Based on recommendations on this forum, I have planned a trip to Yellowstone/Grand Tetons this summer with our teens (age 16). We originally planned to go in 2009, but decided sooner would be better by way of summer jobs/college searches for the teens later.

So...here's the itinerary/lodging I was able to find - we fly into Jackson, first night at Lake Yellowstone Hotel, 2 nights at Canyon Lodge, 1 night at Old Faithful Inn (for the experience) and then 4 nights at Signal Mountain.

It's our first trip to Wyoming and we are all active (though DH and I are a tad height-phobic). We plan on hiking, kayaking, rafting, and of course, taking quantities of pictures.

I will post later when we need more specific details, but for now, I wanted to start getting notes on the "must sees" from the bases that we've picked.

BTW, as a follow up thank you to the many who helped me on my Zion/Bryce/Lake Powell trip, I shared my trip report with my sister who just used it for her honeymoon. She said it was the trip of a lifetime, and the tips in my trip report were right from this forum! : )

ttt

Plan a couple of days in the geyser areas. Mammoth Hot springs has always been one of my favorite areas, but the last time we were there in 2006 the springs were a little disappointing...but they are forever changing so you might get a good year. I'd say a must see.

Also, plan on doing the Beartooth Highway which is route 212 to Red Lodge.

Utahtea

If you do go to Mammoth hot springs, there is a hot spring you can soak in nearby. It's a flat walk of about 1 1/2 miles, and my teens loved it. We went 4 or 5 times during our trip last summer. it's best if you go first thing in the morning or in the evening just before it closes because it'll be too warm during the day.

If you're interested, I can give you more specifics on finding it.

The hot spring thing is called Boiling River and the parking lot is just north of the sign for Continental Divide, on the right heading north. Someone mentioned here it was closed - but I am not sure how they close a river.

White water rafting is nice at the northern entrance (Gardiner) and there are several operators right outside Park entrance. Water is rough enough for it to be fun for teens, but still safe and fun for more timid parents.

Get a guide book that describes Yellowstone in order things along the figure 8 roadway. We just drove along with one of the passengers checking book as we went along to see what was interesting to us. Most stops involve a nice walk (rather than hike) in on a path to see whatever is there. And the animal jams along the roadway, particularly the bison are great - they walk right along side your car as if it were a minor annoyance to their day.

Regarding heights - me too. This is only an issue in the northern most part of the Park where there is a narrow side loop road with cliffs and no guard rails that made me very nervous. Except for that the height thing should be OK for you.

Travel tip - pick up a cheap cooler in Jackson or haul one from home and pack at least drinks and maybe lunch each day - you may find yourself doing something interesting and be far enough from a Park restaurant for it to be inconvenient to trek there.

The best way to start planning a trip to Yellowstone and the Grand Teton is to get copy of Frommer's pocket guide to Yellowstone & the Grand Teton. (That's pretty muchy its title.) It'llm be$11-12 well spent.

Thank you for the great suggestions.

Boiling River sounds fun - I wonder how (and why) they would close a river? I'll let you know.

Yes, I'm currently using an older guide book from the library, but I'll pick up a new one.

The cooler is a great idea. I wanted to pack one on our last trip (Bryce/Zion)and it was kind of bulky so we didn't bring it. We ended up having some "interesting" lunches when we weren't around a snack area.

It took a few calls to get our lodging, but does the loop and division of time sound reasonable?

Coolers - we have often bought a cooler for $25 or so at destination. Then we give it away at end of trip or just leave it in final hotel by the soda machines with a note saying it is free. This distresses my husband, but after spending thousands for a trip, it does not seem like a big deal to me. Tried a $3 foam cooler once but it leaked ice water all over the kids and the rental car after it sprung a leak. Once we brought one from home and stuffed it with dirty laundry on the trip home - but that was really gorss when the TSA made us unpack it.

Boiling River is closed in the springtime due to hazardous high water and often does not reopen until mid-summer. <a href="http://www.nps.gov/yell/planyourvisit/nmammoth.htm ">LINK</a>

I'm sure there are signs..and I'd follow any warning signs you find in this park!

Utahtea

Our teens enjoyed hiking the Beaver Lakes (or ponds) trail at Mammoth. It's about 5 miles and really neat. One hiker said she saw a bear and her cub, but we missed it. Everyone loved Old Faithful Inn, too.

