Yellowstone

I hate to admit it but I have never been to Yellowstone or the Tetons but that is going to change this year. I have two months off this fall and I plan to make the best of it but I would appreciate some help. I know this varies from year to year but when is the best time for color? I am planning to be there around the 15th of September and stay for 3 weeks.

Thanks for any advice you can provide.

Don

"I know this varies from year to year but when is the best time for color? I am planning to be there around the 15th of September and stay for 3 weeks."

Hi Don,

Congrats on your upcoming trip. Yellowstone is one of my favorite places on earth. As to your question about when is best to go Yellowstone and Grand Teton National Park for folliage, the answer is it really depends. I think that any time from late September to Mid October is excellent.

Yellowstone, being higher up typically goes a few days prior to Grand Teton. When the folliage goes, it goes very quickly. When the leaves really start to turn, my experience has been that you have about a week (sometimes less) to get your photographs.

I prefer the Tetons for folliage and Yellowstone for wildlife. The elk are generally prolific by the West Gate. If you are interested in a greater variety of colors, you might want to ride to the other side of the Tetons. There are lots of reds mixed with the yellows.

Have you determined where you are going to stay? I can definitely recommend a few affordable places if you are interested.

Cheers
James

The Tetons have several classic places to photograph. Some of these include:

Mormon Row
Schwabacher's Landing
Snake River Overlook

There are also a great number of places that you can go to do hiking. Jenny Lake, for example is a great place to day hike. There are also many trail heads between Grand Teton and Jackson (such as the Death Canyon Trail Head). It has been my experience that moose are more abundant around the Tetons than in Yellowstone (though they are abundant in the Park as well).

To me, when you talk about Yellowstone, you mean 'wildlife' though there are great landscape opportunities as well. For example, the hotpools are a treat, particularly on a nice overcast day so the colors get nice and saturated. I find the Lake Region, off by Sylvan Pass, to be very beautiful. Going up towards Mammoth also yields many opportunities.

James

PS As I write this, I keep thinking of all the many places there are to photograph. There are almost too many, which is why after over 10 trips to Yellowstone that I am still enchanted with the place.

Don,
I have been to Y/GT many times during the fall. It has been my experience that the Aspen along Oxbow Bend hit peak a few days either side of 10/1. Of course, this has many variables as you said.
You will definitely hit the elk rut, which of itself is worth the trip.
There is a book by Joseph Lang, Photographer's Guide to Yellowstone and the Tetons which will pay dividends. I'm sure that it is available at Amazon.
Check this out.http://wyofoto.com/Teton_Photo_Map.htm
Regardless, you can't miss with a fall trip to these two wonderful parks.

James,

I am definitely looking for places to stay and I would be greatful for any suggestions.

Don

Hey Don,

Have you figured out where you are staying yet (not the hotels, but the locations)? Depending on what you are looking for, there are a lot of great places.

I typically stay at a place called "The Buckrail Lodge" in Jackson Hole. It is very affordable and in the heart of Jackson. There are no phones in the rooms, but I always found that to be one of the nice things about the place. The rooms are spacious, they have wireless internet and jacuzzi. The woman who owns/operates the place is Janet Colonel. A wonderful human being, by my lights. It has been my place of choice when staying in Jackson for nearly 10 years.

If you are looking for something more upscale, there is a nice B&B that my wife and I stayed at a couple of years ago called the Grand Victorian. The proprietors are Tom and Nancy. The rooms are very nice, and one of the owners (Tom) makes the nicest pastries. I could get very fat there.

In the Park itself, I prefer Mammoth Hotsprings and Grant Village to stay in. As you move later in the year, only Mammoth and Old Faithful are open. I have never had a positive experience in Old Faithful - the last time they totally glammed our reservations, and honestly, they were so unhelpful that I will never stay there again. Mammoth, while looking like an old hospital out of the 20s is nice, and very close to the action. Two years ago, I woke up to the sound of wolves. It was magnificent. Last time we were there in September, we heard mountain lions (though we could not see them).

If you are looking to stay towards the West Gate, I have a new favorite place. It is called the Hibernation Station. I would NEVER stay at this place as based on the outside look of the grounds. In my opinion, the outside decor borders on really gauche. However, do not let this dissuade you. The rooms are magnificent. I mean this - absolutely magnificent. The prices are also very affordable. For 119 per night (I am not sure if these were 'off season' rates), my wife and I stayed in a deluxe suite. It had cathedral ceilings, a huge bed, fire place, etc. When we left Old Faithful Lodge in a huff, we stayed there. For significantly less money than we were going to pay for a room at Old Faithful, we got a significant upgrade. There are other places in West Gate that are more affordable, however, I would not hesitate to go there again - and again - and again. How is that for a plug?

