Yellowstone?

[Mango]

I flew into Utah in July, then made my way over to Idaho. I wanted to go to Yellowstone, but did not have enough time and for other reasons. I was only a couple of hours away. Next time, I am going. But, if you can, it doesn't matter when you go, you could make a stop at the town of Lava, it's enroute to Jellystone. Very cool little town that has these great lava hot springs and a river that runs around the town that everyone rafts on with tubes- depending on the rainfall. The scenery around that point is spectacular and the sunsets, wow! If you're into white water rafting, there is a spectacular place to go, but I can't remember the name. I have brochures somewhere; but, in my hotel room, they had infomercials, if you want to call it that- almost like a show, and the scenery was so stunning, it took my breathe away. It was before the town of Lava by about 45 minutes or so coming from Utah.

I was also told that Montana is spectacular, more so than Idaho or Utah.
I'll find out the name of that river/park if you want me to? It would be easy enough to ask my friends. I went in July and was quite comfortable weather wise- just a sweat jacket sometimes in the am and at night, maybe. But, they are 2 hours ahead, so I was up really early. :shock:

 

[RiverOtter]

This website was listed in USAToday this week for family friendly Spring Break trips.

Four Season Guides
Grand Canyon, Ariz.
Now in its 12th year, the outfitter offers hiking, backpacking and kayaking trips in the Southwest. Trips range in length, price and difficulty level, but "if you are an adventure-loving family, you will have a memorable trip for probably not much more than an all-inclusive (resort) will cost," Ogintz says. 877-272-5032; fsguides.com

One of my friends took her family a couple of years ago and they stayed at El Tovar on the South Rim and then went to the North Rim and stayed at the Grand Canyone Lodge. They loved doing both rims.

Also know several people that have used Environmental Adventure Company | The Source of YOUR Next Adventure!

Thanks Minnie. We did the Grand Canyon last August and was awesome! I plan on taking the boys on a rafting trip through it next year. I'll check out the websites and see if they have anything about Yellowstone.

I flew into Utah in July, then made my way over to Idaho. I wanted to go to Yellowstone, but did not have enough time and for other reasons. I was only a couple of hours away. Next time, I am going. But, if you can, it doesn't matter when you go, you could make a stop at the town of Lava, it's enroute to Jellystone. Very cool little town that has these great lava hot springs and a river that runs around the town that everyone rafts on with tubes- depending on the rainfall. The scenery around that point is spectacular and the sunsets, wow! If you're into white water rafting, there is a spectacular place to go, but I can't remember the name. I have brochures somewhere; but, in my hotel room, they had infomercials, if you want to call it that- almost like a show, and the scenery was so stunning, it took my breathe away. It was before the town of Lava by about 45 minutes or so coming from Utah.

I was also told that Montana is spectacular, more so than Idaho or Utah.
I'll find out the name of that river/park if you want me to? It would be easy enough to ask my friends. I went in July and was quite comfortable weather wise- just a sweat jacket sometimes in the am and at night, maybe. But, they are 2 hours ahead, so I was up really early. :shock:

Thanks Mango. I would be very interested in that town. We like to stay in a place for 2 - 4 nights and move on. We really want to see as much as we can see.

 

[lenzoe]

GB does not want to camp and really I don't either so lodging is a huge need for us? Not even sure where to begin. Also, I'm thinking 3 - 4 days then move on to Utah or something like that.

I wouldn't camp either if you're doing the drive-up type camping, but if you like to hike you might consider one night of back-country camping. There's nothing like it for getting away from the crowds.

 

[NotDeadYet]

If you go to Utah, I thought Zion National Park was one of the best trips I ever took. The hike up the river, between canyon walls (the rangers close it if there is even a hint of a thunderstorm) is one of my fondest memories.

 

[lenzoe]

If you go to Utah, I thought Zion National Park was one of the best trips I ever took. The hike up the river, between canyon walls (the rangers close it if there is even a hint of a thunderstorm) is one of my fondest memories.

