Yellowstone and Grand Teton Planning for next summer

[HelloChum]

We are heading to Grand Canyon this summer for about 2 weeks. Although I began my planning late, I was able to get somewhat decent ressies--though not always our first choice hotel.

We seem to have caught the adventure bug and are now thinking of Yellowstone and Grand Teton for Summer 2011--want to get these trips in before kiddos are off to college!!

I noticed on the Xanterra Yellowstone page that calendars are up for summer 2011. So, I thought--hmm...maybe we should plan this now and hopefully get our first choice in lodging.

It seems that most places are budget friendly and on the simple side. How budget friendly did you find your trip?

Any experience with reserving national park trip lodging a year in advance? any pitfalls?

What have others done for itineraries? Which month is best to visit--end of June, July (anytime), or early August? Would 9-10 days be enough time? I read in tripadvisor that some change "base camps" in Yellowstone--staying 2 nights in each of 2 or 3 places.

Any info is appreciated--thanks!!

 

[Wilsonfamily4]

We are taking of for Yellowstone/Mt. Rushmore in mid June, after the kids get out of school. In June the weather should not be too hot and there will be more baby animals.

We are spending some time in Cody, Wy as well and spending 3 nights around Mt Rushmore going to Gold Mines, Ghost Towns and all the other great stuff in the area. Also spending 2 nights in Jackson to do some shopping. hehe

The whole family is psyched. We will see beautiful scenery and animals the kids don't see every day. Disney is awesome but seeing the land we live on is fun as well.

This will be our longest vacation as a family. Can't wait

 

[Joy Lammers]

I live in WY and just visited last summer with my 6 year old daughter. There is a lot of walking you can do in yellowstone plus I think you will want to at least stay a night or two in the park because you will have more of an oppertunity to see the animals in the early morning and late evening especially bears!!!!! We stayed outside of the park one night and then inside then next. You definitley need to visit or stay a day or two in Jackson, WY There is some very good restraunts and shopping there, but a little pricey. June is usually still cold here, They will even close the entrences due to snow sometimes into June, they even just had a avalanche and had to close the east entrance the other day. Cody, WY is also a neat little town, but Jackson is a lot prettier. Not too much to actually do in grand teton except if you want to boat or maybe fish. Plus take pictures of the Grand Tetons. It is definitley worth seeing at least once and I have been numerous times and always see new things. We were able to reserve a room 2 weeks out in mid aug but not sure if that is real normal, seem that they usually book up fast. I think the hotel at old faithfull is more difficult but have never stayed there but would love to.

 

[estherhead]

There is a board on here called California & the West under the Disneyland area. You need that board. We did a Yellowstone/Tetons trip a few years ago & my trip report: 4,000 miles of love is on the trip report area. The people on that board are just as smart as the people on this one!

 

[jsmith]

Not sure where in Wyoming Joy lives-but i grew up in Cody and my mother and my in-laws still live there-and my father was a partner in Grubstake Expeditions-a Yellowstone-Grand Teton tour company-for a number of years.
I will concur with Joys assessment that it can be chilly in June-i would plan my trip between the last week of June and the Last week of August. It never gets what you would call hot in that country and that time frame is almost always snow free ( i have seen it snow on the 4th of July-but its rare).
I agree that you want to visit Jackson-but dont miss Cody-there is a world class muesum complex there -the Draper Muesum of Natural History, the Whitney Gallery of Western Art, the Buffalo Bill Muesum and the Plans Indians Museum. Cody also has an awsome 4th of July Celebration. Jackson is very pretty-but also very very expesensive. In Yellowstone its self-i agree with those who move their base a couple of times-there is so much to see and do-and small distances take a long time to cover because the speed limit is 35 mph and the traffic can be quiet bad. I would definately try to stay in the Old Faithful area at least one night-the Historic Lodge is amazing to see-and its fun to stay there-but its shared bath and the rooms are not large enough for families-2 people per room-in the newer part of the lodge or the Snow lodge you might be more comfortable-i do however advocate planning to eat in the the main Lodges resturant-its very very good.
What ever you do-you will have an amazing time.

 

[annsteere]

Staying at the Lodge by Old Faithful was a lifetime dream of mine.

But, one night was plenty.

It is historic: Pres. Roosevelt stayed there. Location is incredible: you can stroll out and see the geyser erupt every 90 minutes or so and then go back to your room. It is unique: curling up with a cocoa on one of the upper level balconies while the tourists mill about below and you feel "home". It is beautiful: incredible interior design, especially the wood. All of these made it a great experience.

