Grand teton adventure co. or Brush Buck Tour

It looks like we might be going with GT Adventure tour. Has anyone used this co for the tour of yellowstone? Or has anyone used Brush buck yellowstone tour. Help need to make up mind soon.

thanks

pat

Grand teton adventure co. or Brush Buck Tour

bumping for you. We used Jackson Hole Wildlife Dafaris and they were good.

Grand teton adventure co. or Brush Buck Tour

oh boy what a time I%26#39;m having making up my mine. But I think I finally did. I%26#39;m going with Wildlife Expeditions, reason is because of the vehicle they have. Safari style van with the roof hatches. They cost more but I think its worth it. Thanks for the help.

Pat

Inn at Jackson Hole or Quality Inn 49'er??

I%26#39;m in a quandry...I have reservations for mid-June at the Quality Inn in Jackson for 2 nights but have found a better deal at the Inn at Jackson Hole...would save about $70 over 2 nights. We are a family of 4 (kids 13 %26amp; 6) and are not sure which would be the better fit for us. We are not fond of super-crowded, touristy areas (which I%26#39;m assuming Jackson can be?) so thought maybe Teton Village might be better for us. But, is there any affordable food options out at Teton Village? We would have a free breakfast at the Quality Inn...so maybe the ';deal'; at the Inn at Jackson Hole wouldn%26#39;t be much of a deal? I%26#39;m guessing the scenery around the hotel is much prettier in Teton Village? If anyone can help me w/ some input I would appreciate it!! I%26#39;ve checked out the reviews of both hotels %26amp; both have pretty decent reviews w/ a few bad apples. I%26#39;m not expecting perfection, just looking for the best deal for our $$. TIA!!!

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Quality Inn 49'er or Inn at Jackson Hole Dilemma?

I posted this on the Teton Village forum...but this would fit over here as well.... :)

I%26#39;m in a quandry...I have reservations for mid-June at the Quality Inn in Jackson for 2 nights but have found a better deal at the Inn at Jackson Hole...would save about $70 over 2 nights. We are a family of 4 (kids 13 %26amp; 6) and are not sure which would be the better fit for us. We are not fond of super-crowded, touristy areas (which I%26#39;m assuming Jackson can be?) so thought maybe Teton Village might be better for us. But, is there any affordable food options out at Teton Village? We would have a free breakfast at the Quality Inn...so maybe the ';deal'; at the Inn at Jackson Hole wouldn%26#39;t be much of a deal? I%26#39;m guessing the scenery around the hotel is much prettier in Teton Village? If anyone can help me w/ some input I would appreciate it!! I%26#39;ve checked out the reviews of both hotels %26amp; both have pretty decent reviews w/ a few bad apples. I%26#39;m not expecting perfection, just looking for the best deal for our $$. TIA!!!

Quality Inn 49'er or Inn at Jackson Hole Dilemma?

i would stay in jackson but that%26#39;s just me. lots going on %26amp; your eating options are much better. there are a lot of neat shops in jackson around the square %26amp; your kids would get a kick out of the shootout. the rodeo is on wed %26amp; sat nights %26amp; well worth it.

teton village is very nice with a lot of lodging options. the mangy moose is a decent place to eat %26amp; probably the least expensive option. there are several places not too far away (nora%26#39;s fish camp) that are also good in the area.

Quality Inn 49'er or Inn at Jackson Hole Dilemma?

If you select ';Jackson Hotels';, upper left hand column, you%26#39;ll get reviews of some lodgings, perhaps the two you are looking at.

ittwit

Need advice about travel from Bozeman to Dinosaur NM in CO

My husband, two sons (ages 2 and 7) and I will be staying in Bozeman, MT for a week through July 5. From there, we plan to travel south toward Colorado and into Dinosaur National Monument. We%26#39;re having a hard time mapping a route that is somewhat direct, but also scenic.

Does anyone know how long the drive is from Bozeman to Jackson and if there are any opportunities for lodging south of Jackson without driving for more than 9 or 10 hours in one day? Do you think Jackson is an area we should take a break in before heading over to Dinosaur? I%26#39;m getting nervous looking at the map and realizing it%26#39;s pretty much a no man%26#39;s land between Jackson and Dinosaur, especially with a 2 year old in tow.

We were contemplating driving west from Bozeman into Idaho and Utah, and then heading back to the east just to see something new, but it seems less scenic than driving straight down through Yellowstone and Jackson. We%26#39;ve been to both places already and don%26#39;t plan to stop for much %26#39;action%26#39; on this trip, but we want to make sure we%26#39;re headed in the right direction with hopes for %26#39;safe%26#39; lodging at the end of the long day on the road. HELP!!!

Need advice about travel from Bozeman to Dinosaur NM in CO

If I were you, I%26#39;d just head south on 191. Bozeman to Jackson is about 4 hours depending on wildlife and traffic. Although it may look like there isn%26#39;t much south of Jackson, it is scenic and you will be through farming country, with small towns along the way. This is my favorite way to get to Jackson. You could easily overnight in Green River or Rock Springs, Wyo., but Kemmerer, Wyo. would be another stopping place. I would suggest you not stop in Evanston - expensive (it%26#39;s in the middle of the energy boom). I know nothing about the road you would take into Dinosaur. Most of this will be good 2 lane state highways. The drive from Bozenman to Rock Springs or Green River would probably be 7 1/2 to 8 1/2 hours depending on how much time it takes to get through Yellowstone.

Upcoming Trip Route Advice Needed

We%26#39;re coming to Yellowstone in mid June, driving from Nebraska. We%26#39;re staying in Cody the night before we start our time in Yellowstone. We are staying two nights in the Yellowstone area, first night at Cooke City and second night in West Yellowstone. Leaving the park via the south entrance for Tetons/Jackson Hole.

Should we come into the park via the east entrance or the northeast entrance? I%26#39;ve read great things about the Beartooth highway but not sure if coming in from Cody we will see that part of the highway?

Also, if we do come in via the northeast entrance, we won%26#39;t see Yellowstone from the east entrance to Fishing Bridge. We have limited time, so we won%26#39;t be able to see it all, are we missing out on a any must sees if we don%26#39;t see this area?

Thank you!!!

Upcoming Trip Route Advice Needed

To get to Cooke City from Cody you have two options:

#1 Take Hwy 120 north out of Cody until you get to the Chief Josephy Scenic Highway. Turn left and drive until you reach Hwy 212 (Beartooth Scenic Hwy). Turn left (west) there and drive to Cooke City and the northeast entrance to Yellowstone. A side option is to turn right (east) to go over Beartooth Pass. Drive up the south swtichbacks and over the top to the Vista View Point on the Red Lodge side. Vista View has a rest area and a nice paved parking lot. It is an ideal place to turn around and go back towards Cooke City. There are also many dirt/gravel pullouts along the way where you can turn around if you don%26#39;t want to go all the way to Vista View Point.

#2 Take HWY 16 west of Cody to the east entrance. To get to Cooke City and your 2nd night of lodging you will need to turn right (north) at the Fishing Bridge Junction. Go past Canyon junction, over Dunraven Pass and Tower. Turn right (east) at Tower/Roosevelt Junction and drive out the northeast entrance to Cooke City.

Its hard to decide what to do when time is limited. What are your plans for driving from Cooke City to West Yellowstone? If you%26#39;re planning on coming down through Tower and Canyon then I%26#39;d said take option #1. If taking option #2 is the only way you%26#39;ll see Hayden Valley/Canyon/Dunraven Pass and Tower. In mid-June you will probably have a good chance of seeing a grizzly in the Dunraven Pass area. We always see black bears between the Roosevelt and Tower. Lots of bison in Lamar Valley and yesterday we saw 5 Big Horn Sheep just off the road about 1 mile east of the Tower/Roosevelt Junction.

Whatever you choose will be fine. Both areas are spectacular and very scenic. Seeing Yellowstone Lake as you%26#39;re coming in from the east entrance is awesome. While I am partial to Beartooth Pass and would vote for that option both are a win-win option. If you choose going to Cooke City via Chief Joseph Hwy and would like some directions for some beautiful easy/moderate hiking areas right off the highway let me know and I%26#39;ll post them.

Deb

Upcoming Trip Route Advice Needed

With limited time inside the park, I would consider not doing Beartooth Highway. You only have 2 days to see a huge national park.

Day 1 Omaha to Cody WY is a huge drive. Close to 14 hours.

Day 2 From Cody, enter YS via the east entrance. Visit the Lake area, then head north to Canyon area, Tower Falls and then to Cooke City for the night stopping at dusk in Lamar Valley to watch for wildlife.

Day 3 The next morning get up early, see Lamar Valley in early morning, then head toward Mammoth, then to Old Faithful area for the rest of the day to see geysers etc. Stay in West YS.

Day 4 Early morning along the Madison River to Old Faithful area to finish up any places you did not have time to see the day before. Drive south to Tetons.

Thanks for the responses. Just as clarification, we%26#39;re not driving from Omaha to Cody our first day. We%26#39;re driving from Omaha to Scottsbluff, then Scottsbluff to Sheridan and then Sheridan to Cody. We want to be able to take our time.

I think we will be able to see all of the park, except the road from Fishing Bridge to the East Entrance unless we come in that way.

If we would decide to see Beartooth Pass, how far is it from where we would get on 212 from Cody? I%26#39;ve read such wonderful things about the area, I am thinking we want to see it.

Thanks again!!

