For those who have gone, is a tour the way to go or just drive through yourself? How many days should one plan on and where to stay?
Yellowstone Park
- Thread starter Richard Cranium
- Start date
Too many years ago. Stayed in Montana IIRC. Watched the Kentucky Derby in a Saloon.
They didn’t have Mint Julips. Remember lots of stuff still closed in May. Stayed second nite in Park Lodge, don’t remember which one. Mostly the help there, few tourists. Don’t remember a tour being offered.
Could have been 90’s. Lots of Elk. Plan to drive the Daytona HC out there? Helluva drive for you.
They didn’t have Mint Julips. Remember lots of stuff still closed in May. Stayed second nite in Park Lodge, don’t remember which one. Mostly the help there, few tourists. Don’t remember a tour being offered.
Could have been 90’s. Lots of Elk. Plan to drive the Daytona HC out there? Helluva drive for you.
Mopar Miki
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Oh boy are you in for a treat esp if you go during tourist season. Try the web for better info
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Motorhome in 2004. Elevation so high there that the furnace wasn't getting enough air to actually make any heat! I fished a bit, bought a fly rod with free lessons in the parking lot and saw the "usual" sights. I think we spent three days... but I don't remember what I did yesterday.
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Thinking of a trip like this for future, along with be other parks; Zion, Bryce Canyon. Etc. I’d fly out and rent a car.
Belvedere408
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Lemme talk to my friend at work here. He was a guide there I'll ask what he thinks, get back in a few hours.
Mopar Hunter
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I would do both, I would spend at least three days driving through and taking the yellow bus tour.
The Coolest Way to Tour Yellowstone
Historic Yellow Touring Buses are as popular today as they were when they first rolled onto Yellowstone’s byways in the 1920s.
Take the shorter bus tour, and then go back for a drive through on your own. You'll get an idea of what you want to see better...
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Need a week 5-7 days, so it's not a big rush...
There's several types of bus tours there
maybe need to call, I don't remember specifics
what I remember is;
contact a local tourism company,
in whatever town or lodge you plan to stay at,
unless you want to camp, or a motorhome with hookups,
& it ain't cheap
(need wildlife/bear esp. proof containers when you leave the campsite
put your food ****/maybe even some personal belongings, on a rope up in a tree)
& you better make reservations, now or some are
almost a year in advance for the lodge or better campsites, with any amenities...
I don't know any 'off hand' right now, been way too long now
*some private tours too, contractors in the area,
depends on where you stay which are closest & have a shuttle to the park
or pick you up at the lodge or your hotel
lots & lots of options & prices all over the map
*a mini bus, sort of more private for you & the wife, maybe 2 other couples
*van tours, lower loop
*specialized, wildlife focus tours, go deeper into the park
not as crazy with people
*depends on what time of the year traffic in the park can be crazy
wildlife crossing roads etc. & mamma bears Brown or Black w/cub/s,
bison/buffalo or moose with calf/s (they are dangerous), occasional wolf
all of which can be dangerous
Tourists, flatlanders & inner-shitty-dwellers,
all of which are clueless of outdoors, or wildlife
most the people are idiots, with lil' to no common sense
It's almost more fun to watch people
who make really bad decisions then the actual wildlife,
that will threaten or charge them
bring binoculars & good cameras with zoom
you will see a crapload of wildlife, in your own car or in a bus/van tour
Be patient, don't be in a hurry, it won't do you any good
(too bad you 'don't drink', maybe you'll start
)
lots of jerks & traffic, people doing really stupid **** & walking along the roads
in peak season, flatlander/shitty dwellers, trying to get too close to wildlife
some of the more popular stuff/sights, isn't really very good
over hyped & way too many people
go to them later in the day if you can, not so many idiots & their kids
to deal with
happens every time
been years since I've been there now
Yosemite is a lot like the same deal, depends on what time of the season
Good luck & Enjoy
private or arraanged tours make reservations way ahead of time
& both parks over book like the airlines do, beware
There's several types of bus tours there
maybe need to call, I don't remember specifics
what I remember is;
contact a local tourism company,
in whatever town or lodge you plan to stay at,
unless you want to camp, or a motorhome with hookups,
& it ain't cheap
(need wildlife/bear esp. proof containers when you leave the campsite
put your food ****/maybe even some personal belongings, on a rope up in a tree)
& you better make reservations, now or some are
almost a year in advance for the lodge or better campsites, with any amenities...
I don't know any 'off hand' right now, been way too long now
*some private tours too, contractors in the area,
depends on where you stay which are closest & have a shuttle to the park
or pick you up at the lodge or your hotel
lots & lots of options & prices all over the map
*a mini bus, sort of more private for you & the wife, maybe 2 other couples
*van tours, lower loop
*specialized, wildlife focus tours, go deeper into the park
not as crazy with people
*depends on what time of the year traffic in the park can be crazy
wildlife crossing roads etc. & mamma bears Brown or Black w/cub/s,
bison/buffalo or moose with calf/s (they are dangerous), occasional wolf
all of which can be dangerous
Tourists, flatlanders & inner-shitty-dwellers,
all of which are clueless of outdoors, or wildlife
most the people are idiots, with lil' to no common sense
It's almost more fun to watch people
who make really bad decisions then the actual wildlife,
that will threaten or charge them
bring binoculars & good cameras with zoom
you will see a crapload of wildlife, in your own car or in a bus/van tour
Be patient, don't be in a hurry, it won't do you any good
(too bad you 'don't drink', maybe you'll start
)lots of jerks & traffic, people doing really stupid **** & walking along the roads
in peak season, flatlander/shitty dwellers, trying to get too close to wildlife
some of the more popular stuff/sights, isn't really very good
over hyped & way too many people
go to them later in the day if you can, not so many idiots & their kids
to deal with
happens every time
been years since I've been there now
Yosemite is a lot like the same deal, depends on what time of the season
Good luck & Enjoy
private or arraanged tours make reservations way ahead of time
& both parks over book like the airlines do, beware
Belvedere408
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Driving yourself he says is just fine. If you want a tour pay the extra money for a private tour. Places to say he said was best to stay at a different place every few nights.
1KoolBee
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Awesome, just in time for Bison petting season! We got a condo on VRBO just outside of the park. It was nice. Drove all over the park in a few days. Great memories, last roadtrip with my dad.
Are you suggesting that RC takes the Short Bus?
Mark.....Don't pet the fluffy cows.
Also....make sure to lock up the pickernick baskets.
68-500
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Id go in the fall. When the Elk are bugling. And its cooler temps. If you’re prepared to do some hiking plan on a week. If you’re just going to drive it and see the big ones, 3 day minimum.
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The 'short buss' was for 'the special people/kids' & special driversAre you suggesting that RC takes the Short Bus?
Mark.....Don't pet the fluffy cows.
Also....make sure to lock up the pickernick baskets.
View attachment 2018319
when I was a kid
RC could be considered that
Yogi; "That's Jellystone Park, BooBoo"
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It was cold enough up there in the Summer at night... Fall tour, no thanks.
From a "Great White North" Resident ?
Surely You Jest !!!
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Nope, no jest when it's Summer and you're freezing you *** off at night in a motorhome, because there's not enough air to make a hot flame in the furnace. Staying in a 5 star resort with RC may be a differennt story! 
Staying in a 5 star resort with RC may be a differennt story!
I don’t ever think I’ve ever stayed in a 5-star resort. The Hampton Inn is almost too nice for me.
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