But, it is old: bathrooms down the hall and lighting that you can't read by. It is pricey. The soundproofing is awful: those old logs dry out and you can hear everything. The people in the next room were whispering to a little one to coax him to sleep and we could hear every word.

There is a newer hotel near Old Faithful that is both cheaper and more modern.

 

[Buzzsgramma]

And the anme of that hotel would be????? I was considering Old Faithful Inn but am sure its not like WL after reading your report and others....

 

[LiloH]

We went on a trip to Yellowstone in August 2005 and it was amazing. Probably the best vacation we've ever taken.
We stayed at the Old Faithful Inn and had a very different experience than the person above. Our room was gorgeous and bright with cherry mission-style furniture. It also had a very nice private bathroom. This hotel was one of the ones that inspired the Wilderness Lodge and there are many similarities.
In order to get a room at that hotel we did have to book 12 months in advance and some members of our party still couldn't find availability at that time and ended up at the Old Faithful Snow Lodge which was also very nice.
Early August was a great time to go. It got to aroud 80 during the day and was in the 50s at night so it was downright chilly!!

We didn't opt to hotel hop around the park and instead drove every day. Some areas are quite far though and on several occassions got stuck in traffic jams caused by bison wandering into the road. Honestly, we thought it was neat and weren't really bothered by it!

If you're thinking of summer 2011 I definitely suggest you book now to get the best selection of rooms.

Have a great time!!

 

[OhMari]

Stay away with early August. They have Sturgis Week with the Harley's and it isn't bad, but their are Harley's everywhere, and they travel in packs, and only go 50 mph. Don't want to start anything with Harley Riders, but avoid the first week in August.

 

[Deb & Bill]

The Old Faithful Snow Lodge is very nice - we were there for three nights at Christmas. We did have a private bath with two double beds (we brought a Aero bed for our teenaged son). We also stayed at Mammoth Hot Springs Hotel and again, we had a private bath. The tub was a footed tub with a raised ring with the shower curtain on it. We had two double beds. The ceilings are very tall.

If you get a room at Old Faithful Inn (and Mammoth Hot Springs), some of the rooms do not have a private bath - it's down the hall and you share.

There are two newer buildings at Canyon that are pretty nice (these also have private baths).

We haven't stayed at Lake Yellowstone for many, many years, but we got a renovated room when we stayed there with a private bath.

You may need to have reservations to dine at the nice restaurants (I know we did at Christmas time, but things are a bit different during the winter months).

 

[tkafam]

We went 4 years ago at the end of July/beginning of Aug and it was a great time to go! It was chilly for us even then so I would make sure to bring jackets and long pants along with shorts and t-shirts. We stayed for 4 nights in Yellowstone, 2 nights at one of the Canyon lodges (LOVED it!) and 2 nights at the Lake Yellowstone cabins (nice too). Then we went to the Tetons and stayed 2 nights in the Colter Bay cabins (very roomy). We booked ours the Christmas before we left so I think you have time, but some of the more popular places to stay were already booked by then. We still talk about that vacation often. You'll have a great time!

 

[apnep]

Any experience with reserving national park trip lodging a year in advance? any pitfalls?

What have others done for itineraries? Which month is best to visit--end of June, July (anytime), or early August? Would 9-10 days be enough time? I read in tripadvisor that some change "base camps" in Yellowstone--staying 2 nights in each of 2 or 3 places.

Any info is appreciated--thanks!!

Hi,
My SIL and I planned YNP and GTNP in early June of '08. The entire family went--my family of 5+MIL, her family of 5, my sister, nephew, and mom. We started planning in October of '07. I don't think we ran into any problems with lodging except for the ants in the Colter Bay Lodge at GTNP that was in SIL's room by the bed. We stayed in the parks except for one night we spent just outside the Northeast entrance which was literally a mile away.

We had the most fantastic weather. I think we experienced 3 seasons of weather. It was really cold and snowy when we got there and sunny and warm when we left. It was a fantastic experience. We flew in and then rented a car and it was ALOT of driving. If you've never been, I would prepare for tons of driving. We did make the comment after that if we ever went back we would just park it in one spot and enjoy what that area has to offer. It's HUGE, wonderful, exciting and beautiful and all the kids loved it. Definitely worth it, but expensive. If you are planning to stay inside the park area lodging, don't expect nice and new and do expect to pay top dollar.

We did a float trip and horseback riding aside from visiting all the park attractions.

Good luck!

