Yellowstone in May

Both my wife and I are graduating from College the first week of April and are looking for a good 4 day trip or so. We live about 6hrs. south of Yellowstone (Salt Lake City, Ut area). Can anybody tell me what type of things we can expect in May? What will the weather and wildlife be like? Also, we are very much into the outdoors but it looks like my wife will probably be about 3-4 months pregnant so we probably won%26#39;t want to do too much hiking. What types of things can a 3-4 month pregnant person do? Finally, we have some free coupons for hotels like Marriott and Hyatt, are there any of those in the yellowstone area?

Yellowstone in May

';...like Marriott and Hyatt, are there any of those in the yellowstone area?';

You jest, surely??? LOL

No. There are, however, resorts in the area.

I%26#39;d save your coupons for some big city ventures.

Once in Yellowstone, you will spend lots of time driving, easy walking, exploring, wildlife watching. A great time of year to go. Have fun.

Here is the park website page which you can track openings; scroll down for May information from time to time. Not everything will be open...

I%26#39;d stay in the park if you can get a room; saves a lot of driving from outside communities, especially given the size of YNP.

This is the website for reservations in the park:

http://www.xanterra.com/ Get reservations early; if no rooms, call them, something usually opens up.

Yellowstone in May

Congratulations on both your graduation and your pregnancy.

Yellowstone would be a great place to visit.

We enjoyed a day in Yellowstone near the end of May last year and it was wonderful. Lots of baby wildlife and some early spring flowers. I would go later in May rather than earlier, especially if this winter weather keeps up. The snow is heavy this year. Many places don%26#39;t open till Memorial day, so that may influence where you stay. Canyon, Fishing Bridge weren%26#39;t open yet, I can%26#39;t remember about Lake. I think everything at Old faithful was open. That is just the concession people. The trails would be open as long as the snow was gone.

I%26#39;d still plan on some hikes. I expect she%26#39;ll be feeling fine and would be able to handle most of the hikes around the main areas.

There is a Ramada in Cody, that%26#39;s about as fancy of a hotel-chain as you%26#39;ll find, at least east of the east gate. Jackson certainly has fancier digs. Try to stay in the park at one of the various lodges. Book as soon as you can. Also find out when the various gates to the park open. Not all gates may be open when you go.

Weather, prepare for snow and cold, but hope for spring like weather. A couple years ago I was flying out to Cody in early June, my folks are retired in the Cody area, and this Florida couple was on the plane near me. They had packed as if this was a summer vacation, one of four had packed a pair of jeans, no jackets, no sweatshirts. I told them that Sylvan Pass (Mountain pass near east gate) might not be open the next day because of heavy snow. The Dad%26#39;s face was white as snow. His wife turned beet red. Long story short, I saw them at the Cody Wal-Mart the next day in the parking lot and he said they just bought pants, jackets, hats, gloves.

Apparently this guy was at Yellowstone the year before in July and thought the 70s he experienced would be there a year later. Lesson learned.

You also asked what can a pregnant person do in YNP. She can do all the sightseeing and wildlife watching she wants, and returning to the various viewpoints at different times of the day. The boardwalks/trails among the hot spots are easy, and fascinating. Overlooks of various points, e.g., Yellowstone Falls and Canyon, are easily accessible. You don%26#39;t have to hike to them.

rjf- Are your dates flexible? If so, I would plan to come mid-May or later. This year, we have alot of snow in the area and are still getting more. IF we do not have an early, warm spring, then there will be snow in the mountains until late spring this year making the wildflowers later.

May is usually warm (not hot) during the days and still chilly at night (about 30 degrees lower than in Salt Lake at that time of year). This will make your trip pleasant. You are coming at a great time of year to see the new crop of bison (buffalo) calves. They are reddish-brown in color and fun to watch. They play with each other, running, head butting, jumping, just like kids on a playground.

The elk will be lower near the rivers. The cows will be getting ready to give birth.

Bears should be out. It is the best time of year to spot them out feeding (especially around Tower, Washburn, Old Faithful, and Lamar Valley).

There are many short walks along boardwalks that do not require extensive hiking for you both to enjoy.

lips