We're thinking about Yellowstone and the Grand Tetons for the summer of 2008 with out (by then) 20-, 18-, and 15-year old boys. Because of school, we would plan on 1 1/2 to 2 weeks between the 2nd week of June and the first week of August. When would be the best time to go? Also, how would you divide up your time and what would be high on your list to do/see? Thanks!

June will be a little less crowded than July. Are your boys the nature loving out doorsy types? If not, then 2 weeks may be a little long for them in the parks. We went when my oldest was 16 and after about a week he thought he had seen enough of the mountains and outdoors. We spent 16 days in Denver, Grand Teton National Park, Yellowstone, Jackson Hole and Rocky Mountain National Park (in that order). I would add a day or two to your trip in the town of Jackson (outside of Grand Teton). I loved our trip and for the most part my kids did too, it just got a little long for the kids.

With that kind of time, you might want to add Glacier National Park. Definitely add Cody with a museum visit and don't forget the rodeo.

I would shorten the trip a bit rather than adding another destination - as the parent of a 16 and 20 year old, no matter how good the trip, that amount of time 24 hours/day with parents gets a little trying.

We went to GTNP and YNP 2 summers ago with our kids. Because of their schedules we went around the end of July. This is how we divided our time.

Flew into Jackson (don't know from where you are coming, but flights into Jackson are rather expensive. It is usually much cheaper to fly into SLC, but then you add a lot of driving time). Spent 3 nights in Jackson area - stayed at Teton Village Resort Lodging, a group of condos a mile or 2 from GTNP entrance.

We saw a little of Jackson Hole, spent most of 1 day in southern part of GTNP. The condo worked very well since it was 2 bedrooms, full kitchen - lots of room to spread out in evening, since there really is not much to do in Park at night.

Teton Village is also at base of mountain with ski tram open in summer - promises great views, but it was too foggy when we were there. Instead we took a day trip thru an incredible mountain pass to Idaho, mostly because we had never set foot in Idaho. Poked aeround some small towns on border and then returned to condo.

Third day we drove thru GTNP, stopping along the way, into YNP towards our next lodging in West Yellowstone. This served as a base for seeing southern and western part of YNP.

For us, out of Park lodging was all that was available since our plans were made later in the spring, but we might do it this way again since rooms were bigger, less expensive, came with breakfast. We went to a local rodeo in West Yellowstone one night.

Then onto Gardiner (northern entrance) which served as base for the rest of Yellowstone. We drove back to Jackson after 3 days there for early afternoon flight.

We were in the Tetons and Yellowstone last July and continued on to Glacier. We passed quickly through the Tetons and a couple of days there would be more fun. We only had 3 days in Yellowstone before we headed to Glacier for 6 days. 3 days must not have been enough in Yellowstone because we're going back in June for a week.

If you decide to add Glacier, you might move the trip back into July.

Yellowstone in June is supposed to have unpredictable weather. That would include snow.

A couple of trip reports and a bunch of pictures from our trip can be found at www.AlandSueJohnson.com. Click on the bison picture. They might help you see some of your options.

If you include Glacier, you'll have to fly out of a different airport than you fly into. Jackson Hole is a good choice for GTNP and YNP. Kalispell might be a choice if you return from Glacier.

We did the Grand Teton/Yellowstone trip with our kids a few years ago and really enjoyed it. We went in early July (the 7th-15th) and liked the fact that the parks weren't quite as crowded as they get a little later in the summer. It was also a little cooler, which was nice.

We flew into Jackson, WY and spent one night there--looked around the town and ate at a GREAT barbecue place that my kids still talk about (Bubba's, I think).

The next day, we explored more around Jackson and then drove to Grand Teton where we spent three nights. We did pretty long hikes each of the two full days that we were there. We stayed at the Jackson Lake Lodge.

After that, we drove to Yellowstone where we also stayed three nights at the Old Faithful Snow Lodge. Because the park wasn't that crowded, we were able to see the whole park by planning what section we were going to drive to each day. We also did some great hikes each day there. Be sure to do the "Grand Canyon of Yellowstone" hike--it is breathtaking!

Then, we drove back to Jackson, spent the night and flew out the next morning.

