Yellowstone in May 09

We are planning a trip to Yellowstone around May 10th 2009. We are mainly interested in the geysers,scenic tours etc.We may not be able to do much hiking as we will be going with two toddlers.Some questions that I have:

1.Is the park accessible during that time?

2.What kind of activities do you suggest?

3.What are the lodging options in and around yellowstone?

Your help is much appreciated.

Thanks!

Chirpy.

Yellowstone in May 09

We just sayed at the Dessert inn last week. Clean and not very pricey.

Yellowstone in May 09

Hi Chirpy,

The park is SCHEDULED to be accessible at that time. See the following link:

www.nps.gov/yell/planyourvisit/hours.htm

Depending on the weather conditions at that time of year, any and all of the normal park tours and activities should be available. However, a lot of the opening dates for the roads and facilities within the park are weather dependant, so depending on how much snow the crews have to deal with, everything might not open on schedule.

If the roads are all plowed and open as scheduled, the best way to experience all that the park has to offer is by driving yourself. However for the first time visitor who would like a narrated tour of the area, there are many available in the surrounding towns.

Although it might be a bit late for this May, visit this link for lodging options inside the park:

www.travelyellowstone.com

If the web site shows nothing available, call Xanterra directly toll free @ 1-866-439-7375. Changes and cancellations make it impossible for them to keep the web site up to the minute. Their reps will work with you to find something whenever possible.

Outside the park lodging can be found in West Yellowstone, Gardiner, and Cooke City, Montana. I would recommend those towns in that order as well. Jackson and Cody Wyoming are nice western towns that you might want to visit during your stay, but they are both a bit too far from the gates to be considered good bases for visiting Yellowstone.

Thanks a lot for your input. We plan to drive through the park ourselves. We are mainly interested in the geysers. Which is the best spot to stay in the park, that is convenient to all attractions?

The Canyon Village area is about the most centrally located for in-park lodging.

Canyon allows you to seen wildlife early in the AM and you can see geysers in late morning or afternoon. Unfortunately it doesn%26#39;t open until May 29.

Basically you can stay at Mammoth, Old Faithful Inn and Old Faithful Snow Lodge from what I can tell.

You can check the opening schedule here for lodges here.

travelyellowstone.com/opening-closing-dates-…

I%26#39;d stay in the park if I could at all. Old Faithful Inn or the Snow Lodge would suit your purposes pretty well for mainly being interested in geysers.

The Snow Lodge or Old Faithful Inn would put you in the heart of the thermal areas right next to the boardwalk that walks around Old Faithful and just down the road from Black Sands, Biscuit Basin, Midway Geyser Basin and Fountain Paint Pots.

Or, you could stay in West Yellowstone and drive in through Madison Junction to those areas (about 24-30 miles).

Here is a link to lodging options:

You are coming at a great time to see the baby bison! And, watch for bears on the hill sides.

http://www.westyellowstonechamber.com/sleep/

Hi Chirpygal,

The Park is open now and accesible. There is some road construction scheduled within the Park that may cause some delays but most everything is opening up as we speak.

West Yellowstone is a great place to call homebase while you explore the Park. Our town is located just outside the West Entrance of the Park. We have the Grizzly Bear and Wolf Discovery Center here as well as an IMAX Theatre and Bear%26#39;s Den Cinema. There are many restaurants and gift shops and it%26#39;s pretty much a walking town.

There are numerous hotels/motels to choose from, along with guest ranches if you%26#39;d like something different. Three Bear Lodge and Parade Rest Guest Ranch are just two examples.

From the West Entrance you could spend one day on the Upper Loop and one day on the Lower Loop of the Park. SeeYellowstone.com offers Van Tours of the Park if you didn%26#39;t want to drive yourself.

Have fun in Yellowstone!

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