My wife and I would like to visit the Yellowstone National Park in June for a few days to see the sights and check out the park. Any suggestions on where to stay for 3 or 4 nights in the park or just outside of would be appreciated. Thanks in advance, Kevin.
Yellowstone Park in June, any suggestions on where to stay?
- Thread starter Kevin W
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Southern Elk
Well-known member
Out of all of the towns that are near the entrances, Cody, WY is my favorite. I’ve never stayed in the park, because it’s only a little over an hour away for us.
Yellowstone is large. I'd consider staying in multiple places to minimize backtracking.
Gardner/Chico Hot Springs - see Lamar Valley and the North Entrance early in the AM
Travel through the park to West Yellowstone. See the various Geysers along the way.
West Yellowstone - go toward Grand Canyon at Yellowstone and see the falls continue on by Hayden Valley to West Thumb, Old Faithful, and other geysers along the way back to West Yellowstone.
Next day travel down to the Tetons and stay at Jackson Hole.
However, this is just one possible path. Something to remember is that it takes a while to get through the park and the weather might not cooperate. There is a circular path through the park. You have options on which direction to travel.
I'd download the Yellowstone park app and mark what you want to see. Then, devise the path/where you step based on what you want to see.
Gardner/Chico Hot Springs - see Lamar Valley and the North Entrance early in the AM
Travel through the park to West Yellowstone. See the various Geysers along the way.
West Yellowstone - go toward Grand Canyon at Yellowstone and see the falls continue on by Hayden Valley to West Thumb, Old Faithful, and other geysers along the way back to West Yellowstone.
Next day travel down to the Tetons and stay at Jackson Hole.
However, this is just one possible path. Something to remember is that it takes a while to get through the park and the weather might not cooperate. There is a circular path through the park. You have options on which direction to travel.
I'd download the Yellowstone park app and mark what you want to see. Then, devise the path/where you step based on what you want to see.
If you want the real Yellowstone experience, stay at Old Faithful Inn. It's a classic old inn, and it's located convenient to most everything in the park. Outside the park, West Yellowstone is good. Cody is a nice spot, but it's too far.
To be clear, Old Faithful Inn is at one end of the park. It may work for you, but look at the map.
The most centrally located point is probably Lake Yellowstone Hotel, but some of the reviews are pretty horrible. They seem to have issues sometimes with sanitation.
Cousin Basil
Active member
West Yellowstone for the win. Close to the entrance, just the right size, lots of places to stay and eat. Don't know where you are coming from but we flew into SLC and drove up from there. On our way back, we went out the Northeast gate through the Lamar valley and drove down the Chief Joseph Parkway (awesome!) and stayed in Cody for the Buffalo Bill museum. From Cody through the park then south to Jackson. We every gate- North included.
FlatlandHunter
Active member
We stayed at the Bill Cody cabins between Cody and the East entrance. We also stayed in a campground in Gardiner prior. Definitely check Lamar Valley out.
If you can get a reservation to stay in the park I’d do it. The gates can be a junk show. I’d personally try to stay at Yellowstone lake or if you not really wanting to drive all around than old faithful lodge. Start looking for reservations now
Straight Arrow
Well-known member
However ... a much different kind of "scenery". If you are like alot of drivers, it seems you are already late so must speed recklessly. On the other hand, if you can be calm and just enjoy the scenery, wildlife, and fresh air, then a leisurely visit through Yellowstone is well worth your patience. The speed limit is 45 mph ... but that's way too fast.
Best advice is to endure the traffic, crowds, and elk & bear jams ... to view the iconic wonders of the Park, then find trailheads, park your vehicle and get away from the traffic and you will be delighted at the backcountry features. My definition of a good hike in Yellowstone is that once the noise of screaming Harley motorcycles is no longer heard ... it's a good hike!
As far as where to stay ... if you have a large budget, then stay at Lake Hotel or Roosevelt Cabins. If camping, try to get a spot at Pebble Creek CG in the Lamar Valley, Mammoth CG, Norris Jct CG, or Lewis Lake CG. Outside the Park, campgrounds near Cooke City or such as Eagle Creek CG or others on the North Fork of Shoshone out of Cody are good. But you may need a hardside camper.
