youre_up

I haven't been to any national parks yet. What are the differences between the two? I will have about 5 days in early September, so I might spend 2 days in SLC and 3 days in Yellowstone, or 2 days in Denver and 3 days in RMNP.

bdawk

Between the 2 options, I would do SLC & Yellowstone vs. Denver & RMNP as there is more to see and do in Yellowstone with the mountains, waterfalls, geysers and lots of visible wildlife.

tripaholic

I definitely recommend Yellowstone NP. Yellowstone NP is full of geysers and you will get to see real eruptions of geysers when they shoot water high up into the sky. You also get to see different boiling pools of multiple colors (and the colors are awesome). There is a "Grand Canyon of Yelowstone" wit upper and lower waterfalls which is really beautiful (though nowhere in comparison with the Grand Canyon NP) and you may get to see bears and moose in the NP (if you are likely), bison and elk are common sights. Mammoth Springs and upper terrace of Yellostone are again something unique to the NP. Rocky Mountain NP is really beautiful with winding roads surrounded by Rcokies looming on us. Not much wildlife, though marmot is an animal which we have not seen in any other national park (and we saw them right by the visitor centre). you will get to see lots and lots of elk (if you are lucky). there are a few hiking trails and there is a point where u can hike up to 1200 ft above ground. it is beautiful. We did Yellowstone in 3 days (at a very fast pace) and Rocky Mountain NP in a day. There definitely is a lot more to see in YellowStone. If you have more time, definitely club Yellowstone visit with Grand Teton NP. It is definitely beautiful (not much to really "see" like Rockies), but you could do a raft trip down the river which will provide some scenic views. Bisons are a common sight in Grand Teton (And even on the drive form airport to GTNP) and if you are lucky, you will spot a moose. We were lucky to spot a mamma moose and baby moose on the drive back from GTNP. SLC is in Utah, so you are close to all the Utah NPs, but you will nto have time to do those this time.

sylvia3

I would do all five days in YNP!

mmouse52

Yellowstone nothing compares more than Rocky Mountain can offer. You could stay in several different hotels in the park. In my opinion unless you have a specific reason for staying in SLC for two days I don't think it warrants that much time. It would be much better to spend the extra day in Yellowstone as it is such a vast amount of area to cover. It would also be worthwhile to visit the Tetons not far from Yellowstone and toatally different view.

PaulRabe

I have been to RMNP five times and would hike there tomorrow if I had the chance. I'd also pick Yellowstone over Rocky Mountain in a New York Minute. YNP is one of the most unique places on our planet.

I also agree there is NOTHING in SLC that should cause you to be there instead of YNP -- and I've been to SLC three times.

utahtea

I'm with everyone else. Yellowstone National Park would be my choice over all the National Parks and I've been to most of them more than once.

I also recommend spending the 5 days in Yellowstone. There's so much to see and do. I promise, you won't be sorry you did.

Utahtea

furledleader

Yellowstone, definately!

Get there as soon as you can, and stay as long as you can. There's a reason it was the first national park in the entire world.

wtm003

Yellowstone! I live in Colorado and enjoy hiking in RMNP, but I LOVE Yellowstone. The diversity is amazing - geysers, mud pots, waterfalls, wildlife and so much more. The more time you can give Yellowstone the better.