Vacations to Go



Home

Leavenworth Celebration

Christmas at Disneyland-2008

Future Trips:

New England 2009

British Isles Invasion-2010

France Option

Ireland Option



Maui and Kauai-2011 or Alaska/
Caribbean Cruise



Trips for Friends:

Spectacular Yellowstone-2009


Optional Trips:
Long Trips-

Florida Sights

Great Britain on the Run-2008

Ireland

plus Key West Attractions or Key West Restaurants

Hawaii

Oregon
Coast-a-Thon


Oregon Coast from Rockaway Beach North and South

Oregon Coast Websites for Vacation Rentals

Waterton-Glacier National Park

Yellowstone National
Park-Long
Trip

 

Short Trips:

Ainworth Hot Springs


Glacier in a Weekend


Lighthousing Around Puget Sound


Seattle-Whidbey Island Adventure-2006


A Week in Walt Disney World-2008

Yellowstone National
Park-
Short Trip

 

 Spectacular Yellowstone/Teton

 

Day 1

Saturday

   
7:00 a.m. Depart: Spokane  
    (Go east on I-90)  
9:00 a.m. Arrive: Montana Border 100
  Do: Rest Stop  
9:15 a.m. Depart: Montana Border  
12:15 p.m.MT Arrive: Missoula, MT 100
  Do: Lunch and Gas  
1:00 p.m. Depart: Missoula  
3:20 p.m. Arrive: Butte, MT 119
4:50 p.m. Arrive: Bozeman, MT 82
  Do: Dinner  
6:00 p.m. Depart: Bozeman  
    (Continue on I-90.  Take exit 333 in Livingston onto Hwy 89 going south.)  
7:30 p.m. Arrive: Gardiner 83
7:40 p.m. Arrive: Mammoth Hot Springs 3
  Do: Yellowstone National Park $25-car  
  Lodge:
Frontier Cabin $134/4 People
2 Double Beds, Bathroom
(487)
    Budget Cabin $$101/4 People
2 Double Beds, No Bathroom
 
    Hotel Room $111/4 People
2 Double Beds, shared bathroom down the hall
 






 

Day 2 Sunday    

7:00 a.m.

Do:

Breakfast-Mammoth Hot Springs Hotel Dining Room  

8:00 a.m.

See:

Albright Visitor Center  (8-7)  

9:00 a.m.

Do:

Mammoth Hot Springs Terraces Ranger Walk (1.5 hrs.)
Learn how these terraces of travertine are unique among the park's thermal features.  Route climbs stairs.  May be strenuous for some.  Meet at Liberty Cap rock formation, at the base of the hot springs.
 

11:00 a.m.

  Upper Terrace Loop Drive
 

12:00 p.m.

Do:

Lunch- Mammoth Hot Springs Terrace Grill  

1:00 p.m.

Depart:

Mammoth Hot Springs  
    (From the hotel take the Grand Loop Rd. towards Tower Jct.)  
 

See:


Petrified Tree
 

1:45 p.m.

Arrive:

Tower

21

   
Tower Falls 132 Ft. (Hike l/2 mile downhill)

 

    Roosevelt Lodge Gift Shop  

4:30 p.m.

Do:

Dinner- (or see below)
Roosevelt Lodge Dining Room (4:30-9) OR
 
    Old West Dinner Cookout (optional)
The dinner cookouts take place in Pleasant Valley, a large meadow about three miles from Roosevelt Lodge. Guests are transported to the cookout from Roosevelt Corral via covered wagons or horses, all of which arrive at the cookout site about 6:00 p.m. - 6:15 p.m.
All guests are seated together at open-air picnic tables and dinner is served buffet-style under a protective canvas roof. There is entertainment at the cookout; usually a cowboy singer. All cookout guests return to the Roosevelt area between 8:00 p.m. - 8:30 p.m.
Enjoy old-fashioned western entertainment and a hearty meal of steak, potato salad, cole slaw, Roosevelt Beans, apple crisp, hot cowboy coffee and more. The Cookout is accessible only by horseback or covered wagon and can accommodate up to 210 guests nightly. This is one experience that is sure to ring your dinner bell! $55-Wagon, $66 1 hour horseback, $80 2 hours horseback (4 hours)
 
 

Lodge:


Roosevelt Lodge Roughrider Cabins- $67/4 People
Rustic cabin units with sparse furnishings, a wood burning stove and a small table and chair. Two double beds. Communal bathrooms with private showers are located nearby. Two "Presto" logs are provided per night free of charge. No telephone. Pets allowed. No cooking. All accommodations in Yellowstone are non-smoking. Towels and linens are included in all cabin units.

