Yellowstone Lodging in October
 

Husband and I are going to Yellowstone first or second week of October. Trying to decide where to stay while there. This is our first trip so we have no idea if we should stay in the park. Any suggestions would be welcome.

Most years it is winter in Yellowstone by the second week in October and the in park lodging is closed. The Mammoth area might be open and the other roads in the park will only be open if there has been no snow. I think you can go in by snowmobile but you would have to check on that. In any case go to www.nps.gov and put Yellowstone in the search box.

For lodging in the park go to:

http://www.yellowstonenationalparklo...closing-dates/

I think you should definitely try to stay in the park lodges.

If you go early enough in October the Mammoth area and the Old Faithful area would be good choices. I stayed in the Mammoth Lodge and the Old Faithful Snow Lodge in winter and enjoyed both.

Mammoth is old but it is a typical, atmospheric old park lodge. There was good game viewing in the area and the springs were interesting to see. The OF Snow Lodge is new and very nice. There's plenty of hiking in the OF area.

The historic Old Faithful Inn was closed when I was there but according to the schedule posted by emalloy it will be open in early October so that would be a nice option as well.

If the roads are closed due to snow, you will probably have to take the snowmobiles between the two lodges. They are the only vehicles allowed on certain roads when there is snow. Cars are allowed on the roads into and around Mammoth. But agree, you should check that out to be sure because you are going at an "in between" time.

Thanks everyone. Two decisions made after your posts:

We will definately stay in the park lodges, just need to decide which one.

We are going to move the trip up to September instead of October!

Both good decisions. Unless you are coming in from the north through Gardiner, Old Faithful would be my choice.
Are you driving your own car or a rental?
If you are driving your own, stopping at a Les Schwab and getting a set of tire chains might be a good idea.
Les Schwab will give you full credit if the chains are not used.

Glad you decided to move the trip up.

If the on line in park lodging says it is full, take the phone number and call a couple of times a day as people do make reservations a year ahead and then cancel when they find they can't make it. Take what ever is available and then call again to see if what you really want comes up and switch.