How May Days at Yellowstone
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Joined: Oct 2018
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From: Rockwall, TX
How May Days at Yellowstone
In the planning stages of a ride to Yellowstone from the Dallas area. For those who have been to Yellowstone, how many actual days of riding around that area should I be planning? 3 to 5 or more?
Still haven't decided on riding up or trailering to save some travel time.
Thanks!
Still haven't decided on riding up or trailering to save some travel time.
Thanks!
Three barely touches it and a lot of that is depending on what side of the park you're staying and entrance/exits used.
I like staying on the Cody side because that puts you at the east and north entrances but with a drive to both. The west side puts you into the park earlier.
All of that is irrelevant because if you make the effort to go, you want to see it all and it's just flat out a big place to see. If you plan on doing any hiking at all, add a couple more days. They aren't long hikes, more like long walks, but there's reasons to delve into those spots like cool waterfalls and such. Remember as well that you're going to see different wildlife in different areas of the park.
We've never stayed at any of the lodges in Yellowstone proper but my next trip, if I ever get the chance, I would probably explore one of those options.
I like staying on the Cody side because that puts you at the east and north entrances but with a drive to both. The west side puts you into the park earlier.
All of that is irrelevant because if you make the effort to go, you want to see it all and it's just flat out a big place to see. If you plan on doing any hiking at all, add a couple more days. They aren't long hikes, more like long walks, but there's reasons to delve into those spots like cool waterfalls and such. Remember as well that you're going to see different wildlife in different areas of the park.
We've never stayed at any of the lodges in Yellowstone proper but my next trip, if I ever get the chance, I would probably explore one of those options.
Road Captain
Joined: Nov 2021
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the park is huge and going from one area to another (mammoth to lamar valley for instance) can take a couple hours depending on traffic/wildlife. id advise breaking the park down into areas (its kinda like that naturally), and spending the day in that particular area (the lower geyser basin area for instance). that will allow you to get to the places you want to see early (parking areas fill up quick at places like the great prismatic spring), and then go on some scenic drives when its too much of a pita to get into places like that (the norris geyers basin area is a real pita to get into).
id also stay inside the park (the campgrounds are great, if you're an access pass holder you get a nice discount), as its a long drive from outside the park.
the old west cookout at tower lodge is a cool thing to do, check it out on the park site
id also stay inside the park (the campgrounds are great, if you're an access pass holder you get a nice discount), as its a long drive from outside the park.
the old west cookout at tower lodge is a cool thing to do, check it out on the park site
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Joined: Oct 2018
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From: Rockwall, TX
Thanks all! We were planning to stay in Cody. I want to make sure we cover it all, so thanks for the input. I appreciate the insight.
The reason I asked is we were thinking on the way back, we might swing over to Sturgis and ride that area for a bit before heading home.
The reason I asked is we were thinking on the way back, we might swing over to Sturgis and ride that area for a bit before heading home.
Road Captain
Joined: Nov 2021
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are you aware that from cody it will take you about 2hrs to actually get "into" the park? beautiful scenery from cody to the park (and if you want to check out the museum of the west while you in cody its highly rated), but you'll wear yourself out making that ride everyday and lose out on a bunch of time that could be better spent in the park.
Road Captain
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worth it to have this map printed off in color at say officemax/staples as it much more detailed then what they hand out at the visitor center
https://www.nps.gov/carto/hfc/carto/media/YELLmap1.jpg
also, if you plan on doing any hiking, this guys maps are great
https://hike734.com/shop/day-hikes-y...ark-map-guide/
https://www.nps.gov/carto/hfc/carto/media/YELLmap1.jpg
also, if you plan on doing any hiking, this guys maps are great
https://hike734.com/shop/day-hikes-y...ark-map-guide/
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Road Captain
Joined: Nov 2021
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and just so you're aware, if camping in the park isn't your thing and staying at one of the lodges ($$$) isn't in the budget, look into the cabins at Tower Roosevelt.
https://travelinspiredliving.com/lod...hrider-cabins/
https://travelinspiredliving.com/lod...hrider-cabins/
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We've been to Yellowstone 4 times over the last 20 years. Always stay at Cody, enough stuff to do around downtown after riding/hiking in the park all day. Red Lodge Montana would be another good place to stay. I would say 3 full days once you get there as a minimum and probably 5 for a complete visit not just to the park but also beartooth, chief joseph and anything else you want to do.