(21)

 













 

Day 3 Monday    

7:00 a.m.

Do:

Breakfast-Roosevelt Lodge Dining Room ($5.75-$8.25)  

8:00 a.m.

Depart:

Tower-Roosevelt Area  

8:30 a.m.

Arrive:

Canyon Village

19

 

See:

Canyon Visitor Center (8-7)  
   
Inspiration Point- is a natural observation point. It is at a location where the canyon wall juts far out into the canyon allowing spectacular views both upstream and down.
 
    Grand View  
   
Lookout Point-This was a popular lookout for many early visitors to the park. Noticing that it got regular visitation, in 1880 Superintendent P.W. Norris built a railing here and the location has been called Lookout Point ever since.
 
 

Do:

Lunch- Picnic Area before Upper Falls or Canyon Village-Canyon Lodge Cafeteria or Dining Room, Outdoor Store fast food, General Store Restaurant  
   
Lower Falls Viewpoint-The Lower Falls is the tallest waterfall in the park at 308 feet. The arrow at the top of the photo points at a group of visitors on the platform at the Brink of the Lower Falls.
 
   
Upper Falls View-Of the two famous Yellowstone River waterfalls this one stands at a higher elevation, but it is considerably shorter in height than its downstream neighbor, the Lower Falls.  The height of the Upper Falls is 109 feet.
 
   
Uncle Tom's Trail-The trail drops 500 feet (150 m) in a series of more than 300 stairs and paved inclines.
 
   
Artist Point
 
 

Do:

Hamilton Store, Nature Shop, Canyon Gift Shop  
    Dinner- Canyon Lodge Cafeteria or Dining Room, Outdoor Store fast food, General Store Restaurant  
 

Lodge:


Canyon Frontier Cabin $123/4- motel-style units built in the 1950's and arranged in modules of 4 or 8 units. These units have a private bathroom equipped with shower, toilet and sink. Two double beds. They have received basic renovations in recent years. No telephone. No views of canyon. Pets allowed. No cooking. All accommodations in Yellowstone are non-smoking. Towels and linens are included in all cabin units.

(19)









 

Day 4 Tuesday    
8:00 a.m.

Do:

Breakfast- Canyon Lodge Cafeteria or Dining Room  
9:00 a.m.

Depart:

Canyon Village  
    (Continue south.)  

9:30 a.m.

Arrive:

Lake Village/Fishing Bridge

16

 

See:

Visitor Center-(8-7) Exhibits on the park’s birds, other wildlife, and lake geology. Information & YA store.  
    Hamilton Store, Nature Shop, Canyon Gift Shop  
    Mud Volcano (short loop)            

10:45 a.m.

Optional:

Lake Scenic Cruise- Join a park ranger on a narrated tour on the ethereal water of Yellowstone Lake, with views of the wondrous Absaroka Mountains, historic Lake Hotel & Village, surrounding lodgepole pine forest, and other spectacular sights.  Reservations required in advance through Xanterra Park and Resorts.  Call (307) 344-7311 or stop by the Bridge Bay Marina ($12.25 plus tax) 1 hour  

12:00 p.m.

Do:

Lunch-Lake Yellowstone Hotel Dining Room or Hotel Deli  

1:00 p.m.

Depart:

Lake Village/Fishing Bridge  

1:30 p.m.

Arrive:

West Thumb/ Grant Village

21

    Geyser Basin  
 

See:


Grant Visitor Center (8-7)
 

3:00 p.m.

