The Canyon is a great place to stay to see the Grand Canyon of the Yellowstone, Hayden Valley, Mud Volcano area, Yellowstone Lake and even do an upper round trip to Tower Junction, Roosevelt and Mammoth Hot Springs but for the ease of getting to all the Geyser areas I think I'd split my time between the Canyon and West Yellowstone.

Utahtea

canyon is great and then stay in old faithful area for the rest of your time. we did 2 nights in each location.

Canyon is an excellent area.

However I'm a big fan of staying the the park.

Make a reservation in West Yellowstone hat can be cancelled. Then call, call and call for cancellations. They happen all the time.

Does anyone have a suggestion as to where to stay in West Yellowstone? I do plan on calling OFL everyday but it would be a good back up. You're all so right.
We have time so how many nights to see everything in the canyon area would you sugggest?
thank you in advance

Basingstoke has a recommendation in his latest trip report.

If I could book enough days IN the park, I'd do that. My preference would be staying in the park vs. West Yellowstone. I'd much rather get up early and leave early from Canyon to see the lower loop than drive in from West Yellowstone.

I will check out that trip report!
UTAHTEA....I thought I was personally responding to you and had a questioon and it seems I "reported" you! I am SO sorry. The "report" was my questiona nd thanking you so please forgive me and i am sure they will recognize it as an error. I am knew to this!

Hi EjinPa,

Don't sweat it. I think my reputation on the forums is good enough to get me by with one report.

I would definitely prefer to stay at Old Faithful but if it's not a choice, I still stand by my recommendation to split the time between Canyon and West Yellowstone. West Yellowstone is right at the park boundary so 99% of your driving will be IN the park. West Yellowstone will save you about 20 miles round trip to Old Faithful area vs Canyon going though the middle. It will save you about 45 miles round trip by going down to West Thumb and west over Craig Pass to Old Faithful. You might want to avoid that last route anyways because there could be up to 30 minute delays because of road work at Craig Pass this year. http://www.nps.gov/yell/planyourvisit/roadclosures.htm

To really do Yellowstone justice I like to spend at least a week here. That gives me time to try to time some of the bigger geyser eruptions.

Sorry I don't have any lodging recommendations because we always camp in Yellowstone. (Except for way back in 1974 and when we stayed in cabins at Old Faithful, Roosevelt and Mammoth Hot Springs.)

Utahtea

Hi. I did a trip report for our trip last August under plambers. We did 2 nights at Signal Mt. Lodge for the visit at GTNP, 2 at canyon, 2 at Snow Lodge cabins and then 3 nights at a private house in Driggs, Idaho, in the Teton valley which we loved.
Try for any place near OF-the ranger lead hikes at 8 am are great and super informative as are some of the 6pm movies. it is really helpful to stay in park. that area of park is way more crowded that canyon area and it is great to be there so you can do things early or later after the tourists have left.

THANK YOU! I am checking out your trip report, plambers!
Utahtea, great info.
I called and the new Canyon Lodge is wide open and has plenty of reservastions.
Person I spoke with recommended staying there as a home-base and exploring all parts from that location. That may be a bit stretching it but we will stay 4 nights in Yellowstone before heading to GTNP so it may be doable.