I’m in Cody, WY right now and in about an hour I am going to drive into the East entrance of Yellowstone for the next 4 days, but I know nothing about the park. Its huge! For those of you who are familiar with the park, where are the best places to camp (tent)? Are campfires allowed? Best places to go? I was told it would take weeks to see it all but I want to make the most of 4 days. Any suggestions would be greatly appreciated.
I’m in Cody, WY right now and in about an hour I am going to drive into the East entrance of Yellowstone for the next 4 days, but I know nothing about the park. Its huge! For those of you who are familiar with the park, where are the best places to camp (tent)? Are campfires allowed? Best places to go? I was told it would take weeks to see it all but I want to make the most of 4 days. Any suggestions would be greatly appreciated.
No tips for you but man am I jealous. Enjoy it!
Years ago we parked on the east side and hiked down the Thorofare Trail along Yellowstone Lake’s eastern shore, eventually fjording the Yellowstone River and liking up with the Trail Creek Trail and over to Heart Lake, hitchhiking back to our car. If getting away from people and seeing the backcountry is desirable, that would be a great location. You could hike down the Thorofare Trail from the trailhead near East Entrance, and hike south for one or two days, camp and enjoy life.
That’s so awesome. I would easily put Yellowstone in my top 3 most beautiful places I have ever seen.
On your way into the park, stop at Pahaska TeePee lodge and go check out the mens room. Specifically the toilet seat. I was LMAOROTF after that. It helped that I was stoned out of my gord. That was 20 years ago though, I hope it hasn’t changed!
Dave
That’s so awesome. I would easily put Yellowstone in my top 3 most beautiful places I have ever seen.
What are your other 2?
If you are being serious, I would say looking down at the North Shore of Hawaii after jumping out of a plane would be one. The other might be watching the sun come up over the causeway in Clearwater. I haven’t had the privilege of doing much meaningful abroad traveling yet. If your question was sarcastic (as per the LR policy), than there goes 2 min. I will never get back. I know there are other incredible places on earth, I just haven’t had the opportunity to see them yet. Doesn’t take away how awesome Yellowstone is though.
Do not miss,
Lamar Valley early in the morning.
Old Faithful Lodge
Grand Canyon hike
Yellowstone is not particularly spectacular as a landscape, its the critters that make is special and you can see them almost anywhere, though the valley floors are best for elk and wolves. If you want to see big mountains leave the south entrance and spend a day in Grand Teton National Park.
Campfires only allowed in designated campsite areas. Bring bear spray and carry in your hand while hiking. There are a lot of very hungry bears in Yellowstone this time of year. Leave your gun at home. If a mother grizzly charges you out of the brush you wont have time to get your gun out aim and get enough shots off to stop her. One big long blast of bear spray in the right general direction will do the trick. You don’t have to be a skilled marksman and everyone walks away alive.
Two days ago I decided to take the family to Yellowstone and will also be going into the park from Cody. What are some of the places we should make sure we see that the kids (ages 8, 8, 7, and 3) will remember?
Also, any recommendations on last minute non-tent overnight accommodations? Thanks.
Cody itself is pretty awesome. Watch the old west reenactment at the Irma, see the Buffalo Bill Historical Center (with the Winchester firearms museum), stop by Sierra Trading Post, go whitewater rafting or rock climbing. It has been a long time since I have been to the park but I would definately check out Mammoth hot springs, yellowstone canyon and falls, lake yellowstone and old faithful. The one thing not to miss is the Beartooth Highway (this is better than anything in the park) that goes from the park into Montana. It goes through Cook City and down into Red Lodge. Red Lodge has tons of cool stuff to do and really good restaurants. It also has a really nice hotel called the Pollard. If you go to Red Lodge, make the 15 minute drive over to a little town called Bear Creek (look it up on the map). There is a Bar/restaurant there (Bear Creek Saloon I believe is the name) that has incredible steaks and pig racing. They have a little track in the back kind of like a horse racing track that they race pigs around. It sounds really redneck but it is actually really nice and the the racing is something you just have to see to believe. All of this stuff is kind of right around the park (within driving distance).
Here’s a link to all the lodges within Yellowstone: http://www.yellowstonenationalparklodges.com/
Then in Grand Teton National Park there’s also Jenny Lake lodge (really expensive), Jackson Lake Lodge, or you could try Dornan’s just at the south entrance to Grand Teton National Park for something cheaper.
Be sure to check out Old Faithful and the hot pots with your kids - visually beautiful and the kids will probably like it. If you head out the north entrance of Yellowstone there’s a decent wild animal exhibit up there in Montana (can’t remember the name) with bears, wolves, etc that your kids may enjoy.
As someone else mentioned, be very Bear Aware this time of year.
Lastly, if you head into the town of Jackson at all (at the south entrance to Grand Teton & Yellowstone), stop by Ella’s Room and say hi to my sister who owns it. Though you may not want to take the kids in there - it’s a lingerie store just off the main square in town. 
if you have the time and are in the area, make sure you take a tram ride up Jackson Hole. If it’s a clear day, the view will absolutely blow you away. I’m pretty sure they’ve opened the tram for the summer by now.
Thanks lrsealey & lilpups, very helpful info.
YOU decided huh Joe, Sara didn’t have any say in this??
When you’re done, swing by Salt Lake and I’ll buy you a beer.
Dan
Not sure when you are going, but my Uncle is a Park Ranger out there during the summers and early winter, he knows some great fishing and viewing points.
I plan all of our vacations. We’re overnighting in SLC on the 24th and probably the 25th also.
Not sure when you are going, but my Uncle is a Park Ranger out there during the summers and early winter, he knows some great fishing and viewing points.
That would be great except we are only going to be in the park for about 2 days so we will be sticking with the more popular sites this time. Unless there are a couple of easily accessible viewing points that we should miss that are not listed on the park maps.
I’ll round up the troops (thesnail and Hurricane) and see if we can’t all get together.
If you need some recommendations on places to stay in SLC, let me know.
As for beer, thesnail is truly qualified for that.
Dan
I’ve already utilized my employee discount
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Not sure when you are going, but my Uncle is a Park Ranger out there during the summers and early winter, he knows some great fishing and viewing points.
That would be great except we are only going to be in the park for about 2 days so we will be sticking with the more popular sites this time. Unless there are a couple of easily accessible viewing points that we should miss that are not listed on the park maps.
Ok will email him tonight and ask him for a 2 day recomended view sites.