Yellowstone National Park Travel Forum

Two couples wanting to plan a car trip thru YS, GT, GNP's. Friends will fly in from NY and my wife and I from OK. Plan on renting a car/SUV and spend a week touring the National Parks. Anyone have recommendations on trip plan (arrival location, lodging recommendations, specific sights, departure location? Appreciate any info to help the planning.

thanks
jetfixer

Glacier and Yellowstone are at least 10 hours apart, at the very least I would fly in/out of Bozeman and in/out of Kalispell to save on backtrack driving.
Specific sights goes without saying, you will be in the beautiful parks. Depending on the routes you choose between yellowstone and Glacier, you may end up in my place the Bitterroot valley, or White sulfer springs which is a funky little town with a funky hot springs hotel that we like but you may not. In anycase you are looking at alot of driving, I am not saying it cannot be done because I would do it, just be prepared.

I agree with the previous poster - perhaps two parks, but three may be too much.

In case you have not found this site, here's the official site for all the parks. They have very nice links that could address many of your questions.

When we were there (loooong ago) - all gas stations closed at 8 - not sure if that's still the case. Distances from one station to the other can be quite long ... particularly if you let it go under 1/2 tank, so I would recommend to not let your tank go below 1/2 without filling it up while in the park(s).

Lots to see in all 3 and if you are not into hiking they are all three drive throughs with lots of stops. I would try to stay at old faithfull inn if it is not high tourist season. I guess it isn't so nice when crazy with tourists but we stayed there in early May right after they opened I believe and we loved it. In Glacier, going to the sun road is about 50 miles long (I think) and besides stopping at every viewpoint (a must)we did it in one day the first time there and loved it. Second time kids were older and we went into Waterton in Canada and camped and that is also quite beautiful if you have passports. You need to find a place in Montana to break up the drive between the north and south parks.

It is about 400 miles from the southern tip of Glacier to the the
northern entrance ( Gardiner) of Yellowstone. I havent driven it myself
but you can plan on it taking all day.

Glacier really is a trip all in itself. We had one week to do Yellowstone and the Tetons and it wasnt enough! Our itinerary was as follows:
**fly into Salt Lake city, drive 5 hrs. to Jackson Hole ( Tetons)
Spend one night here, hike, drive Teton Park Loop (40 miles)
**Next day drive to Old Faithful Inn for one night. Hike the Geyser Loop.
**Next day drive to Yellowstone Lake Hotel, take Boat Tour and take in a Ranger Program about the Bears.
**Next Day drive north ( early am) to see wildlife in Hayden Meadow ~ we saw bison, elk, wolves :) Continue North to Grand Canyon of Yellowstone.
Drive to Mammoth Cottages. 2 nights here.
Do white water rafting trip and Cowboy Cookout ( Flying Pig Adventure Co.)
Soak in the Boiling River. Hike to see the geysers @ Mammoth.
**Next Day drive south past Firehole canyon ( kids swim) continue south to
Tetons, spend the night.
**Next day drive back to SLC. Hwy. 89 ~ scenic. 5-6 hours.

Not enough time! Hope this helps.

I really don't think a week is enough time, either. That trip from Yellowstone to GNP is a looong one, and there is so much to see in YNP already. At a minimum, I would fly into an airport close to YNP and fly out of Kalispell (close to GNP) if possible. That would cut some of your driving and save some time.

Going to the Sun Road in GNP is the absolute "must do" in that park, it is spectacular! Check out my GNP page for some ideas.

- CG

Unless you are hiking and/or backpacking, a couple days in each is plenty. And spend a day in between in Montana. Agree, and have already stated..into kalispell out of bozeman. or vice versa. If I spent a whole week in one place I would shoot myself out of boredom.