Need advice on itinerary

Am planning a 7 night trip flying in and out of Bozeman on May 23-30. will be renting a car and want to visit Yellowstone and Grand Teton. I havent been there before and have no idea about distances.

do i just need to pick a hotel for my time in Yellowstone and one for time in Grand Teton?

Any suggestions for a loop itinerary from Bozeman to Yellowstone to Grand Teon and back

Thanks for any help and advice!

Need advice on itinerary

Yes you need to call Xanterra ASAP if you want to stay in YNP if not then we like West Yellowstone or Gardiner. I would stay at least 4 days in YNP. It is like a giant figure 8- need to see Mammoth, Old Faithful, Lamar and Hayden valleys and Lake Yellowstone areas. I would then go down thru GT and stay a couple of days in Jackson Hole. YNP and GT is like the size of several NE states so you are talking about a large area. Le us know if you have more questions.

Need advice on itinerary

Here%26#39;s information we put together to help people learn about Yellowstone.

www.alandsuejohnson.com/yellowstone_home.htm

There%26#39;s buttons at the top with planning information, trip reports, pictures, etc. There%26#39;s a button on the left for the Grand Tetons too.

Follow Cece%26#39;s advice and get reservations soon. I wouldn%26#39;t be surprised if they are hard to get this late.

Good morning ';CT';,

This is ';my trip'; and I%26#39;ll be in the park at the same time , plus one week earlier. So I can get everything ready for you ... :-)

Since we do this every year at the end of May, I can tell how we work it out and let you decide for yourself, since there are many other options.

Our visits are somewhat specialized, since we spend the majority of our time in the northeast quardrant of the park, photographing the wildlife, especially the wolves of Lamar Valley. We fly into and out of BZN and drive down Rt.89 through Paradise Valley to enter the park through the north gate. We then drive across the park and out through the northeast gate, where we stay in the Silver Gate/Cooke City area. Like I said, we%26#39;ve been doing this for several years and we have a definite purpose, but it would not be the best plan of attack for a first time visitor, unless you really wanted to immerse yourself in the northern range and it%26#39;s wildlife. Of course the entire park is reachable from out that way, but it does require considerable driving. That is one of two routes into the park from BZN. The other route is down RT. 191 to enter the park through the west gate at the town of West Yellowstone.

First of all Yellowstone is as large as the states of Delaware and Rhode Island combined, and it contains over 350 miles of paved public roads for you to explore. Seven nights will give you plenty of time to experience all of the park, but by it%26#39;s very nature, Yellowstone does require considerable driving. Therefore one base location for your entire time in Yellowstone alone might not be practical at this time. Since you are including Grand Teton N.P. as well, it becomes even less practical.

Most people plan their trips to YNP months or even a year in advance, so while it is pretty late for trying to do so, due to last minute cancellations, you might be able to get reservations inside the park.I would suggest calling the lodging agent Xanterra directly toll free @ 1-866-439-7375 as soon as possible. If you can get in-the-park lodging, the CANYON area is pretty centralized for a base, but since most people do reserve their in-the-park lodging months in advance, you might have to settle for what is available. That could also involve moving more than once as well, which isn%26#39;t necessarily a bad thing.

Your trip down to GTNP could be a one day event, or if you wanted to stay longer, I would look into accommodations down that way, or stay in the town of Jackson for at least one night.

The gateway towns outside the park all offer lodging and dinning options, and with a lot more rooms to sell, they might be your best bet this late. Your choices are West Yellowstone,as mentioned, Gardiner, just outside the north gate, and the Silver Gate/Cooke City area outside the northeast gate. Of the three, West Yellowstone offers the most options and ammenities, and is a bit more centrally located on the western edge of the park.

Sorry that seemed long winded, but there is a lot for the first timer to know, and I hope it gave you some idea of what to expect. If you come up with anymore specific questions feel free to post them here, and one of us will be happy to help you enjoy you visit to this spectacular national treasure!

H

Though very large, and YNP involves a lot of driving, the nature of the driving will be very productive. Wildlife can be anywhere and on the move, so doubling back, backtracking, is not a bad thing. As with others, we find that the 45 minute drive between points can take us two hours and often more because, with our scope, binoculars and camera, we are in no hurry. And the daylight hours are long. And with cooler, food and beverages are not an issue, so no need to leave a ';hot spot';, literally and figuratively, to seek dining.

Glad you have plenty of time scheduled for YNP; it%26#39;s an experience never forgotten.

This Inside Page is for wildlife viewing and photography:

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

I don%26#39;t know your other interests, but for a break, the Beartooth Hwy., NE entrance, is breathtaking and you could spend a night in Cody, if for nothing else, that drive and the museums. Ditto, en route to Jackson/GTNP:

Two very worthwhile museums to visit:

Cody, WY www.bbhc.org/home/index.cfm…

North of Jackson

http://www.wildlifeart.org/

Great thanks!

I got three nights at Lake Yellowstone Lodge (5/24-27) on the website. Seemed kind of expensive for what it was, but I gather its way more convenient to stay in the park that in West Yellowstone or elsewhere.

Looks like it will be an itinerary like this

5/23 arrive BZN, drive to Gardiner, overnight Gardiner

5/24-5/27 stay at Yellowstone Lodge

5/27 last day in yellowstone

5/27-5/28 overnight (some hotel in Jackson? suggestions)

5/29 last day in GTNP, drive back to BZN

5/30 stay overnight in BZN near airport for noon flight.

Any thoughts on that itinerary? Do I need to rent a 4WD or is the danger of a snowstorm past by then?

We like hiking, but I read that the trails may be muddy, but any suggestions for possible day hikes would be great. Or even a guided group hike outfit would be nice as well. Any recommendations?

Thanks for all the suggestions.