Mammoth ,Roosevelt Lodge or even Cooke City would definitely be worth a few nights stay as a base for exploring the Lamar Valley , Tower and Canyon areas of the park .Besides the Hot Springs and scenery there's lots of consistent wildlife on the Northeast side as well . We always joke the animals have union jobs .And if you have time make sure to drive the Beartooth .

Thanks to everyone for all the advice.

Don

I second the recommendation for the Mammoth Hotel. It's old but comfortable and the surroundings are unique, with the old Fort Yellowstone buildings and nearby terraced hot springs. It's also a mecca for herds of elk that sometimes surround the hotel! Riding stables are there, too. I also liked it for access to the Lamar Valley, a great area for wildlife, Tower Falls, and Mt. Washburn. We also spent a night at Grant Village but I liked Mammoth best.

One of the terraces at Mammoth:



Mama and her calf trotting across the grounds of Ft. Yellowstone at dusk.



After a Summer shower in Lamar Valley:



Hope you have a great trip.

Dick:)

I've been to Yellowstone three times now, and will keep going back as often as i can. In fact we'll be stopping for a couple of days the end of May on our way to the North Cascades.
As you're driving through the park, if you see a lot of cars pulled over that usually means - BEAR, so keep your eyes open. Lamar Valley is a good place to search for wolves as well. Look and listen for any reports of a fresh kill or carcuss, that will be a place to be for bear or wolves as well.
Elk like to hang out by the hotel in Mammoth. Buffalo are every where so don't be surprised if you get stuck in the middle of a "buffalo jam". My wife and I were surrounded by 75 of them one day last year.
I agree with the other members here, Yellowstone for wildlife and the Tetons for landscapes. Though there are some good places to get lanscape pictures in Yellowstone as well. Be sure to get a park map, and talk to the rangers. My stepson is a ranger there and we always talk to them to find out where the wildlife are hanging out at.
Have fun and enjoy the trip

Is anyone else going this year? I would definitely like to go - but I am still not sure when I can swing it. I am hoping that perhaps we can book a couple of weddings this year out there. I would ideally like to make it out in September.

James

I'm sure planning on being there last week Sept first week Oct. not sure where we will stay. Had good luck on a big moose at the Gros Ventre camp grounds GTNP not far from Mormon Row, Schwabacher’s Landing.
can't wait
Gary

Hi Gil,

That is typicall when I like to go myself. It seems that everything is peeking right at that time. When we do this, we try to bounce around a bit with 'base camps.' i.e. Jackson and Mammoth are usually the primaries. My brother and his family is going at the end of August, and they plan on staying in the Tetons for much of it.

James

There is a really nice place to stay on Mormon row its the Moulton Cabins http://moultonranchcabins.com/.
We love it there but its hard to get in, last year we got on the list and someone canceled. it about 150 yards or so from the famous south barn and about a mile to the north barn. Last year we stayed one night at the south and north and west and east entrance towns then finished up at the Moulton cabins.
thinking about a trailer this year, the inlaws offered to let us use theirs and Gros Ventre looked very good, except it shuts down early Oct.
the mountains are calling I must go.

Were planning a trip through yellowstone and Grand Tetons And on up to Washington and Oregon and down the coast of California and back through Arizona and Utah; or just the reverse of above schedule depending on weather conditions and departure. I have to many questions to ask so I'm just trying to read every thread I can find . I like this forum because of National Parks reference. Thanks Randall

Welcome Randall, I'm fairly new here as well. The wife and I are headed to the North Cascades in about seven weeks, we're looking forward to it. Looks to be some nice folks here.

Don

Thanks Don
HOpe you have a good trip
Randall

Hi Randall,

Thanks very much. If you have questions, please post them. I love the Tetons/Yellowstone, and will do my best to be helpful.

James

PS Welcome!

Well in one month I will be heading up that way. I had some excellent luck last year a but a week later then when I am heading this year. The winter wasn't much this year so I think there could be any early spring up that way. Can't wait to see!!

Hey Wes,

Great to see you around. If you get a bunch of cool photos, you better be prepared to share. Your article from last year was pretty cool.

James