While I appreciate you wanting to take your time on the route, I%26#39;d suggest that you not stop for an overnight in Sheridan and instead push on to Cody and put that extra day into the Yellowstone Park area. There is so much to see and do within Yellowstone. Staying outside the park may be the only option but I%26#39;d really try hard to get lodging inside the park to minimize the driving time each day.

Teton County Fair

We will be in Jackson the same time as the Teton County Fair. Has anyone been before? Any views on it? Many thanks

Teton County Fair

County fairs are always fun and a piece of Americana. Most of the exhibitors are kids and teens with 4H, but many locals participate. You can see wonderful quilts, see rodeo, check out exotic roosters, watch a horse show and see pig wrestling!! Also carnival rides.

According to the schedule Nitty Gritty Dirt Band is performing and this would be a fun concert. I saw them eons ago at the North Dakota State Fair! Check the website for the calendar. www.tetoncountyfair.com/fschedule-1.html

Consider spending a few hours just to see what is there.

Day Trip Report

We made our first trip of the season into the Park today and it was fabulous!

To start with, if you%26#39;re coming down from Bozeman on 191, pay attention to those wildlife signs! We saw a good sized herd of bison just off the side of the road a few miles outside of West Yellowstone.

Coming into YNP from the West entrance, we passed the Bald Eagle nest - which seems to be abandoned - or at least isn%26#39;t being used now. We did see several large herds of bison along the river - lots of babies! There were also several small herds of elk - and lots of ducks, geese, etc.

We stopped at Old Faithful, which we hadn%26#39;t done in awhile and saw that erupt - quite a sight, especially since it wasn%26#39;t too crowded today. We met our son and daughter-in-law there and gave our granddaughter back to them :-( They had been camping at Mammoth and said that they had seen a black bear, a grizzly, and lots of mountain goats in that area!

We then drove from OFI to Fishing Bridge. There was still quite a bit of snow along the roadside all along that area - about 2 feet or so in most places. We also got to see the ice on the Lake, which Deb mentioned in her report. I had never seen that either - amazing this late in the ';Spring';!

We all had a picnic lunch together before they headed back to Mammoth and we completed the southern loop -up to Canyon, over to Norris, and back out West Yellowstone to Ennis. Saw quite a few elk, and of course went past the bison again - except this time they were changing location, using the highway! It was fun to watch the babies running around and playing alongside the adults.

All in all, a wonderful day. I%26#39;m already anxious to set a date for our next trip over!

Hope all of you planning trips now have a great time when you get there!

Day Trip Report

Thanks, heypaula, you make it harder to wait for this years trip, just two weeks from now. Sorry you had to give back the granddaughter. :(

Camping in June plus Bears?!?

We will be visiting YNP the first week in June and have planned on camping for the first 3 nights at Bridge Bay campground. I%26#39;ve now recently read some posts on here saying that it can still be very cold that time of year and there may even still be snow on the ground? I was curious to see what people%26#39;s recommendations about camping would be this time of year. Also, I am terrified of bears and read a post recently that early June is a big time for bears? Should I be worried about camping? Any thoughts would be GREATLY appreciated! (I%26#39;m not kidding...I am fully convinced we will be attacked by a bear..aaaahhhh)

Camping in June plus Bears?!?

Any night in Yellowstone can be pretty cool. I%26#39;ve camped in early June at Bridge Bay and have seen snow on the ground there. I%26#39;ve also camped in mid-August and had temperatures below freezing.

June is big for the bears because the winter snow is finally melted/melting and they have just come out of hibernation. The sows will have their cubs with them and they will be at lower elevation yet because there will still be too much snow in the higher elevations so your chances of seeing a bear would be better then than later in the year, but your chance of seeing a bear in the campground is pretty slim. People are not the favorite food and they don%26#39;t go around looking for people to eat. Attacks usually occur when they are surprised on a trail and then it is usually just a defense reaction. I%26#39;ve never worried about a bear attacking me in a tent.

Camping in June plus Bears?!?

Will it be cold, probably. Could there be snow, yes. I know some who have camped in Yellowstone in June and left early because it was so cold. But I have also known others who have toughed it out. How tolerant are you of the cold?

As for the bears, yes there is a lot more activity in June since, like another stated, they have come out of hibernation and are looking for food. They usually will not atttack and chances are if they do, they feel threatened or you are to close to her babies. They are very protective over their cubs.

I don%26#39;t mean to scare you but you are more likely to run into a bear while hiking than in a campground (this does not mean that you will).

Consider the cold when you make your decision, don%26#39;t worry about the bears.

I%26#39;ve tent-camped at Bridge Bay on a yearly basis for many, many years. The earliest I%26#39;ve tent camped there is mid June. I%26#39;ve had snow, rain, and very nice,warm days. Nights are always cool but with good sleeping bags,underpads, warm clothes and extra blankets we%26#39;ve never been cold.

As far as bears- I%26#39;ve had black bears come through Bridge Bay while camping there (many years ago) and last year there was a mama grizzly and her babies near by. The rangers are very diligent about protecting the safety of the bears AND the safety tourists. It is their top priority. They do not want the bears to get used to people and eventually have to be relocated or sadly euthanized so they work hard on keeping them away from campgrounds. Last June they had some of the top loops at Bridge Bay closed off and the trail to Natural Bridge closed off due to bear activity.

When you enter the park you will get a brochure outlining precautions to take for all wild animals. You%26#39;ll also get more precautions when you register for your camping spot. FOLLOW THEM! Do not put food in your tent and make sure all food and cooking supplies are either stored in your vehicle or in one of the metal bear boxes throughout the campground. I usually clean up and contain all food related items in my car within a 1/2 hour after eating.

Usually wherever there is a bear along the road, there are rangers directing traffic and watching out for the welfare of everyone. I%26#39;ve been lucky enough to be the first person to come upon black bears but have never seen a grizzly without a huge ';bear jam'; along with rangers.

You%26#39;ll have a great time. My grandson and I are going to try to do a day trip next weekend if the weather is nice here and then a camping trip sometime the 2nd week of June. I%26#39;m looking forward to both trips.

Deb

We%26#39;re planning a trip for mid-late June and will be camping at Madison. I%26#39;m very excited as it%26#39;s been years since were there in YNP last. It would be a highlight of the trip to be able to see a bear. The last time we were there, we worried more about the bison coming through the campground than bears.

We too are expecting it to be cold, especially at night and first thing in the morning and will be packing accordingly. It%26#39;s all part of the camping experience as far as we%26#39;re concerned.

Thank you so much to everyone for their input! We will plan on packing some extra items to be sure we are ready for all weather conditions, and I%26#39;ll try to loosen up about the bear situation (although I%26#39;m not sure this is completely possible haha)

Can%26#39;t wait for our trip! 3 weeks and counting!

We camped in Yellowstone last year on the first week of June. As long as you have a good sleeping bag, I would be more concerned about rain than cold. It rained a little on us which made for some difficult (but manageable) cooking/grilling conditions. Got cold at night but not that bad. Stayed at Mammoth campground most nights which I think is lower elevation (thus a little warmer). We did see a large black bear chasing down some elk only a hundred yards from our tent as we were setting up. That was a little nerve racking. But we heard later that he got his elk and was near-by enjoying his feast, and to just steer clear of that area. But other than that we only saw a couple other bears in the park over the whole week.

hami0152, if you don%26#39;t mind ';grisly'; humor, I%26#39;d change your screen name before you go tent camping. :)

Hami - First, do not worry about the bears. Just practice common sense things like NOT having any kind of food in your tent. Don%26#39;t cook sardines or fish with the clothes you plan to sleep in either, lol. I have been tent camping in Yellowstone for years and have never had a problem while enacting these precautions.

Secondly. I recommend a GOOD sleeping bag for April, May, 1st half of June, late August, September, October and November. For that you might have to spend a bit of cash, but it will last you a long time. I would not go any higher than a 20 degree down bag to ensure your comfort. There are nice synthetics out there, but most do not have accurate temp ratings. For example, if you buy a 20 degree synthetic bag for $100, chances are it%26#39;s really a 40 degree bag in terms of comfort and you wont find out until your trip, which is not FUN (trust me, I know). Splurge on a 20 degree down bag. REI has them for around $150. Dick%26#39;s sporting goods has nice down bags by Marmot for $130. Another key thing is do NOT use a bow up sleeping pad under 40 degrees, which can happen at night in June. Use a closed cell type of mat (foam roll up kind, $5-10 at any store). If you do not have a sleeping mat, you will be colder because your back side compresses the down, causing it to lose it%26#39;s loft. A sleeping mat is essential. You could use blankets as well if you don%26#39;t want to buy a roll up mat.

I wouldn%26#39;t worry about bears at Bridge Bay at all. It%26#39;s a huge campground:

parkcamper.com/Yellowstone-National-Park/Yel…

....as you can see on that interactive campground map for Yellowstone.

Some other tips - make sure you have a pair of long underwear($10), a knit warm hat, gloves, a warm jacket, two heavy pairs of socks and layers. It may be beautiful in the day, but it can get COLD in the mountains at night and first thing in the morn.

Also, do yourself a favor and pick up a couple of the headlamp style flashlights for the trip. They let you free up your hands for camp chores like cooking! Very handy. You can also easily read in your tent at night.

Sounds like an awesome trip.

Wolverine...thanks so much for the great advice! I will definitely add your recommended items to our packing/things to buy list. Also, thanks for the advice about the sleeping bags...we are headed out this week to find some good ones.

Thanks to everyone for the great tips. Our vacation is finally coming together after great advice on these forums. We can%26#39;t wait!

