Yellowstone questions About This Page:

[juliek75]

Has anyone here been there? We just changed our vacation plans and are going to do my trip I've dreamt about since I was a kid which is going on a cross country road trip from Pa to Yellowstone National Park!!!!!!!!!! Anyhow hoping someone can answer a few questions. First off we are figuring 4 days there and 4 days back which averages out to about 7-8 hours driving a day, then planning 4 days staying at Yellowstone. Everything in the park is booked solid so my first question is.....Does anyone have any recommendations for places to stay outside the park. It looks like Wapiti is the closest place to stay for the eastern entrance. My second and third question is.........First is 4 days long enough to see the park's awesomeness? and 2nd how long on average does it take to tour the grand loops............also any particular favorites or recommendations on must see activities either at the park or on the journey to and from, I know it looks like COdy, Wy has a lot going on and we are definitely stopping to see Mt. Rushmore and Devils Towers on the way in.
Keeping in mind we are not dawdlers, my husband is a "lets keep moving" kind of guy. We heard we couldn't see a Disney park in a day and we can go and be done with a park by 3pm and see everything.
Sorry so many questions......I've come to love this forum for all the Disney info, now hoping to get the same kind of help for this newest adventure.

[dutchdisneyfamily]

Four days is enough. We saw most of it in two days, but there was a few things we missed that I wish we'd had more time to do. As far as hotels, book something outside the park. However, I've had fantastic luck asking at the actual hotel if they have any openings by just stopping in and asking. Then you can cancel your other reservation. Be prepared to be stopped on the roads due to herds of Bison or elk, which can throw any plans you have right out the window. They are amazing though.

One overlooked thing going in is Hot Springs, SD. They have a Mammoth Dig Site that was really cool to see. Cody has a rodeo and some other interesting shops.

As far as things to do while in the park, get up early and drive in the western park of the park to see the bears.

Have fun! I love it there!

[chezp]

I think four days is plenty. We flew in on a Thursday afternoon, stayed the night at Mammoth Hot Springs, then spent the Friday touring, before staying the night at the Old Faithful Inn. The Saturday, we again spent touring the park and we left maybe late afternoon to head to the Grand Tetons. I'd have preferred a third day, but we saw a lot of the park in those couple of days.

If I'm remembering right, there's a map of the grand loops on the Yellowstone website, which I found really useful, as they give mileage between all points around the park, which gives you an idea. The speed limit is often quite low, and as has been said, you can grind to a halt for animals. We were stuck in a jam for buffalo and it was the most amazing thing.

I don't know if you read the trip report of our visit in September 2011 - if not, let me know and I'll dig out the link, as that might help you.

[manticorjenn]

4days will definitely be enough time in and around the park. Some of the must see areas are the Old Faithful area, Mammoth Hotsprings, and Dunraven Pass. As everyone else has mentioned, be prepared to stop for the animals. However, that is part of the magic you are coming to see. Cody also has a museum that has some neat exhibits of western history. You could stay in Livingston which is just outside of Mammoth and has the original entrance to the park. They also have a couple of museums. Or, you could drive roughly an hour out of the park and stay in my hometown of Bozeman, MT. We are a typical college town, but we also have the Museum of the Rockies, several mountain lakes and many nature trails. I hope you have fun planning and love my state as much as I do!

[juliek75]

Originally Posted by manticorjenn

. I hope you have fun planning and love my state as much as I do!

Lets put it this way, I told my hubby or rather warned him that I might get there and not want to come back home unless it's too pack and move.....lol.....for some reason I've always had something pulling me to that area......more specifically the Dakota's.

[juliek75]

Originally Posted by chezp

I don't know if you read the trip report of our visit in September 2011 - if not, let me know and I'll dig out the link, as that might help you.

I would love to read it, I tried searching for it, but no luck.

[chezp]

Here's the link to it: National parks, natural beauty and a bit of Disney Wonder! The Yellowstone section starts on page seven.

[juliek75]

Thanks for the link, sounds like you had an awesome trip...wow! I am sooo psyched to go. We've decided to change the plans slightly in that we will spend 3 days in the Yellowstone and Cody area instead of 4 and spend the extra night in the Black Hills around Mt. Rushmore because it seems there is a lot to do in that area as well.

[minemoz1]

Thanks for the question! My DH and I are planning the same road trip this summer with a detour to Denver. We don't know when we are going which is creating a booking dilemma as it could be close to the 4th of July. I'd like to have some place to stay, but tent camping has been brought up. I'd like to, but am concerned about bears. When they recommend bear spray and you cant keep anything at your campsite, including water bottles, it makes me a bit nervous.

[manticorjenn]

Originally Posted by minemoz1

Thanks for the question! My DH and I are planning the same road trip this summer with a detour to Denver. We don't know when we are going which is creating a booking dilemma as it could be close to the 4th of July. I'd like to have some place to stay, but tent camping has been brought up. I'd like to, but am concerned about bears. When they recommend bear spray and you cant keep anything at your campsite, including water bottles, it makes me a bit nervous.

Inside the park is definitely concerning for bears. However, if you try Livingston or Bozeman there are some campgrounds and mountain lakes that aren't so worrisome. You could check the KOA website for the Bozeman Hot Springs. It is a nice facility that is on the outskirts of Bozeman, but, no bears to worry about. Good luck planning!

[B.M.]

Originally Posted by minemoz1

Thanks for the question! My DH and I are planning the same road trip this summer with a detour to Denver. We don't know when we are going which is creating a booking dilemma as it could be close to the 4th of July. I'd like to have some place to stay, but tent camping has been brought up. I'd like to, but am concerned about bears. When they recommend bear spray and you cant keep anything at your campsite, including water bottles, it makes me a bit nervous.

I wouldn't not camp for fear of the bears.... They will likely provide bear boxes for you to store food and such in..... The NP system does a good job of keeping their campgrounds safe.... I would for sure stay *inside* the park if at all possible...