10 Days in Montana and Wyoming

Hello everyone,

Just wondering if anyone has any suggestions for a 10-day trip in mid-May 2008 to Montana and Wyoming. I%26#39;m helping my aunt plan a surprise trip there for my uncle%26#39;s 50th birthday. Any special sites to see? Any suggestions for itinerary? We%26#39;re thinking they fly into Billings, travel through southern Montana to Bozeman, then head south to Yellowstone and Grand Teton and fly home from Jackson, WY, but they%26#39;ve never been there and maybe there are better ideas out there! Any hints, tips, ideas, suggestions from locals or previous travelers would be most welcome!

Thanks much!

Stefanie

York, Maine

10 Days in Montana and Wyoming

In my opinion,anything that takes you through Yellowstone and the Tetons is a great trip. You should at the National Park Service for Yellowstone to see what roads will be open. I don%26#39;t think any of the lodges. If you Google Yellowstone, the NPS site will show up.

The later in May the better. Let the snow melt if it needs to.

You can check West Yellowstone or Gardiner, MT for reservations if the lodges in the park aren%26#39;t open. You can stay in the Tetons or Jackson, WY for Grand Teton National Park. You can google for the Tetons lodges opening schedules too.

If you are interested, here%26#39;s a link to our website with trip reports and several pictures from our 2 trips to Yellowstone. We tried to put planning information there as well.

www.AlandSueJohnson

You can see the link in the text or to the left.

10 Days in Montana and Wyoming

Agree with above, consider waiting until June or July, even August. The gift is fantastic, and they will enjoy it more if later than originally planned. The date won%26#39;t matter to them, I assume, but the extra thoughtfulness will.

I meant to say, also, that it%26#39;s getting late for in park lodging. Xanterra.com is the lodging site. If the lodges are full, reserve lodging one of the outlying cities/villages, but keep trying Xanterra, by phone, for in park lodging; things open up.

If they drive, ideally, the two park maps, provided at the entrances, will help them see all the major sights. I%26#39;d suggest they spend at least four days in YNP, if they enjoy wildlife. Bring binoculars.

Hi,

Thanks so much for the info! I guess my aunt talked to someone who either lived there or who has been several times and was told that May was the time to go and see the most wildlife in a quieter time of year, when not so many people are touring the area. This is also the month of my uncle%26#39;s birthday, hence the timing. But I will pass all this info on to my aunt. Thanks!

Any other tips out there, let me know! :)

Though true about more crowds later in the season, it probably won%26#39;t matter too much. The crowds dissipate quickly the further you go on a boardwalk and/or trail. Admittedly, around Old Faithful, it gets crowded, but it%26#39;s not a ';people jam';. As others have said, early brings out the young, fall brings out the rut, but much wildlife can be seen all summer. AKJ and Yellowstonefan, among others, are worth selecting on TA for their valuable information which will help you all decide when best to go.

I%26#39;m sure you have gone to the YNP website, but this page from that site provides information about facility openings, among many other things:

nps.gov/yell/…CP_JUMP_127531

Try early June! Most of the amenities you really need will be open, and the baby wildlife will be out! Weather will be variable, and crowds won%26#39;t be huge, yet! Families with school age kids will still be in school!

Sounds like a neat present... Maybe I will send this to my nephews and nieces.. send your dear Aunt on a great trip!!!

Any info about what Bozeman and Billings are like as cities? Also, has anyone been to the Chico Hot Springs resort, in Pray, Montana? Any feedback there?

Thanks!!!

we stay at chico hot springs every year for at least one night. usually it%26#39;s on our way back from glacier %26amp; we%26#39;re ';hiked out';. it%26#39;s a great place %26amp; they have a spa which we usually take advantage of. after days of beating yourselves up on trails, it%26#39;s great to pamper yourself for a day. they have a great restaurant %26amp; the hot springs that feeds the pool is a must. our favorite rooms are in the warren wing, which is named after actor warren oates who frequented there often. highly, highly recommend this place. go ahead %26amp; make dinner reservations when you get your room.

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