Yellow Stone

[yjgirl32]

I have been looking over the other posts about YS but still had some questions:

1. when did you start planning your trip? How far out can you make reservations?

2. If you did a tour- which ones and thru who did you book your tour? How far in advance did you book?

Thinking of going in two years and wanted to make sure we start early enough. Thank you for all your help.

[Altair]

1. when did you start planning your trip? How far out can you make reservations?

Thinking of going in two years and wanted to make sure we start early enough. Thank you for all your help.

For best chances make your reservations a year in advance for in park lodging.

[NJGIRL]

I have been looking over the other posts about YS but still had some questions:

1. when did you start planning your trip? How far out can you make reservations?

2. If you did a tour- which ones and thru who did you book your tour? How far in advance did you book?

Thinking of going in two years and wanted to make sure we start early enough. Thank you for all your help.

Reservations open up May 1st the year in advance.....say you want to go August 2017...you would book your trip May 1st 2016. I suggest you be on the phone the minute they open up. I believe it's 8:00 am Mountain time. But double check on that because it has been a few years since I booked. I was online and on the phone at the same time. It was like trying to get FP for the Mine Train. lol.......Things were booked up the moment they opened.

Also I would start planning now. There is so much to do, such a big area, and many different places to stay. Get a good travel book...yes an actual book...that helped me a lot. Let me know if you want book suggestions. Also the National Park website has tons of info. Contact Yellowstone and ask them to send you maps of the park. They are simple and give you a great idea how much time it takes to get from point A to point B...they also show you where everything is located.

Book the tours at the same time you make reservations. Don't forget to book your restaurants too....because they book up too.

We went on two great tours and one I would skip. We did the Yellowstone Lake Cruise (about an hour tour) and I thought it was a little boring...but it was very cheap and relaxing.

We did the evening wildlife tour in Lamar Valley and it was soooooo good. It's in an opened air bus and our tour guide was very knowledgeable. He had a scope but we didn't need it because a pack of wolves were only feet away from us.

We also did a private tour....it was six hours and only the people we were traveling with. It was expensive...but not really when broken down by the five of us. I made the itinerary months before for left. We went to the exact attractions that we wanted to see, stayed as long as we wanted, and stop for lunch and bathroom breaks as we needed. So much better than being stuck on a bus that has an inflexible schedule. Our tour guide was so good and had a lot of inside info.

We spent most of our days touring on our own. It's easy to get around the park and everything is so beautiful. I did more research for this trip than I had ever done before and it paid off. While we didn't get to see everything in our 6 days in Yellowstone we didn't leave feeling "I wish I had known about this or that".

I also suggest you spread out your hotel stays instead of booking just one hotel.. The Grand Canyon of Yellowstone is a must see!

[Altair]

Do a search for "ranger-led programs in Yellowstone" for a listing of ranger walks. These are free, do not require reservations and are very fun and informative.

[NJGIRL]

Do a search for "ranger-led programs in Yellowstone" for a listing of ranger walks. These are free, do not require reservations and are very fun and informative.

This is something that was on my list that we just never got to do.

[yjgirl32]

I would like the name of a good book. I am all about planning. Have always planned our Disney trips and know this trip will be even more planning, but I like planning things.

Just looking thru some stuff I have realized it might be better to stay in different areas. Thank you so much for all the tips. I really appreciate them and would love as much advice as I can get.

Intercot Rocks!!!!

[yjgirl32]

Also what time of the year did you go? I'm torn between spring and summer. If I did go during the spring it would need to be during the Easter break since my son is older and its harder on him with school. Although this trip will be a great learning experience. Thanks again.