Planning a trip to Yellowstone

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John McManus - 27 Apr 2006 03:39 GMT

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Which would be the better town to stay in, Gardner or West Yellowstone?
How are the highways into these towns?  I'm a flat lander and am
not too comfortable on narrow, winding mountain roads.
I will have my own car but how are the bus tours through the park? 
Do they hit all the major spots and allow time out of the bus?
Where are some of the better places to eat, both in and out of the park?
Can I see the park in 2 days (and do it justice)?
Does anyone know what time the park opens and closes each day (August)?
Has anyone stayed at any of the Best Westerns in Gardner or  W.
Yellowstone?  Impressions?
Thanks for any help.
john</html>

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Frank F. Matthews - 27 Apr 2006 17:14 GMT

> Which would be the better town to stay in, Gardner or West Yellowstone?

Anywhere outside of the park will considerably limit your time to visit.

> How are the highways into these towns? I'm a flat lander and am not too
> comfortable on narrow, winding mountain roads.
>
> I will have my own car but how are the bus tours through the park? Do
> they hit all the major spots and allow time out of the bus?

A bus tour will hit the major spots but there is always the question of
pacing and different views of what is major.

> Where are some of the better places to eat, both in and out of the park?
>
> Can I see the park in 2 days (and do it justice)?

You can see a bit in two days and more with more days. Personally I
would spend 3 or 4 days.

> Does anyone know what time the park opens and closes each day (August)?

I doubt that it ever closes 24/7/365.

> Has anyone stayed at any of the Best Westerns in Gardner or W.
> Yellowstone? Impressions?
>
> Thanks for any help.
>
> john

In general stay in the park. If you are strapped for money there are
some lodge rooms with shared toilets that are reasonable. It is a big
park and you will be doing significant travel just within the park. If
you stay just outside before & after your visit that would work. During
the visit stay in the park.

As to the roads I wouldn't call either the in/out roads or the figure 8
in the park narrow windy mountain roads. Narrow yes but well designed.
A more significant are the cars parked in the road while watching
wildlife.

Remember bison look cuddly but are more dangerous than grizzlies.

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PeterL - 27 Apr 2006 17:24 GMT

> Which would be the better town to stay in, Gardner or West Yellowstone?

Stay inside the park if at all possible. Otherwise I'd stay in West
Yellowstone.

> How are the highways into these towns? I'm a flat lander and am not too comfortable on narrow, winding mountain roads.
>
> I will have my own car but how are the bus tours through the park? Do they hit all the major spots and allow time out of the bus?

If you have your own car there is no need to take a bus tour.

> Where are some of the better places to eat, both in and out of the park?
>
> Can I see the park in 2 days (and do it justice)?

3-4 days would be better.

> Does anyone know what time the park opens and closes each day (August)?

The Park does not close since there are facilities inside the park.
Different roads and areas may be closed due to weather.

> Has anyone stayed at any of the Best Westerns in Gardner or W. Yellowstone? Impressions?
>
> Thanks for any help.
>
> john

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katleman - 27 Apr 2006 18:57 GMT

> Which would be the better town to stay in, Gardner or West Yellowstone?

Neither. Stay in the park if at all possible, either location will
cost you two hours each day minimum fighting traffic to get in and out
of the park. Yellowstone is huge.

But do look into in park reservations right now, as space is very
limited, and may not even be available at this point for August

> How are the highways into these towns? I'm a flat lander and am not too comfortable on narrow, winding mountain roads.

Gardner is a bit more mountainous of a drive into the park, with West
Yellowstone being pretty darn flat. But again, leverage your limited
time by staying in the park, somewhere on the loop road (the loop is
shaped more like a figure 8)

> Where are some of the better places to eat, both in and out of the park?

We had a good dinner at Lake Yellowstone Hotel dining room back in 2004
(needed reservations, but no dress requirements). While I wouldn't
call the Old Faithful Lodge Cafeteria great, it had a great view (of
Old Faithful)

> Can I see the park in 2 days (and do it justice)?

Not and do it justice. If this is more of an overview trip, with plans
for a more extended stay in the future, 2 days will give you a feel for
what to see the next time. We stayed 4 days in 2004, and that wasn't
enough, we're returning this June for 5 days, and I'm still planning
another future trip to cover what we can't do this visit.

> Does anyone know what time the park opens and closes each day (August)?

It doesn't close, but visitor centers, etc do close. Check
http://www.nps.gov/yell for when such places are open. We stayed one
night at the Old Faithful Inn (great place to visit and tour even if
you don't stay there) and because we were right there, I decided to go
take a walk around the geyser basin at night, to see a couple geysers
go off in the moonlight, and to stargaze. Quite an interesting
experience, no crowds, just you and the bubbling springs. Not really
practical staying outside the park.

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Travel Forum / Destinations / USA and Canada / April 2006

Planning a trip to Yellowstone