Hello,

We have 3 overnights in Idaho Falls and 2 full days to see Yellowstone & the Grand Tetons. We are "locked in" to this itinerary & would appreciate any advice on the best way to spend our days.

Thank-you in advance for suggestions.

2-adults & 2 late teens w/our trusty Trailblazer.

Ok ...we did the lower loop of yellowstone as a self drive and with all important stops to see the geysers, mud pools. old faithful etc...we travelled from Cody, arrived early and did that in the day. We were keen to se wildlife so did a full day tour the next day but you could do it yourself as you stick to the park road. Anyway, we did a twilight tour of Grand Teton and saw bull moose, bear and no end of birds.... given your timescale I would concentrate on Yellowstone and sneak a twilight tour of the GT the last night....enjoy

Just to do the bottom circle of Yellowstone (Old Faithful geyser basins, West Thumb, Lake, Canyons & Norris geyser basin...which is a VERY full day in itself and I'd recommend a couple days to do this) you will be driving a total of 350+ miles and driving 6 + hours (if you don't get into a bison jam) to make it from Idaho Falls and back.

Then to see the Grand Tetons you're going to be doing another day of 275 miles and 5 hours of driving. This one wouldn't be so bad except you're going to be doing not much but driving for most of those two days.

You don't mention what time of the year you will be going.

If it were me, I'd spend the first night in Idaho Falls. Then find someplace to stay in either Yellowstone or West Yellowstone for the second night and then the third night back in Idaho Falls. Even if it meant eating the cost of a hotel room for the second night it will save you SO much driving time and you will be able to spend more time in the parks.

Utahtea

I agree with utahtea.

I just checked and it's a 2 1/2 hour drive from Idaho Falls to Old Faithful. And that's without any traffic or bison jams.

Your "full" days just got 5 hours shorter.

Get lodging close or in the park.

I presently have the Yellowstone part of my TR on the US forum with a fair amount of detail. Grand Tetons to come.

I strongly disagree with seeing only the southern loop. By doing that you will miss Mammoth Springs which IMO is the most fascinating site in Yellowstone.

If your plan is to exit Yellowstone from the south to continue on to Grand Tetons, think again. The bridge in Yellowstone that you need to do that is out. I discuss this in my TR.

What time of year? You can easily do the entire figure 8 (both loops) in one day in off-season. The amount of time it takes depends on traffic, construction and animal crossings.

I agree with the others and you need to get a closer overnight location so you don't have to drive back and forth from Idaho Falls.

Basingstoke, it's good to know that Mammoth is "back". When we were there a few years ago it was absolutely "dead". No water running and no color whatsoever. Just grey terraces of rock.

I tried W. Yellowstone in late July and we got sent to Idaho Falls bcuz of booked up rooms. I know...tons of driving but, that w/be the way it is this time. We agreed 6 -10 months ago that we'd be driving out West instead of flying to a destination.

Perhaps we're trying to cram too much in but, we're committed now.

Thanks much for the comments. I w/review more as I can.

OutWest2015, Keep trying for a cancellation especially in the park. They happen all the time! Have you ever considered camping?

Utahtea

I would keep trying for a closer hotel. Your days are going to be driving, driving and more driving, with very little getting out of the car to actually see things and walk around. Two days is only enough to do one of those parks.

Definitely look for a closer hotel. Years ago we stayed at cabins in Island Park, ID. I explored Yellowstone, etc. while the guys fished the Box Canyon of the Snake. After a full day of driving, you'll have a better vacation if you don't have all of that driving just to get to the park. Definitely keep calling to try to snag a cancellation inside the park.

And besides West Yellowstone, also look at Gardiner for places to stay. And if you want to do Grand Teton National Park, Jackson Hole, Wyoming is the logical town for a hotel. But checking with the National Park Service lodges frequently is also a good idea, because they do get cancellations. Mammoth often has more spots available later than the other lodges.

Outwest - please check directly with Yellowstone Park about the status of the bridge near the south entrance. When we were there just a few weeks ago, the bridge was out making it impossible to drive the most direct route from West Yellowstone to Grand Teton. We had to take a route through Idaho to get there and it doubled the drive time. If that is still the case, I do not see how it would be possible to spend a day in each park and you would be better off just concentrating on Yellowstone. There certainly is enough to do there to occupy 2 days if not longer. Double check the 3 Bear Lodge in West Yellowstone. We got a last minute room there over the Memorial Day weekend and it is a very nice place with a good price as well - they have quite a few rooms.

I will check & see about rooms. Maybe we axe some destinations & just go back sometime. It will be late July so I anticipate other tourists.

We are embracing the concept of "seeing the country" & driving lots. With the ages of the kids, work schedules & desire for an adventure, we're going for it.

So, anything cool around Idaho Falls? Maybe we do a marathon Teton day, Idaho Falls day and cruise through Yellowstone & see what we can as we work east to Mount Rushmore.

If you go to the Tetons, be sure to drive up Signal Mountain.