Oh that's very true. We drove up to Zion from Las Vegas when they were trying to market that as a "family friendly" town. But driving up from the heat of Vegas to the cool of Zion and then doing the river hike through the canyons was great.

 

[bluecat]

We plan on going back to Yellowstone this summer,taking two grandsons and their parents, is their Christmas present for past year. Montana Whitewater is most advertised rafting company, four locations, Bozeman, Big Sky, West Yellowstoe and Gardiner. South Dakota is one beautiful state also that time of year ,Crazy Horse has a great museum, of course Mount Rushmore is in that area.Hope that is a help. Enjoy, being with family- priceless!

 

[GoodWitch58]

We flew into Jackson Hole and stayed in a family condo and did day trips...it's just a few miles and Jackson is worth a visit. On a walk down the sidewalk I saw two young men with FSU shirts on and we stopped to talk to them; when they found out we were from Santa Rosa Beach, they asked if we were familiar with the Red Bar! what a small world. Your children will probably enjoy watching the sky divers...they launch from one mountain peak just outside Jackson and float over the town to land.

For hiking The Tetons are fantastic...the ranger gives you bells to wear to ward off the bears. Yellowstone is huge, so you will need time. I loved having to stop our truck for the bison...I had posted a blog about my encounter with the bison when we still had blogs on Sowal.

I thought the Old Faithful Inn quaint but touristy, it is the most requested lodging apparently; there are some other inns w/in the park. I will look through my notes (our trip was a few years ago). the Lake Yellowstone Hotel was built in the 1800s and reminded me of the people who traveled in the 20s and 30s by train to the West..much like the Stanley Hotel in Estes Park, Colo.not that it looks the same, but it was built for the same guests, just on a lake shore. It was different--not the rustic look-- from what I had expected to find in Yellowstone.

The Elk Refuge just outside Jackson is an interesting museum. I want to return in the winter and take the sleigh ride among the elk who have come down from the mountains. We went in May and it was not that cold, although it had snowed the night before we arrived. that meant that we got a 4 wheel drive rental instead of what we had reserved because the rental agency thought people from Florida needed help driving in that country. LOL.,

We saw lots of wildlife. One evening just at dark I was fortunate enough to watch a lone wolf hunting...he was moving slowly just at the edge of the woods. I could not see what he was stalking, but it was breathtaking to watch him move so decisively toward his prey. Another evening we watched a mother elk and her "teenager" feeding alongside a stream bank. On a later trip to Denali National Park in Alaska, I was disappointed that the wildlife were harder to see, as they did not come as close to people as the ones in Yellowstone. Both places worth seeing, but Yellowstone definitely offered better encounters with the animals for us.

The colors of the mud bubbling up from the geysers is amazing and worth contemplating...when one realizes that the area is the top of a volcano! the entire area is unique. Thank goodness, it was saved for all of us to enjoy.

I know you will enjoy the time you spend there. There is a marvelous lodge in the Grand Tetons that if I were going to stay in the park, that is where I would stay. I will look up the name. It has the most awesome view of the mountains from the lobby area...http://www.nationalparkreservations.com/grandteton_jackson_lake_lodge.php

 

[RiverOtter]

We plan on going back to Yellowstone this summer,taking two grandsons and their parents, is their Christmas present for past year. Montana Whitewater is most advertised rafting company, four locations, Bozeman, Big Sky, West Yellowstoe and Gardiner. South Dakota is one beautiful state also that time of year ,Crazy Horse has a great museum, of course Mount Rushmore is in that area.Hope that is a help. Enjoy, being with family- priceless!

Good Stuff. Flew into Bozeman and skied Big Sky a few years ago. It sounds like West Yellowstone and Jackson Hole are must see as well.

We flew into Jackson Hole and stayed in a family condo and did day trips...it's just a few miles and Jackson is worth a visit. On a walk down the sidewalk I saw two young men with FSU shirts on and we stopped to talk to them; when they found out we were from Santa Rosa Beach, they asked if we were familiar with the Red Bar! what a small world. Your children will probably enjoy watching the sky divers...they launch from one mountain peak just outside Jackson and float over the town to land.