It was a good length of time for a trip with two teenagers. Our days were packed full, but we were all ready to get home! Have a great time!

bellhouse - your post says you're going with OUT the boys. Is that correct or did you mean "our"? If you're not taking them, that makes a big difference on what I'd suggest you do, how you spend your time, and where you stay.

I meant with "our" boys, not with "out" boys - oops! Thanks for all the suggestions. I think 1 1/2 weeks is what we will do. Idaho is an idea - a new state! When I was in Jackson Hole with my parents in 1977 we ate at a place called the Mangy Moose - and I had my first bernaise sauce. What a revelation! I borrowed my s-i-l's Julia Child as soon as I got home and have been cooking ever since. Is it still there?

bellhouse - Since the boys are going, I'd probably split the time between the two fairly evenly. Would probably stay at Jackson Lake Lodge [try getting a room on the backside of the south or left wing of the Inn - great unobstructed views of the Tetons and Jackson Lake]. You could use it as a base for both parks, as well as seeing Jackson Hole and a day trip over to Idaho. We found it very easy to do. Was also convenient for raft trip on the Snake River.

If you wanted to split up your time, I'd probably pick the Yellowstone Inn in addition to JLL. [FWIW, our experience at Coulter Bay Cabins was dreadful.] I would not stay in Jackson Hole because it is a considerable distance from YNP and the traffic during the summer can be very crowded. When you're in Jackson Hole, be sure to visit Tom Mangelson's gallery "Images of Nature". Some of the most amazing wildlife/nature photos we've ever seen.

I also agree that June would be less crowded, although we've also been there in early July when it wasn't that bad.

Sorry, but I don't know if the Mangy Moose is still there. But can't live without Julia either!

There are some great hiking trails beginning on the far side of Jenny Lake. I would also eat at least once at Jenny Lake Lodge - extremely good. [It's also our preferred place to stay, but it's a little isolated and probably would be too quiet for the boys].

Yes, The Mangy Moose is still there and as great as ever!

Thanks! I think my next step is AAA for a map so I can see where places are in relation to ieach other and how far apart - I'm not known for my geography skills and it's been 32 years since I was out there with my parents. So glad the Mangy Moose is still there!

We went last summer with our teenage kids, and stayed three nights at Signal Mountain Lodge in the Tetons, rather than Jackson Lake Lodge because we could have a bedroom, living room with sofabed, kitchen and dining area. Worked great, and right on the same lake that Jackson Lake Lodge shares! Wonderful trip!

Bellhouse,

Remember that miles will not be the only factor in driving time, especially in Yellowstone. RV traffic, narrow & windy roads, road construction, wildlife traffic jams, and photo ops will add significantly!

Allow plenty of time and enjoy!

I'll offer my usual advice to those planning a trip to the two parks: Immediately order a copy of Frommer's Yellowstone & Grand Teton National Parks. It's a great investment of $11 that will offer tons of solid information, advice and suggestions.

We went with teenage girls starting out 2 nights in badlands, 2 nights in Black Hills - then Cody Wyoming ... 3 nights stayed at Absoraka Mountain Lodge (wonderful) took horseback ride for breakfast they have a website - used as our base for rodeo in Cody and Eastgate Yellowstone ( a little drive -but worth it). Then 4 nights at Jackson Lake Lodge (inside Teton Nat'l Park) - wonderful & a pool- saw many moose and used this as our base for rest of Yellowstone and the Tetons. A must - raft trip - we did the scenic ride with bar-b-que dinner - really fun!

kglugin,

Nice to see something about the east side of Yellowstone. Haven't read much about that part of the park. Your raft ride with a BBQ dinner perked my interest---can you tell me where you did that? How will we narrow down all the wonderful-sounding choices for one week in Yellowstone?!
Thanks.

AngelaSue: I'm not kglugin but Jackson Hole Whitewater has BBQ and river trip combo's www.jhww.com

AngelaSue, we stayed in Cody (east Yellowstone) several years ago. Our two boys loved it. We had a cabin at Elephant Head Lodge. Right next door was a place called Absoroka Lodge that looked nice and had a stream going through it. (Be careful, though; I think there is another Absaroka Lodge on the other side of yellowstone.) No tv in the rooms but they had "movie nights" in the main lodge. It actually was good that there was no tv because the kids had to get out to be entertained. We used that cabin as our base for that vacation, and it was a lot more driving than we realized. This year we are staying in the park.