I have camped many times in Yellowstone in early June. Had everything from days of sunshine to a foot of snow... Biggest recommendations; use a closed cell foam pad (the cheap $10-20 variety) not an inflatable mattress, I like to use a cot to get off the ground with the pad on top for insulation. Wear a ski type hat when you sleep (before you get cold). As for the bears... I don%26#39;t worry about the bears. (The only people in Yellowstone who have issues with bears seem to be people solo hiking in the backcountry.) But since paranoia can kill your enjoyment of the trip. if you are bear-phobic I would recommend camping at a less bear active area than Bridge Bay. Bridge Bay does not even open until early June because it is a bear area. The bears won%26#39;t bother you, but you are highly likely to see them at some point. In contrast Madison is not a big bear area. (When I was there last August the rangers said they had not even had a bear in the campground all season.)

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vc

YSNP Trip - Mid-July

We are planning a mid-July trip to YSNP for 3 days, with additional 1 or 2 days in Grand Teton (either in beginning or end of the trip). Today we called for lodging at YSNP %26amp; (luckily) got 4 nights in Canyon Lodge (7/16-7/19) Yay!!!! The only flight going into Jackson Hole (for us) lands there at 8 pm %26amp; return flight leaves at 8 am. SO we have to work around these timings. We are flexible on our fly in – fly out dates as we have not yet booked our flight. Once we figure out logistics, it will help us finalize the route we take. Therefore my questions below:

1. On the day we land, do u think it is advisable to drive a bit into Grand Tetons at night and stay somewhere there, so we have a head start? Or should we just crash at JAC the night we land and start driving the next morning?

2. What would be a good way to “see’’ Grand Teton? Is it enough to drive leisurely %26amp; take in the interesting sights as we’re driving through Grand Teton on our way to %26amp; from YSNP? Or do you recommend we spend 2 days/1 night exclusively for G Teton? If so,

3. Given our flight times, does it make sense to cover G Teton in the beginning or the end of our trip, considering the lodging (7/16-7/19) we already booked in YSNP?

4. Canyon Lodge seems like a central location to cover most of YSNP from what I see on the map %26amp; also from the forums on here. Also, I understand drives inside the park can get long. Staying in Canyon Lodge should we be able to manage it without feeling like we r living in the car, or do u think I should try to break our lodging in the park, by spending 2 nights elsewhere, to make it more convenient?

Thanks in advance for any input…

YSNP Trip - Mid-July

Sounds like fun. I think you have great lodging for your visit. If you can get the first 2 nights at Old Faithful, that might be better, but may not be possible.

Day 1 I would fly in 7/14. Spend the night in Jackson. No need to drive at night, too far, plus Tetons are beautiful in the morning!

Day 2 Tetons all day. 7/15 See if you can get lodging at Jackson Lake Lodge or in Colter Bay. If not stay in Jackson

Day 3 To Yellowstone 7/16

Day 4 YS 7/17

Day 5 YS 7/18

Day 6 YS 7/19

Day 7 YS to Jackson WY 7/20 Have a fun dinner, do some last minute shopping etc.

Day 8 Depart

YSNP Trip - Mid-July

Hi Thanks for your suggestions, but sadly we dont have 8 days to spare - max we can do is 5 days. That%26#39;s why we%26#39;re trying to plan ahead of time, but at the same time trying not to pack too much each day, as we also like to relax %26amp; take it easy while on vacation...So here%26#39;s what we have so far...

7/16: Land in JAC at night, crash in Jackson Hole

7/17: Start driving through Tetons in the am (hopefully catch a short hike in G Teton), Check into Canyon Lodge (YSNP) by evening

7/18: Explore Old Faithful area Geyser area

7/19: Explore North area of YSNP (Valley etc) what else ??

7/20: Check out of Canyon Lodge, Explore more YSNP or G Tetons (not sure what), Stay night somewhere near G Tetons or JAC

7/21: Catch flight in early am

I know there are a lot of blanks, which Im hoping to fill with suggestions from the forums..But its kind of hard to estimate the general direction and realistic driving distances...

Also, Im reading about Beartooth highway, to or from YSNP, which direction seems feasible? How much time should we plan to really enjoy the drive?

Does this above plan seem too short? We %26#39;MAY%26#39; be able to add an extra day before or after, as our air tickets are not yet booked. what do the experts think?

I think you%26#39;ve got a decent plan for the time you have available.

One thing, on your first day you plan to visit Old Faithful and that area. Before you do, drive down through Hayden Valley to Lake and back up to Canyon. You never know what you%26#39;ll find down that way. There%26#39;s more wildlife out early in the morning than later. You can spend the rest of the day doing geysers or whatever you want.

Here%26#39;s a link to some sample itineraries we put together. They may not be what you want but will give you something to think about.

www.alandsuejohnson.com/ynp_itineraries.htm

The menu to the left also has a Grand Teton link that might have some information to help you get oriented down there.

This sounds like a fun trip. You might be short changing your time in Grand Teton a bit, if you are seeing GTNP and driving to Canyon the same day. It can take 3 hours to get from Jackson to Canyon depending on traffic an wildlife. I would spend some time walking around Jenny Lake and Jackson Lake, maybe lunching at colter bay or jackson lake lodge (which has wonderful teton views).

Just driving to Canyon you will pass by some wonderful YNP sites, and Hayden Valley. You can expect wildlife jams on your drive through the valley. Canyon is a great central location to see the park. We stayed there last summer, and it worked out well. The area doesn%26#39;t have the classic ';parkarcitecture'; that you will find in some of the other areas, but it does have lots of services. If you can spend the first night in the Old faithful area, it would be worth it.

Given the choice between staying in Jackson hole on 14th night after landing and moving ahead on 15th to grand teaton or staying two nights (14th and 15th) in colter bay or jackson lake lodge, what would be your recommendation?

How is the drive from Jackson hole airport to colter bay or jackson lake lodge? Can it done in the night as we land at 9:00 PM on 14th? It is safe?

Thanks,

Antiquing from SLC to Cheyenne and into Colorado

My husband and I are eagerly looking forward to a summer antiquing trip from California into Colorado. We plan to stop in Salt Lake City on the way and are curious if there are any antiquing prospects between SLC and in/and around Cheyenne.

Thank you, in advance, for any help!

Antiquing from SLC to Cheyenne and into Colorado

Driving along I80 from SLC to Cheyenne you will go through a number of small western towns. I%26#39;d stop in Evanston, Green River, Rock Springs, Rawlins, Laramie and Cheyenne. www.antiquetrip.com/wyoming.htm

Laramie: ultimatewyoming.com/businessdirectory/buspag…

Once you get to Colorado, visit Lyons, Fort Collins, Niwot, Louisville, Lafayette and Denver.

Have fun.

Antiquing from SLC to Cheyenne and into Colorado

don%26#39;t skip Fort Collins, CO. an entire strip of antique stores on South College Drive.

Water Purifier (needed?)

Hello,

Regarding our (maybe) 12 hours hike in Grand Teton National Park (The Paintbrush Canyon/Cascade Canyon Loop). I have read that most of the water in the United States are infected, you cannot drink out steams and rivers. Is this also true for GTNP, more specifiek the Paintbrush/Cascade loop?.

The SteriPEN (for filtering the water) cost around 90 dollars, a huge amount consider we only need it one day (the other days are short hikes, but carrying water for twelfe hours in such warm conditions? I think we need four liters per person..).

Any toughts on this subject?

Maybe we can rent it in there?

Thanks!

Jerry

Water Purifier (needed?)

Yes you need to purify the water. Consider that animals have been in all the streams and have carried micro-organisms everywhere. Without a purifier, you will have diarrhea almost for certain. Spoken from experience.

There are small pump units that are less expensive than the SteriPEN. They are a bit larger but you can pump your container full in a matter of a few minutes.

Water Purifier (needed?)

Most filters are fairly expensive, but you can get a water bottle filter for $20-$40. I have heard good things about Aquamira products, and they are relatively inexpensive. Plus you can get water treatment tablets. There is a small ';straw'; type filter for emergencies I%26#39;ve seen for about $10. www.aquamira.com

Having had Giardia once I can say it would be a real trip spolier. I spent three days in a hospital. A basic filter plus tablets would be a really good investment. Giardia cysts are endemic in most all US streams and rivers.

Oke, thats clear! Thank you.

I wil look into the suggestions.

Do you think its worth the money and trouble to use a waterfilter for just a dayhike? We can bring enough water from basecamp (3 liters) for the hike.

The downside is that we have to carry so much weight in water, but.. what do you think?

Or maybe it is needed in Yellowstone as well?

(I guess the water from campsites is already clean?).

Greetings,

Jerry

Water at the campgrounds is fine. I would have a filter and/or tablets instead of carrying that much water. Much cheaper than a hospital visit, or a ruined trip!

Oke, than i hope we can buy it in Yellowstone National Park (the SteriPen for example, lightweight and very good if i must believe te internet :) ).

By the way, and this is totaly off topic, but seems this is my own topic i think i can slipp a quistion in between: We are visiting Washington DC for four days, so we will be at the center (tourist locations, like the White House) are there any good outdoorshops near (well, i meen in) this location?

(Four days is not so long, we dont want to trow our ';schedule'; all around for a shop).

Thanks!

Greetings,

Jerry

Not exactly ';downtown'; in the tourist areas but a fairly short Metro ride would put you a block away from Hudson Trail Outfitters (HTO) at Tenley Circle (exit Metro at Tenleytown Metro stop).

http://www.hudsontrail.com/

I checked for REI as well but could not find any as close to a Metro stop but it would be worth checking in the District of Columbia forum area.

should I change Lodging for 7+ day trip?

