Advice: from Denver to Yellowstone, via Grand Tetons

[ohyes]

In a few weeks, plans are for us to take a road trip to Denver. ...through Grand Tetons to Yellowstone. (3 nights in Yellowstone, then heading back to Arkansas).

Where do you suggest we stay en route from Denver to Yellowstone?

Thermopolis, WY
Jackson, WY
Cody, WY

Each of these has been suggested: TA and by Googling
We want what makes most sense, time wise.

Thanks.

 

[Ronstar]

In a few weeks, plans are for us to take a road trip to Denver. ...through Grand Tetons to Yellowstone. (3 nights in Yellowstone, then heading back to Arkansas).



Where do you suggest we stay en route from Denver to Yellowstone?



Thermopolis, WY

Jackson, WY

Cody, WY



Each of these has been suggested: TA and by Googling

We want what makes most sense, time wise.



Thanks.

I say Jackson. Fun town. We stayed at the Rusty Parrot. Great place.


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[clobber]

Doing this trip now. Departed Denver up through Winter Park with a stop in Steamboat. First night is in Rock Springs, WY and then on to West Yellowstone (via Jackson).

 

[rodi]

Only 3 nights in Yellowstone? Are you spending anytime in Grand Teton?

If not staying in Grand Teton - I'd stay in Jackson - it's close to Grand Teton and you can spend some time exploring before driving into Yellowstone.

Yellowstone is a HUGE park - 3 days isn't enough, IMO.

 

[Persn]

I vote for Jackson. We also stayed at the Rusty Parrot one night after two nights in the Lodge at Grand Teton NP. Both were nice but Rusty Parrot was nicer.

 

[tgotch]

I recommend Jackson. Great town.

We did the reverse trip a few years ago. Recommend you go through Steamboat, then through Rocky Mountain National Park (There is a fee - ~$30-40 per car?, but well worth it.). Also a few hikes along the way, if you are into that.

In Steamboat, stop by Taco Cabo for the best burrito you ever had .Fish Creek Falls is a quick/short hike to a nice water fall.

We stayed in Rock Springs. Don't recall much there, but we got in late, and left early.

 

[donheff]

I made that trip in 1966 with six friends. We camped at Tetons Park but would have chosen Jackson to stay in if we could afford motels. I imagine its a whole different world today.

 

[Bamaman]

The Rusty Parrot looks really nice and it gets wonderful ratings. But room availability is just not there--sold out. And $362 per night is out of my price range anyway.

The Lodge is also nice, however it's a $300ish property--which I'm not going to pay. My cousin's son and family are up there this week.

We're heading that way in 2017, but I'd like to stay somewhere priced reasonably.

 

[braumeister]

The museums in Cody are worthwhile. Five in one place.
https://centerofthewest.org

 

[SteveNU]

The rodeo in Cody is also quite popular.

http://www.codystampederodeo.com


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[ohyes]

Only 3 nights in Yellowstone? Are you spending anytime in Grand Teton?

If not staying in Grand Teton - I'd stay in Jackson - it's close to Grand Teton and you can spend some time exploring before driving into Yellowstone.

Yellowstone is a HUGE park - 3 days isn't enough, IMO.

Based on everything I have read, you are correct. And, there is a small chance we may add one more night in Yellowstone if we feel like it and catch a cancellation. Otherwise, we will just make the best of our short time there and perhaps revisit someday.

Thank you for all the input. Jackson seems to be #1 recommendation, while Thermopolis has yet to be.

 

[RonBoyd]

I have been to each of your choices many times. My vote goes to Cody. Thermopolis is interesting but not enough there to deserve a "stop." Jackson is way too upscale (and accompanying expensive) for me. Cody has a lot to offer in the way of history -- museums, small town ambience, etc. Accommodations are much reasonable and the scenic drive from there to Yellowstone is well worth it.

 

[DrRoy]

I've been out there too and I vote for Jackson. Spend the next day in the Tetons on the way to Yellowstone. I spent 10 days between the two so I also vote for more time.

 

[mh]

You can also stay in Jackson hole which is just a few miles north of Jackson which is the ski resort area - taking the tram up to the top of the mountain is fun


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[Teacher Terry]

We stayed 2 days in the Grand Tetons which was enough but only 4 days in Yellowstone and that was not enough time.

 

[zinger1457]

If your trip is before Labor Day your lodging choices may be limited, your heading to a very popular summer destination. Jackson or Teton Village (better) are both good as a home base for visiting Grand Teton NP. Or better yet maybe look for some last minute lodging cancellations inside Grand Teton NP.

 

[meierlde]

Note that part of the issue is do you want to do the Beartooth Highway which implies Cody to Red Lodge Mt, and into the Northeast Entrance An All-American Road in Wyoming & Montana | Beartooth Highway | Montana & Wyoming Scenic Drives
Yellowstone has North Northeast, East, South and West Entrances. Cody would let you take the East Entrance, or for more time the Northeast Entrance (gets to 10947 in Wy and 10350 in MT. Spectacular Mountain Scenery.
Note that assuming no traveler is over 62 you might want to buy a years pass, or if at least one traveler is over 62 buy the $10 lifetime pass for all national parks.

 

[ohyes]

Note that part of the issue is do you want to do the Beartooth Highway which implies Cody to Red Lodge Mt, and into the Northeast Entrance An All-American Road in Wyoming & Montana | Beartooth Highway | Montana & Wyoming Scenic Drives
Yellowstone has North Northeast, East, South and West Entrances. Cody would let you take the East Entrance, or for more time the Northeast Entrance (gets to 10947 in Wy and 10350 in MT. Spectacular Mountain Scenery.
Note that assuming no traveler is over 62 you might want to buy a years pass, or if at least one traveler is over 62 buy the $10 lifetime pass for all national parks.

