Upcoming Trip to Yellowstone/Bozeman

[publichunter1]

Planning a trip with the family up to Yellowstone in the coming future. We are going to spend a few days in Yellowstone seeing the sights but am also planning to go up 191 to Bozeman and come back down 89. I have heard these are pretty highways and was just wondering thoughts on doing that or just staying in the Park? I figure if I do that trip I'll just stop and eat lunch at Randy's house. Haha.

Any thoughts or suggestions on places to see are appreciated in advance.

 

[Ben Lamb]

Depending on how much time you have, I would think keeping to the Parks would be the best option. It's at least 1 day, possibly 2 to hit up those drives & get some quality time in Bozo.

Plus, once you've seen 1 coed in cutoffs & a pre-distressed cowboy hat, you've seen them all.

Some good day trups outside of the Park:

Cooke City to Red Lodge - almost entirely on public land and a fun day on top of the world.

Eastgate to Cody - if you fly fish, fish the North Fork of the Shoshone. You'll be glad you did.

Grand Teton Park to Jackson - the people watching in Jackson is better than in the Park.

 

[FAIR CHASE]

Be sure to bring a few xanax for the time you are in the park.

 

[RobG]

Unless there's something you want to see in Bozeman (e.g. the dinosaur collection at the Museum of the Rockies) that drive would be pretty low on my bucket list of area scenic routes. Ben's advice is good.

 

[publichunter1]

I've already done the Grand Teton to Jackson. I am planning on doing the east gate to Cody (thanks for the fishing thoughts, much appreciated). I had planned on going to Cooke City but not on up to red lodge.

Do you think that drive would be better than the 191 or 89?

And no there is not something in Bozeman I care to see. Just trying to see some great sights all around. Thanks again guys.

 

[RobG]

The drive from Cooke City to Red Lodge is considered one of the most scenic in the U.S.

 

[Southern Elk]

287 through the the Madison Valley is much prettier than 191 in my opinion.

 

[Ben Lamb]

I've already done the Grand Teton to Jackson. I am planning on doing the east gate to Cody (thanks for the fishing thoughts, much appreciated). I had planned on going to Cooke City but not on up to red lodge.

Do you think that drive would be better than the 191 or 89?

And no there is not something in Bozeman I care to see. Just trying to see some great sights all around. Thanks again guys.

Cooke City to Red Lodge is a fantastic journey, with lots of cool sights along the way for the family. If you want to fish, I'd try the Clark Fork between the Chief Jo highway and Cooke City. Some fat little cutthroat in there. The lakes are also a lot of fun, but get more pressure. You'll need a WY license to fish those though.

The Beartooth Plateau is worth spending a day on. Go down to Red Lodge for some dinner and get back to the Lamar valley by 7:30 for the bear watching. Bring some binos and a spotter, and don't forget to scour the timber between the Lamar and Cooke as well. I've seen a lot of bear in there.

Dinner at Mammoth is worthwhile. The menu this year is good. Haven't eaten at Old Faithful or Canyon Village this year, but the standard fare is passable.

 

[publichunter1]

Thanks guys for all the responses. Completely changed up my plans but that's why I asked in the first place. I'm still open for more. Also do you have to have a Yellowstone Park fishing license and a Wyoming fishing license?

 

[Southern Elk]

If you're only talking about fishing in the park, all you have to have is the Yellowstone fishing license.

https://www.nps.gov/yell/planyourvisit/fishing.htm#fish_regs

 

[grandejuan]

Glad to hear the food at mammoth has improved. Got food poisoned the last time I ate there. GJ

 

[publichunter1]

Thanks Southern. I will just see how it goes. I won't get to fish to much as my three little ones will probably keep me more than busy. But heres for hoping anyway.

 

[Ben Lamb]

Thanks Southern. I will just see how it goes. I won't get to fish to much as my three little ones will probably keep me more than busy. But heres for hoping anyway.

The park does offer free buffalo rides for children 75 and under. Send the mom & kids to the Cody Rodeo for the evening while you ply the N. Fork of the Shoshone. Then head to the Rib & Chop house for a decent meal.

grendejuan - I was surprised by the food & service. I remember far too often the bad years until Xantera decided to actually invest in chef's, etc rather than imported food service workers.