I%26#39;ll be going to Yellowstone at the end of August for a 7-9 days. I have reservations so I can split our stay between Lake Yellowstone Cabins(the yellow ones) and a Western Cabin at Canyon. Any big advantage to changing location during the trip? Also any input on which cabin/location you like best is also appreciated. One more Q, what do you think of Mammoth cabins that time of year? Seems like that area will be pretty dry by the end of August. Thanks so much for your insights!

should I change Lodging for 7+ day trip?

It%26#39;s only about 16 miles from Lake to Canyon so I would question why you would want to make that change. Perhaps from Lake or Canyon to Old Faithful or from Lake to Roosevelt might make more sense. I%26#39;m not that fond of the Mammoth area so I wouldn%26#39;t recommend that as a place to stay, but others might.

should I change Lodging for 7+ day trip?

I agree with above comments. Lake is nice to visit at end of day for a meal but mostly to sit on the deck with wine/beer and snacks, sit back, on watch the meadow and possible bison.

I agree, there is no reason to stay at Lake and change to Canyon. Canyon may be a bit busier with a night bar/restaurant scene, but Lake has a prettier location. Canyon is a bit more centrally located, but again 16 miles makes little difference in YNP. I am not that fond of mammoth either, it is interesting for a couple of hours, that is all. And in August, it will be very hot there! Try Old Faithful area if you like a busier vib or Roosevelt if you like it quiet, but only if you want to change it up. You%26#39;ll be fine as long as you are staying in the park.

Lake is my favorite but I also love the cabins at Mammoth-they have great porches and we had elk in the courtyard. Canyon is a great location but busier, and the cabin we stayed in there was not nearly as nice as the ones at Lake or Mammoth-others may be better. However, we added an extra night in the middle of our upcoming trip and will stay at Canyon that night because it%26#39;s a lot cheaper-only $80 compared to $123 at Mammoth and $145 at Lake.

If price doesn%26#39;t matter and it%26#39;s between Lake and Canyon, I%26#39;d personally pick Lake.

Thanks so much to all for the great advise. Can%26#39;t wait for our trip!

Need a place to stay for 3 night for 4 people in late July

Looks like all the cabins/hotels inside of the park are pretty much full. Any suggestions on Motels/Hotels in west yellowstone area? Can I find a clean place for under $100 in the area?

We will have 2 and 1/2 days in the park, how should we use our time?

Appreciate your help!

Need a place to stay for 3 night for 4 people in late July

Try this webpage. It lists West Yellowstone %26amp; surrounding lodging with price ranges

www.westyellowstonechamber.com/sleep/hotels/

There are also other cabins, etc. from this page

http://www.westyellowstonechamber.com/sleep/

Need a place to stay for 3 night for 4 people in late July

I%26#39;m glad you posted that link to the West Yellowstone motels - I couldn%26#39;t find it!

texas - if you decide you want to stay in the Park, I would suggest calling Xanterra. They will have more current availability than will be shown on the website, and due to cancellations you can often get something when the site is showing that everything is booked up.

If you scroll down through some of the other posts, you%26#39;ll get some good suggestions on things to do. This link should help too: www.alandsuejohnson.com/ynp_itineraries.htm

Good Luck!

software

Help with Itinerary Please

Hello!

I%26#39;m trying to plan my itinerary in Yellowstone. We are staying in various properties because I found this forum too late and thus made my reservations late. Anyway, here are our lodging plans:

Grant Village

Old Faithful Lodge

Canyon Lodge (2 nights) - Roosevelt cookout 2nd evening

Mammoth Hot Springs

Lake Yellowstone Hotel

Jackson Hole (2 nights)

I would love some suggestions on what to see when and best routes to drive in the park. We are a family of 4 with two kids (14 and 11). We like wildlife, nature, photography, and some hiking.

TIA!

Help with Itinerary Please

As you may know, inquire at the reservation desks about transfer to more central areas, like Canyon (glad you got space there), Lake, Old Faithful. But the good news is, you are in the park.

You have plenty of time to wander one loop then another, and backtracking at YNP is actually a good thing in that sights change, you%26#39;ll be more relaxed and stop at places you might not have thought to, plus you can spend more time observing the wildlife en route and in the Lamar and Hayden Valleys.

Two collaborative Inside Pages provide information to enhance your trip, including trip preparation and wildlife viewing.

For wildlife viewing and photography:

tripadvisor.com/Travel-g60999-c96653/Yellows…

Packing for your trip:

tripadvisor.com/Travel-g28973-c100586/Wyomin…

Help with Itinerary Please

There aren%26#39;t a lot of choices of routes in the Park. As you%26#39;ve probably seen on the maps, it%26#39;s a Figure 8, with no side roads.

The way your lodging is set now actually puts you in all of the major areas at some point. If you don%26#39;t want to be moving around that much though, keep calling Xanterra for cancellations - as already suggested. Personally, I would try to lose the night at Grant Village and add it to Canyon or Lake.

If you haven%26#39;t already checked it out, this link has info on all the YNP activities: www.nps.gov/yell/planyourvisit/things2do.htm

There%26#39;s a link to hikes - and you may want to get a Yellowstone Hiking book before you come to pick out some that you%26#39;d like to do.

Also, check out the Junior Ranger and Junior Scientist programs for the kids.

You might enjoy the horseback riding and/or going out on the Lake. There%26#39;s a scenic boat ride and also you can get a guided fishing trip if that interests you.

One last thing, while you%26#39;re in Jackson Hole, consider a rafting trip on the Snake River - lots of fun.

Good Luck!

Thanks for your suggestions!

makeup show

Need a place to stay for 1 night on 7/20/09 at Jacksone

Please recommend a motel/hote. Can I find anything around $100 in July?

Thanks in advance!

Need a place to stay for 1 night on 7/20/09 at Jacksone

307-733-2823 kudar motel. clean, inexpensive, %26amp; within walking distance to the square.

Need a place to stay for 1 night on 7/20/09 at Jacksone

ptquard,

Thanks a lot! Just made the reservation.

What do we do now???

We will be visiting early October and did not have a lot of choice of accomodation in the park due to the time of year and had decided to stay at the Old Faithful Inn.On the first day we were going to do the upper loop road but have now seen that the road from Madison to Norris closes August 17th!!

We are coming from Devils Tower and were going to enter and leave the park by the South Entrance.

Would we be better coming in on a different route?

Please let me have your ideas

thanks

What do we do now???

From Devils Tower the best entrances are East and North East. It doesn%26#39;t appear that you can change lodging, so you will have a bit of a drive to see the upper loop. You may want to stay in Gardiner for one night to visit the upper loop, which will not be a loop, but still beautiful.

Don%26#39;t stress and enjoy your trip. You are coming at a wonderful time of year.

What do we do now???

Good advice from Casa on this.

Staying in Gardiner for a night might work well for you. Otherwise, you%26#39;ll be doubling back to get to and from OFI. However, it%26#39;s a nice drive through Hayden Valley and along the Lake. So it%26#39;s really your preference.

There%26#39;s no good or bad choices - Oct. is a beautiful time in the Park, and you%26#39;ll enjoy your stay no matter what you decide to do.

Hey,thanks for this.

On the back of the advice I have checked the mileage and from Devils Tower to Cooke City or the South Entrance is approx the same.

So I think we will stay a night in Sheridan and then head for the northeast entrance and stay the next night in Gardiner.That way we will be able to drive the Chief Joseph scenic byway as well.Should that route be clear at the beginning of October?

Actually if you want to enter YS Park from the South Entrance (near Tetons) it is much longer than to Cooke City, at least another hour or so. Did you mean the East Entrance (nearer to Cody WY)?

According to the NPS YS website ';October 13, 2009 —Roads close to the public at Tower Fall to Canyon Jct. and Long Lake via Beartooth Pass to the Montana Stateline. (GATES CLOSE AT 8 A.M.).';

Have fun.

Making the most of the busiest week of the year

Hello all,

As part of our great ';out west'; drive-a-palooza this year, we are going to be in YNP-GTNP in the first week of July, arriving the 1st into West Yellowstone and leaving the 6th for SLC. We will be coming from Grand Canyon/Zion/Bryce, so we%26#39;re excited about staying in ';one'; place for a while after some long days of driving in the desert!

Given the normal crowds and the fact that the 4th is a weekend this year (maybe that doesn%26#39;t make a difference, though???), I want to be smart about planning what we see in YNP.

How%26#39;s this sound for a rough plan? Family of four, with a %26#39;tween daughter and a wildlife-loving son.

July 1 - Arrive in W. Yellowstone late in day after 8-hour drive. Nap. ;) Go to pool. ;) Wander around town.

July 2 - Full day driving in YNP - Norris - Mammoth - Tower

July 3 - Full day driving in YNP - Canyon - Lamar

July 4 - Check out of W. Yellowstone. Driving south of Madison - Old Faithful (crazy because of the crowds on the actual holiday?), and exit to the south to get to GTNP.

Check in to GTNP for several days of wonderful nothing. ;)

Does this seem reasonable? How bad really are the crowds on the 4th? I saw in the archives that someone said there were 25,000 people in GTNP last 4th. That%26#39;s hard for me to gauge in actual terms. Are we talking traffic jams at every junction in YNP?

Thanks!

Making the most of the busiest week of the year

There will be crowds so plan on getting up as early as you can. I would modify your schedule just a bit to get to the wildlife viewing areas first thing in the morning. Take along a cooler with snacks, picnic supplies and drinks. Lots of picnic areas around.

