We are travelling to Yellowstone at the end of August from Minnesota. 4 adults, 2 children ages 15 and 8.. So far we have only booked a room for 2 nights at Grant Village inside Yellowstone. We are unable to get any other lodging inside the park for our dates.
Does anyone have suggestions on where to stay outside of yellowstone - but near the park? We have heard about the thermal river and think the kids would like this. Can anyone tell me where this is? Any other ideas on must see places. We only have 4 days at/in the park. Thanks for any help.

Grant Village is actually not such a bad location. Also, the lake is out back. Otherwise, West Yellowstone, MT (West gate) & Gardiner, MT are the gateway towns. The thermal river (that you can swim in) is on the way to Gardiner (Roosevelt Arch/North gate).

rananda -
Be sure to call Xanterra to check for cancellations. I just got off the phone with them & reserved a room in Zion for Sept which was unavailable thru their online reservations.

We loved staying in Yellowstone - we spent 6 nights last fall & could've easily stayed longer. Since you have 2 nights at Grant, you might try for 2 nights at Roosevelt, Mammoth or Canyon so you're on the northern end. We loved Mammoth - the elk were in rut and put on quite a show! The Boiling River is just outside the north entrance and it's easy to spot as you're driving toward Gardiner.

We went to YNP and GTNP 2 years ago with our 14 and 18 year olds. Had a wonderful time and do not think we missed anything by staying outside Parks. We split trip into 2 stays - each 2-3 days. Frist was just south of entrance to Grant Teton, about 10 minutes outside Jackson at Teton Village - a group of condos usually rented out to skiiers. Was perfect for older teenagers since it had full kitchen (although we did not cook in it), 2 bedrooms, 2 baths, LR, fireplace (which it was cool enough to use in July). LR had a sofa bed or there are even larger units you could all fit into. Full kitchen was great for eating breakfast and packing lunches each day.

Then we moved on to West Yellowstone. There are every chain hotel imaginable within amile of west entrance to Yellowstone. While the hotels are certainly not scenic, the surroundings are and it is just minutes to entgrance. While staying there we went to a local rodea which we would have missed if we were staying in Park.

Final stop was in Gardiner - the north entrance. Stayed at Absoroka (or something close to that) Motel - a non-chain place right on Gardner River, where we went white water rafting. Cute little town and I had a great time talking to long-time locals about winter in the area. Rooms and suites of all sizes, most with deck or patio overlooking river and very high scenic bridge.

The thermal river to which you refer I believe is the Boiling River, and I recall a post this year saying it is now closed. If that is not the case, it is close to North Entrance of Park - do a serach on Boiling River and I am guessing you will find out more specifics.

Thank you for your responses!
Much appreciated!

There's also a swimming spot on the Firehole river just south of Madison Junction on the way to Old Faithful. The pull-off area has porta potties. It's a road that leaves the main highway and goes right along the river. We were there late last August, didn't swim because we thought the air temp was too cold but there were others swimming.

According to the NPS website, Boiling River is open from 5am to 9pm every day.

http://www.nps.gov/yell/planyourvisit/031307.htm

Early morning is best to avoid crowds.

It's located just down the hill from Mammoth at the parking lot for the 45th Parallel. Walk upstream about 1/4 mile.