Depart:

Grant Village  

3:30 p.m.

Arrive:

Old Faithful

20

 

Do:

Old Faithful Visitor Center (8-7) Award-winning film about hydrothermal features. Geyser eruption predictions. Information & YA book store.  

4:30 p.m.

  Dinner- Old Faithful Inn Dining Room, Old Faithful Snow Lodge Restaurant, Old Faithful Lodge Cafeteria, Snack Shop, Lodge Snack Shop  

5:30 p.m.

  Geyser Hill Walk- Experience this special corner of the park and learn about the relationship between Yellowstone's volcanic history and hydrothermal features on this l.25 mile walk   Meet at the Old Faithful Visitor Center.  1.5 hours  
 

Lodge:


Old House Room- $120 No Bath 2 Queen Bds Located in the original section of the Inn, built in 1904, these historic rooms have two queen beds, a sink with hot and cold water and historic furnishings. Communal bathrooms with private showers are located down the hall. No telephone. No pets or cooking allowed. All accommodations in Yellowstone are non-smoking.
 
   
Lodge Room $223- 2 Double Beds Attractively furnished hotel rooms with modern western-themed lodge furniture, two double beds, full bath and telephone. Rooms are located in Yellowstone’s newest facility, Old Faithful Snow Lodge, completed in 1999. Geyser basin views are not available. No pets or cooking allowed. All accommodations in Yellowstone are non-smoking.

(57)


 






 



 










 

Day 5 Wednesday    

7:45 a.m.

Do:

Breakfast
Make a sack lunch
 

8:30 a.m.

  Geyser Discovery Stroll- Learn about one of the rarest geological features on the Earth-geysers!  Accompany a ranger through the Upper Geyser Basin exploring the world of geysers.  Meet at Castle Geyser l/2 miles west of Old Faithful (15 minute walk from Visitor Center) 1.5 hours  

10:15 a.m.

Depart:

Old Faithful  
 
Do:

Black Sand and Biscuit Basin Trails-Easily accessed by boardwalks less than a mile in length, Emerald Pool, Sunset Lake, Jewel Geyser, and Sapphire Pool are among the features found in these less visited basins. Both areas are included in the Old Faithful area trail guide.  Trailhead: 0.5 and 2 miles north of Old Faithful area, respectively.  Distance: Less than 0.5 (0.5 km) miles each.  Level of Difficulty: Easy

    Midway Geyser Basin Trail-The boardwalk leads visitors by impressive features including Excelsior Geyser and Grand Prismatic Spring.  Trailhead: Parking area 6 miles north of Old Faithful.  Distance: 0.5 mile (0.5 km) loop. Level of Difficulty: Easy   
    Firehole Lake Drive- (3 Miles) Great Fountain Geyser  
    Fountain Paint Pot Trail-Yellowstone's four types of thermal features can be seen in one short walk along this loop trail: geysers, hot springs, mudpots, and fumaroles. A trail guide is available for this area, which also includes the Firehole Lake Drive area.  Trailhead: Parking area 8 miles north of Old Faithful.  Distance: 0.5 mile (0.5 km) loop.  Level of Difficulty: Easy  
 

Arrive:

Old Faithful  
 

Do:

Dinner- Old Faithful Inn Dining Room, Old Faithful Snow Lodge Restaurant, Old Faithful Lodge Cafeteria, Snack Shop, Lodge Snack Shop  
 

Lodge:

See Day 4  



 

Day 6 Thursday    

7:30 a.m.

Do:

Breakfast-  

8:30 a.m.

Depart:

Old Faithful  

9:15 a.m.

Arrive: Norris Geyser Basin

30

  Do: Norris Geyser Basin Museum (9-5) Exhibits on the hydrothermal features of Yellowstone. Information & YA store.  
9:30 a.m.   Windows Into Yellowstone Walk-Experience the muddy caldrons, acidic geysers, and clear pools of Norris Geyser Basin!  Join a park ranger for a walk through the magical land and learn about the park's geologic past, present, and future.  Meet at the Norris Geyser Basin Museum.  Bring water, sunglasses, and sunscreen.  1.5 hours  

11:15 a.m.