July 2 Lower Loop. Head straight to Canyon and to Hayden Valley for early morning wildlife viewing. Then back to Canyon to see the falls and canyon. Then to Lake area and loop back around to see Old Faithful late afternoon. Maybe have dinner nearby and watch sunset. Back to West YS.

July 3 Upper Loop - Get up early and drive to Lamar Valley first. Early morning is best. Then make your way back to Mammoth and West YS.

July 4 You have this day to visit the geyser basins around Old Faithful and move on if it is too crowded. Stop at Lewis Lake on the way to Tetons..

Making the most of the busiest week of the year

Some Inside Pages and websites to provide more ideas.

Binoculars are very useful, the more the better to share.

For wildlife viewing and photography:

tripadvisor.com/Travel-g60999-c96653/Yellows…

Packing for your trip:

tripadvisor.com/Travel-g28973-c100586/Wyomin…

Two very worthwhile museums to visit as time permits:

Cody, WY www.bbhc.org/home/index.cfm…

North of Jackson

http://www.wildlifeart.org/

The biggest crowds will not be at junctions but at the major geyser areas and their parking lots, so consider being there late afternoon, for example, eating, then seeing either Lamar or Hayden Valley in the evenings.

You will also have ';bison jams';; go with the flow, don%26#39;t worry about it, beverages and food in the car make it easier. Food is for you, NOT for the animals. :)

I%26#39;ve been there many dates throughout the summer and never felt that July 4 was any different.

It can be quite hot during the day, consider hats and sun block. Quite cool to cold at night.

If you cannot live w/o a fourth day in the park, inquire at the reservation desks if anything available (or in W. Yellowstone), and sacrifice a day in GTNP.

Just a couple of different things to fit in while you are here. Your son might really like the Grizzly %26amp; Wolf Discovery Center and talking to the naturalists there (in West Yellowstone).

Ranger Adventure Hikes are half-day hikes into the back country with a ranger. I don%26#39;t think many people know about them, but the Lone Star Geyser and Fairy Falls tours are neat ones for families

nps.gov/yell/planyourvisit/rangerhikes.htm

Depending on when you are leaving, West Yellowstone has a neat 4th of July celebration with a small parade, music in the park, and fireworks at night.

Thanks, everyone. Great tips, across the board!

Organized tours or roam by yourself?

We are just starting to plan for a June 2010 trip to Yellowstone. I am wondering if it is better to take an organized tour or just go to a few places on your own? If so - what tours are good.

Organized tours or roam by yourself?

I like an organized tour in big cities where I don%26#39;t know how to get to the attractions and don%26#39;t want to watch traffic while I try to find my way.

Yellowstone isn%26#39;t like a big city. There aren%26#39;t many turns where you could get real confused. I like to go my speed, stop where I want for as long or short as I think is right, not what a tour operator thinks fits the schedule. If I choose to watch Old Faithful blow twice or 3 times before I move on, it%26#39;s up to me.

Now for the other part. Yellowstone is big and you need some idea of what you want to see and where it fits into the schedule so you can do the activities that interest you and you don%26#39;t have to be hurrying everywhere. How many days do you have planned? Are you more interested in the geography, geology, topography, or the animals of the park. I really enjoyed the hike we did up Mt. Washburn, but it is a steep climb and you need to be in fairly good shape and not prone to altitude sickness to be able to enjoy it. Some people want to spend a lot of time looking at (for?) the wolves. I have them where I live and have seen them close up so I didn%26#39;t go looking for them. You might want to.

Here is an online map, just like the one they will give you at the entrance. This one is clickable to zoom into different areas so you can see what is there and how the roads fit into scheduling your itinerary.

nps.gov/PWR/customcf/apps/maps/showmap.cfm…

Organized tours or roam by yourself?

As long as you have a car, I think you can do just fine, or even better, exploring Yellowstone on your own. All of the major attractions are easy to find from the main road and you can go at your own pace.

Are you in Grayslake, IL? If so, we%26#39;re practically neighbors-I%26#39;m in Crystal Lake.

vc

YNP/GT trip pricing

We are looking at a trip to YNC/GT next year (Late may or Early June)and have to travel on a limited budget.

What can we expect in way of expenses for tours, etc - and what tours shouldn%26#39;t we miss?

What about meals - what should we budget for daily meals for 2 people? Since we are flying in from Florida, cooler and bringing food is not an option for us - we will need to eat out or buy local for all meals.

Lodging - are the less expensive Pioneer/Frontier options good? We don%26#39;t mind roughing it a little- but do need our own bath in the room!

Your help is appreciated!!

YNP/GT trip pricing

I would visit the parks with your own car, that way you can stop when you want. You could pick up a cooler in Jackson to help save on food costs.

How many days are you planning? Where are you flying into? Check rates in Billings MT, Bozeman MT as well as Jackson WY. There also are many free or cheap ranger guided hikes and talks.

Visit www.nps.gov/yell and www.nps.gov/grte

The cabins at Old Faithful, Canyon and Lake have private baths, many at Mammoth and Tower do not. To check out lodging visit www.travelyellowstone.com

YNP/GT trip pricing

We are planning 9 days total - flying into Salt Lake City (most likely) - and giving 1 day on each end for travel time with 6 full days in YNP/GT - is that too much time? How should we split our time in YNP to see it all without too much rush? We enjoy (short) hiking and picnicing, and will have a rental car to travel at our own pace.

Agree with the advice to pick up a cooler-even if you give it away before you leave, you will save a lot of money if you can avoid eating out every time you are hungy. After lodging, food will be your biggest expense, so if you bring in drinks, snacks, and lunch fixings, even if its just PB%26amp;J or cold cuts, you%26#39;ll really save a lot of money. Also, if you find yourself near Gardiner or West Yellowstone, you can probably get a better meal at a better price in these towns than in the park. If you do eat in the park, head for the cafeterias rather than the full service restaurants. The food in these is adequate and much more affordable. Anyways, if you were going to budget for 3 meals a day for two people, eating in the cafeterias, I would say $60-$75 a day-someone please correct me if I%26#39;m way off?

Six full days is in no way too long-a very nice amount of time IMO. We%26#39;ve always spent 5 nights in YNP and have usually spent 1 full day in the Tetons.

The Pioneer/Frontier options are very good. That is what we are doing again this summer, each has its own bath, and to give you an idea, this is what we are paying for this summer:

Mammoth: $123 before tax for 4 people

Canyon: $80 (including tax)

Lake Yellowstone: $145 before tax

(Sorry, for some reason I don%26#39;t have the pre-tax rate for Canyon, but it is our cheapest stay).

So, Canyon is by far the cheapest. We last stayed at Canyon 16 years ago and it was not nearly as nice as Lake-smaller and darker, but was still just fine. However, the location is great, and I think I read that they are redoing these cabins in the fall so I think they would be just fine. I%26#39;m also pretty sure you can book now for next summer-I would do it as soon as you have an idea of where you want to stay to have the most choice. You can always change. I booked our rooms for the very end of July/early August on January 2nd and had my choice of lodging except for Roosevelt and cabins at Old Faithful.

I%26#39;m not sure about tours. Personally, I would skip them. You can do fine exploring on your own. The only organized activity we%26#39;ve done is the Roosevelt Cookout which was very fun but also very pricey. Furthermore, I don%26#39;t think you need to plan out what you%26#39;re going to see each day. We always head out each morning in one direction or the other, stop at whatever highlights we pass, stop when we see wildlife, find a picnic area when we get hungry, etc. If you wind up staying in more than one location, it would of course make sense to cover the area closest to where you are staying each day, but I%26#39;ve never understood the need to schedule Yellowstone. With 5 to 6 days you%26#39;ll have plenty of time to explore at your leisure.

So besides food and lodging, your only other fixed expense will be the $25 7 day admission fee. Also, don%26#39;t forget gas-you can fill up in the park and it%26#39;s usually higher than outside the park. Other than that, you shouldn%26#39;t really have any expenses unless you want souveniers.

Reality Check, if I may. The Pioneer and Frontier Cabins are very basic and, well, unfinished; not motel like. Some with sink in the bedroom, very small toilet/shower combination, but at least they are in your cabin. If you are like most, you%26#39;ll use the cabin for crashing at night, and spend most of your time seeing the many sights. So, expect the bed and bathroom, not much more. Unless you get a Western Cabin type accommodation. If you call Xanterra, the park%26#39;s concessionaire, they can guide you, as can the website.

Official Lodging and Tour vendor for Yellowstone National Park (Call them frequently, cancellations occur.)

http://www.travelyellowstone.com/

With re: trip planning, don%26#39;t underestimate the park%26#39;s own website, which contains a lot of very good information and an interactive map.

http://www.nps.gov/yell/

A cheap Styrofoam type cooler, purchased in any grocery store, will enhance your trip, in two ways. One, as noted, it will reduce costs. Two, by having food and beverages available, you can either stay on the move or, importantly, stay at certain locations to observe the wildlife.

Tours? Sure, you can, but you don%26#39;t need to. Once you review the map, you%26#39;ll see that the roads are, essentially, tour guides. Follow the roads, follow the signs, it works out. So, I agree with librarychick, relax, drive carefully, watch for the wildlife, enjoy walking the many boardwalks/walkways in the geyser areas.

Bring binoculars, you won%26#39;t regret it.

This Inside Page has more than you need, but the tips will prove useful.

For wildlife viewing and photography:

tripadvisor.com/Travel-g60999-c96653/Yellows…

Cascade Canyon type hike in Yellowstone

Due to time constraints we will not be able to do the Jenny Lake/Cascade Canyon hike before leaving Yellowstone. Both the areas are spectacular, but very different. Anyone know of a Yellowstone hike that is similar to the Cascade hike in regards to stark raw beauty of the rugged mountains lining the canyon trail.

