Yellowstone...first trip..where to stay?

[godalejunior]

We are wanting to take DS (8) to Yellowstone next June. I am a planner so of course, I am planning.
I have a few questions for anyone that can help...

1. We are looking at doing about six nights coming from Western WA state. We are thinking of doing one of the family guided tours for four nights where you have a tour guide, activities and meals each day, etc. Has anyone done this and is it worth it?


2. Where would you recommend staying to get the most our of our trip (sites, animals, etc.)?

3. Any other advice would be appreciated........The place is huge and I have no idea where to begin.

 

[CPT Tripss]

For six days I would do two nights at each of these areas - Old Faithful, Mammoth and either Canyon or Lake. If I had eight days, I'd stay at all of these areas.

I know nothing about the family tour you mention . . . just be sure to get ut of the car, off the pavement and away from the crowds each day. Do ranger tours and talks.

 

[godalejunior]

It is called the Lodging and Learning series and you can either stay at Grant Village or Monmouth for four nights and have a tour guide during the day. It is geared towards families with children. Not sure which place to stay or if it is worth it to do.

 

[CPT Tripss]

Interesting . . . always want to learn something new about my favorite place. Given those two choices, look to see which location is more central and opt for that (assuming you go with the package).

DW and I (older, no kids travelling with us) prefer the flexibility of DIY touring. Just curious, is the program run by the NPS or Xanterra? Do you use your own car or do they "chauffeur" you? Just keep in mind that if it is a larger group, you will go no faster than the slowest person . . . if that's you, you might feel pressured to speed up.

You also might want to stop over at http://forums.yellowstone.net//index.php?sid=24767e38b1ff91c3c3a8d4fd19680a47 and look around and ask them.

 

[CPT Tripss]

Just thought . . . if you live near sea level, YNP is at 7,000 feet and higher. Get in shape! If any respiratory issues, check with your doc. We live at somewhere about 50 feet elevation ( on the second floor, where I sleep) I tend not to sleep well the first couple nights at altitude - need to acclimate.

 

[godalejunior]

Interesting . . . always want to learn something new about my favorite place. Given those two choices, look to see which location is more central and opt for that (assuming you go with the package).

DW and I (older, no kids travelling with us) prefer the flexibility of DIY touring. Just curious, is the program run by the NPS or Xanterra? Do you use your own car or do they "chauffeur" you? Just keep in mind that if it is a larger group, you will go no faster than the slowest person . . . if that's you, you might feel pressured to speed up.

You also might want to stop over at http://forums.yellowstone.net//index.php?sid=24767e38b1ff91c3c3a8d4fd19680a47 and look around and ask them.

It is through the Yellowstone Institute however you can read about it on the Xanterra site. They only allow 12 people and it is geared for families with children ages 8-12. As DS is 8, I think it will be alot of fun for him and to have a naturalist with us to answer questions. We have narrowed down to doing the Lodging/Learning tour at Mammoth for the four nights and heading over to Old Faithful possibly for a couple nights. We thought about DIY touring but we were afraid of not having any sort of clue or direction when we got there. EAch day you concentrate on things such as one day is wildlife, one days is geysers, etc. We are figuring our guide will give us some advice of places to go for the later part of our trip as well.

 

[PlutoPony]

June should put you ahead of the worst of the crowds and heat. Personally 4 days seems like a lot of time at Mammoth with an 8 year old - I'd consider cutting it back a couple days if possible. Your idea to spend time at Old Faithful is good imo. Make sure you stop in the Canyon area on the way down and make the hike to the "Grand Canyon" - it's spectacular!

Are you planning to go on down to Grand Teton while you're there? I know how hard it is to go to that area for a short trip and try to fit everything in, but GT is one of our favorite areas. The mountains are just amazing and really made an impression on my son who was 11 at the time. Definitely a different feel from Yellowstone.

Have a good trip!

 

[godalejunior]

We are doing the Lodging and Learning series at Mammoth so there are guided activities and tours all three days. We are then moving to Canyon Lake for two nights and then to Old Faithful Snow Lodge for two nights. The last four nights will not be with a guide, just doing things at our own pace. The Grand Canyon is on one of our guided days. I am kind of worried that the trip is too long but it sounds like driving can be a big chunk of it so that is why we added more days in to see sights.

 

[CPT Tripss]

It is a big park! You are right to plan on all those days. Between the speed limits (obey them) and the ____ (insert your favorite wildlife, bison, bear, etc.) jams, you will spend a fair amount of time just getting from place to place. Your schedule will allow you to revisit any places you want to spend more time in as well as get to the "E ticket" attractions.

Were you travelling on your own, it might be too many days in Mammoth (this "resort" is kind of off to itself). But, it is just a base for your escorted tour, and you will be heading to other areas to see the sights.

 

[ScooterL]

I agree with CPT Tripss - it's a BIG park. We were there for 8 days/7 nights last September, staying in three different locations, and we still didn't get to see everything.

When you're at the Snow Lodge, if you're up to walking the *entire* geyser basin it's really cool (past Morning Glory Pool and up to Biscuit Basin) - once you get away from the upper geyser loop there aren't so many people. And try to see Old Faithful early in the day - I saw it about 7:30 one morning and there were less than 10 of us watching. And try to see Castle Geyser if it's going off while you're there - it's VERY impressive, and it erupts for a LONG time.

Oh, and the Hamilton Store next to Old Faithful Inn serves a very nice breakfast.

From Mammoth is your tour going to take you to the Norris Geyser Basin area? That was one of my favorites. And the West Thumb Geyser Basin right along Lake Yellowstone has some beautiful pools - not really any geysers, though.

Are you planning to do any hiking? We enjoyed our hikes to Lone Star Geyser, Fairy Falls, and the Natural Bridge, and saw almost no one else on them. There was also a loop trip down at the lake that we did, but it was SO cold and windy that day that we didn't enjoy it much - on a nice day it would be different. Elephant Back (near the Lake Hotel) was pretty good, too, but it was a climb of 500' or so up the trail.

 

[CPT Tripss]

As you walk the OF geyser basin, look for the "geyser gazers". You will easily spot them by their radios, bicycles and notebooks. Strike up a conversation and you will likely get some good tips on which geyser iis likely to "blow" next.