Travelling to Yellowstone

[disneymom3]

Well, having recently solved the buying DVC debate (we aren't) DH and I are planning our next few years trips and are thinking the next one may be to Yellowstone. Pretty decent drive from here as you can take in the Badlands, Black Hills, Mount Rushmore etc on the trip. However, I have heard that it sells out early as far as lodging and can be really crowded in the summer months.

So, I am looking for first hand experience. If you have travelled there, where did you stay and what was it like and what time of year did you go and how were the crowds? We are currently debating between late August and the week after Labor Day in Sept. We homeschool so the timing is not such a factor for us.

Thanks for any info available.

 

[chyam]

I would defineately be looking into making some reservations in the park now, although at the time of year you are going it is not as bad as July and August. We stayed in the Old Faithful Lodge, there are 2 sections to this lodge one has a bathroom in each room the older (original) only has a sink with a bathroom and shower down the hall. No AC and no telephones are tvs in these rooms either. I don't think there are tvs in the new section either. I really liked it here, also Yellowstone Lake Lodge was beautiful, although I am not sure but some of the lodges may close down at the end of summer. I would suggest spending at least 2 nights in the park since it is a large park and is a good drive from the bordering towns. Cody is also nice if you like museums they have a firearms museum that men seem to drool over A couple hours in the Badlands and Mt. Rushmore is probably all you will need. Also try and save a couple days for the Grand Tetons and Jackson. I really loved the Tetons and Jenny Lake. We spent many hours exploring Yellowstone for the wildlife. I would imagine by the time you are planning to go the leaves may also be starting to turn and it maybe a bit chilly at night. I loved both of the parks Yellowstone and the Tetons.

 

[laurie31]

Check out this thread

http://www.disboards.com/showthread.php?t=1037419

Laurie

 

[Scutapipig]

We did the Badlands, Mount Rushmore, Devils Tower, and Fort Larmie last summer mid-June. Really no crowds at that time.

We had planned on tent camping in the National Parks campgrounds, but only managed it one night. We did camp in the Badlands primitive campground and absolutely LOVED it! We had to wait for the buffalo to move off the road before we could reach the campsite, and then we sat outside the tent and watched the buffalo graze around us, and then fell asleep listening to the coyotes howling.

It rained the rest of the week for us, so instead of camping in each of the spots mentioned above, we sort of "fastpassed" through everything and stayed in hotels.

In Keystone (near Mt. Rushmore), we stayed at the White House Resort. Nothing special, but the room was large, clean, and nicely decorated. We paid about $70 for a family of four.

I highly recommend spending some time in the Badlands and Fort Laramie. We did the Jr. Ranger program at Fort Laramie and had a great time! We did not like Mt. Rushmore. They commercialized it and put up a large parking structure and we thought the "improvements" were horrible. We liked it how it was years ago when it was simple. Oh, and you pay $8 for parking.

If you happen to head down to Nebraska for any reason, Scottsbluff National Park and Chimney Rock were extremely interesting stops.

 

[wide awake]

We were in Yellowstone in July two years ago. It was crowded around the restaurants, stores, etc...but deserted when you started hiking anything longer than a mile. We started by camping, then my son decided he wanted to stay in a hotel...so we were VERY lucky in getting a room at Old Faithful Inn at the last minute. Absolutely beautiful hotel...we stayed in the newer section, no television, it was wonderful !!! I wouldn't stay in one of the bordering towns, too much of a drive. I would love to go back, stay a week, and hike on all the trails we missed.

 

[daannzzz]

I took my Dad to Yellowstone in May of 2004. We came up from The Grand Tetons and the road had just opened from the winter, the day before. This was mid May. We spent two nights at the Old Faithful Inn. I belevie I had booked that 9 months ahead. IT was a bit crowded as they were celbrating the 100th Anniversary of the Inn but it calmed down quickly and the rest of the park was not at all crowded. We really enjoyed the room at the Inn. The buildings are very old and a bit creaky but the room was big, recently remodeled and fairly nice. Be aware there aren't any TV's in the rooms at National Park Lodges. I have done a bit of travel around the US and been to WDW 9 times and Disneyland over 40 but Yellowstone was probably my top favorite vacation. Do not hesitate to go see the Grand Tetons either. They are spectacular.

 

[disneymom3]

laurie--thanks for the link. Haven't been spending much time on the Community board lately and missed that thread. What perfect timing!

I have gone to Yellowstone several times when I was growing up travelling from MN back home to CA. Always loved it. One of those trips we stayed in the Old Faithful cabins, and they do have some openings the weeks I am considering. It is hard to figure out lodging because they don't show you a map of where each place is. I know we want to stay in the park itself. If we can't pull it off this year, we can just rearrange and go to PA first and then the next year go to Yellowstone.

 

[CindyKansas]

I worked at Yellowstone for 2 summers. The last summer I was there I stayed until the middle of September. By then most of the crowds are gone and it's a beautiful time in the park. Early June is nice too with all of the wildflowers blooming. I would go ahead and make reservations asap. The accommodations in the park can be a bit rustic, but nice. I worked at Canyon and I enjoyed the location since it was basically in the middle of the park. If you go off the beaten path to go hiking you really don't see many people and there are some great hiking trails. Have fun.

 

[DisneyDotty]

One of my most favorite drives in this beautiful country of ours is from our home (Chicago-area) to Montana--Yellowstone or Glacier National Parks. The scenery just gets better the further west we travel!
Definitely give some time to South Dakota--check out Custer State Park/Needles Highway (seeing Mt. Rushmore through some of the cut-outs is breathtaking!)
You will be going at a great time. We've always done Yellowstone in July--busy but not unbearable. Crowds thin considerably once school is in session. Plan to stop and walk A LOT. There's so much to be seen if you just get out of your car and hike a bit.
BTW--We've always camped, so can't really help with accommodations. West Yellowstone is a fun, funky tourist town with lots of hotels. But I'd stay in the park, too, like you and others have said.
Say hi to the moose and bison and bears etc. for me!
Have a great trip!