Deleted
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Oct 7, 2024 21:30:38 GMT
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Post by Deleted on Jun 4, 2016 2:10:12 GMT
We are on our way home from YNP and GTNP. We spent 4 days in each one and had a wonderful time. Yellowstone is already starting to get very crowded. It's difficult to get a parking place for the features and there are often long lines for the br. The earlier you start in the morning, the better. We drove the Beartooth Highway yesterday. It was pretty amazing. We also went through Thermopolis and saw your museum but we're not dinasour or museum fans so we didn't stop. We went to the hot springs.
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gsquaredmom
Pearl Clutcher
Posts: 4,092
Jun 26, 2014 17:43:22 GMT
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Post by gsquaredmom on Jun 4, 2016 2:24:46 GMT
We are on our way home from YNP and GTNP. We spent 4 days in each one and had a wonderful time. Yellowstone is already starting to get very crowded. It's difficult to get a parking place for the features and there are often long lines for the br. The earlier you start in the morning, the better. We drove the Beartooth Highway yesterday. It was pretty amazing. We also went through Thermopolis and saw your museum but we're not dinasour or museum fans so we didn't stop. We went to the hot springs. How were the hot springs? I would like to see/experience that, too. Did you stay overnight? Thanks for the YNP heads up. The nice thing is that with the two of us, I am hoping for an early start.
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Post by ~summer~ on Jun 4, 2016 2:56:23 GMT
I'm a Wyomingite. We have an uncle on the board of the museum in Thermop. It's a cool place and if a bit of dinosaurs are what you want, go there. It's a bit of a drive to UT. In Thermopolis are the hot springs. Also a cool experience. Yes, it smells like sulfur but they are pretty relaxing to soak in! I'm on my phone so I can't see all the replies, but spend sometime in the Big Horns if you can. They are truly our secret. Buffalo and Sheridan both have interesting histories. I wouldn't stay in Gillette after visiting Devils Tower but go on to Sheridan or Buffalo. Then, you gotta hit the Buffalo Bill Museum in Cody. And if you spend the night there do the tourist thing and go to the rodeo or watch the gunslingers. I think the best kept lodging secret is staying in cabins in the Grand Teton National Park. Yellowstone books fast, GTNP not so fast. Love it there!! Here is a thought... If you really just want to see some archeology, what about hitting the Mamoth dig in Hot Springs, SD. That's pretty cool to see too. Ask me any questions and I'll do my best. I used to lead bus tours through Wyoming. Do you or does anyone have a specific recommendation for where to stay in the grand Tetons? I logged on May 1st (when reservations open) and reserved 5 nights in the cabins in Yellowstone for summer 2017. The last two nights I was planning to do grand Tetons but haven't planned it yet. Would love ado eve. There are 5 of us so we need a suite or two rooms...
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Post by craftsbycarolyn on Jun 4, 2016 3:01:42 GMT
Don't miss the Badlands, it's so beautiful.
ETA: I love driving through Yellowstone and seeing the wild animals. Highlight of my trips was to see a wild bear.
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Post by SallyPA on Jun 4, 2016 3:17:50 GMT
Another Wyomingite checking in . The museum is small but it and its dig site in Thermop are pretty cool (coming from a non-dino person, but have chaperoned a field trip there). The hot springs, to me, are not enjoyable at all in the summer; I don't want to swim in hot water when it's hot outside. You can drive up through the Hot Springs State Park and see animals and hot springs where they dump into the river. And, you can walk the boardwalk between the springs and see some neat features there. That's all free. As far as the park, definitely plan on at least 2 days there, and that's still not seeing and doing everything. But it does give you enough time to drive the main loops and stop and walk and hike and picnic a bit. Take a cooler and get all your supplies outside of the park; you can find plenty inside but of course it's all expensive, and the last thing I want to do is spend time in a cafeteria or convenience store when I'm in the park. I've got lots of Cody recommendations if you'll be passing through. The museum, the rodeo, the Dan Miller show, the free gunfight show, and my daughter's dance school has an Annie Oakley show during July which is a LOT of fun! Also, the Beartooth Highway is my absolute favorite place in the world. It is phenomenal and worth the time spent on it. My favorite way is to go from Cody and the Chief Joseph Highway, up through Beartooth, to Top of the World, and out at Red Lodge, MT (a super fun little resort, tourist town also). But you can also start at Red Lodge and out through Chief Joseph. OR start at Red Lodge, go to Cooke City, MT, and enter Yellowstone that way. Lots of options. And, please, do not put a baby bison in your vehicle or walk on the Grand Prismatic or pet a buffalo (these have all happened already this year at YP) or any other such nonsense! People are crazy!