Depart: Norris Geyser Basin  
    (Back south on the road.  Exit out Madison to West Yellowstone.)  

12:15 a.m.

Arrive: West Yellowstone

32

  Do: Lunch  
1:00 p.m. Depart: West Yellowstone  
    (North on Hwy 287.)  
1:30 p.m. Arrive: 1959 Earthquake Area

20

  See:
Earthquake Damage
 
    (Watch for the junction west to Virginia City still on Hwy 287.)  
2:30 p.m. Arrive: Virginia City, MT

47

  See:
Ghost Town
 
  Do: Dinner  
5:00 p.m. Depart: Virginia City  
    (Continue on Hwy 287.  It will enter Hwy 41/287.  Go right/north.  It will become Hwy 55.  Enter I-90.  Go west.)  
  Arrive: Butte, MT

75

  Lodge:  

(204)


 

Day 7 Friday    

9:00 a.m.

Depart:

Butte  
    (Continue west on I-90)  

11:30 p.m.

Arrive:

Missoula, MT

119

 

Do:

Lunch  

12:30 p.m.

Depart:

Missoula  
    (Continue west on I-90.)  

2:30 p.m.

Arrive:

Montana Border Rest Stop

100

 

Do:

Rest Stop  

2:45 p.m.

Depart:

Montana Border  

4:00 p.m. PT

Arrive:

Spokane

100

     

(319)


Option including Grand Teton National Park:

Day 4 Tuesday    

8:00 a.m.

Do:

Breakfast- Canyon Lodge Cafeteria or Dining Room  

9:00 a.m.

Depart:

Canyon Village  
    (Continue south.)  

9:30 a.m.

Arrive:

Lake Village/Fishing Bridge

16

 

See:

Visitor Center-(8-7) Exhibits on the park’s birds, other wildlife, and lake geology. Information & YA store.  
    Hamilton Store, Nature Shop, Canyon Gift Shop  
    Mud Volcano (short loop)            

10:45 a.m.

Optional:

Lake Scenic Cruise- Join a park ranger on a narrated tour on the ethereal water of Yellowstone Lake, with views of the wondrous Absaroka Mountains, historic Lake Hotel & Village, surrounding lodgepole pine forest, and other spectacular sights.  Reservations required in advance through Xanterra Park and Resorts.  Call (307) 344-7311 or stop by the Bridge Bay Marina ($12.25 plus tax) 1 hour  

12:00 p.m.

Do:

Lunch-Lake Yellowstone Hotel Dining Room or Hotel Deli  

1:00 p.m.

Depart:

Lake Village/Fishing Bridge  

1:30 p.m.

Arrive:

West Thumb/ Grant Village

21

    Geyser Basin  
 

See:


Grant Visitor Center (8-7)
 

3:00 p.m.

Depart:

Grant Village  
    (Go south on Hwy 89/191/287.   

4:00 p.m.

Arrive:

Grand Teton National Park (Use Yellowstone Pass)

20

 

Do:

Museum Grand Tour-Tour a spectacular collection of American Indian art and artifacts while learning about the native people who make them.  45 minute-ranger led  
    Colter Bay Visitor Center (8-7) A large bookstore, information desk, auditorium, telephones, restrooms  

5:15 p.m.

Depart:

Colter Bay  
    (Continue south.  Get park map.)  

5:30 p.m.

Arrive:

Jackson Lake Lodge

4

 

Do:

Dinner-Jackson Lake Lodge Restaurant  

8:30 p.m.

  Join the ranger for an illustrated talk.  45 minutes  

9:30 p.m.

Depart:

Jackson Lake Lodge  
    (Go back north.)  

9:45 p.m.

Arrive:

Colter Bay

4

 

Lodge:

Colter Bay Log Cabins $155- 2 Doubles and 1 Twin Bed OR $119- 1 Double and 1 Twin
Colter Bay Tent Cabin $55 – 4 Bunk Beds
Call (800) 628-9988

(65)


 

Day 5 Wednesday    
 

Do:

Breakfast
Bring sack lunch
 

8:00 a.m.

