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    
Mileage
8:00 a.m.
Depart:
 Spokane
  (East on I-90)
10:00 a.m.
Arrive:
 Montana Border
100
Do:
 Rest Stop
10:15 a.m.
Depart:
 Montana Border
M1:15 p.m.
Arrive:
 Missoula, MT
100
Do:
 Lunch Stop & Gas
1:45 p.m.
Depart:
 Missoula
4:10 p.m.
Arrive:
 Butte, MT
119
5:50 p.m.
Arrive:
 Bozeman, MT
82
6:20 p.m.
Arrive:
 Livingston, MT
23
Do:
 Dinner
7:00 p.m.
Depart:
 Livingston
  (Go south on Hwy. 89)
Do:
 Enter Yellowstone National Park
$20 for 7 days in Yellowstone and Grand Teton National Parks
8:10 p.m.
Arrive:
 Yellowstone National Park
57
8:15 p.m.
Arrive:
 Mammoth Hot Springs
5
Lodge:
     
Frontier Cabin $91 (2 Doubles and Bath)
(486)
  (All lodging reserved through Xanterra Parks and Resorts 
   307-344-7311)

 

Day 2
See:
 Albright Visitor Center
9:00 a.m.
Do:
 Exploring Yellowstone's Past (Ranger Led)
Mammoth has always been the headquarters of Yellowstone National Park, now 132 years old.  On this short relaxed walk, a ranger will recount some of the important and fascinating historic happening in this, the world's first national park.
Meet in front of Albright Visitor Center (1-1.25 hours)
Upper Terrace Loop Drive        
Lunch
12:30 p.m.
Depart:
 Mammoth Hot Springs
See:
 Petrified Tree
 

Option

 Wraith Falls-This short, easy hike through open sagebrush and Douglas-fir forest to the foot of Wraith Falls cascade on Lupine Creek.  Trailhead: Pullout ¼ mile east of Lava Creek Picnic area on the Mammoth-Tower Road.  Distance: 1 mile (1 km) round trip Level of Difficulty: Easy  
1:00 p.m.
Arrive:
 Tower Junction
18
Do:
 Lunch
See:
 Tower Falls 132 Ft. (Hike .5 miles downhill)    

4:45 p.m.

Do:

 Wagon Ride to Cookout $45/$35 (5-11) 
Steak and all-you-can-eat coleslaw, potato salad, baked beans, chuckwagon corn, corn muffins, watermelon, apple crisp, and assorted beverages.  Return 8-8:30 p.m.
OR Horseback Rides to Cookout-Depart Roosevelt Lodge
      1 hour $55/$45 (8-11) Departs 4:30 p.m.
      2 hour $65/$55 (8-11) Departs 4:45 p.m.		  
 

Lodge:

 Roosevelt Lodge Cabins $91-2 Beds and a Bath  

 

Day 3      
10:00 a.m.
Depart:
 Tower Junction
10:30 a.m.
Arrive:
 Canyon
19
See:
 Canyon Visitor Center
Inspiration Point
Grand View
Lookout Point
Upper Falls View
Uncle Tom’s Trail (300 steps down)
Do:
 Dinner-Picnic Area by Lake
See:
  
                        Artist Point
4:30 p.m.
Do:
 Optional:  The Yellowstone Canyon Talk (Ranger Led)
From a classic viewpoint enjoy the Lower Falls, the Yellowstone River, and the spectacular colors of the canyon while learning about the area's geology and history. (At lower platform at Artist Point on South Rim Drive-10 to 15 minutes)

7:00 p.m.

Option:

 Twilight Shadows Excursion-Sit back and enjoy the splendor of Yellowstone after hours as we do the driving.  Plenty of stops for wildlife viewing.  Departs from Canyon Lodge $17/$8.50 (12-16) (2 hours)  
Lodge:
 Pioneer Cabin-2 Doubles $59.00 or Frontier Cabin-not online-3 to 5 people ($44.00)
(37)
 

 

Day 4
 
9:00 a.m.
Depart;
 Canyon
9:30 a.m.
Arrive:
 Norris Geyser Basin
12
Do:
 Norris Geyser Basin Museum
10:00 a.m.
Norris Geyser Basin Walk (Ranger Led)
Experience the muddy caldrons, acidic geysers, and clear pools of Norris Geyser Basin.  Bring water, sunglasses, and sunscreen.  Meet at Norris Geyser Basin Museum (1.5 hours)
See:
    