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Post by SallyPA on Jun 4, 2016 3:24:42 GMT
And if you have time to do a hike in the Big Horns, DO! Love, love, love the Big Horns. They do not have the heights or sweeping views compared to the Beartooths. I would recommend the Porcupine Falls for a short hike or the Bucking Mule Falls for a longer hike; both are moderate, not hard at all. The Big Horns only have black bears (and not many at that but no grizzly). It is safe hiking without spray or a gun . Totally safe.
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Post by mikklynn on Jun 4, 2016 12:56:56 GMT
Wow! Thanks everyone. We will be leaving next week if all goes as planned. I have been reading to the point of confusion. We will have about 2.5 days in Black Hills, then will drive through Spearfish Canyon, over to Devils Tower, stop somewhere overnight, then drive through the Big Horn Mountains to the Yellowstone area. We will have a total of 5 nights in Yellowstone and Grand Tetons (lucked out on a cancelation for cabins). There are so many things to see and do, but not enough time! I really appreciate all the info here. Still wondering about Dinosaur National Monument in Utah vs the museum in Thermopolis. Anyone been to Thermopolis? We wanted to go to the museum near Vernal about 13 years ago on another trip, but it was closed for stabilization or something. But Thermopolis looks good. Either way, I like the idea of approaching Rocky mt natl park from the west. Then we will head down to Colorado Springs to visit family. And no, we won't be picking up hitchhiking Bison (or bear, elk, wolves, snakes...). Your plan is perfect. You won't be sorry to have 5 days in Yellowstone. Have a wonderful time!
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Deleted
Posts: 0
Oct 7, 2024 21:30:38 GMT
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Post by Deleted on Jun 4, 2016 13:51:59 GMT
We are on our way home from YNP and GTNP. We spent 4 days in each one and had a wonderful time. Yellowstone is already starting to get very crowded. It's difficult to get a parking place for the features and there are often long lines for the br. The earlier you start in the morning, the better. We drove the Beartooth Highway yesterday. It was pretty amazing. We also went through Thermopolis and saw your museum but we're not dinasour or museum fans so we didn't stop. We went to the hot springs. How were the hot springs? I would like to see/experience that, too. Did you stay overnight? Thanks for the YNP heads up. The nice thing is that with the two of us, I am hoping for an early start. The hot springs were just ok. We stayed in riverton. Went to sinks canyon state park near landers, too. After the national parks, everything is kind of just something to do on the way home! Our activitiy for today is picking up grandson from Denver airport...Hope that isn't too much adventure!
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Deleted
Posts: 0
Oct 7, 2024 21:30:38 GMT
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Post by Deleted on Jun 4, 2016 14:02:13 GMT
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Post by Dori~Mama~Bear on Jun 4, 2016 16:25:23 GMT
I want to go to Mt Rushmore. I think next year will be the year I do it even if I have to do it alone
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Post by angie3dpea on Jun 4, 2016 21:24:47 GMT
Now you've got me trying go figure out a trip through SD from Texas. Hmmmmmmm
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gsquaredmom
Pearl Clutcher
Posts: 4,092
Jun 26, 2014 17:43:22 GMT
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Post by gsquaredmom on Jun 4, 2016 22:45:32 GMT
Now you've got me trying go figure out a trip through SD from Texas. Hmmmmmmm I have tried to put this trip together a few times over the years. If you can fly into Rapid City, that's a common way to see the area. Some fly into Denver and do a circle to SD, across to Yellowstone and Grand Tetons, down to Salt Lake City and over to Denver. Some also go Rapid City to Yellowstone to Glacier and Banff then Teddy Roosevelt in ND and back to Rapid City. Oh, and if you were to drive to SD you could collect diamonds and Gems in Arkansas.