Thanks

Cascade Canyon type hike in Yellowstone

probably something around the canyon area. i haven%26#39;t done it yet but the heart lake hike in the west thumb area looks like it would be a nice one.

Cascade Canyon type hike in Yellowstone

I don%26#39;t think there are any hikes in Yellowstone that compare with Cascade Canyon. The Tetons and Yellowstone are two very different areas. The Teton are mountains that rise up directly from a flat valley while Yellowstone is the caldera of a volcano. Much different topography. In the Tetons you hike up a canyon surrounded by the mountains, in Yellowstone you hike up Mt. Washburn to see from the top of a mountain. Take a look at the view from the top of Mt. Washburn.

nps.gov/archive/…index.htm

We will be staying at the Canyon area and will doing the North and South Rim which should be very cool. Will take a look at the West Thumb area.

makeup show

May Trip

My husband and I are visiting YSNP this weekend. We are planning to fly into Salt Lake City and drive.

We are staying Thur %26amp; Fri night at the Old Faithful Inn. We are flying out of Billings on Sunday. It is a very short trip but this is a last minute getaway for us.

We want to hike and see the wildlife.

Here is what I have tentatively planned.

Friday - drive early morning to the Canyon Area - Hayden Valley area. Mt. Washburn Hike.

Saturday - head out early to view any wildlife. Watch the Old Faithful. Hike either Fairy Falls or Mystic Falls - depending on how tired we are from the previous hike !

Leave for Billings in the late evening. We are staying in Billings to catch our Sunday morning flight.

What to do guys think ? Am I being ambitious here ? Should I stay put in Old Faithful area for both days ?

Let me know

Thanks in advance.

May Trip

You never have enough time in Yellowstone to do it all, so don%26#39;t worry about what you don%26#39;t get in, just enjoy what you do.

What you have planned sounds great and very feasible.

May Trip

Your plan sounds great for the time you have. I agree - do what you can and enjoy it!

I definitely wouldn%26#39;t spend both days in the OF area - too much else to see, especially this time of year. I was there Mon. and the Lake was still partially frozen - something I%26#39;ve not ever seen before. Also, still lots of snow along the roads in parts of that area.

The roads are all open, but I would check at the entrance or at a Ranger station on whether the Mt. Washburn trail is open yet. You may have to omit that. If so, you can check on the YNP site for other options.

Have Fun!

Thanks for your input. We are so looking forward to our visit.

Teton Village in October/?snow

My family is very excited about a planned visit in the fall-three generations in WY for a first visit. We are trying to avoid the crowds for this visit to be able to enjoy everything so we%26#39;re planning on late October. The Snake River Lodge is top on our list so far and we%26#39;re likely staying for 5 days. We%26#39;re fine just to sightsee the area including Jackson and GTNP and then maybe come back for a summer or winter trip for more activities.

Our stupid question is about the likelihood of snow in late October. I%26#39;ve read that it is possible most months to have snow but we%26#39;re actually hoping and planning for at least a small amount while we%26#39;re there. Don%26#39;t laugh but our home is lucky to see any accumulation during a winter season. Thanks for any responses.

Teton Village in October/?snow

It is possible and likely that you will have some snow in October. The cool mornings and passing clouds lend to daily precipitation. As you have planned, October is an off peak time as well. Be sure to check restuarant hours as many will close in the ';off season'; early or not open at all. Either way, it will be a memorable trip.

Teton Mt Lodge, Jackson Lake Lodge or Wyoming Inn

I have two nights booked at the Teton Mt Lodge in lake July, which I chose because I liked the idea of having scenic views. However, I%26#39;ve been reading the forums and am now considering maybe switching to either Jackson Lake Lodge because it sounds like it has even better views from the hotel, or the Wyoming Inn because a lot of folks are recommending that we stay in Jackson because of its close proximity to the activity there. I know with the Wyoming we%26#39;d be giving up the views. We have two children, 7 and 10. Any suggestions to help me with this decision are appreciated!

Teton Mt Lodge, Jackson Lake Lodge or Wyoming Inn

Here%26#39;s a link to the pictures from our room at Jackson Lake Lodge. It was a mountain view room and that%26#39;s important. They don%26#39;t all have this view.

alandsuejohnson.com/grand_tetons_2008/tetons…

Look at this and the next 5 or 6 by clicking on the right edge of the pic. Also, Signal Mountain Lodge is spectacular and is closer to the lake.

I%26#39;d recommend Jackson Lake Lodge over Jackson. We didn%26#39;t really like the town that much. Jackson is a reasonable base to see the Tetons though.

Your kids may enjoy Jackson more than we did.

Teton Mt Lodge, Jackson Lake Lodge or Wyoming Inn

Thanks for the quick reply, and the suggestion. Love the pics!

We meaning my husband, my kids and me love the Wyoming Inn in Jackson Hole. Great beds, staff and very good hot breakfast each morning.

The Wyoming Inn is great, but if you can, would try to stay at a place that is walking distance to the Town Square. The Cowboy Village is great. Nice rustic cabins that are ';affordable'; for Jackson. The Trapper is great. The Rustic Inn is newly remodeled and has a nice outdoor pool for the kids. It is more money than the other too. Wyoming Inn is a couple miles from the town square where all the action is during the summer and just being able to walk to town with the kids is nice.

Really, all three places you are looking at are great, but if you do make the move to Jackson and are doing it to be closer to town, I would stay somewhere that allows you to walk there.

FYI though, up at Teton Village (where Teton Mountain Lodge is) there is a great kids activity area where kids can rock climb and do a bungee jump on a trampoline.

Thanks for the suggestions!

Hey! We%26#39;re going for our 5th trip to the area in early June. Here are my thoughts: Wyoming Inn - Located right in town. Haven%26#39;t stayed there, but have seen it and read good reviews. Looks like above average motel. Very close (walking distance in many cases) to family-friendly restaurants, shops, shoot-out in town square, see Grease this summer at the Jackson playhouse, etc. On the other hand, staying in Jackson means you%26#39;ll be a little further (30-40+ minutes) from Grand Teton NP entrance. Teton Mountain Lodge - Upscale hotel. We stayed there last summer %26amp; are returning again this summer. Fewer restaurants (most are in the nearby hotels), much less to see %26amp; do right in Teton Village, but much closer to the back entrance to Grand Teton NP (via Moose-Wilson Rd.). This is beneficial when getting up early to see wildlife (plentiful in the early morning hours)and when using as a base to go up into Yellowstone. Jackson Lake Lodge - Haven%26#39;t stayed there, but have eaten at the lodge. It is, of course, a park property, so you are inside the park and in a more central location to both GTNP %26amp; Yellowstone. Average amenities/food, but the views are great and, if using as a base for seeing both parks, this will mean less travel time back/forth. It just depends on what your plans/interests are...

I%26#39;ve stayed at both. Teton Mountain Lodge is new and very nice. We stayed in June 2007 in a suite with upstairs and downstairs. It had a beautiful(granite/stainless steel) full kitchen, with an 11mo. old and a 5 year old,it worked out very well for us with the kids. The Mangy Moose is close and a good place for eats and drinks, I think they still have live music on certain nights. In 1998 we stayed at the Jackson Lake Lodge BK (before kids), we (my husband and I)had a great time,but quite rustic. The Mural Dining Room was really nice and hanging out in the lobby after dinner was really relaxing, lots of kids with families...playing cards,board games, and reading, good family time. I don%26#39;t think they have upgraded, we stopped by in 2007 and it looked the same. But, that%26#39;s the charm of the area. They both are great, you can have rustic or upscale. Views are great at both. I haven%26#39;t stayed at the Wyoming Inn but have only heard good things. I don%26#39;t think you%26#39;ll go wrong either way. Enjoy and have a great trip. We%26#39;re heading back in early June, can%26#39;t get enough!

I can only speak about the Wyoming Inn as we stayed there for a week and loved it. It is on the Jackson bus line and you can ride around town for free or pay a small fee and ride out to the ski area.

The food is fantastic with a great breakfast and fresh baked chocolate chip cookies in the evening. Staff and service are superb.

However, for kids, there is no pool and there are no views.

We stayed at both Teton Mtn. Lodge and Jackson Lake Lodge last summer on our visit to Tetons/Yellowstone. I loved them both, but they were very different. Teton Mtn. Lodge was our ';splurge'; property, and I which I%26#39;d saved it for last. We had a 1 bdr. suite, the bed was awesome and the kids stayed out on the very nice sleeper sofa in the den. There was a neat hot tub on the roof that we had to ourselves for a while. We drove Moose-Wilson Rd. (which is very close and convenient) and had dinner at Dornan%26#39;s -- Moose-Wilson Rd. was so much fun and where we saw the most moose on our entire trip.

Jackson Lake Lodge was more scenic. We had a patio view room with no view of the Tetons, but looked out on willows that had colonies of little ground squirrels. My 10 yr. old had fun watching them. Two full beds and a more ';dated'; room, but lots of character here and great wildlife viewing out back of the lodge. Some nice hiking trails also. Again, I really enjoyed both places and I%26#39;m glad we experienced both of them.

Enjoy the Tetons -- they are stunning!

None of the above. I vote Signal Mountain Lodge (foreverlodging.com/lodging.cfm?PropertyKey=69).

In a trip that included Pike%26#39;s Peak, the Grand Canyon, Yellowstone, and Rocky Mountain National Park we took more pictures while staying here than any other single place on the trip.

