OT: Looking for frugal suggestions for Yellowstone NP area vacation

[Ranger Dan]

My wife and I are interested in taking a vacation this summer to celebrate our 5th anniversary. . We are looking at the week before July 4th in the Jackson Hole/Yellowstone WY, Red Lodge MT areas. My wife worked at Yellowstone for a summer in college, but I've never been there.

We've been doing so much work on the house lately, that we don't have a huge budget. Hopefully planning this far out will ensure that some cheaper lodging may still be available. What suggestions do you have to save a buck here and there? We are open to camping, but would prefer not camping every night. I'd also like to stay in a couple different areas, as that is my usual MO. Was thinking 2 nights in Jackson Hole, 2 in East Yellowstone, 2 in Red Lodge, and maybe 2 in west Yellowstone. Any specific lodging suggestions? We could splurge for one night inside Yellowstone at one of the old lodges, if they are worth the money. Should we stay in Cody to save money and drive to Jackson Hole and Yellowstone to save money?

Any thoughts on the Beartooth Scenic Byway and Chief Joseph Scenic Byway?

Thanks in advance!

 

[Obliviax]

That far in advance, you may be able to get into the official park hotels...I stayed at the Old Faithful in several years ago, which was outstanding. They are not expensive but are hard to get into, especially around the summer holidays.

 

[81b&w]

Sorry to hijack your thread but this is kinda related and I thought pretty cool. My friend who lives in Jackson Hole shot this Ram about a month ago. He has entered the lottery for a Ram tag each year for over twenty years and finally got the tag and shot this. It weighed about 260 lbs. and the horns at the base were 18" around

 

[Ranger Dan]

Sorry to hijack your thread but this is kinda related and I thought pretty cool. My friend who lives in Jackson Hole shot this Ram about a month ago. He has entered the lottery for a Ram tag each year for over twenty years and finally got the tag and shot this. It weighed about 260 lbs. and the horns at the base were 18" around

That is a very nice ram!

 

[royboy]

Lots of good choices, Dan.

Our experience with lodging, etc. was on the north side of Yellowstone. Gardiner, MT has some reasonable hotel choices and you might be interested in this place.

http://www.chicohotsprings.com/

they have a variety of accomodations or you can stop by to use their pool/hot springs after a day of hiking

Cody, WY or Idaho Falls, ID would also give you good access to the park areas.

 

[WDLion]

My wife and I are interested in taking a vacation this summer to celebrate our 5th anniversary. . We are looking at the week before July 4th in the Jackson Hole/Yellowstone WY, Red Lodge MT areas. My wife worked at Yellowstone for a summer in college, but I've never been there.

We've been doing so much work on the house lately, that we don't have a huge budget. Hopefully planning this far out will ensure that some cheaper lodging may still be available. What suggestions do you have to save a buck here and there? We are open to camping, but would prefer not camping every night. I'd also like to stay in a couple different areas, as that is my usual MO. Was thinking 2 nights in Jackson Hole, 2 in East Yellowstone, 2 in Red Lodge, and maybe 2 in west Yellowstone. Any specific lodging suggestions? We could splurge for one night inside Yellowstone at one of the old lodges, if they are worth the money. Should we stay in Cody to save money and drive to Jackson Hole and Yellowstone to save money?

Any thoughts on the Beartooth Scenic Byway and Chief Joseph Scenic Byway?

Thanks in advance!

You have to do the Beartooth Highway, one of the best drives in America. If you stay in Red Lodge you will be at the start of the highway going to Yellowstone. We stayed in Silver Gate this summer but don't expect a 5 star motel.

 

[T J]

My wife worked at Yellowstone for a summer in college, but I've never been there.

What suggestions do you have to save a buck here and there? We are open to camping, but would prefer not camping every night.

Thanks in advance!

Save money and take a "Pic-a-nic Basket."

But watch out for Yogi and BooBoo Bear.

 

[Nittany Ziggy]

Try to get into the Old Faithful Lodge adjacent to the geyser. We got in via Caravan Tours. It is not fancy. In fact, it is kind of spartan but, as another said above, it is not expensive just hard to get into. Sitting on that deck, drinking a cold one with you wife on your anniversary is a great time. Good luck Dan! The Buffalo Bill museum in Cody is a must see. The Smithsonian of firearms!!

 

[Relayer]

We enjoyed both Cody and Jackson, attended the nightly rodeo in Cody. With a couple nights in Jackson, a full day in the Grand Tetons is a must. We stayed in the canyon section of Yellowstone which is a great location, but I see lodging is booking up fast.