Ang

P.S. I have spreadsheet of exactly what we spent if you're interested for a family of 5 + MIL.

 

[jsmith]

[/And the anme of that hotel would be????? I was considering Old Faithful Inn but am sure its not like WL after reading your report and others.... QUOTE]

Simply specify when you book that you want a room in the newer part of the Lodge not the historic part-you will walk thru the old Lodge-which is absolutely beautiful-into the added on wings-and get a much nicer room-its only the rooms in the older part of the lodge that have shared baths and the older lighting. No its not like Disneys Wilderness Lodge-LOL-its a real Wilderness Lodge-but it is beautiful-and the view of Old Faithful erupting from the second floor veranda its not to be matched.
the Lake Hotel is another amazing place-its mostly been renovated-but keep in mind that it was build around the turn of the last century. There are also cabins throught the park-and as another poster said-the Snow Lodge at Old Faithful is very nice as well.

 

[Buzzsgramma]

Thanks for that info..i have been doing lots of research on Yellowstone...

 

[3boymthr]

We did a cross country tour a couple of years ago and hit Yellowstone on our way west (GC on our way east).

I did my planning in August for a July vacation. They were very accomodating and almost everything I wanted was available, but at 11 months out believe it or not some of the locations were already sold out. Be aware that activities booking cannot be made that far out so you will have to call again to schedule any activities/tours, etc. that you want to do.

Budget wise, we found the cottages/cabins to be the most wallet friendly and since our trip was really long we went as budget as we could. We stayed at Roosevelt Lodge in one of the cabins, had lots of space (we had 5 people so we had three double beds). Our cabin did not have a private bathroom, but the bathroom was literally steps from our door so for the price difference I thought it was worthwhile. I have some photos of the interiors of the cabins and of the lodge area that I can e-mail to you if you want to see them. The Roosevelt Lodge is really far to the north eastern edge of the park, but it's a really beautiful area and it really takes no longer to get to other areas of the park from there than it does from any other area - allow about 1 - 2 hours travel time between each area depending upon how many wildlife sitings there are.

As PP noted the weather in YNP can really vary. We had a wood stove and laughed thinking no way would we need that - well, it rained, horrendous torrential rain with booming thunder and terrifying lightning - we were at Old Faithful at the time - the clouds moved in very quickly - you can see them moving in as I took my photos while waiting for the geyser - the temp plummeted from 78 to 40 in about an hour - we were out without jackets and we were frozen - we couldn't wait to fire up that wood stove - and later that night it actually SNOWED . Just a dusting but please note - This was July 12th.

The next day was perhaps our best day of adventures - we saw the Mamoth (sp?) Hot Springs (very warm that day with no rain, but we still needed the stove at night) - and we went on a horseback ride (DH & oldest DS)/Wagon ride (me and little ones) to a cookout in the back country. This was pricey but it was really really worth the money. All you can eat (steak, etc.) and really good food.

I wish, wish we could have done Grand Teton too, but our goal was to get across the country and back in 4 weeks so we pushed on from there other destinations. We did see them in the distance as we drove thru ID and I have to say they were beautiful.

ETA - even though the prices inside the park are more expensive - if you can afford the difference - it's really really worth the extra money as the after factoring in hour or more it will take you to get from your hotel, thru the gate and to any of the designated "sites" - it's kind of like disney you pay more for your location but the time you save is totally worth the extra money.

 

[Deb & Bill]

If you do go to Gardiner, MT (at the NW entrance to the park near Mammoth Hot Springs), stop at the K-Bar for pizza. It is freshly made, not expensive at all and very good. And the gift store right across the road from the K-Bar has good stuff and the girls who work there are very nice. Lots of friendly people in Gardiner.

My favorite souvenier from that store was a T-shirt with "Take a compass. It's awkward when you have to eat your friends" on the back. The Yellowstone Association Store in Gardiner also has some very good stuff to see.

 

[lindsey]

We did Yellowstone Trip two years ago. We flew into Salt Lake City, spent night, then drove to Jackson Hole, WY to spend 3 nites. We drove the Grand Teton route one day, and drove to Old Faithful the next day. Then we drove to all the way to Gardner, stopping lots on the way, and spent 1 nite. We spent the next nite at Mammoth Hot Springs, taking one of the new "yellow bus" tours in the late afternoon. Then we drove to Pocatello, Idaho - spent 1 nite, and returned to Park City, where we stayed a week. It was a wonderful trip. I had bought a book ' Scenic Driving - Yellowstone and Grand Teton National Parks' by Susan Springer Butler (on Amazon - used) and it was a wonderful tool.