You are right on the lake and have the mountains directly across them. This is also a place that I don%26#39;t think you need have any fears with your children playing at the beach during the day. Though I would never leave a 7-year old out of sight for even 10 seconds in bear country.

The view through the window in the mural room at Jackson Lake Lodge is magnificent, but you aren%26#39;t going to stay in the mural room. We sat on our cabin porch (two bedroom cabin btw) and just enjoyed doing nothing but looking out on the view.

Cats

Grand Teton trip planning

Hello everyone,

I%26#39;m looking for advice about our Yellowstone %26amp; Teton national park trip. Maybe you can help.

July 7

We arrive at Jackson Hole Airport in the afternoon, rent a car, and hoping to find space at a campsite in Teton National Park. We have a small two-persons hiking tent. Campsites are on %26#39;first come, first serve%26#39; base,

Quistion 1:

Should i be worried about this?

Because we just arriving from the airfield we dont have any food with us. We going to camp in Teton and Yellowstone, but we cannot bring all the gear neccecary to %26#39;really%26#39; camp. Its a city holliday (New York, Washington, and a ';detour'; to Yellowstone :) ) we are not in full hiking mode. My travelmate has no experience with hiking, and no hiking gear.

We will sleep in the tent, but hoping to eat in restaurants and buying food (like choclatebars and hardkeks) for dayhikes.

I have some experience with hiking, last year i did the Kungsleden Trail in Lapland, Zweden (nationalgeographic.com/adventure/0505/classi…) and camped two weeks in the nature, drinking water from the river, cooking freecedried meals: a real long distance hike in a incredible area. But you need to prepare, and train, before you can hike with all the gear on your back. This is not an option right now, so we are in ';tourist mode'; without much hiking gear with us.

Quistion 2:

Is it doable to stay at this two parks without preparing your own meals? (i know its fun to do!)

Quistion 3:

Can we buy food, bars etc.. between the airport and a campsite in Teton National Park? I suppose there is no supermarket, but i%26#39;m already suprissed (not only positive) about the number of hotels and buildings in National Parks, kind of strange, but welcome for now.. This is very important for us, we cannot bring food for five days in a airplane (ofcousr i know we can drive to Jackson City).

July 8

The day after we arrived, we want to hike in Teton. I was thinking about the ';Paintbrush Canyon/Cascade Canyon Loop'; wich seems to be long and hard, more than 10 ours estimate, but doable consider the popularity. We are both not in very good shape (i%26#39;m sitting behind the computer all day long...) but i have some experience with long distance hikes in Zweden and Scotland. I was thinking of leaving the campsite at 6AM in the morning to start early on. I have found a lot of information about this hike. I do think its a little to much for one day, but to carry al sleepinggear allong with us doesn%26#39;t seem to be a option, so we cannot use the campsites halfway the hike.

Quistion 4:

Any opinions about this hiking idea?

July 9

Leaving in the morning for a drive to Yellowstone, find a campsite. A easy day with hopefully not to much pain in our body ^

July 10

Small hike in Yellowstone

July 11

Hike in Yellowstone

July 12

Maybe going to a different campsite, small hike.

July 13

Driving to airport, leaving to New York city.

Quistion 5

Any suggestions or opinions about this?

(suggestion for a cool dayhike in Yellowstone?)

I hope you can help me with some of my quistions!

Thanks!

Greetings,

Jerry

(From Holland)

Grand Teton trip planning

There%26#39;s information on our website that might help you. I%26#39;ll provide a link to our Yellowstone map but there%26#39;s planning information, trip reports, many pictures, sample itineraries.

The junctions are where the red triangles are.

alandsuejohnson.com/yellowstone_map_pics/yel…

If you are in a campground near a junction, meals will be easy. If you buy an ice chest while in Jackson, you can eat breakfast and lunch anywhere and there are several picnic areas around.

Now to try to help with some of the questions.

Question 1: There%26#39;s a large grocery store in Jackson about 8 miles south of the airport. Its an Albertson%26#39;s. Depending on what time you arrive, it might be simplest to spend the night in Jackson and get an early start searching for a campground. Take a look at Colter Bay Campground for a nice setting within the park. Also look at Signal Mountain. Signal Mountain has a store and a restaurant as well. Views in that area are spectacular.

Question 2: Yes. Easier if you stay near the junctions in Yellowstone. Less sure about the Tetons. If you camp at someplace like Colter Bay then no problem.

Q 3: You can be food things at the junctions in Yellowstone and at Signal Mountain. Not full grocery stores but may keep you going. You could also find a full grocery store in WEst Yellowstone, MT.

Hiking questions: I can%26#39;t help a lot with these. We spend most of our time driving and look for or watching wildlife. There%26#39;s lots of trails out there but I%26#39;ll let someone else offer advice. One that might be worth considering is Mt Washburn. Its a 3 mile or so hike up from Dunraven Pass. Spectacular with a chance of wildlife.

Our website has some sample itineraries that you might find interesting. No need to follow them but they might get you started.

We have less information on the Tetons but its located here:

www.alandsuejohnson.com/grand_tetons_top.htm

Look at the 2008 trip since it gives you a decent idea of what can be seen in a day. The Tetons are spectacular and definitely worth spending the time.

Grand Teton trip planning

I forgot, here%26#39;s a link to information on camping in Yelloswtone. Note that not all campgrounds have showers or laundries.

nps.gov/yell/…camping-in-yellowstone.htm

I replied earlier...Kids and I love Grand Teton so much we do not even head towards Yellowstone...Have found it to be crowded with folks to lazy to get off the road and hike a bit..every animal sighting is a traffic jam. North Yellowstone is better, less crowded and more scenic, however is a good drive from Jackson...Looks close on a map, however road is slow going...On three different visits, having spent 4-5 days hiking in the Tetons, I have always asked myself ';why did i leave and go to Yelloowstone? I certainly understand you travel distance and the desire to see as much posssible..I have alwasy been dissapointed and frustrated by the crowds..

Hiking: Paintbrush and Cascade canyon may be a bit much for a beginer hiker in one day. My suggestion is to take the ferry across Jenny lake and hike up cascade canyon to lake Solitude. Beautiful hike, follows stream, fields of wildflowers after fork towards Lake Solitude. Have soon Moose on every occasion in this is area. Have lunch at Lake Solitude and return. Take inventory of your companion and their feet condition. The next day head up through Paintbrush canyon towards lake solitude from other direction. See both trails, different views of the Mts and your companion will enjoy more of the trip when broken into 2 hikes..I am jsut saying this based on your description of fitness level and experience...It is doable for the avid hiker, but no recommended for a begginer. I would ge them to start breaking in their hikiing boots/shoes..determine hot spots by putting in several miles at one time and determining friction points...

I am concerned that you may not be acclimated to the altitude to do that much hiking on your second. You may want to plan on something less physically taxing, such as kayaking or river rafting, and let your body adjust to less oxygen.

Thank you all!

AKJ, you helped me allot! I%26#39;am glad to hear that there are possiblities for buying food. Iam going to do some research based on the information you gave me!

LLamalike, i have heard this comment on Yellowstone/Teton more than once. Thats the reason i want to do a long dayhike in the Tetons. But Yellowstone is worldfamous and i believe a must seen for people visiting this area. Also, Yellowstone is much bigger with different natural areas(?), that i think spending more days in Yellowstone instead of Teton is the thing to do.

But thanks for the advice.

If we break the hike up into two days, then we must hike the same way down as we did up?

(';Have lunch at Lake Solitude and return'; i dont know if its possible to hike a different path down?). I think your concern is very right, i know its a little to much.. But it seems like a great hike(?) and hiking down the same path does%26#39;t sound to attrictive to me either.

Shell_Net, good point! what if we do the hiking in Grand Teton on the last day there, instead of the first? So a couple of days Yellowstone before hiking that long and high in Teton? Or doesn%26#39;t that help?

Thank you.

Jerry

I suggested head to lake solitude from Jenny lake and cascade canyon on one day then to lake solitude through paintbrush canyon on a different day..If I understand you, you do not want to return on the same path that you departed from and are more interested in a loop type trail?? Not sure I can help you there..My opinion is, i often see things from different perspectives and different light conditions when returning on the same trail..Maybe the photographer in me! I certaily undersatand your view of Yellowstone and I am sure everyone has varying opinions, but I am a fan of the Tetons (scenery, less crowded, easier to get around,i could go on) Just when in Yellowstone..get out of the car and experience it unlike the vast majority of the folks you will see. Bechler area of Yellowstone is known for its waterfalls, south side of the park and away from the crowds

Iam still a bit worried about finding a campsite, since our plane is arriving arround 16:11 at Jackson Hole Airport. We are going to rent a car there. So it would be late when we finaly arrive at a campsite, which are all first come first serve.

I read that the Lizard Creek Campground is big and not likly to be full in the morning. But in the evening... (?).

Driving the other way, to Jackson Hole instead of GTNP/YNP sounds a bit of a waste of time, because the airport is already IN the park, and now we driving away from it. But maybe this is the right thing to do...

What do you think about the changes of getting a campsite so late?

Greetings,

Jerry

Having been in a similair psotion as you, Late check in..I stayed at the Gros Ventre camp ground. It is very close to the Airport (across the street as a crow fly%26#39;s) well maintained, clean, showers,..Additionally I have found park rangers to be very helpful. Call them and see what they suggest. Having done so myself, they love to share their knowledge and experience and you coming from so far, I am sure they would love to help..The people in Wyoming are very accomodating and love their piece of the world. They will talk for hours trying to help and acomodate travelers..

