Road Trip

[tillicant]

Figured it would happen. Wife does alot of traveling without me(vacations), mostly due to the nature of my business, but also, I just don't like shopping, site-seeing cities. She does hunt with me. Lately she has been hinting of me owing her because she travels with me when we hunt...
Recently we have been thinking, now planning, a trip to YSNP or GNP.
Originally it was a flight out, rent a car & go. Now we are leaning on a road trip, just not sure which park.
Wife hates crowds & from what I've heard they are unavoidable. Any input on either one, pros-cons.

 

[FlatlandHunter]

My wife and I have been to Yellowstone twice and both were in the shoulder seasons. Still crowded but not nearly as bad as I have seen photos in peak season. We have stayed in Gardiner and between Cody and the East entrance. September was awesome just because of the rut going on and her getting to hear the bulls. We haven’t made it to GNP yet.

 

[tillicant]

My wife and I have been to Yellowstone twice and both were in the shoulder seasons. Still crowded but not nearly as bad as I have seen photos in peak season. We have stayed in Gardiner and between Cody and the East entrance. September was awesome just because of the rut going on and her getting to hear the bulls. We haven’t made it to GNP yet.

Thanks, Due to schedules, I think we're doing late August.

 

[Straight Arrow]

The scenery and experience of traveling the Going-to-the-Sun highway in Glacier NP are spectacular, but the crowding in recent years has resulted in a visitor permit system and some real limitations.

Yellowstone NP is much more easily accessed by car and provides a more extensive roadway. Yellowstone's natural beauty is also spectacular and with the added attraction of many species of wildlife, not far off the roadway and easily viewed. There are many great hiking trails in YNP and well worth the departure from the pavement ... with bear spray on the belt.
I always say a good hike in Yellowstone is far enough out that we no longer hear the screaming Harleys!

PM me if you wish more info, as my wife and I, as well as grandkids, have hiked YNP extensively.

 

[Straight Arrow]

a good hike in Yellowstone is far enough out that we no longer hear the screaming Harleys!

'No offense meant, Harley.

 

[MThuntr]

For GNP, you better have a vehicle registration for the Going to Sun Road unless you plan to use the shuttles. I haven't looked into them since the inception so not sure of availability.

 

[noharleyyet]

'No offense meant, Harley.

...can't hear you

 

[Straight Arrow]

... late August.

'opportune time to visit Hayden Valley in YNP, as the bison are rutting there and putting on quite a show.

 

[popeyoung12]

We have been to 34 np. Yellowstone is#1,, you can also drop into Teton np, head west and do the 5 in Utah, or head east and do sw south Dakota. Stop at the Irma in Cody.

 

[popeyoung12]

If you are over 60 you can buy a lifetime NP pass for $80.

 

[tillicant]

Thanks, will definitely get one.

 

[Straight Arrow]

If you are over 60 you can buy a lifetime NP pass for $80.

It's like the deal of a lifetime, even at $80. Mine was $10 when eligibility compelled me to drive to Yellowstone in December to acquire my Golden Age Passport, which gets us into any National Park for free and cuts campground fees in half at any federal public land campground.

 

[popeyoung12]

It's like the deal of a lifetime, even at $80. Mine was $10 when eligibility compelled me to drive to Yellowstone in December to acquire my Golden Age Passport, which gets us into any National Park for free and cuts campground fees in half at any federal public land campground.

Yep, used mine 34 times. Knocking off 8 more parks up the west coast this summer.

 

[tillicant]

Yep, used mine 34 times. Knocking off 8 more parks up the west coast this

It's like the deal of a lifetime, even at $80. Mine was $10 when eligibility compelled me to drive to Yellowstone in December to acquire my Golden Age Passport, which gets us into any National Park for free and cuts campground fees in half at any federal public land campground.

It's like the deal of a lifetime, even at $80. Mine was $10 when eligibility compelled me to drive to Yellowstone in December to acquire my Golden Age Passport, which gets us into any National Park for free and cuts campground fees in half at any federal public land campground.

Got mine yesterday. We went back and forth on road trip vs fly-out. Decided on road trip, locked in on that. Staying near Hebgen Lake.

 

[tillicant]

The scenery and experience of traveling the Going-to-the-Sun highway in Glacier NP are spectacular, but the crowding in recent years has resulted in a visitor permit system and some real limitations.

Yellowstone NP is much more easily accessed by car and provides a more extensive roadway. Yellowstone's natural beauty is also spectacular and with the added attraction of many species of wildlife, not far off the roadway and easily viewed. There are many great hiking trails in YNP and well worth the departure from the pavement ... with bear spray on the belt.
I always say a good hike in Yellowstone is far enough out that we no longer hear the screaming Harleys!

PM me if you wish more info, as my wife and I, as well as grandkids, have hiked YNP extensively.

Thanks for the help.
Saw most of the tourist attractions as well as quite a few tourons. Hiked Lamar valley and enjoyed the views. I assume the cabins are used during the winter for observations. Our stay was on Hebgen Lake so did some hiking in that area around Quake Lake.
Also hiked the continental divide, (one of the best hikes) near Red Rock Lakes refuge.
Quite the eye opener, on the way out I90 was closed due to wildfire. Saw what was left on the way back through. I have seen and hunted old burns but seeing the grazing lands decimated as well as freeway fences, (crews rebuilding) and assuming the semi loads of hay in the general area are to feed displaced cattle.
My hats off to all affected.
Was nice, even with the smoke, lost my hayfever until I got back to Wisconsin. Must not have Rag Weed out there.