercialism!
If you are excited about the *adventure* they will be also.
I'm sure you realize that.
Our kids couldn't be more *city folks*;)and were absolutely fascinated
with the delights of Yellowstone National Park.
Where ever you choose to stay,
camping, lodges, cabin, be sure it's
in the Park.
And please write a trip report when
you return.

I would definitely stay in the park. We enjoyed the Old Faithful Lodge.

I also agree that kids will LOVE staying in the park and staying in hotels/lodges/cabins that are outside their norm. If you are going to do the great west, then do it in something other than the usual cookie cutter experience.

I took my &quot;babies&quot; on a wonderful western trip doing the Colorado and Arizona National Parks and we stayed in KOA Kamping Kabins most of the time. The next year the boy wanted his kids' birthday party at a KK - and so we caravaned with kids to the closest one to home and they had a GREAT spend-the-night-birthday party - his favorite of his childhood (he's 25 and just got married).

Not to be repetitive, but GOOD GRIEF! If kids can't enjoy a life experience without a &quot;modern&quot; hotel/ motel experience without TV or pool, then we are raising a scary generation.

I have no idea what the give and take is all about on this thread, and don't care to read it all - but I would consider Utahtea's input the gold standard of advice regarding traveling the American West. That's not a slam to anyone else. Utahtea has simply earned my respect and I've never disagreed with anything she has written based on my personal experience with the locales she's described.

Go for lodging in the park (IMHO).

Ok. I was curious. I read the posts in questions.

Just to point out, it was another poster that referred to - and labeled - s's opinion as a blanket statement -

&gt;&gt; Sylvia, I strongly disagree with your blanket statement about traveling with children in Yellowstone&lt;&lt;

Aren't forums grand? There are no right/ wrong answers - just opinions! :-)

And, the consensus of opinions on this thread seems to be... stay in the park when traveling with kids - even (or especially) if it means no TV! :-)

You have plenty of time to book accomodations in Park. Let me offer an opinion that if accomodations, time, cost, or anything else prevent you from staying in Park, we are example of family of 4 that had wonderful Yellowstone experience staying outside Park this summer.

We were unable to plan far enough in advance to stay in Park, although we have stayed in several other western parks and had a great time. Other issues were cost (we would have needed 2 rooms inside park) and for variety of reasons we wanted refrigerator, microwave. TV was not the issue.

So whatever works for you I can almost guarantee you will love Yellowstone.

never travelled with kids but i recall in the canyon area of yellowstone that with the sidewalks and things, kids were all over the place (in the cabin/hotel room area) on their bikes riding around and having lots of fun.

sure things can get a little dicey with a group of anyone in a confined space for a week but yellowstone WILL tire you out there is so much to see.

fill up the day, get a trail ride in gardiner for a day not just in the car and out at the scenic view. you can also get a raft ride out of jackson on the snake - the water will be cold in june tho.)

&quot;You have plenty of time to book accomodations in Park.&quot;

I respectfully disagree. I just booked my rooms for June of 2006. There were 4 rooms left in the whole Old Faithfull area for four people, nothing with a bathroom at Roosevelt and nothing at all at Canyon. I will keep checking though, as I expect this to change as plans gets finalized.

I had the same problem (no rooms available)when I tried to book accomodations in the park last year at this time. I checked back in the spring and a lot of rooms opened up including rooms in the Old Faithful Inn and the OF Snow Lodge. Keep checking. I checked the website daily and also put in a weekly call to the 1-800 number. It worked out for my family.

Also, Starrsville, why was this necessary? &lt;&lt;&lt;Just to point out, it was another poster that referred to - and labeled - s's opinion as a blanket statement - &gt;&gt;&gt; Who cares! As you said this forum is about differing opinions. It was unfortunate that S took my opinion and Utahtea's follow-up so personally.

Anyway, mcmars I hope you have a great trip. Yellowstone is a wonderful and special place.

Oops. Should have kept my mouth shut. I was just trying to support Utahtea. Did not intend to offend anyone. Sorry, wtm003.

I've stayed outside the park and taken day trips into the park. Worked just fine, but I personally prefer being in the park.

Booking &quot;something&quot; and then continue to call for cancellations is a good idea. I lucked into rim-side room at the Grand Canyon during spring break one year because it snowed - and folks poured out of the park. An absolutely gorgeous time to be at the GC.

We had a great trip to Yellowstone and Grand Tetons this summer and stayed in the park. We were in cabins in the Canyon area that were perfectly adequate and a central location that made it easy reach to most things. I preferred to stay in one place rather than have to pack and move although I know other people prefer to move.
Click on my name for my trip report. In addition to booking lodging, you should book some dining experiences in advance. I highly recommend the Roosevelt cookout/horseback ride.

Starrsville, thanks - no offense taken.

I should have added in my previous post that to be safe I made reservations in West Yellowstone and then cancelled after I secured reservations inside the park.

Don't know if you have ever camped or not but with two 9 year olds this would be a good thing to do. They will keep themselves busy. A campfire and the stars out by the 1000's is really all you need. We started with our grandson at the ripe old age of 7 and nothing was ever dull. Just something to consider.

We have been to the park 3 times and stayed in cabins and lodges within the park all three times. We LOVE to camp, but the campsites we saw at Yellowstone were kind of big fields full of people. Liked camping at other parks better. I like the historic, energetic atmosphere of the lodges and the young staff people from all over the world have added to our experiences. We like the rustic cabins at Roosevelt, the Lodge at Yellowstone Lake and Old Faithful Inn the best. Be warned that there is also an Old Faithful Lodge, which is nice too, but the Inn is the place to be in my mind. We have also tried cabins at all locations and they were always small and spotless. I think it is part of the National Park experience to do at least one lodge night. Book early; they do fill early. We saw a grizzly my last time out there, which was a lifetime goal of mine. We also stopped a t a creek and the trout were ina feeding frenzy due to some flies that had hatched and people were throwing flies to the trout and watching them eat. Cool!! Have fun!!

Not all the campgrounds in YS are just open fields, the two NPS CG's up in the Lamar Valley are two of our favorites. There is also a couple of very nice NF CG's located about 3 miles east of Cooke City. They have been doing a lot inprovements to the Soda Butte CG over the past two years. They are very seldom full since most want somewhere in the park along the fig 8 loop road. These are the campgrounds we make for first each time we go to the Yellowstone.