Also, Jackson to airport and back to park, is really not that far of a drive. Jackson is a great Western town and have low budget hotels available if that is an option for night one. I stayed at the Buffalo Inn the night after Summitting the Grand Teton. Needed a hot shower and soft bed, price was less than $100

Yeay i think we can call The Netherlands far :)

I have search Google for Gros Ventre camp ground, but i cannot find a offial website. Do they have one? And is it possible to reservate?

Thanks!

Jerry

Help with Yellowstone itinerary & hotel

My wife %26amp; I are planning to go to Yellowstone for the first time. We are flying to Bozeman, arriving on Thursday Sep 4th at 3:30 PM, and leaving on Monday Sep 7th at 3:00 PM. I thought to stay the first and the last nights in Gardiner to be close to the airport. I’m not sure where we should stay the other 2 nights. I checked Xanterra, and except for the Lake Lodge, %26amp; Old Faithful, the other accommodations are still available inside the park. We like to see the falls, the geysers, do easy short hikes (max 2 miles), drive the scenic routes, %26amp; watch the animals. Do you have any suggestions of what to do and what areas of the park to visit? Where should we stay for the middle two nights? Should we stay in West Yellowstone, or should we stay inside the park? If inside, then which area? Our budget for the hotel is max $170 per night. What is the temperature like first week of September? I would appreciate your input.

Help with Yellowstone itinerary %26amp; hotel

I would suggest staying in the Park those 2 nights. It will make it easier for you to get out and see the sights in the time you have available. Canyon and Lake would be the most central locations and you should be able to get a cabin under your max at either place. If you call Xanterra rather than relying on the website you%26#39;ll get more current availability. Cancellations occur frequently and they can%26#39;t always keep the website updated to reflect them.

Here is a link for the facility closing dates, as some will be starting to shut down by then: nps.gov/yell/…open_closedates.htm

If you click on the ';Plan your visit'; link on the left of that page, you%26#39;ll get ideas for hikes, etc. You can also pull up the map of the park to help you plan. Be aware that part of the road between Madison Junction and Norris will be closed for repairs after Aug. 17th.

Weather at the beginning of Sept. is usually beautiful. It cools down a little by then, but is still generally in the 70%26#39;s during the day. Also, the crowds are thinning by then as kids go back to school.

Come back with any further questions as your planning continues - and Have fun!

Swimming in YNP??

Are there designated swimming areas in YNP? Learned that Yellowstone Lake is too cold to swim in-what about mammoth area?? Any advise-Thanks

Swimming in YNP??

Here%26#39;s a thread from last year that will give you some info on a couple of options. For the most part, there is NOT swimming in Yellowstone.

tripadvisor.com/ShowTopic-g60999-i481-k20632…

Swimming in YNP??

thanks for the link!

There is a spot on the Firehole River. You need to climb down several flights of stairs to reach the canyon floor. The river ebbs back into a nice pool there. The water is a little warmer than other rivers because of thermals spilling in up river. More of a place to just get water then any real swimming. But, it is fun and you meet people from all over. We%26#39;ve been in it and watched wildlife on the other side of the river.

Take Firehole Drive (just south of Madison Junction) drive past the falls. There are parking pullouts and some outdoor toilets/changing rooms.

Thanks, that sounds great!

%26lt;%26lt;There is a spot on the Firehole River. You need to climb down several flights of stairs to reach the canyon floor. The river ebbs back into a nice pool there. The water is a little warmer than other rivers because of thermals spilling in up river.

Take Firehole Drive (just south of Madison Junction) drive past the falls. There are parking pullouts and some outdoor toilets/changing rooms.%26gt;%26gt;

FYI We were very disappointed, but at the moment this area is closed to swimming. There was no indication it would open any time soon. (Closed due to ';human activity'; Whatever that meant?)

The ';closed to human activity'; sign probably meant that there was grizzly bear activity in the area, or that the water was fast, deep, and 37 degrees. That swimming hole would be best in late July/early August.

The water was definitely fast, deep and cold...

The Firehole River ';swim area'; was closed last year at the very end of June due to the late and very high (and cold) runoff. I took my grandson there and in all the years of visiting the area I%26#39;d never seen it that high and fast. I used to take my daughter there 28 years ago when she was 2 years old (long before there were any wooden stairs to the bottom).

Last June, there was a pelican in the upper area of the the swim area (just around the corner of the cliffs) that was (I swear) surfing the rapids. He%26#39;d swim up the side and then go out into the middle and ride the rapids back down. It was obvious what he was doing was puposeful. He did it over and over for about 15 minutes and then swam to a little cove and climbed out on a rock to rest. We got the coolest pictures of it.

Deb

Sorry, no guarantees on swimming. The Boiling River spot can also close. Of course, there is always Yellowstone Lake, but it is sooo cold. You can wade for about a minute and then most people jump out!

thanks to everyone for all the great info-gonna be a great trip even if we dont get to swim!

makeup show

West Yellowstone or Gardiner?

We are planning our first trip to Yellowstone NP in mid to late September. I am looking for suggestions for lodging in either WEst Yellowstone or Gardiner. Is either town better than the other, or are they pretty similar? We will be there for one week (probably Sept. 12-19, depending on lodging availabilty and flights). We don%26#39;t need anything more than a moderate priced, CLEAN, room. We do not plan on spending much time in our room, but rather, fishing, hiking, viewing wildlife, etc. My husband is an avid fly fisherman, so does one town over the other have better rivers for fishing? Is September a good time of year for fly fishing? And, can one fish right in Yellowstone?

And, how is the weather at that time of year? We are flexible, and can go in late August, as well (but I%26#39;m afraid lodging might be gone at that time if I don%26#39;t make reservations somewhere soon!)

We are also interested in mountain biking, but with a guided tour, not on our own.

Any suggestions for white water rafting or float trips?

Will we have time for a day trip into the Grand Tetons?

Thanks for any and all suggestions, I am VERY excited about this trip, but planning it has been almost overwhelming because of the vastness of the park itself, and how many different areas one can stay in to enjoy it!

West Yellowstone or Gardiner?

You%26#39;ll find the lodging you described in either town. Personally, I prefer West Yellowstone - more shops, restaurants, and things to do - such as touring the Grizzly Discovery Center - quite interesting.

Sept. is a great month to visit - the crowds are thinning and the weather is usually beautiful. Just check the YNP website to see when facilities will be closing so you don%26#39;t have any surprises on arrival: nps.gov/yell/…open_closedates.htm

Also, be aware that a section of the road between Madison Junction and norris will be closing for repairs on Aug. 17th.

Your husband will find great fly-fishing no matter where you stay. Sept. is a great time for it - the weather is cooling off and the fish are feeding again. Also, if you%26#39;re lucky you%26#39;ll hit the brown trout spawning period - an awesome experience for a fisherman! Just remember that if he fishes outside of the Park he%26#39;ll need to get a state fishing license. For fishing inside YNP he%26#39;ll only need a Park license (much cheaper). There are amazing fishing rivers and streams throughout the Park. This website has a lot of good info: flyfishingyellowstonenationalpark.com/stream…

Have Fun!

West Yellowstone or Gardiner?

West Yellowstone, for reasons provided above.

Yes to a day trip to the Tetons.

No mountain biking in the parks.

How many, ages, of ';we';? If kids, need to know that.

You might consider trying for a Western Cabin in the park, much more convenient than in and out every day.

Canyon, Lake, Old Faithful, good locations, though the last one is a bit far from the valleys and wildlife viewing.

A couple of Inside Pages might help you plan, pasted below.

You have plenty of time to explore YNP; don%26#39;t be overwhelmed, once there, go with the flow, don%26#39;t worry about backtracking as things and views and, certainly, wildlife, changes.

For wildlife viewing and photography:

tripadvisor.com/Travel-g60999-c96653/Yellows…

Packing for your trip:

tripadvisor.com/Travel-g28973-c100586/Wyomin…

If you have 7 nights, then you may want to consider staying at more than one location, particularly given the conbined size of YNP and GTNP.

I recently returned from a 7 night trip to both parks and we decided to stay 2 nights in Gardiner, 3 nights near Old Faithful and 2 nights in Jackson. In hindsight, I wouldn%26#39;t have done things differently because this helped reduce the amount of driving on many days. The obvious disadvantage is having to move accommodation more (but that doesn%26#39;t bother me very much).

The above posters obviously prefer West Yellowstone (I haven%26#39;t been there so can%26#39;t make the comparison with Gardiner). We drove down from Bozeman so Gardiner for us was an obvious stop and I thought it was a perfect location for touring the northern part of YNP (it%26#39;s only a couple of miles from the entrance to the park and Mammoth). Having said that, I wouldn%26#39;t have wanted to stay there much longer than the two nights we did. There is a fairly decent choice of hotels/motels in Gardiner and a few dining options (although not everything was open when we were there at the start of May).

Whatever you decide to do, have a great trip!

Just returned from Yellowstone on 5/22.

3 nites Old Faithful Inn

2 nites Wyoming Inn in Jackson

I would say that West Yellowstone was the nicer of the 2 towns mentioned for reasons stated in other replies. Be aware that there is MAJOR road construction south of Yellowstone on the way to GTNP.

(it might be finished by Sept.) A visit to GTNP is a definite if in the area, and I found Jackson to be very convient to the southern portion of GTNP, as a day trip would be a very long day and long drive back to either location.

Other options are Moran Junction and Jackson Lake/Signal Mtn area. (albeit more expensive)

Thanks, all, for your suggestions! Every bit of information is helpful for such a trip as this.