Final Plan for Yellowstone Trip

I hope I now have our final reservations (and hopefully no more cancellations) for our June trip to the West. We will fly in and out of Denver.

June 3: leave Denver early and spend the night in Keystone SD. Drive through Custer SP and visit Mt. Rushmore.

June 4: Morning pictures at Mt. Rushmore, then drive to Wall Drug for lunch, drive the Badlands loop road and then spend the night in Sundance, WY.

June 5: Drive to Cody. Attend the night rodeo.

June 6-9: spend 4 nights in West Yellowstone. Try to visit the 2 loops on the first 3 days and then visit 1 area of interest on the last day.

June 10-11: Stay at Signal Mtn. Lodge. While in the Tetons, take a scenic float trip, go to a chuckwagon dinner and take the Jenny Lake cruise/hike to Inspiration Point.

June 12: Leave early and drive to Estes Park. (long day)

June 13: Spend most of the day in Rocky Mountain National Park. Spend the night in the Denver at the Residence Inn near the 16th street mall. My son (14) and I will hang out at ESPN zone while my wife and daughter (13) shop. Unfortunately, the Rockies are out of town.

June 14-15: visit friends in Buena Vista, CO. We may take a whitewater trip or horseback ride. We hope to go 4 wheeling with them.

June 16: fly home

I think this is the final plan. My job is about to get very busy and will stay that way through the end of May. I am happy with the plans we have and think it will be an amazing trip for our family. I have received a lot of great advice and info on this site. I will have other questions. I can%26#39;t wait to post a trip report in 4 1/2 months.

Final Plan for Yellowstone Trip

Sounds to me like a wonderful trip. If you have time June 10-11, stop by Oxbow Bend. Its on the road from the lodge to the park exit. Its where you see the beautiful pictures of Mt. Moran (I think) reflected in the water. Sometimes wildlife there too. Only take a few minutes.

Final Plan for Yellowstone Trip

Hi tntands,

I also agree, it sounds like a great trip. You can tell you put a great deal of planning into it.

I say you are goining to be lucky about being very busy at work. The time will pass faster.

Enjoy your trip and I am looking foward to your trip report!

Great trip plans tntands! Funny, but my trip begins when yours ends. What time does your flight leave on the 16th? We%26#39;ll cross paths in the airport or in the sky. It seems that every new forum I go to for planning, you have already been there. You have worked hard and long! I have learned from your posts and questions. Now that your plans are mostly set, don%26#39;t work too hard. You have a great ';Yellowstone light'; at the end of your tunnel.I am sure you will have a wonderful time!

tntands,

This sounds like a great trip. You are going to have a blast!

I hope you report back on the chuckwagon dinners. I am anxious to find out which one you attend and how you like it as our trip is in July

Sounds like a great trip. We will be going May 27 and be back in Atlanta on June 6. Hope you have a fantastic time.

I spoke too soon on no more changes:). Today, I decided to split the difference in Denver and Estes Park and spend 2 nights half way in between in Longmont. I found a very good rate at a Spring Hill Suites for a place with 2 rooms. We will still plan to spend some time in Denver one night on the 16th street mall. We will just have to drive 45-60 minutes to get to our room. At least we won%26#39;t have to check out unpack an extra time. We will only have a half day or so in Rocky Mountain National Park, but I hated to be that close on not even make a short visit. We probably won%26#39;t make it back to Denver with our kids. (We hope to take trips to the Grand Canyon and New England before they leave home.

Pozj: I will be asking you for advice when the NE trip comes up. My wife and I spent a week going from Boston to North Conway to Bar Harbor when we were newlyweds. I loved that area. I will report back on the chuckwagons. I put a post on the Jackson forum today and got some helpful advice from a Jackson local.

Prac1: Our flight leaves Denver in the early afternoon.

The next 4 months will move quickly. I am a high school math teacher and coach and my spring season starts next week. (I have so many typo%26#39;s, it is a good thing I%26#39;m not an English teacher.) Track season always flies by, so by the time the team gets around the track a few times, our family will be headed for the airport!

Tntands,

It%26#39;s ok to alter plans..that%26#39;s the beauty of being on vacation. I think I have altered mine quite a few times myself..and probably not done yet!

I know all about that busy school schedule...there are a few teachers on this forum and I am a school nurse. Best of luck with your upcoming season!

I would be happy to help with your New England trip. My husband and I spent out honeymoon in Bar Harbor and the White Mountains as well..small world..but mine was many moons ago.

I saw your post on the chuckwagons. I%26#39;m kind of interested in the Castagno Outfitters since they are a bit smaller and appear to be a bit more low key but we%26#39;ll see...We%26#39;re traveling without kids.

the only thing I%26#39;d add is, if possible (and clear skies allow) plan on watching the sun set at pennicle parking lot at the north end of badlands. I found the badlands to be a peaceful, restful, quiet place, and someplace I can easily spend several days just hiking around, so if you can spend more time there, the better. also, the cafe at mt. rushmore offers a reasonably priced dinner with a great view. have fun.

If you have time visit the Buffalo Bill museum in Cody and also the National Museum of Wildlife art in Jackson - don%26#39;t know if you mentioned spending any time in Jackson. To to the top of Signal Mt. Get up early and to out to look for animals. Take a horseback ride. Signal Mt. has a nice dining room. The Lake Yellowstone Hotel is fantastic - go by and at least take time for tea or a drink in the sunroom overlooking the lake. Have fun!