South through Wyoming to SLC

We have our June trip to Grand Teton and Yellowstone all booked, except for our next to last night on our way to SLC.

We want to see more of Wyoming (drove Idaho on our last trip and thought about travelling on the 189 down to the I80 then into SLC.

As our journey starts at Gardiner, we shall drive right through Yellowstone and Grand Teton for a last look - which I know is a long drive, but we have two drivers. We would prefer to leave the nights accommodation open and just drive as far as we are able, but I am a little worried about if there actually is accommodation on the 189 or would we be better heading down the 191 to Pinedale, where I believe there are motels.

We will be returning on the 15/16 June and any advice would be appreciated with regard to accommodation and if it is necessary to book in advance in this area at this time of year.

South through Wyoming to SLC

you should be able to take 189 all the way down to I-80 %26amp; find hotels. i%26#39;m pretty sure there is lodging in marbleton, big piney, %26amp; kemmerer (first jcpenney store). of course you can stay in evanston there on I-80 if you make it that far. from gardiner going thru jackson %26amp; down 189 it%26#39;s around 340 miles. stopping for sightseeing you%26#39;re probably looking at a 10-12 hour day which isn%26#39;t that bad if your taking your time. probably only about 7 hours in the car.

South through Wyoming to SLC

You are right that there is not much accomodation on 189 except for Kemmerer. There is also not much to see either, but you should be able to reach Kemmerer.

You could also go down 89 through Star Valley. There would be hotels in Thayne and Afton. Or you could head over to Montpelier ID where there are hotels as well. It is a very scenic drive south of Montpelier through the Bear Lake area and then through the Logan Canyon. Just follow 89 the whole way to I-15

Thank you for your replies - they are both very helpful.

kbjeans,

On our last trip we travelled through Logan Canyon and spent time at Bear Lake which are both very beautiful but as we have two full days to reach SLC from Gardiner we wanted to see a bit more of Wyoming on this trip. My map is showing the 189 as a scenic highway/byway which is why I thought we would go that way.

We do seem to get waylaid easily by wildlife and scenic beauty and I thought Kemmerer would be too far, but if that is the only possible accommodation we will have to try.

Thanks again.

If you have two days then you might consider going over to Pinedale and staying there. (though rooms might be gone, check now). It is the gateway to the Wind River Mountains.

On my map the scenic byway goes southeast from Hoback junction through Pinedale to Boulder before stopping. And I agree that route is wonderful. Everything south is high desert which might be interesting if you haven%26#39;t ever seen it.

So if you want Wyoming I%26#39;d go over to Pinedale.

Thanks Kbecjeans. I have checked Pinedale motel rooms and there is still availability, so we will discuss with our friends and take in from there.

Thank you again for your help