I'm thinking about heading to Yellowstone in 2015 (already have a big trip planned for this year) and was wondering what others could tell me about Yellowstone.
How long does it take to travel through and what else to expect? Not going to do any camping all will be hotels. I don't need much but a bed and shower (I'm cheap). Anywhere to stay nearby? We will be hitting Jackson, WY also, either before or after depending on which way we loop back around.
After that I'm debating about either North through Montana then back to Idaho or South through Utah or maybe even Colorado, then back to Idaho. I don't know what routes would be good for any of those ways.
Starting and finishing in Boise.

 

If you make reservations early, ie jan or feb
You can get a room inside Yellowstone with
shared shower for about a $100 bucks or less

I would plan on three days there (at least).
You can do the main tourist stuff one day.
Then ride Beartooth and Chief Joseph Highways.
Then the third day, you can go back to anything
you missed.

You can go south to either Moran Junctions and
turn around. (I cant remember where the turn
out is for the chance to photograph the Grand Tetons.
it maybe a bit further)

You can make the loop north out of West Yellowstone,
then West to earthquake lake and the little visitor center
then back south into Idaho. Then left back into West Yellowstone
It is a nice ride in the sun with different types of country.

And while there is always a bit of danger from
the wildlife, watch out for the CLUELESS and their
cars and trucks.

Also remember it can snow during June.
We have had it happen 3 times while going to see family

Forgot to add, if you make it to Cody Wy
Plan on visiting the Buffalo Bill museum
It can take most of the day.

 

Thank you for the advice. Animals are part of the reason we will be going there, no matter how dumb that may sound being on bikes. You are right about the worst critters being the 2 legged caged variety...

 

We are going to Yellowstone in June. We made reservations in December and rooms were already almost gone. (West Yellowstone)

 

Heading there with about 7 others in July.

 

I left Cody and rode Chief Joseph, Beartooth Highway and entered Yellowstone at the Northeast Entrance. The next two days I rode the southern loop and the northern loop in both directions. All three mornings I rode including the day I left, the thermometer on my bike read thirty degrees. This was last August. By 9:00 I was in a short sleeve tee shirt. I camped at Canyon three nights.

 

You can easily go through Yellowstone in two days. For me i have more fun on Chief Joseph, Beartooth and staying in the smaller towns

 

Thanks all. If the others that are with me just want to go through and see 1 or 2 things in there can we make it through in a day or would we need to plan on 2? We may not actually stay there if we can get through in 1 day. Either way it sounds like we will need to reserve early. I'm guessing that will be true anywhere near Yellowstone.

Hey Davey it is starting to warm up here in the valley. It was 51 yesterday! Today we can't see the sun and it is raining...

 

Lucky Dog

Yellowstone has been on my wish list for 20+ years.
Been doing Sturgis every year since the 80's....day and a half to the Black Hills
and then another day to Yellowstone from Wisconsin...takes up 5 days of a 7 day work vacation.
I'm now semi-retired... it will happen

 

I think you might ride the roads of Yellowstone in one day but you would not see or enjoy much. You need to stop and see the various pools, geysers, waterfalls, Grand Canyon of Yellowstone, etc.

I was fortunate as I did not get stuck in traffic. The first evening on the south loop I was headed back to Canyon. When I got to the area with the Buffalo, there were only about ten or so vehicles in front of me. They finally eased by the buffalo and I did as well. Traffic was backed up for about two miles going in the other direction. I saw a lot of bikes in that mess. These people pull up to the buffalo, stop in the middle of the road and enjoy "their" vacation.