Optional:

Lakeshore Stroll-Enjoy panoramic views of the Teton Range on a leisurely stroll and learn about the creation of the landscape.  Meet at Colter Bay Visitor Center Flagpole.  Ranger led (Easy, 1 mile, 1 hour)  

9:00 a.m.

Optional:

Tipi Demo-Join a ranger to learn about the structure that plains Indians called home.  Meet at Colter Bay Visitor Center Back Deck. (45 minutes)  

9:00-10:30 a.m.

Optional:

Morning on the Back Deck-Look through the spotting scope at some of the best bird and moose habitat at the park.  Meet at Jackson Lake Lodge Back Deck  
    (Continue south on Hwy 191/287.  It will go east to Moran Entrance Station.)  
    (Then continue south on Hwy 26/89/191.)  
 

Arrive:


Cunningham Cabin-1800’s cabin (Easy 1 hour, ¾ mile walk)

15

 

See:

Snake River Overlook-with views of the river and the Teton Mountain Range.  
    Teton Point Turnout  
    Glacier View Turnout-Turnout offers spectacular views of the Teton Mountain Range.  Grand Teton, at 13,770 feet, is the highest peak in the middle, flanked by Mt. Owen on the right and Middle Teton on the left.  
    Blacktail Ponds Overlook-Half-mile north of Moose on Highway 26/89/191. Old beaver ponds have filled in and now support grassy meadows where elk graze during the cooler parts of the day. Several kinds of ducks feed in the side channels of the Snake River. Moose browse on willows growing along the river.  
 

Arrive:

Moose Junction

12

    (Turn right on Teton Park Rd.)  
 

Do:

Craig Thomas Discovery Center (8-7) The Discovery Center features natural history exhibits, a relief map of the park, and an introductory video.  
   
Menors Ferry Historic Area
-Begins at the Chapel of Transfiguration Parking Lot in Moose and passes Bill Menors cabin and ferry, and an exhibit of photographs at the Maud Noble cabin.  (Easy, l/2 mile loop, l/2 hour)
 
 

See:

Windy Point Turnout-has a sign explaining the names of the mountain peaks. You can pull over and take in the scenery, or look for wildlife with a pair of binoculars.  
    Teton Glacier Turnout-lose-in view of the three Tetons  
   
Jenny Lake Visitor Center (8-7)

8

    Cascade Canyon Turnout-West of Jenny Lake. Look for, but do not feed, golden-mantled ground squirrels at Inspiration Point. Pikas and yellow-bellied marmots live in scattered boulder fields. Mule deer and moose occasionally browse on shrubs growing at the mouth of the canyon. Listen for the numerous songbirds that nest in the canyon.  
    Mountain View Turnout-features an area where you can pull over, and a sign explaining the names of the mountains included in the scenery.  
   
Mount Moran Turnout
 
    Potholes Turnout

8

 

Do:

Dinner-Jackson Lake Lodge Restaurant

2

 

Arrive:

Colter Bay

4

 

Lodge:

Same as Day 4

(50)



Day 6 Thursday    
 

Do:

Breakfast-
Sack Lunch
 

9:00 a.m.

Depart:

Grand Teton National Park  

9:40 a.m.

Arrive:

Grant Village  

10:20 a.m.

Arrive:

Old Faithful

20

 
Do:

Black Sand and Biscuit Basin Trails-Easily accessed by boardwalks less than a mile in length, Emerald Pool, Sunset Lake, Jewel Geyser, and Sapphire Pool are among the features found in these less visited basins. Both areas are included in the Old Faithful area trail guide.  Trailhead: 0.5 and 2 miles north of Old Faithful area, respectively.  Distance: Less than 0.5 (0.5 km) miles each.  Level of Difficulty: Easy

