We would like to visit Yellowstone next July or August with our two children, ages 14 & 10. Has anyone stayed at the Old Faithful Inn and, if so, do you have any suggestions as to which rooms and how long to stay? Did you just stay at the Old Faithful Inn and use it as your base to return to each day after exploring Yellowstone? Any good suggestions on places to dine? Any help would be greatly appreciated. We stayed at the North Rim of the Grand Canyon previously and were told that Old Faithful Inn would be similar. Thanks for any help.

Reda

We love Yellowstone. Have made 8 trips in past 6 years. When we are not camping our favorite place to stay is the Old Faithful Inn. Fantastic 1920 era log lodge. Unfortunately everyone loves it so booking a room is difficult. Advise at least 9 months ahead. We booked January 1 a couple of years ago and were only able to get one night for the end of August! Ask for 3rd floor facing old Faithful, you can lay in bed at night and watch the gyser go off! Best food in the park is right here at the Old Faithful Inn and also at the Lake Yellowstone Hotel, or second choice in lodging. If the park is booked there are some new motels in West Yellowstone and a great Dude ranch near Jackson, can't remember the name off hand. But the Old Faithful Inn is so great, just wait and go the following year and stay there. You can use it as your base to return to each day, or you could split your visit between the Old Faithful Inn and the very elegant Lake Yellowstone Hotel also very historic and has a great dining room. Best time to visit Yellowstone, the last 2 weeks in August. July is the most crowded as is early August. June, we have been snowed on, same in September. By the last two weeks in August it is still warm by Wyoming standards but most families have left to get the kids back in school. If you are tired of people, just take a hike. If you walk 1 hour from the roads you will lose 95% of the people! Fishing is fantastic if you hike into the lakes away from the people. Most fishing in the park is fly fishing catch and release. Most have a park license. CAmping, our favorite campground is Madison Campground. Has the biggest spaces and the best view. Swim in the river, watch the elk come down to drink every night. We have seen moose, elk, buffalo, mountain goats, even two wolves at play on our many trips. Whether you are staying in a campground or not be sure to take the kids to one of the ranger led campfire talks. Madison campground has them every night. Schedule is posted at the Madison book store. Great slide shows by the rangers. Also, buy a sky chart and look for the stars.

Anyway, have a grand time. I can't think of a better place to take kids on vacation.

Sandy

When you make your room reservations, make dinner reservations too. AMFAC will send you other things to do (i.e. horseback riding) with the reservation confirmation letter. O F Inn is a classic. If you can't get a reservation, keep trying as cancellations occur often.

Your "base" question was good, as the park is huge. It depends on how many days you will be there.

www.yellowstone-natl-park.com has best chat on the park

Having stayed at many of the National Park Inns, Old Faithful is in a class by itself! Make EVERY effort to stay there. Call every day around noon (MT); we were able to secure reservations twice due to last minute cancellations.

Our last trip there, we were able to stay in one of the front "dormer" rooms on the second floor, overlooking the geysers from our windows, and having the relaxing balcony right outside our door.

Staying at the Inn also allows you to use the private second floor porch directly overlooking Old Faithful, at any time of day or night. There's nothing like curling up with your coffee at sunrise and seeing it do it's thing! LOL

Enjoy your trip!

Do a search on "Yellowstone" and "tetons" There were just a couple of threads on this very topic and lots of info flowed forth. Many suggested itineries. If you do Yellowstone, you should definately try to take in
Tetons, Jackson Hole, etc. Especially with kids that age.