Fodor's Travel Talk Forums - Yellowstone lodgings OUTSIDE the park

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Dunraven Pass is between Canyon and Tower. It was closed for a couple of days while we were there last spring. You have to go towards Norris, then to Mammoth and across towards Lamar Valley to get to that part of the park. But if you are staying in the northern or north eastern part of the park you have to go in reverse to get to Canyon, Lake, etc. Or if staying at Old Faithful you would have to go the same way to get to the northeastern part of the park if that road is closed. So yes, that is still my first choice if only staying one place inside the park. We stayed there for 6 nights once and it worked for us because we could plan which direction we wanted to go depending on the weather, what we felt like doing, etc. We spent 6 nights in West Yellowstone once and ventured out the same way and that worked out well also. We've also spent a night or two at different places in the park and there's something to be said about that also -- although we really don't like to pack up and move. I'd agree with spirobulldog and chose a couple of places to spend a couple of nights each.

I would travel the Dunraven Pass at the first opportunity before the chance of snow closing it. I would think that during the first two weeks of September it probably wouldn't be closed -- and even if they did close it for a day or two, they would probably try to get it open again.It wouldn't be closed for the whole winter yet. Saying that -- the only thing that is predictable about the weather there is that it is unpredictable. We were there once at the end of September and the weather was great.

I'm sure I have probably totally confused you now. It is hard trying to figure this out until you've been there.

Thanks again all for the help.

Spiro.....

I went on the Xanterra site, and they list the accomodations, but I notice they don't list individual places that I see in TripAdvisor like Dureven Lodge or Cascade Lodge (which after some digging I think is under the "canyon lodge and cabins" section). But even after clicking that, you don't get these offerings. It says things like frontier or western cabins.

Am I missing something on that site? Is there a way to specifically ask for some of these propertities? Thanks.

Thanks Maj.

Actually I'm looking at a map of the park as I read your instructions and it makes perfect sense.

Right now, I'm leaning toward just picking one place, as we also rather not deal with the packing/unpacking routine, but we'll see.

Which lodging do you like in the Canyon section?

I haven't stayed in Canyon. We stayed in Roosevelt. But, we did stop and eat near it. I think you would have to call them directly to ask about a specific lodge. I think that area is a good choice, but my first choice would be OFI or something near that. I think it would be best if you stayed at both of them. Atleast have a meal in Lake Hotel and OFI. Plan

Dinner reservations at OFI and Lake Hotel are highly recommended.

The following is in regards to the Lake Hotel, but it applies also to OFI dining:

<i>"Advanced dinner reservations are recommended and can be made by calling 1-866-GEYSERLAND (1-866-439-7375). Dinner reservations can be made beginning May 1 for the following year with Lake Hotel room reservations and 60 days in advance without Lake Hotel room reservations."</i>

And I believe that if the lodges are not coming up on the reservation page (only the cabins as you described), it probably means they are booked already.

There is a way to look at the calendar on their website to see the available dates for an entire month

travelin
I'm wondering if you're looking at the right web site for lodging. I just went to Yellowstone National Park lodging site, put in 3 days beginning Sept 6 and found Old Faithful Inn and the Lake Lodge both have availability. Check out: http://www.travelyellowstone.com/old...ul-inn-96.html

Also, keep in mind if you don't find what you want. CALL I called quite a few times and got exactly what we wanted because people cancel all the time.

Also, after reading what you posted, please do not get anything frontier, I would not even take western and it would be my opinion to get two lodgings, Either Old Faithful Inn or the Snow Lodge and Dunraven, Canyon or Lake Lodge.

Have a great time. We loved Yellowstone and will return!

