re: Yellowstone

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Terribly crowded during the tourist season

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meh. We have driven up from Denver the last two 4th of Julys and haven't had any issue with finding camping spots in the parks(Yellowstone and Tetons) nor really any issue with crowds.

Five days will really be pushing it to see most stuff. You'll have to be humping it. The short list of what you should see is everything. Stop at every pull out, drive on every road, stop every chance there is to get out and see something, go on every hike you're capable of. I like the North, North East and East entrances the best and think you should definitely drive out and back in through each. The northeast can take you over Bear Tooth Pass which you should do. The east side can take you to Cody which is also a great drive.

My advice is stay in the park if you can and get up early. People are lazy, if you get 50 yards away from a parking lot most places will seem empty.