    Midway Geyser Basin Trail-The boardwalk leads visitors by impressive features including Excelsior Geyser and Grand Prismatic Spring.  Trailhead: Parking area 6 miles north of Old Faithful.  Distance: 0.5 mile (0.5 km) loop. Level of Difficulty: Easy   
    Firehole Lake Drive- (3 Miles) Great Fountain Geyser  
    Fountain Paint Pot Trail-Yellowstone's four types of thermal features can be seen in one short walk along this loop trail: geysers, hot springs, mudpots, and fumaroles. A trail guide is available for this area, which also includes the Firehole Lake Drive area.  Trailhead: Parking area 8 miles north of Old Faithful.  Distance: 0.5 mile (0.5 km) loop.  Level of Difficulty: Easy

8

 

Arrive:

Old Faithful

8

 

Do:

Old Faithful Visitor Center (8-7) Award-winning film about hydrothermal features. Geyser eruption predictions. Information & YA book store.  

5:30 p.m.

Do:

Geyser Hill Walk- Experience this special corner of the park and learn about the relationship between Yellowstone's volcanic history and hydrothermal features on this l.25 mile walk   Meet at the Old Faithful Visitor Center  
 

Do:

Dinner- Old Faithful Inn Dining Room, Old Faithful Snow Lodge Restaurant, Old Faithful Lodge Cafeteria, Snack Shop, Lodge Snack Shop  
 

Lodge:


Old House Room- $120 No Bath 2 Queen Bds Located in the original section of the Inn, built in 1904, these historic rooms have two queen beds, a sink with hot and cold water and historic furnishings. Communal bathrooms with private showers are located down the hall. No telephone. No pets or cooking allowed. All accommodations in Yellowstone are non-smoking.
 
   
Lodge Room $223- 2 Double Beds Attractively furnished hotel rooms with modern western-themed lodge furniture, two double beds, full bath and telephone. Rooms are located in Yellowstone’s newest facility, Old Faithful Snow Lodge, completed in 1999. Geyser basin views are not available. No pets or cooking allowed. All accommodations in Yellowstone are non-smoking.

(36)


Day 7 Friday    
 

Do:

Breakfast
Sack Lunch
 

8:30 a.m.

  Geyser Discovery Stroll- Learn about one of the rarest geological features on the Earth-geysers!  Accompany a ranger through the Upper Geyser Basin exploring the world of geysers.  Meet at Castle Geyser l/2 miles west of Old Faithful (15 minute walk from Visitor Center) 1.5 hours  

10:15 a.m.

Depart:

Old Faithful  

11:00 a.m.

Arrive: Norris Geyser Basin

30

  Do: Norris Geyser Basin Museum (9-5) Exhibits on the hydrothermal features of Yellowstone. Information & YA store.  
    Norris Geyser Basin  

1:00 p.m.

Depart: Norris Geyser Basin  
    (Back south on the road.  Exit out Madison to West Yellowstone.)  

1:45 p.m.

Arrive: West Yellowstone

32

  See: Shops  
3:30 p.m. Depart: West Yellowstone  
    (North on Hwy 287.)  
4:00 p.m. Arrive: 1959 Earthquake Area

20

  See:
Earthquake Damage
 
    (Watch for the junction west to Virginia City still on Hwy 287.)  
5:00 p.m. Arrive: Virginia City, MT

47

  See:
Ghost Town
 
  Do: Dinner  
6:30 p.m. Depart: Virginia City  
    (Continue on Hwy 287.  It will enter Hwy 41/287.  Go right/north.  It will become Hwy 55.  Enter I-90.  Go west.)  
8:00 p.m. Arrive: Butte, MT

75

  Lodge:  

(204)


Day 8 Saturday    

9:00 a.m.

Depart:

Butte  
    (Continue west on I-90)  

11:30 p.m.

Arrive:

Missoula, MT

119

 

Do:

Lunch  

12:30 p.m.

Depart:

Missoula  
    (Continue west on I-90.)  

2:30 p.m.

Arrive:

Montana Border Rest Stop

100

 

Do:

Rest Stop  

2:45 p.m.

Depart:

Montana Border  

4:00 p.m. PT

Arrive:

Spokane

100

     

(319)

 

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