We stayed at both Dunraven and Cascade Lodge -- they are right next to each other and very similar. Cascade is older and Dunraven has an elevator. The area where the cabins and lodges are at Canyon are away from the main restaurants, etc. area and are very quiet. I'm not sure how much you can count on picking one over the other -- probably depends on which is open when you get there. You definitely can reserve a lodge room (I think they are all called high grade rooms or something similar). If they aren't on the web site (liked stated) then they aren't available per the web site. I have called though and there was a room available per phone that wasn't listed on the web site at that time. This was actually a week before we went. That whole trip was kind of last minute -- I had reserved a room in West Yellowstone and cancelled it when I got one in the park.

We spent a night in the newly renovated Lake Hotel cabins and that was fine also. These are different cabins than the Lake Lodge cabins which are more rustic.

We also stayed at the Snow Lodge. It is a new, modern, expensive lodge. I have no complaint about the room except for one big one. It was the noisiest room I have ever stayed in anywhere. I did read another review that said the same thing. It was over the entrance which probably accounted for part of it, but we heard noise the whole time from above also. It was also full so no chance of changing rooms. I know people have stayed there and loved it though.

The area between Old Faithful and Madison has probably the most attractions that you will want to see for a first visit. There are also 3 very popular hikes in that area (Fairy Falls, Mystic Falls and Lone Star Geyser). And the trails around Old Faithful to other geysers are worth it. It is nice to stay there because it is a lot nicer place when the crowds during the day leave. Two nights there would be plenty for me and if you do stay at Canyon it is a very short trip to the Madison area from there so you can go back if there is something you want to do there.
Canyon is an area where we left in the AM and came back to get a bite to eat and go to bed after dark.
If you want to relax in the evening,watch the geysers, etc. OFI would be a better choice. Or even the Lake Hotel -- there is a lounge with a great view of the Lake in their lobby area.

The area between Old Faithful and the Lake area is IMO nice to see because it travels along the Lake, but can be very long to travel (not because of length, but because there aren't many attractions to see there). West Thumb is a definite, but won't take long and you can do it on your way in or out of the park to or from the Tetons.

Canyon and Lake areas are very close and you travel through Hayden Valley going from one to the other. Also Mud Vulcano area is there.

As you get closer to your trip there is a great web site

http://www.yellowstone.net/forums/

There is so much information on it anymore though it can be hard to get through sometimes. But check the trip reports close to your vacation and they tell you where they are seeing the animals.

Usually the upper loop is the animal rich area and our favorite anymore because the animals are our our main purpose in going back there, and RedRock has pretty much covered that part. Mammoth is worth a look, but touring the terraces shouldn't take even a whole day. As a first time visitor though you will see animals throughout the park and want to cover as much as you can, leaving yourself time to stop and enjoy a place/animal sighting or whatever whenever you want.

Sorry this is so long, but I love Yellowstone!

T&G,

Sorry, "OFI" is the Old Faithful Inn.

Thanks all.

Maj....

So Dunravan and Cascade might be called "high grade" rooms? I did see that, so maybe that was it. I'll just call them.

Xanterra does show the lodging, even if there are no availabilities. It just says "no availability," so I guess for some reason, they don't list them specifically.

Also, where would the Snow Lodge be? That doesn't show up in Xanterra either.

Thanks.

...or would that be the OF Snow Lodge?

The Snow Lodge is directly behind Old Faithful Inn and yes, it is Old Faithful Snow Lodge. Are you using this website: http://www.travelyellowstone.com/old...ul-inn-96.html

I put in Sept 4 under reservations and clicked on the high range room 2 double bed and a popup appeared that described it as being in Cascade or Dunraven. There was availability that date so may be why the popup was there.

Maj, cd.....

Thanks. I just did the same and the popup does show Dunraven and Cascade. Not sure how I missed that! :(

Don't know that matters, but it is just 2 people traveling? might be easier to get a room for 2 than for 4.

Here is a link to my pictures. There was a quite a bit of snow still around the canyon area when we
were there in June.

http://www.photoworks.com/members/sl...mp;id=44219441

click on view all then on Yellowstone. sorry for my technical difficulties.

Spiro...

Very nice pictures. You've gone to some beautiful places!