yellowstone itinerary help...
 

I would like to plan a trip to Yellowstone. I would like to drive there from the Bay area. I've never been to Yellowstone and I want to be sure to see as much as possible. If anyone can tell me what parts I should go to and what I should def. see and any general information about the area would be great.

I wanted to do the trip in 1 week or 1.5 weeks. Am I cutting it close time-wise attempting to drive? I have crossed the country in 3 days...alone, so I'm thinking the drive up wouldn't be too long...but I don't know. I also don't know which state is best to enter Yellowstone.

Any help would be greatly appreciated...

I am most interested wildlife viewing...so suggestions based on areas with larger bear populations would be great and spring is probably the best time to go, but what about summer and fall?

I just finished planning a trip to Yellowstone and area and received a lot of great advice from this board. I just topped it for you, the title is Yellowstone,Jackson Hole area. If your interested in where we made reservations, just ask.

thanks!

For the usual highlights use the map they give you at the entrance. You need three days if possible and I would come in from West Yellowstone.

I'm from the Bay Area and you can easily make it to Yellowstone in two days. If you have 10 or ll days I would use it all, then that will give you 6 or 7 in the Yellowstone - Grand Tetons area. I would plan a day or two at the Grand Tetons then the rest of the time in Yellowstone.

The Old Faithful Geyser Area can take a day or two depending on how much time you want to spend waiting around for geysers that are being predicted to go off. Check at the visitor center and you can get predictions and what window of time they are calling for. Some windows are hours and some are days!

One day at Mammoth and Norris Geyser Area and maybe even over to the Tower area. (the road between the Tower and Canyon is closed all year so you can't make the top loop.)

One day at West Thumb, Lake, Hayden Valley & Canyon area. If you can be at Hayden Valley early morning or dusk you are more likely to see wildlife.

An optional day would be at Roosevelt and take the Beartooth Scenic Highway!

The Grand Tetons is a great place to spot moose!

Utahtea