travelpoor

Leeam, mapquest says 5:40 from Red Lodge to Jackson - yes, a long day, but if you stop in Cody and then again once you enter Yellowstone, it may not be so bad. Also, if you leave Roosevelt, drive the beartooth to Red Lodge, hang out for a few hours, and then continue driving to Cody (spending the night in Cody), then the next day, you only have 4:30 to drive. Lake Yellowstone is about half way between Cody and Jackson, so you could stop and spend time there, really breaking up your day.

I ended up adding an additional night at Roosevelt Lodge, so that we could do the Beartooth. I think we'll probably go out and back in a day. Mapquest says from Tower Junction to Red Lodge is only 2:20. I think thats doable as an out and back with stops, making it a long day trip.

We did book the chuckwagon dinner at Roosevelt! We're doing the horseback ride to the dinner instead of the wagon so that my kids can get their horse fix.

Please feel free to email me at [email protected] if you want to compare notes further. The current plan is to fly out on July 24th. Right now we have a total of 11 nights planned - not sure how that happened. I may have to scale back a bit as time gets closer.

Jodie

travelpoor

Leeam - thought of something else -

Roosevelt lodge to Red Lodge 2:20 along Beartooth(add a couple hours on for stops), spend night in Red Lodge

Red Lodge to Lake Yellowstone - 3:08 - stop in Cody for lunch. Spend night at Lake Yellowstone - you have plans to stay here anyway, right? possibly juggle the nights around?

Lake Yellowstone to Jackson - 2:30.

leeam

Yes, I am thinking of doing something like you mentioned travelpoor. I am not only in the middle of this, but we are cruising for a week in Nov. and trying to figure out what to do in the ports there! The flights, car rental, accomodations in Jackson, etc. I do not have to worry about yet, I just want to make sure I have Yellowstone booked and that itinerary planned. I may rethink the Beartooth. I'll let you know, thanks for the email address!

travelpoor

Too funny! We're going on a cruise in November as well - Disney Eastern Caribbean cruise - Thanksgiving week. I already know what I'll be doing in the ports . . . NOTHING! We've decided to catch a cab to a beach and hang out all day long - can't wait!

What cruise are you taking?

Jodie

EBZ

Hi there,

We are also planning a trip to Yellowstone and GTNP for next summer. We are considering either the end of July/beginning of August or first of June. Wondering if early June will be too cold? We are traveling with our 2 daughters (5 and 8) and will be staying in lodges... We have reservations for both dates but I want to decide soon so I can cancel one set before I have to pay the CC bill So any advice would be greatly appreciated.

Just a note: my parents went to Yellowstone in mid July this year and were able to get reservations at Snow Lodge and Canyon Cabins in May by calling... So make sure you keep checking back as next summer gets closer and you will probably be able to get the loding of your choice...

Beth

travelpoor

Hi Beth. I think I would opt for the first of June to avoid crowds and traffic backups. I have a friend who went around June 8th this past summer, and she said the weather was wonderful, and it wasn't crowded at all. I've also heard of people who have had snow in June though - crazy - although I think thats an abnormality! Good luck!

Jodie

EBZ

Thanks for your response... Can I share our itinerary and get some feedback... I am now second guessing myself...

3 nights at Snow Lodge, 3 nights at Canyon Lodge and 2 nights at Mommoth Lodge and then 2 nights in Jackson or GTNP...
Your thoughts?

Thanks,

Beth

travelpoor

I haven't been to Yellowstone yet, so keep that in mind. Our trip is planned for next summer. Someone who has already been may want to comment. Based on the research I've done, I think you have plenty of nights in the park. You MIGHT want to consider Roosevelt Lodge (rooms with baths are in high demand there) since they have the cowboy cookout. Also, the Lamar Valley (known for wildlife) is very close to Roosevelt Lodge. A few of us on this thread have been debating the Beartooth highway - supposed to be one of the most scenic in the Country. The closest lodging to the Beartooth would be Roosevelt. If you look at a map, go east out of Yellowstone to Red Lodge, MT if you want to see the Beartooth route. It sounds like you have plenty of nights, so you might want to try and incorporate the Beartooth if you can. We are planning something like this -