             Porcelain Basin Trail   

Back Basin Trail (may be closed)
Do:
 Lunch
1:00 p.m.
Depart:
 Norris Geyser Basin
1:30 p.m.
Arrive:
 Madison
See:
 Madison Information Station
Do:
 Firehole Canyon Drive and Firehole Falls-You can swim in the river on hot days
Artist Paint Pots (1 mile round trip) This is one of the overlooked yet wonderful short hikes of Yellowstone. The trail winds across a wet meadow on boardwalk then enters a partially burned lodgepole pine forest. The thermal area within the short loop at the end of the trail contains some of the most colorful hot springs and small geysers found in the area. Two mudpots at the top of the hill allow closer access than Fountain Paint Pots. Caution for flying mud! Remind folks to stay on the trail throughout the area.  Trailhead: 4.5 miles south of Norris on the Norris-Madison road.  Distance: 1 mile (1 km) roundtrip.  Level of Difficulty: Easy with one steep uphill/downhill section, trail erodes easily so may be rutted after rains


 
3:00 p.m.
Depart:
 Madison
3:15 p.m.
Arrive:
 Lower Geyser Basin
8
See:

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 

Firehole Lake Drive (3 miles)
Great Fountain Geyser

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 

Do:
 Dinner-Picnic areas along the way
 
Depart:
 Lower Geyser Basin  
Arrive:
 Old Faithful
8
8:30 p.m.
Old Faithful Evening Program (Ranger Led)-Meet at the Old Faithful Visitor Center Auditorium (45 minutes)
Lodge:
 Old Faithful Snow Lodge Frontier Cabin $80 or Old Faithful Lodge Cabins Frontier Cabin $81 (2 Beds and Bath)
(28)
All park reservations made at Xanterra Parks and Resorts (307) 344-7311


Day 5
 
9:00 a.m.
See:
 Old Faithful Visitor Center
10:00 a.m.
Do:
 Geyser Discovery Stroll (Ranger Led)- (1.5 hours) Learn the ins and outs of one of the rarest geological features on earth-geysers!  Accompany a park ranger through the Upper Geyser Basin exploring the world of geysers.  Meet at Castle Geyser, l/2 mile west of Old Faithful-15 minute walk from the Visitor Center.
12:00 p.m.
Depart:
 Old Faithful
Do:
 Lunch-Picnic area on the way

1:00 p.m.

Do:

 Black Sand Walk- Ranger Led-(1 hour)-Join a park ranger on this l/2 mile exploration of Yellowstone's Volcanic past.   Meet at Black Sand Basin parking lot, one mile north of Old Faithful.  
 

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

3:30 p.m.

Do:

 Tour of Historic Old Faithful Inn- (.45 minutes)  Meet at the fireplace in the Old Faithful Inn Lobby.  Free  
See:
 Upper and Lower Stores

5:00 p.m.

Rory, 
Ray, and
 Paul

 Kodak Afternoon Photo Walk-(1.5 hours) Capture the rich afternoon light of Geyser Hill with your camera and expert guidance from the Kodak ambassador.  This is an easy 1-1.5 mile walk.  Meet in front of the Old Faithful Visitor Center.   
6:00 p.m.
Ginny, Marina, Zelda, Sherry
Geyser Hill Walk (Ranger Led)-Meet at Old Faithful Visitor Center (1.5 hours) Learn about Yellowstone's geology and explore the world of hydrothermal features on this l.25 mile walk.

  

Lodge:
 Old Faithful Snow Lodge Frontier Cabin $80 or Old Faithful Lodge Cabins Frontier Cabin $81 (2 Beds and Bath)  


Day 6      
9:15 a.m.
Depart:
 Old Faithful
9:45 a.m.
Arrive:
 West Thumb
17

10:00 a.m.

Do:

 Lakeshore Geologic Discovery-Ranger Led (1.5 hours)-Explore the origin of azure hot pools, belching mudpots, glittering geysers, and the area's explosive geologic past.  Watch for bison, eagles, and osprey as you stroll through the dynamic geyser basin on the shores of Yellowstone Lake.  Meet the park ranger near the West Thumb Geyser Basin Information Station.   
See:
 Grant Visitor Center       
 

Do:

 Lunch  
12:30 p.m.
Depart:
 Grant Village
1:15 p.m.
Arrive:
 Fishing Bridge
21
See:
 Fishing Bridge Museum and Visitor Center
See:
 Mud Volcano (short loop)          
Sulphur Caldron
2:00 p.m.
Depart:
 Fishing Bridge-Lake Roosevelt
Do:
 Lunch-Picnic area along the way
2:45 p.m.
Arrive:
 Grant Village
21
3:30 p.m.
Arrive:
 Grant Teton National Park
22
4:00 p.m.
Arrive:
 Colter Bay
20
4:30 p.m.
Do:
 Lakeshore Stroll-Ranger Led (1 hour-2 miles)  Join the ranger in an easy stroll to enjoy panoramic views of the Teton Range and learn about the creation of the landscape.  Meet at Colter Bay Visitor Center Flagpole. 
Dinner-Local Picnic Area

6:00 p.m.

