need help planning!

Hello - my family (2 kids, 2adults) would like to visit Yellowstone Park the week before July 4th (we would probably leave on 7/3).

We have always wanted to do this but realize this is very last minute. I need help with accomodations - (my husband does not like camping). Does anyone have recommendations of a good place to stay?

Also since this is the first time to Yellowstone Park, any recommendations on what to do?

Thanks so much!

need help planning!

Are you planning on staying in the park? Which entrance are you going in?

Cody is located just 50 miles from the east entrance and does have an airport with service from Salt lake City and Denver. There are so many fun, family things to do and see in Cody plus it makes a nice base camp for all there is to do and see in the area.

In-side yellowstone reservations 1-866-439-7375, or to check out Cody go to www.yellowstonecountry.org.

need help planning!

Trying to plan this late, I would suggest calling Xanterra directly on their toll free number...

1-866-439-7375 to try and arrange in the park reservations, and not rely on their web site. If possible, try to get into the Canyon area. You might find that you will have to resign yourself to more than one location that close to the holiday weekend. Canyon is the most centrally located lodging area within the park. If you don%26#39;t have any luck with in the park reservations,or you don%26#39;t want to have to move around, I%26#39;m sure that you can find something in the gateway towns surrounding the park. The town of West Yellowstone just outside the west entrance offers the most in the way of lodging and dinning choices. There is also Gardiner, near the north entrance, and Silver Gate/Cooke City, near the northeast gate.

While they would be a nice change of pace for day trips, both Cody, and Jackson are a bit too far out to be considered as a good base for visiting Yellowstone.

As for ';what to do';. You will be in YELLOWSTONE!!!

There are all the natural wonders to visit, wildlife experiences can be around every bend in the road, there is rafting, swimming, boating, horseback riding, chuck wagon cookouts, fishing,and hiking. Depending on the ages of your kids, there is the junior ranger program, and all sorts of new and amazing things to experience. One you tire of all that, mom and dad can always just sit back, and chill out with a glass of wine while stargazing! There are no fences, and you will have the entire 350 miles to drive, to explore, and enjoy. In fact many first time visitors, and a lot of us veterans agree, that a week isn%26#39;t enough time to fully enjoy all that Yellowstone has to offer. In case you haven%26#39;t already found it, here is a web site with lots of planning information.

www.nps.gov/yell/planyourvisit/htm

Have a great time!

#1- Decide where you want to fly into or are you driving.

#2- Do you want in park reservations then call Xanterra ASAP, if not then decide if you want to stay in West Yellowstone, Gardiner and Jackson Hole. Maybe Cody for one night.

#3- Then make your plans based on where you will be first. YNP is like a giant figure 8. You will want to do the Mammoth area, Old Faithful area, Lake Yellowstone area and of course the Lamar and Hayden valleys.

#4- Decide if you have the time to do side trips to Cody and down to Jackson Hole and Grand Tetons.

#5- For more info there are a lot of great books on YNP. I like Yellowstone Treasures.

Hope this helps and good luck with your planning.

Well our family is leaving 7/4 for Yellowstone and I started planning last April to get all the lodging I wanted. Yes you are late but it is still possible.

If you can not get anything in the park then I would consider West Yellowstone as a base. I agree with the other poster who said Cody was to far. Gardiner would probably be okay also and maybe 1 night in Cooke city for easy access to Lamar. I was there 2 years ago and only stayed in West Yellowstone and the was fine but I am staying in the park a few nights this time. Whatever you do you will have fun and enjoy the time with your kids.

I will 2nd the comment about calling Xanterra vs the website. I was checking 3 or times per day with no luck. One day I decided to call, and they had rooms, even though the website showed no availability.

THis is why I love tripadvisor. Thanks so much to all who replied. You have helped me organize my scattered thoughts. May be more questions coming!!!