In Jackson check out the Buckrail Lodge, very nice and reasonably priced. You can walk to town from here.

http://www.buckraillodge.com/rooms/

The Beartooth Highway is a must too. We drove it from Red Lodge to Cody so the Chief Joseph Highway is included on the route. If you're into hiking, Mt Washburn is perfect for a half day.

Some pics of our trip:

Beartooth Highway & Chief Joseph Highway

https://plus.google.com/photos/117558162232902883856/albums/5501968440817052449?banner=pwa

Grand Tetons

https://plus.google.com/photos/117558162232902883856/albums/5500209364958752017?banner=pwa

Mount Washburn

https://plus.google.com/photos/117558162232902883856/albums/5502007342385474433?banner=pwa

Yellowstone

https://plus.google.com/photos/117558162232902883856/albums/5501968795247450017?banner=pwa

https://plus.google.com/photos/117558162232902883856/albums/5501083069045204929?banner=pwa

 

[GastonLion]

Yellowstone NP is HUGE and you don't want to spend a lot of time driving back and forth to see all the great things in this park. The road in Yellowstone is a figure eight and you want to minimize driving and maximize sightseeing, for there's so much to see. We spent one night in Old Faithful Lodge (really a must do), then two nights in the cabins in the northern section of the park, then a night at the Lake Yellowstone Hotel (another must do). We followed that with a night in cabins at Grand Teton and then one night in Jackson. If we do it again, I would spend more time in Yellowstone as four nights was really pushing it.
You will have a great time!

 

[LafayetteBear]

That is a very nice ram!

Yeah. A very nice dead ram, Aren't those rams pretty rare?

 

[Ranger Dan]

Aren't those rams pretty rare

If by "Rare" you mean endangered, then no, they are not endangered. They are difficult to hunt and even harder to get a tag for... there are places in Montana where you can walk into Walmart and buy a tag over the counter, however.

 

[Nittany Ziggy]

Yeah. A very nice dead ram, Aren't those rams pretty rare?

The guy said he won a raffle to get a tag to hunt the ram. Clearly, those in control want the population managed. Rams that large are rare, that is why a picture was taken. It seems that oxygen molecules may be rare in your cerebellum, however.

 

[Ranger Dan]

Old Faithful Lodge

There is lodging available in the park, but not at the old faithful... I was just checking out airbnb and there are some affordable options outside of the park, but close enough to be convenient. We could rent a room or a small log home for the price of a night in the cheapest room in the park, and with the room/log, we have the option to cook some of our meals.

 

[Nittany Ziggy]

There is lodging available in the park, but not at the old faithful... I was just checking out airbnb and there are some affordable options outside of the park, but close enough to be convenient. We could rent a room or a small log home for the price of a night in the cheapest room in the park, and with the room/log, we have the option to cook some of our meals.

Do that and go to the lodge, grab a brew and go sit on the deck and watch. The bar is right inside the door. You will also want to sit closer to the geyser on the benches. Have fun Dan!

 

[pointingdogsrule]

Stayed in Red Lodge years ago. The Pollard is a very nice "historic hotel" on main street... nice breakfast. I wouldn't stay in Red Lodge for 2 days. Not sure how much there is to do in that town. I s was there in the winter for skiing.

 

[bkmtnittany1]

Don't be shocked if you get snow on your Beartooth Pass ride. I did the ride from Yellowstone into Red Lodge a few years back on July 4th. On July 5th we were told the pass was closed because of overnite snow! Cody is a great town...some inexpensive Hotels and the happy hour and food at the Irma Hotel is great. Teton Village is a great place to stay...and the MangyMoose is a great nite time hang out...hope you have fun. BTW...my wife and I will be making our 5th trip out that way in August!!

 

[Cold Smoke]

Yeah. A very nice dead ram, Aren't those rams pretty rare?

LB and Dan,

Bighorn sheep are not especially rare in Montana, although some local populations can be devastated by disease - sometime from contact with domestic sheep. A form of pinkeye, usually. Overpopulation spreads such disease.

The ram pictured is legal size and a nice trophy. A "rare" ram has a full curl set of headgear. Impressive to look at, but not gourmet table fare, I can assure you.. Google some photos of B&C bighorn sheep photos.

Strongly recommend (as above) a night at Chico Hot Springs. Stay in the old rooms. Funky place, hot spring pools, and excellent food (not cheap, but worth the extravagance). Keep your eyes peeled for Hollywood types. They're the ones with imported French cowshit on their boots. A scenic hour drive north of Gardiner.

 

[Peetz Pool Boy]

We enjoyed both Cody and Jackson, attended the nightly rodeo in Cody. With a couple nights in Jackson, a full day in the Grand Tetons is a must. We stayed in the canyon section of Yellowstone which is a great location, but I see lodging is booking up fast.

