Week long trip to Yellowstone, Grand Tetons

Just got back from both and it was my favorite family vacation to date. Yellowstone and grand Tetons are both awesome. My one regret is that our trip should have been longer....we only had two full days in Yellowstone and 4 in Jackson. I'd want 10 days if total if I had to do it over.

We waited too late too get a room in the park at Yellowstone so if you want to be in the park start looking now. We stayed at a pretty decent hotel in west Yellowstone right near the park entrance. It was not a bad option at all. See all the popular sites in Yellowstone as they are all worth it. Old faithful, the Grand Canyon, the Springs, and of course the wildlife. If you're a fisherman consider doing a fly fishing trip. I did not but the rivers looked awesome.

The grand Tetons were great too because it was more compact than Yellowstone. Tons of wildlife, great hikes, etc.

Jackson is a nice resort town. Tons of places to stay just decide on the type of accommodations you're looking for. There's some good restaurants too.

The white water rafting on the snake river was a blast and so was the horseback ride through the mountains.

Fun fact: if you check in from the Grand Tetons on facebook it will translate to big titties.

Horse back riding

Great ride, steep. South of the town of Jackson like 15 mins, but well worth it IMO.

Jenny Lake is a great hike, especially for a half day. Sept should be a great time to do it. I've never done it in the summer, its probably really busy.

I go every year in September and am 64. Some the hikes can be strenuous due to incline but there are several in Teton National Park that we like- Taggart, Lupine and Jenny Lake. We actually like to climb the one in town where a lot of locals exercise. Then we ride the lift down. There is a nice trail outside Teton Village on Moose-Wilson Road. Usually a moose on this road.
We float the Snake River and there are several companies that are good.
Wilson to Teton Village has a community path and is fun to ride bikes from one to the other and back. There is a nice bike rental near Nora's Fish Grill in Wilson.
I have never hiked Rendezvous in Teton and always ride the tram up but I see hikes with guides going on but it is pretty strenuous.
Eat at Nora's Fish Grill in Wilson and The Bird south of town. Tons of great restaurants in town- Trios, Snake River Grill, Cafe Genevieve, Local and Persephone. Those are out favorites.
Whatever you do, leave for Yellowstone really early. Traffic is heavy-even in Sept.

thanks for the help guys, looking forward to our trip, has been on my list for a while now.

Mad River in Jackson runs a good outfit for white water rafting and other activities. check them out. They associate with a sister company for wildlife tours as well....our tour was great but honestly you could see plenty of wildlife on your own just driving early in the morning or late in the evening close to sunset.

some great hikes in the Grand Tetons. I'm sure yellowstone as well but there's alot to see at yellowstone and it's massive.

A OK was the horseback riding outfit we used in Jackson. Nice folks, easy two hour ride up the mountain.

Be sure to download one of the apps to listen to while touring the parks! we used gypsy, I think it's 10$ but well worth it.

FYI Yellowstone is really only best for its landscape features like waterfalls, hot springs, geisers, and seeing buffalo all over then wolves and grizzleys in the north. We saw 2 wolves this winter in the National Forest land just outside of the grand Teton national park to the northeast. Seeing elk, black bear, mule deer, and pronghorn antelope is much better in the Grand Teton NP. The scenery and mountains in southern Montana is beautiful also, especially all along any of the bigger rivers.

It's well worth exploring outside the parks, it's very easy to get away from people once you aren't around the well known sites.

Eta: definitely bring at least one pair of binoculars. If you don't have any try and borrow a pair or more from friends. A lot of the wildlife will be 200-300 yards off. Some like the buffalo in Yellowstone you'll be able to smell their farts.

quote:

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Yellowstone and grand Tetons are both awesome. My one regret is that our trip should have been longer.

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All of this.

This is one of the best spots on Earth.

Break the trip up into two different lodging stops. I'd stay in Teton Village for 3 or 4 days and in a Yellowstone lodge for 3 or 4 days.

Can't wait to go back.

Don't miss Great prismatic geyser. We made reservations early and stayed in all of the parks lodging and our favorite was Yellowstone Lodge and buffet was awesome. We loved rafting in Snake River. Check out Cody, Wy and visit Buffalo Bill
museum and Guns in the Dust.

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Feel free to email me. I'd be happy to take y'all on a float. tholli3@gmail.com