Thanks for the additional ideas. Our trip isn't until mid-August, so we might get to check out the Boiling River (thanks for the link, Utahtea). I can't even imagine what that would be like.

Gail, the cooler story on the plane was probably a real pain for all involved at the time, but hopefully you could laugh about it later...You have given good advice to pass on buying a foam cooler (I had thought of that, and now I won't).

Jayne1973, the Beaver Lakes hikes sounds perfect.
Thanks again!

You are going to have a GREAT trip. Your itinerary seems reasonable. We did this trip in Sept. 2006 with 10 & 12 year olds.
We checked a cooler on the plane = loaded it with fleece blanket, sweatshirts and cold gear in case of bad weather - needed it all. It was great to have it - went to grocery store and bought all breakfast and lunch items so we would not 'waste' time at the not-too-good restaurants that are crowded and overpriced. Packed our lunches everyday but if hiking, be careful about packing backpacks because of the bears = wear bear bells on your shoes or jackets.

I planned our trip using the Lonely Planet guide and it was perfect. We hiked in each area of Yellowstone. One big hint - get your kids up and out of the room by dawn if you want to really see the wildlife - besides Bison, which are everywhere. This will also help with the crowds - most everyone else will slowly get started. The traffic is heavy by 9 am so plan for that. You can hit animal-jams where the cars don't move as EVERYONE stops to see the bison or the black bear.

Yellowstone must sees: Mud pots, Hayden Valley at sunrise or sunset, hiking south rim of Yellowstone Canyon, black shores of Lake Yellowstone, geysers around Old Faithful at night (creepy), and the new Visitors Center at Canyon Area (fantastic!!!). Mammoth Hot Springs was disappointing as they are drying up - the town is quaint though and there are TONS of elk there grazing in the large meadows and yards.

Breakfast at Lake Yellowstone Hotel is worth the money - but book in advance. All the other food at Yellowstone was mediocre cafeteria-type food - nothing impressive. Old Faithful Inn was lovely BUT it was very, very, very crowded with loads of day tourists there until late hours of the night. One night there will suffice.

Grand Tetons - absolutely stunning!!! Simply beautiful.... You have selected a great place to stay & will have lots of time to explore and hike- great food there, especially the berry pies. Take the ferry over to hike up through the mountains - Jenny Lake ferry, & the Cascade Canyon - hike at least 1 mile in to get to the small lakes to skip stones & soak the feet. It is a bit 'high' in a few spots but nothing you can't handle. Our kids loved it.

Other Teton Must sees: Mormon Row, Chapel of the Transfiguration and surrounding village, Cunningham Cabin, Oxbow Bend and sunrise at the top of Signal Mountain Summit Road.

Food at Grand Tetons is much better - Trapper Grill, Pioneer Grill at Jackson Lake Lodge had great taco salads and ice cream! Views from Jackson Lake Lodge are spectacular.

Last note - our family hated Jackson Hole, Wyoming. It was terribly touristy, boring, crowded, full of artsy galleries and shopping. If that is your thing, hit it - otherwise, skip it and spend the time in the mountains and the valleys - although they did have a great grocery store where we re-stocked the cooler.

I would be happy to help along the way as you plan. Let me know if you have ??? It is magnificent country and we can't wait to return.

explorefamily, thanks for the additional tips. I picked up a guide book today and I'll start highlighting all these great ideas.

I am wondering if we should extend our time at the Grand Tetons by a day. Even though we have 4 nights there, that leads me to my next question...we have a 7am flight Monday morning. I assume we'd have to leave Signal Mountain around 4 or 4:30 (AM!) to allow for driving in the dark and returning the rental car. I'd rather stay at Signal Mountain until we leave - or would it be better to stay in Jackson Hole the last night...? (Truthfully, I'd hate to leave the park any sooner than I have to - plenty of stores and art galleries here in New England).

We plan on being up for sunrises anyway. That was one of my favorite parts of our last trip (Bryce/Zion/N. Rim).

Anyway, many thanks for the suggestions. It's making the trip feel much more real!

I think 4 nights there will be sufficient for the total length of your trip. Personally, since you will be getting up early anyway, I would stay put and not have to pack/repack for the little time it will save you in the morning of your flight.

Have a great trip!