Best advice when beginning your visit is to get good maps and to visit interpretive centers. The one at Mammoth will provide a wealth of information.
Enjoy YNP! (from someone who has been doing so continuously for over sixty years.)
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44hunter45
Well-known member
Do not think you are going to speed tour the park. There are constant traffic backups for animal viewing and accidents. One wonders how anyone can go fast enough to have an accident.
You will spend a lot of time not moving, but so far back in the line that you have no idea what the holdup is.
You will spend a lot of time not moving, but so far back in the line that you have no idea what the holdup is.
rmyoung1
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I grew up in the Park at Mammoth Hot Springs, so I’m biased. It’s home after all. As others have said… slow down and enjoy Wonderland. It gets a lot of attention in the summer for good reason.
If I were planning a trip like yours and wanted to stay in a hotel as a “home base” for the duration of my trip, I’d look into the options at Canyon. That’s about as central as it gets in Yellowstone, and you’ll be within a very reasonable drive of all the highlights. I’d hurry though. Those rooms book up super fast for the summer months. Enjoy the place. There’s none other like it.
If I were planning a trip like yours and wanted to stay in a hotel as a “home base” for the duration of my trip, I’d look into the options at Canyon. That’s about as central as it gets in Yellowstone, and you’ll be within a very reasonable drive of all the highlights. I’d hurry though. Those rooms book up super fast for the summer months. Enjoy the place. There’s none other like it.
44hunter45
Well-known member
Certainly check - but don’t plan on using hotel loyalty points at chains outside the park. You will find most chains have blackouts in effect for the summer for properties a certain distance from the park.
406dn
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- Dec 12, 2019
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This is excellent advice on every point.
There is a reason it is so crowded. There literally is no other place in the world like it. It is not every day that government gets things right, but saving this park, has been a gift to humanity, for generations.
None, they're all sh#t shows.
Straight Arrow
Well-known member
Hit the AVOID button on your vehicle navigator.
@Kevin W You’re going to have a hard time finding a room in the park. They’re usually sold out a year in advance. Check Zantara now. There are camping opportunities. Lake seems to always have a few camp spots available. My favorite area would be Mammoth to stay. Lamar valley is my favorite spot to visit. Outside the park I’d stay in West Yellowstone or Gardiner.
My family loves Yellowstone. I’ve lost count on how many times we’ve been there. It was my kids favorite vacation as they grew up. My kids are grown now but we went again for a short four day trip this year after a family vote. We’ve seen all the attractions. We hit the few highlights my wife wants to see and then spend our time fishing. Yes there are a lot of cars and tourists but it’s spectacular for its own merits. Where else can I fly fish wild cutthroats surrounded by bison? We had bison and elk walk through our campsite last trip. The amount of diversified animals in one area is spectacular.
My family loves Yellowstone. I’ve lost count on how many times we’ve been there. It was my kids favorite vacation as they grew up. My kids are grown now but we went again for a short four day trip this year after a family vote. We’ve seen all the attractions. We hit the few highlights my wife wants to see and then spend our time fishing. Yes there are a lot of cars and tourists but it’s spectacular for its own merits. Where else can I fly fish wild cutthroats surrounded by bison? We had bison and elk walk through our campsite last trip. The amount of diversified animals in one area is spectacular.
Yellowstone is a truly spectacular place. Crowds can diminish some of the pleasure for sure, but there’s really nothing like it.
Search something like “USFS sites near Yellowstone NP.” There’s tons of campsites around the periphery.
Pick a few good day hikes from online or the guide books and stick to enjoying the backcountry at a slower pace instead of trying to rush around the entire park and fit it all in on a short trip. Spectacular though it may be, it ain’t that fun from behind the windshield. As a possible starting point, there’s some hikes that dip into the Black and Grand Canyons of the Yellowstone that I really enjoy and can easily be done in a day.
If I’m not doing a multi day back pack trip I personally like a FS campground near West Y or Gardiner. I’ll grab a hot breakfast to go on my way in and ideally something to eat for lunch as well. I’ll also take a Mountain House or some such to eat for dinner if I want to stay out hiking later.