All this advice is helpful. Right now, I am thinking staying at Cody after Denver. The Buffalo Bill Center sounds great.

As luck would have it, one of us is 62+. DH purchased his lifetime National Park Sr pass a few days ago --at Central High School Visitor Center in Little Rock. Wonders never cease.

Thanks again. DH and I have never driven very far out West. This is going to be a wonderful trip, even if it is shorter than ideal.

 

[gerntz]

Note that part of the issue is do you want to do the Beartooth Highway which implies Cody to Red Lodge Mt, and into the Northeast Entrance An All-American Road in Wyoming & Montana | Beartooth Highway | Montana & Wyoming Scenic Drives
Yellowstone has North Northeast, East, South and West Entrances. Cody would let you take the East Entrance, or for more time the Northeast Entrance (gets to 10947 in Wy and 10350 in MT. Spectacular Mountain Scenery.
Note that assuming no traveler is over 62 you might want to buy a years pass, or if at least one traveler is over 62 buy the $10 lifetime pass for all national parks.

This is the ticket hands down. Buffalo Bill Museum is worth 4-6 hours. The Indian garments alone are spectacular as well as BB's life story. Beartooth Pass is as scenic as it gets. Go to Tetons from Ystone on way back home, not to Ystone.

 

[gerntz]

Note that part of the issue is do you want to do the Beartooth Highway which implies Cody to Red Lodge Mt, and into the Northeast Entrance An All-American Road in Wyoming & Montana | Beartooth Highway | Montana & Wyoming Scenic Drives
Yellowstone has North Northeast, East, South and West Entrances. Cody would let you take the East Entrance, or for more time the Northeast Entrance (gets to 10947 in Wy and 10350 in MT. Spectacular Mountain Scenery.
Note that assuming no traveler is over 62 you might want to buy a years pass, or if at least one traveler is over 62 buy the $10 lifetime pass for all national parks.

This is the ticket hands down. Buffalo Bill Museum is worth 4-6 hours. The Indian garments alone are spectacular as well as BB's life story. Beartooth Pass is as scenic as it gets. Go to Tetons from Ystone on way back home, not to Ystone.

I'm jealous thinking about it as I sit here in Denali.

 

[KmmFIdreamer]

Sounds like you want to go into the south of Yellowstone so I would stay around Jackson if I could find something affordable! Cody is closet to the east entrance, but probably a little less expensive.... We stayed in West Yellowstone once and it is a nice town and very affordable, but a bit off the beaten path too.....

Denver to Grand Tetons/Yellowstone is a long drive - if it were me I would take the time to break it up a bit. I have been thru Thermopolis and don't recall much there unless you are really into hot springs. That would be a reason that I would consider staying there a couple of days myself though. I think it is about 2 hours from Cody, but not really on the way to Jackson....

Why Denver? Do you have something planned already there? Traffic is terrible on I-25 and if you hit it at rushhour it will take a long time to get thru! If I had spare time I would detour through through the mountains and enjoy a few days in the Colorado Rockies instead..... Like someone mentioned Steamboat Springs is a great little town (we are going there next weekend!) From south (Co Springs area) I-25 to W-470 to West I-70 will get you to the mountains a lot faster that coming all the way up I-25 to the I-70 interchange.

Best option if you are coming from the east is to hit I-80 into Cheyenne, Wy instead of I-70 into Denver and avoid all the traffic mess completely......

 

[ohyes]

Sounds like you want to go into the south of Yellowstone so I would stay around Jackson if I could find something affordable! Cody is closet to the east entrance, but probably a little less expensive.... We stayed in West Yellowstone once and it is a nice town and very affordable, but a bit off the beaten path too.....

Denver to Grand Tetons/Yellowstone is a long drive - if it were me I would take the time to break it up a bit. I have been thru Thermopolis and don't recall much there unless you are really into hot springs. That would be a reason that I would consider staying there a couple of days myself though. I think it is about 2 hours from Cody, but not really on the way to Jackson....

Why Denver?

We are stopping over in Denver for a couple nights to see a college friend. She has invited me many times over the last 30+ years and I am finally making good on my promise to visit.

DH and I first planned to just head that way and see where the car took us. Then we decided to visit Yellowstone and learned that reservations in the park can be tricky so we booked a few nights.

This is our first trip out this direction. There is so much to see and "no real plans" turned into "too many plans" while I was not paying attention.

Thank you for your input. This is all very helpful.

 

[KmmFIdreamer]

We are stopping over in Denver for a couple nights to see a college friend. She has invited me many times over the last 30+ years and I am finally making good on my promise to visit.

DH and I first planned to just head that way and see where the car took us. Then we decided to visit Yellowstone and learned that reservations in the park can be tricky so we booked a few nights.

This is our first trip out this direction. There is so much to see and "no real plans" turned into "too many plans" while I was not paying attention.

Thank you for your input. This is all very helpful.

I hear you about the "too many plans" on a trip. Be sure to take time to just kick back and relax. Perhaps this won't be your only trip to/thru Colorado and you can get to enjoy our state a little more at another time....

 

[Which Roger]

Driggs is a nice alternative to Jackson. Cheaper and off the beaten path. And the west side of the Tetons is a nice alternative to the national park if you want to avoid the crowds. When I was there a few years ago, we hiked in the park for a couple hours from Jenny Lake and saw hundreds of other hikers. The next day we hiked a similar trail from the west side and I could count on one hand the other people we encountered.