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Deleted
Posts: 0
Oct 7, 2024 21:30:38 GMT
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Post by Deleted on Jun 4, 2016 23:20:25 GMT
Now you've got me trying go figure out a trip through SD from Texas. Hmmmmmmm I have tried to put this trip together a few times over the years. If you can fly into Rapid City, that's a common way to see the area. Some fly into Denver and do a circle to SD, across to Yellowstone and Grand Tetons, down to Salt Lake City and over to Denver. Some also go Rapid City to Yellowstone to Glacier and Banff then Teddy Roosevelt in ND and back to Rapid City. Oh, and if you were to drive to SD you could collect diamonds and Gems in Arkansas. We drove to SD from West Texas last year. Easy drive through the west of Colorado and Nebraska. Make sure you have plenty of entertainment... Pretty dull and no big cities. It was totally worth it. We went to Custer SP, Rushmore, etc and stayed in a cabin in the woods about 20 miles past Rapid City. Great trip.
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Post by jenettycakes on Jun 4, 2016 23:32:09 GMT
This was our family vacation exactly 1 year ago. We flew into Jackson Hole then spent several days in a cabin in TGT, then 4 days at Old Faithful Inn. I will definitely revisit this thread later this evening as typing from my cell it tedious and will drive me mad as I share my experiences and tips!
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pudgygroundhog
Pearl Clutcher
Posts: 4,648
Location: The Grand Canyon
Jun 25, 2014 20:18:39 GMT
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Post by pudgygroundhog on Jun 5, 2016 0:33:52 GMT
Now you've got me trying go figure out a trip through SD from Texas. Hmmmmmmm I have tried to put this trip together a few times over the years. If you can fly into Rapid City, that's a common way to see the area. Some fly into Denver and do a circle to SD, across to Yellowstone and Grand Tetons, down to Salt Lake City and over to Denver. Some also go Rapid City to Yellowstone to Glacier and Banff then Teddy Roosevelt in ND and back to Rapid City. Oh, and if you were to drive to SD you could collect diamonds and Gems in Arkansas. Except during peak time (i.e. summer) the tickets to Rapid City are expensive. I bought tickets for my daughter and I for this summer (to visit my parents in Nebraska) and the tickets were more than our plane tickets to Peru!
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Post by jojam on Jun 5, 2016 2:56:14 GMT
You must drive through the Badlands. It is like another world through there.
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Post by gotranch on Jun 5, 2016 10:23:59 GMT
Don't miss the Badlands, it's so beautiful. ETA: I love driving through Yellowstone and seeing the wild animals. Highlight of my trips was to see a wild bear. I will repeat this - Don't miss the Badlands National Park!!! Even if you don't stop and explore; take the Badlands Loop. It will be some of the most unique scenery you will see on your trip.
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gsquaredmom
Pearl Clutcher
Posts: 4,092
Jun 26, 2014 17:43:22 GMT
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Post by gsquaredmom on Jun 5, 2016 11:42:24 GMT
Don't miss the Badlands, it's so beautiful. ETA: I love driving through Yellowstone and seeing the wild animals. Highlight of my trips was to see a wild bear. I will repeat this - Don't miss the Badlands National Park!!! Even if you don't stop and explore; take the Badlands Loop. It will be some of the most unique scenery you will see on your trip. Thanks. We will see the Badlands, at least to drive through but hoping to spend a few hours there. I was just telling my husband yesterday that day 1 of driving needs to be a bit longer to assure we can see the Badlands on day 2. The pics I have seen are amazing! Actually, I am advocating leaving the day before the original planned leave date to put some miles behind us to assure it.
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valincal
Drama Llama
Southern Alberta
Posts: 5,768
Jun 27, 2014 2:21:22 GMT
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Post by valincal on Jun 7, 2016 18:41:44 GMT
Thanks for all the great tips ladies...we are booked! I was at a loss for planning, and you've helped immensely. We've rented a small motor home and I was able to get RV sites for our entire journey. Looking so forward to visiting Wyoming (and the parts on either side, too!)
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