Nights 1, 2 - Old Faithful Snow Lodge
Night 3 - Canyon Lodge (only cause we couldn't get a bath room at Roosevelt Lodge for that night)
Night 4, 5 - Roosevelt Lodge
Night 6 - Lake Yellowstone Lodge

One of the days at Roosevelt Lodge, we plan on driving the Beartooth - either out and back, OR, we might check out of Roosevelt Lodge and then do the loop (clockwise) via Cody to Lake Yellowstone Lodge - not sure yet.

After that, we're heading to Jackson for a 2 night kayak trip + 2-3 nights in Jackson.

Am I confusing you more?

Go back on this thread to Aug 5 and 6 and check out the links that maj posted. One gives details on the Beartooth and the other is a fabulous website done by a couple who vacations in Yellowstone once/year. They have some good pictures of Roosevelt Lodge on their site. They are the ones who had snow in June. Good luck!

leeam

EBZ, I agreen with travelpoor, I think June would be better. I would think there would be less people, but will be cooler. I am only going the end of July as I wanted a few weeks of summer vaca. before I went. We usually go to the Panhandle in June as well. But from what I have read and heard, it will be less crowded. I also think you have plenty of nights in Yellowstone, I originally was going to have 6 or 7 but after doing research have decided 4 is enough (2 in Lake Yellowstone and 2 at Roosevelt Lodge) I have heard excellent things about the cookout at R. Lodge, so like travelpoor said, I would see if you can fit that in. Also, I think the cancellation policy is 2 days before check in (that is what Xanterra told me which I personally thought was a little odd since it is an area that is in such a demand).
Travelpoor, we are also going Thanksgiving week on the cruise! We typically sail Carnival or Royal Carribbean but this year we are going Holland America (my parents are going with us and they are in their late 70's and LOVE HAL.) We are going to try it. It is going to Key West, Belize, Guatemala and I forget the last port. I am looking forward to trying a new cruise line I have heard Holiday weeks there are plenty of kids, we'll see. Even if not (my daughter is 11) we will be so busy with the ports and pool, I am not to concerned. - I have never had a bad cruise yet so I am sure we will have a great time as you will on Disney!

EBZ

Well you have given me some things to ponder... We do want to do the Cowboy cookout and were just planning to drive up to it one day, maybe from Mammoth Lodge or Canyon? Do you think we have too many days in Yellowstone?

thanks Travelpor for the tip on the link, that is an awesome planning resource...

And leeam sorry for "highjacking your thread!

travelpoor

Don't feel bad Beth. I highjacked it a ways back. You probably have more time than you really need - maybe subtract a day in Yellowstone and add a day in Jackson? I hear the Tetons are beautiful and there are some nice hikes and fun things to do there as well.

Also, just want to mention that I had a night booked in Mammoth, and I just couldn't get excited about it. Not sure you need 2 nights there. Also, its not a very far drive from Roosevelt Lodge. You could probably visit that area from another base if you wanted to. We are a little constrained cause we want to do a 2 night kayak trip from Jackson lake that only departs on Fridays and Sundays, so I'm trying to plan around that.

Leeam, have a wonderful cruise! I have heard that HAL has come a long way with their kid programming, and I think you're right about a holiday week - lots of kids. This will be our 4th cruise - all Disney. We love it so much that I'm afraid to try another cruise line (shame on me)! I have been eyeing the new RCCL Oasis ship though - looks incredible.
The only port I've been to on your list is Key West - probably my least favorite. We took a tram tour there, and my kids were bored to death. Our favorite thing was the Hemingway house with all the cats. The kids loved it! Its easy to take cabs places (or even walk) in Key West. I think I might avoid the pricey excursions there and just grab a cab to the places I want to visit. Don't forget to get a slice of key lime pie while you're there!

Belize sounds wonderful!! Would love a stop there! Have fun!

Jodie