 Depart: Colter Bay  

6:10 p.m.

 Arrive: Jackson Lake Lodge

4

6:30-
8:00 p.m.

   Evening on the Back Deck-Ranger Led (1.5 hours) Join the ranger on the back deck of Jackson Lake Lodge for answers to your questions about Grand Teton National Park.  Look through the spotting scope for some of the best bird and moose habitat in the park.  At Jackson Lake Lodge back deck.  

8:30 p.m.

   Slide Show-Join the ranger for a 45 minute slide illustrated talk in Jackson Lake Lodge's Wapiti Room.   

10:00 p.m.

Depart:

 Jackson Lake Lodge  

10:15 p.m.

Arrive:

 Colter Bay

4
Lodge:
 Colter Bay Log Cabins-2 Rooms with 4 Doubles $134 (hold 9 with rollaway) 6% tax
(109)

 

Day 7      
10:00 a.m.
Depart:
 Colter Bay

10:30 a.m.

Arrive:

Cunningham Cabin Historic Site (.75 mile) Learn about early ranching history in Jackson Hole.

15

 

See:

 Snake River Overlook  
    Teton Point Turnout  
    Glacier View Turnout  
    Blacktail Ponds Overlook  
 

Arrive:

 Moose Junction

12

 

See:

 Menors Ferry Historic Area (.50 mile loop)-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.  

2:00 p.m.

Do:

A Walk into the Past-Ranger Led (.5 hours) Discover the story of Menor's Ferry Historic District and ride across the Snake River on a replica cable ferry.  Meet at Menor's Ferry Dock

  
 

See:

 Windy Point Turnout  
    Teton Glacier Turnout  
    Jenny Lake Visitor Center (8-7)

8

    Cascade Canyon Turnout  
    Mountain View Turnout  
    Mount Moran Turnout  
    Potholes Turnout

8

    (Turn around and head back to Jenny Lake)  
    Cathedral Group Turnout  
   
Jenny Lake Lodge

7

6:30 p.m.

   Jenny Lake Cruise (1 hour) Join the ranger for a relaxing scenic boat cruise on Jenny Lake.  Call for reservations at Jenny Lake Boating (307) 734-9227 $12/$7 (7-12) Meet at South Jenny Lake Boat Dock.  

9:00 p.m.

Depart:

 Jenny Lake  

9:30 p.m.

Arrive:

 Colter Bay

14

 

Lodge:

 Colter Bay Log Cabins-2 Rooms with 4 Doubles $134 (holds 9 with rollaway) 6% tax

(64)


Day 8
 
9:00 am.
Depart:
 Colter Bay
9:30 a.m.
Arrive:
 Grand Teton Border
20
10:00 a.m.
Arrive:
 West Thumb
22
10:30 a.m.
Arrive:
 Old Faithful
17
11:00 a.m.
Arrive:
 Madison
16
11:30 a.m.
Arrive:
 West Entrance to Yellowstone
14
  (West on Hwy. 20)
11:40 a.m.
Arrive:
 West Yellowstone, MT
3
Do:
 Lunch and/or Shops
1:00 p.m.
Depart:
 West Yellowstone
  (North on Hwy. 287)
1:30 p.m.
Arrive:
 1959 Earthquake Area
20
See:
          
              Earthquake Damage
2:00 p.m.
Depart:
 Earthquake Area
3:00 p.m.
Arrive:
 Virginia City, MT
47
See:
               
                               Ghost Town
Do:
 Dinner
5:00 p.m.
Depart:
 Virginia City
(West, then north on Hwy. 287.  Go north on Hwy. 41, then west on Hwy. 2)
6:30 p.m.
Arrive:
 Butte, MT
75
Lodge:
 Butte KOA Kamping Kabin
(234)
1601 Kaw Avenue
Butte, MT  59701
(800) 562-8089 for reservations
  (Located on I-90 and I-15, take Montana Street interchange.  Go one block north to George Street, then east one block.)


Day 9
 
9:00 a.m.
Depart:
 Butte
      (Continue on I-90)  
11:25 a.m.
Arrive:
 Missoula, MT
119
Do:
 Lunch
12:00 p.m.
Depart:
 Missoula
2:00 p.m.
Arrive:
 Montana Border
100
Do:
 Rest Stop
2:15 p.m.
Depart:
 Montana Border
4:15 p.m.
Arrive:
 Spokane
100
 
(319)

 

Top