Yellowstone - How many days?
 

We have 12 days to spend in Yellowstone, Tetons, Jackson Hole, Mt. Rushmore, Deadwood, Big Sky, Little Big Horn. We are flying into Rapid City and driving. We are planning 2 nights and 3 days for Yellowstone. Is that enough time?

Lynn,<BR>I reply again because I'm excited about this area. Unfortunatly I've never been on the other leg of your trip, but I definately envy you. I have been to Yellowstone/ Tetons though and here are my suggestions. If you have a limited time in the area, skip Jackson Hole altogether-spend your time in the park. You can see an overpriced ski town anytime and I'd think it would be more fun to do so when you can ski. Try staying at the old faithful lodge, the Lake Hotel and Mamouth Hot Springs. Old faithful Lodge is truly a work of art. We didn't stay in the Tetons and I really wished that we had. It was every bit as spectacular as Yellowstone ( although covering less tertitory) and I would think it would at least merit one night. I'd try to spend at least three nights in Yellowstone, I think you'll be glad you did. You could spend all your time in the car trying to drive to the sites and not appreciating any of them if you don't allow time to go hiking and enjoy. Again, I would really recommend skipping jackson hole and staying at the Tetons which is a right next to the town anyway. I'd do 2 nights at the Lodge, one at the Lake Hotel, one in Mamouth springs and one night in the Tetons. If you don't like all the packing and moving, make the Old faithful lodge a priority. Have fun.

Lynn-I personally think that the 2 nights/3days is enough for Yellowstone. I think that the Tetons are beautiful and that including a trip to Jackson is worth at least a half day.The town has some great eating places,wonderful family raft trips and is a cute western town.Our family spend 3 nights in the Tetons at Signal Mountain Lodge(go back and do search on past comments) and it was one of the highlights of our trip.<BR> We did Mt.Rushmore about 6 years ago and it was fabulous.Surprisingly,we went on a buffalo hunt,stayed at the lodge,went to some interesting museums,etc.What time of the year are you going and is this a family trip with kids?I think that time constraints are in relation to when you are going,weather.crowds,etc. Fill us in?

I realized after posting that Jackson Hole (the ski town) was mentioned instead of the town of Jackson.Because Signal Mountain Lodge is north of Jackson Hole-we drove over there one night for dinner(Mangy Moose?) and actually stayed in the town of Jackson to do raft trips,etc. later.Be kind to me as I was having one of those"senior moments"............

I'm really confused by your "two nights and three days". I usually consider two nights to mean just one day. Or are you staying right outside the park the nights before and after so you arrive in the park at 8 AM before your first night there, and staying after your second night until say 5 or 6 PM? Unless you're doing that, I just don't get the three days idea. I think you do need a full three days to sort-of "do" Yellowstone.

Three full days (ie, three days starting at sunrise and ending after sunset) would be a bare minimum to see Yellowstone. There is so much to see in this Park, and, unless you like to rush from site to site, three days will only whet your appetite for more.

I worked in the backcountry of Yellowstone, trail to mystic falls, one summer. 3 days is ok for walking the boardwalks around the geyser basins and checking out the falls. When you enter the park, as whith all parks, they give you handouts. Check out the section on "If your're in the park for 1 day, 3 days, etc." Do what it says. They usually are right. I recommend taking at least one dip in a thermal stream (one that's safe!) up by mamoth is nice, up on the east side of the road north of the area. Make sure you get reservations eairly if your staying in the park. Recommend on the way back staying in Cody and you'll have the day to enjoy a spectacular drive through the Big Horns. If you have time make sure you take the 14 alt you'll travel at an incredible incline, very memorable. As you head across 90 make sure you check out Devil's tower to the north, you can see it from 90. Deadwood is good for a few hours, very touristy. Mt. Rushmore area has lots of touristy things to see. If you have kids reptile gardens is fun. Recommend taking 16 at least one way from Rapid City. If you're into caving Jewell cave is pretty cool. Recommend the lantern tour (depending on the time of year tours aren't always offered). Hope this is helpful.

I do not think three days is enough for Yellowstone if you have any interest at all in exploring this geologic wonder.<BR>If all you see is water squirting out of a hole, then perhaps 30 minutes is enough. But I have spent more than 3 days exploring the geyser basins alone. <BR>I would not waste much time at Little Big Horn. It is a monument to brave men who died because of a vainglorious, idiot of a leader: Colonel Custer.<BR>(Guess I don't like monuments that reward a giant ego that caused his troops to die for no good reason.)<BR>I recommend most highly driving over the road from the northeast entrance of Yellowstone to Red Lodge Montana, the Beartooth Highway.<BR>The views from the top are truly a scenic treat. Another treat is to take the road from the northeast entrance of Yellowstone all the way around to Cody with the Absoraka Range in view. It is a little known route and truly worth every mile.<BR>I think the Tetons are worth a view or two, particularly if you walk a little to see some of the lakes with the mountains behind them. Don't miss the view of the Teton Range from Signal Mountain. It is extra ordinary. If you are into photography other than point and pray; email me directly. We have some lighting and exposure issues to discuss.<BR>But, in conclusion, let me reiterate a point I made earlier. Yellowstone is a marvel. The thermal features, the wildlife, the lake, the waterfalls, and the regenerating forests are worth the effort to savor. <BR><BR>

Your time allotment is plenty to see Yellowstone. It is very interesting but I can get "caught up" with mud holes and such real quick--just my opinion. As I think Yellowstone will be a "pass through" on your trip going toward Montana you can probably tailor your time when you arrive. I really love the Tetons--be sure to take a Snake River float trip at dusk to see the animals and eagles feeding.

What time of year are you going?

I am just adding in that because they only have 12 days for the whole trip-that is why I was giving Yellowstone shorter time constraints.Depending on what time of the year it is, the driving times could be different?

I loved Jackson. And, I thought the Grand Teton area was much, much more pretty than Yellowstone! We just got back from there. What a wonderful trip. 3 days in Yellowstone is plenty and Mamouth Hot Springs is a nice little town to see but the hotel was a dump! I recommend the Old Faithful Snow Lodge. We also stayed 2 night in West Yellowstone if you want something a little cheaper. If you ask me, if you see one gyser baisin you've seen them all!! Old Faithful is definitely worth seeing though! Have Fun!