My husband and I would like to visit GTNP and Yellowstone in the summer of 2008 for about a week.

First question, I'm thinking that I may need to make lodging reservations about a year in advance to make sure we get our lodging of choice within the parks, does that seem about right?

I can't decide which month may be best. We would like to avoid the crowds as much as possible of course, but would like to be there when all activities and ranger talks, etc. are in progress. We would also like to attempt to do some animal viewing (early morning or dusk I assume is best for chances of seeing bears and/or wolves, and also moose). So I am leaning towards either mid June or the last week in August. I am hoping that most kids will be in school at those times. I have heard that June may still be rainy or cold, but it may be a good season for seeing bears, and the days will be longer. The last week in August could be better weather, but may put us into Labor Day weeekend. What about the main features of Yellowstone - Canyon, the pools, the geysers, any difference there?

So for any of the Yellowstone experts out there, let me know what you think.

Thanks!

A few thoughts.

You should put this in the Wyoming forum here. Not sure how often it will be seen in general US forum.

We were at Yellowstone last July. While it was crowded, it wasn't nearly as bad as I expected and I hate lines, etc. In 2007 we're going in mid June. Apparently then the bears are down lower and there's better chances of seeing babies.

While June is supposed to be somewhat crowded, its also supposed to be much better than July. We were persuaded to give June a shot.

I don't know when you can make the reservations but you're on the right track to make them early. You make reservations through www.xanterra.com. You might call them sometime and ask when the 2008 ones would be available.

I don't think the other features will matter much. You might catch some snow in June to make them cooler.

We stayed at Old Faithfull Inn in July. We liked it and really had no issues. Next June, we're spending 4 nights in a cabin at Canyon and three nights at a cabin at Roosevelt.

We put a fairly large trip report and a bunch of pictures on our family web site.

http://www.alandsuejohnson.com
Click on the bison picture.

There's also some planning information for what we did. When we go back in June, I'll do the same thing. That might be useful to you and I doubt you can make reservations before then anyway.

Don't know if I answered any questions. I believe your thinking is pretty much on track for the reasons to go at either time. We picked June so I guess that would be my vote.

We visited Yellowstone the end of August of 2001. I would definitely recommend this time. The weather was still nice and the crowds were not bad at all. There were plenty of people there, but it was very manageable. Our kids didn't start school until after Labor day, but in other parts of the country school was in session which probably accounted for the smaller crowds.

brandywine,

First, there is no Wyoming forum. Although you can pick a state from the sidebar. But even if you do, it just gets dumped into the U.S. forum. That isn't necessarily a bad thing, though. You get more exposure to a greater number of posters.

As to your questions.

The National Park Service web site will probably answer some of them such as when ranger programs, etc are started each season. The Xanterra site, if I recall correctly, tells you how far ahead you can book. And you're wise to start as early as they'll let you if you have your heart set on specific lodging.

One other thought re:June, is to see how likely it is that some trails, such as the ones to the various falls, could be closed due to ice if the temps drop. We were there in mid-August and awoke to frost on the windshield in the Canyon area. However, the day warmed quickly so no trails were closed. We found the the temps varied somewhat from area to area.

You're correct about early and late being the best times of day to see wildlife. You'll also be sharing even the most popular features with fewer people during those hours. We watched Old Faithful erupt early one morning with maybe a dozen or so others. Had Norris Basin totally to ourselves one day at dawn.

But if you enjoy even minimal hiking you can easily get away from crowds at any time of day. Just walk away from the parking areas along some of the "back" trails. It never ceases to amaze me how so many visitors to our Parks never venture very far from the "overlooks."

Yellowstone is an amazing place. It's the one Park we will probably go back to before we reach our goal of visiting as many as possible before repeating any.

Have a fabulous trip.

Fran

We have visited the Yellowstone area as early as the first part of May and as late as late Sept. The May- mid-June expect some wet days with snow, if planning the Beartooth Highway it will not open until about the 1st of June.. It will be cool. Most people go July-August when school is out. Sept cool/cold and dry few people. Expect frost any time during the summer. In Sept we have had water refreeze in the cooler overnight. Saves buying the overpriced ice at the local YS stores. Year before last we had wet snow and frost while camping. You can check the YS site on the NPS.gov site for opening and closing dates for the various activities. Wild life viewing is best early morning and late evening. The Lamar Valley is home to several of the Wolf Packs of YS, The chance of seeing bear there is good and excellent for Bison.

http://www.nps.gov/yell/planyourvisit/hours.htm

We went in late june (I think 24th - 26th), and it was starting to get crowded. We had sprinkles the first day and that was it rain wise. Cold at night, and we were camping (love our mummy bags!). I hear July is worse crowdwise. Then another trip we went just after Labor Day in early Sept. We saw more wildlife on the Sept. trip.

June can be cold, windy, rainy, and sometimes snowy. I'd pick the last week in August.

Thanks for the replies. I am leaning toward the last week of August, probably 2 nights in GTNP, then 2 nights at Old Faithful, and 2 nights at Canyon or maybe Mammoth. It looks like I should try to make reservations about a year ahead to actually stay within the Parks.