In Jackson check out the Buckrail Lodge, very nice and reasonably priced. You can walk to town from here.

http://www.buckraillodge.com/rooms/

The Beartooth Highway is a must too. We drove it from Red Lodge to Cody so the Chief Joseph Highway is included on the route. If you're into hiking, Mt Washburn is perfect for a half day.

Some pics of our trip:

Beartooth Highway & Chief Joseph Highway

https://plus.google.com/photos/117558162232902883856/albums/5501968440817052449?banner=pwa

Grand Tetons

https://plus.google.com/photos/117558162232902883856/albums/5500209364958752017?banner=pwa

Mount Washburn

https://plus.google.com/photos/117558162232902883856/albums/5502007342385474433?banner=pwa

Yellowstone

https://plus.google.com/photos/117558162232902883856/albums/5501968795247450017?banner=pwa

https://plus.google.com/photos/117558162232902883856/albums/5501083069045204929?banner=pwa

Listen to this guy. He's my traveling hero. He knows how to plan a trip. He should just change his board name to Rand McNally

 

[BeachedLion]

Might look into the Flagg Ranch for accomodations. It's a commercial "resort" located just outside the south entrance to Yellowstone and just north of Grand Teton NP. Has a campground for tenting or trailers along with cabins for rent along the banks of the Snake River. Also has a dining lodge as well as a grocery store. Spent 6 nights in one of the cabins so we had easy access to both Yellowstone and Grand Teton each day, as well as Snake River raft trips and all there is to see and do in and around Jackson Hole without ever having to change lodging.

 

[Hugh Manatee]

My wife and I are interested in taking a vacation this summer to celebrate our 5th anniversary. . We are looking at the week before July 4th in the Jackson Hole/Yellowstone WY, Red Lodge MT areas. My wife worked at Yellowstone for a summer in college, but I've never been there.

We've been doing so much work on the house lately, that we don't have a huge budget. Hopefully planning this far out will ensure that some cheaper lodging may still be available. What suggestions do you have to save a buck here and there? We are open to camping, but would prefer not camping every night. I'd also like to stay in a couple different areas, as that is my usual MO. Was thinking 2 nights in Jackson Hole, 2 in East Yellowstone, 2 in Red Lodge, and maybe 2 in west Yellowstone. Any specific lodging suggestions? We could splurge for one night inside Yellowstone at one of the old lodges, if they are worth the money. Should we stay in Cody to save money and drive to Jackson Hole and Yellowstone to save money?

Any thoughts on the Beartooth Scenic Byway and Chief Joseph Scenic Byway?

Thanks in advance!

If you want frugal, go off season. I just went this July and its peak season. I'm now getting deals from booking.com that are 25% of what I paid in July.

 

[Ranger Dan]

If you want frugal, go off season. I just went this July and its peak season. I'm now getting deals from booking.com that are 25% of what I paid in July.

Unfortunately, our window for vacations is over the summer. My wife works in education.

 

[Thorndike2012]

Then fly into Bozeman, rent a car, and drive to Jackson Hole. Do one side of the park for a day or two, then the other for a day or two. Bring tissues...the views will bring tears. No way to avoid it.

My father lost a leg in Korea. He always wanted to see Yellowstone NP. But he died long before he would ever have had the opportunity to see it. I took his grandson and we spent three days in the park. I am a big, ugly guy. I spent three days crying my way through Yellowstone NP. All I could think of was my father, wishing to see what I was seeing. And it is magnificent and beyond description. Everyone must go. It is the rarest and most elegant of treats. A visual cornucopia that will stick with you for the rest of your life.

Awesome.

Breathtaking.

If you can stand below the great falls of the Yellowstone River and not weep like a child...you are already dead. It is THAT magnificent.

 

[Ranger Dan]

Then fly into Bozeman, rent a car, and drive to Jackson Hole. Do one side of the park for a day or two, then the other for a day or two. Bring tissues...the views will bring tears. No way to avoid it.

My father lost a leg in Korea. He always wanted to see Yellowstone NP. But he died long before he would ever have had the opportunity to see it. I took his grandson and we spent three days in the park. I am a big, ugly guy. I spent three days crying my way through Yellowstone NP. All I could think of was my father, wishing to see what I was seeing. And it is magnificent and beyond description. Everyone must go. It is the rarest and most elegant of treats. A visual cornucopia that will stick with you for the rest of your life.

Awesome.

Breathtaking.

If you can stand below the great falls of the Yellowstone River and not weep like a child...you are already dead. It is THAT magnificent.

Thank you for the recommendation and for your father's service. It's a shame that he couldn't have been there when you saw Yellowstone... then again, it sounds like he was.