For hiking The Tetons are fantastic...the ranger gives you bells to wear to ward off the bears. Yellowstone is huge, so you will need time. I loved having to stop our truck for the bison...I had posted a blog about my encounter with the bison when we still had blogs on Sowal.

I thought the Old Faithful Inn quaint but touristy, it is the most requested lodging apparently; there are some other inns w/in the park. I will look through my notes (our trip was a few years ago). the Lake Yellowstone Hotel was built in the 1800s and reminded me of the people who traveled in the 20s and 30s by train to the West..much like the Stanley Hotel in Estes Park, Colo.not that it looks the same, but it was built for the same guests, just on a lake shore. It was different--not the rustic look-- from what I had expected to find in Yellowstone.

The Elk Refuge just outside Jackson is an interesting museum. I want to return in the winter and take the sleigh ride among the elk who have come down from the mountains. We went in May and it was not that cold, although it had snowed the night before we arrived. that meant that we got a 4 wheel drive rental instead of what we had reserved because the rental agency thought people from Florida needed help driving in that country. LOL.,

We saw lots of wildlife. One evening just at dark I was fortunate enough to watch a lone wolf hunting...he was moving slowly just at the edge of the woods. I could not see what he was stalking, but it was breathtaking to watch him move so decisively toward his prey. Another evening we watched a mother elk and her "teenager" feeding alongside a stream bank. On a later trip to Danali National Park in Alaska, I was disappointed that the wildlife were harder to see, as they did not come as close to people as the ones in Yellowstone. Both places worth seeing, but Yellowstone definitely offered better encounters with the animals for us.

The colors of the mud bubbling up from the geysers is amazing and worth contemplating...when one realizes that the area is the top of a volcano! the entire area is unique. Thank goodness, it was saved for all of us to enjoy.

I know you will enjoy the time you spend there. There is a marvelous lodge in the Grand Tetons that if I were going to stay in the park, that is where I would stay. I will look up the name. It has the most awesome view of the mountains from the lobby area...Jackson Lake Lodge | Grand Teton National Park | National Park Reservations

Great info and suggestions. Thanks so much. So it's sounding more and more like we should use Jackson Hold and / or West Yellowstone as our "base camps" - in a VRBO house of course . Do a few days in Yellowstone hiking, rafting and general sight seeing. Also do some hiking in the Tetons while wearing "Dinner Bells" :shock: and maybe see Mt Rushmore as well.

 

[RiverOtter]

If you go to Utah, I thought Zion National Park was one of the best trips I ever took. The hike up the river, between canyon walls (the rangers close it if there is even a hint of a thunderstorm) is one of my fondest memories.

Oh that's very true. We drove up to Zion from Las Vegas when they were trying to market that as a "family friendly" town. But driving up from the heat of Vegas to the cool of Zion and then doing the river hike through the canyons was great.

We've also heard Zion and Moab are stunning. Not sure if we can incorporate that into the Yellowstone thing. Kind of a drive.

 

[groveral]

Thank y'all for responding.



We are planning a trip... well, trying to plan a trip. Do you have any suggestions?



I know June can be chilly and still snowy so if we do Yellowstone, August will likely be the month. Any thoughts / suggestion?

Of course I'll have the "LittleOtters" with me (13 & 15 now :shock. We do lots of hiking. I would like to take them white water rafting, maybe some horse back riding (no experience there). Mtn Biking, paddling, and any other suggestion. GB does not want to camp and really I don't either so lodging is a huge need for us? Not even sure where to begin. Also, I'm thinking 3 - 4 days then move on to Utah or something like that.

We got back last week. It was fantastic. This time of year the only access to yellowstone is a snow coach or snowmobile. If you are thinking august, be warned the traffic will be bumper to bumper, very crowded. If you have any flex in your schedule, coming right after Labor Day would eliminate the traffic and crowds.
I would also recommend staying in Jackson Hole. Beautiful small town with great restaurants and beautiful scenery.

Have a great time!