 

[CowboyCO]

Stay away with early August. They have Sturgis Week with the Harley's and it isn't bad, but their are Harley's everywhere, and they travel in packs, and only go 50 mph. Don't want to start anything with Harley Riders, but avoid the first week in August.

Although Sturgis does impact travel all over the West, I'd never recommend avoiding Yellowstone because of it. Yellowstone is 400 miles away from Sturgis and Yellowstone is BIG. You'll see a lot of riders on either end of Sturgis, but travel in Yellowstone is always slower anyway. With all the wildlife stops, campers and RVs, you won't make good time -- and who would want to?

As for the questions on Old Faithful Inn. IMO it is a MUST Stay. Yes, it is over 100 years old and rustic, but it is the largest log building in the world, and it has the genuine Old Faithful outside, not a hode hooked to a nozzle like at Wilderness Lodge. No Comparison. I remember my first visit to Wilderness lodge and my thought the whole time was that WL was a rip off of Old Faithful Lodge, with not much imagination. Beautiful and new, but still a ripoff. See the pics

Old Faithful

Wilderness Lodge

Old Faithful

Wilderness Lodge

The unique knotty pine in the lobby, the massive fireplace. Just the vibe of the place has to be experienced. Plus, in the evening, after the tourist crowds have slowed down, it is peaceful and almost a spiritual experience, with the lobby and halls echoing the annals of the past...

 

[apnep]

If you do go to Gardiner, MT (at the NW entrance to the park near Mammoth Hot Springs), stop at the K-Bar for pizza...

OMG, speaking of really good pizza, Leek's over by Colter Bay in the Tetons had the best pizza ever. They do pastas, salads, and subs too. It was so good, we went back twice.

We started in Billings, MT at the Clubhouse Inn.
Drove to the NE entrance via Beartooth Highway. Beautiful scenery!
Checked in at Absaroka Lodge overlooking Yellowstone River for two nights just outside the NE entrance. It had a kitchen.
Then Lake Lodge.
And then Colter Bay in the Tetons.
We moved around alot but it really helped with being able to see everything we did without having to drive so much when the day was over. It was by far one of the best trips we've ever taken.

In addition to the horseback riding and float trip, we spent the day out at Colter Bay and rented a small motor boat and a couple of kayaks. The kids LOVED it all and still talk about the entire trip fondly.

I have to say, the worst food we had by far was at Old Faithful's cafeteria. YUK! Expensive and to quote my DS "nasty."

Ang

 

[3boymthr]

Although Sturgis does impact travel all over the West, I'd never recommend avoiding Yellowstone because of it. Yellowstone is 400 miles away from Sturgis and Yellowstone is BIG. You'll see a lot of riders on either end of Sturgis, but travel in Yellowstone is always slower anyway. With all the wildlife stops, campers and RVs, you won't make good time -- and who would want to?
As for the questions on Old Faithful Inn. IMO it is a MUST Stay. Yes, it is over 100 years old and rustic, but it is the largest log building in the world, and it has the genuine Old Faithful outside, not a hode hooked to a nozzle like at Wilderness Lodge. No Comparison. I remember my first visit to Wilderness lodge and my thought the whole time was that WL was a rip off of Old Faithful Lodge, with not much imagination. Beautiful and new, but still a ripoff. See the pics

The unique knotty pine in the lobby, the massive fireplace. Just the vibe of the place has to be experienced. Plus, in the evening, after the tourist crowds have slowed down, it is peaceful and almost a spiritual experience, with the lobby and halls echoing the annals of the past...

Totally agree with the drive times, very slow, but given how twisty and mountainous many of the roads are or the proximity of the wildlife to the roads or in the roads - we had to stop at one point while a buffalo walked across the road then up to our van - we also had to stop while a coyote killed a rabbit in the middle of the road - not to mention the people standing/walking in the roads and its totally understandable and necessary. So I wouldn't want to skip august just because of Sturgis.


As to the age of the Lodge - truthfully, I got the impression that all of the hotels and many of the buildings in YNP were about that age. I know that most of the buildings at Mammoth were as they were built to accomodate the soldiers when they were in charge of the park which was from about 1915 or so. And Roosevelt lodge is about the same age - Teddy Roosevelt really did stay there before he was president - so about 1900? and I have to say that while much smaller than Old Faithful it is beautiful inside - not so much from the outside from the outside it kind of looks like a large ranch house.