Yellowstone lodging

So glad you asked! I love Yellowstone and go for 2 weeks or so every year.

When exactly are you going? What airports in/out of and approximate time? (So I can make suggestions for what to see on the way!)

I'd divide your stay with 2 nights in 2 places. I like to divide between Mammoth and Old Faithful but Mammoth and Lake works too. Do be aware that the Lake Hotel dining room will close Sept 2 this year for a complete kitchen reno.

Roosevelt is my favorite but closes on Labor Day every year. To me Mammoth or even Gardiner (gateway town) are good subs and it's still easy to get out to Lamar Valley for wildlife watching. (I see you realized that while I was typing, lol!!)

Here is a link with when things close in the Fall including dining options.
https://www.nps.gov/yell/planyourvisit/operating-dates.htm

With 4 nights in Yellowstone, I would do 3 in Mammoth and 2 at OF OR 2 Mammoth, 1 Lake or Canyon and 2 Old Faithful. I am personally not one for switching lodging every night but it doesn't bother others. It's your trip!

Do be sure you book your lodging with the official concessioner, Xanterra, at www.yellowstonenationalparklodges.com Do NOT book thru a 3rd party provider with names that "sound official" they are not connected officially with the parks at all. They charge a 10% booking fee and have terrible cancellation policies.

I generally suggest people pick up a cooler at their arrival town and stock with breakfast and lunch items on the way to the park. If you are later in the fall the dining options will start to close. I prefer to have food with me in case I'm watching an interesting wildlife opportunity and don't want to leave to fill my stomach!

editing to add: Coming in over Beartooth will really depend on your dates. Tell me where from so I can also suggest an alternative if you hit wintry weather.

Thanks, Pam! I was hoping you would reply. We are flying into Rapid City and taking several days to work our way over to Yellowstone. We’ll go south to Jackson for 2 nights and fly home from there.

Oops and I see I gave you 5 nights in one suggestion! Sorry…keeping the great nephews this afternoon and tonight, haha. So 2 Mammoth and 2 OF or 2 Mammoth, 1 Lake, 1 OF.

I am assuming youve checked the cost of one way car rentals from Rapid City. They can be eye-watering if the company will even allow it.

Are you planning to spend the night before Yellowstone in Cody? Or Red Lodge? Or ??

If you are in the Black Hills the last weekend of September, the Buffalo round-up in Custer State Park and the Volksmarch up onto the arm of Crazy Horse will be taking place. We've done both twice. The beautiful drive through the Bighorns are our preferred route to Yellowstone.

Personally, I would stay at Mammoth and Snow Lodge.

Have a wonderful trip!

We have decided to skip SD this trip and just focus on Yellowstone and Grand Tetons. We’ll fly in and out of Jackson. We also decided to go earlier after looking at the link Pam sent. I have four nights booked in Yellowstone. Now I’m looking for suggestions on the best place to stay in or near Grand Tetons. What do you think of Jackson Lake Lodge?

I haven't stayed there but it's near Oxbow Bend, which was one of my favorite spots on my whole trip.

I’ve not stayed at Jackson Lake Lodge but it’s well-located. It’s right in the midst of a lot of wildlife watching. I have stayed at Signal Mountain Lodge which is not too far away but their prices have really increased.

I’m glad you've got the 4 nights in Yellowstone!

What time do you arrive into JAC?

https://idahocapitalsun.com/briefs/car-crashes-into-geyser-in-yellowstone-park-five-passengers-survive/

Keep car on road!

We get in to JAC before lunch. We’ll hang out there for a day then drive up to Yellowstone for 4 nights. Then Jackson Lake Lodge for 3 nights. I’m really looking forward to it!

And I promise not to drive my car into the geyser!

I love Canyon because it is so central.

I just got back from a week of tent camping with my adult Aspberger's son. He loved the scenery and the wildlife. We interspersed the Circle of Fire tour, chuckwagon dinner, and scenic boat tour with short hikes and lots of driving to the different areas of the park.

It was spectacular - you will love it!

Edit to add: they close all of the restrooms around Old Faithful for "cleaning" right after the eruption is over except for the accessible ones (LONG lines), so go if you need to **beforehand**

"Edit to add: they close all of the restrooms around Old Faithful for "cleaning" right after the eruption is over except for the accessible ones (LONG lines), so go if you need to beforehand"

I've never noticed that so maybe you were just unlucky? Although I will say I've not been in the VC right after an eruption. I have been in the OF Lodge (not INN) right after an eruption and they were not cleaning the toilets. BUT, I always stay at the OF Lodge so if I need to go I just head back to my cabin. In reflecting on your experience, I guess I have been in the OF Inn right after an eruption...well, I was in there while people were waiting for an eruption as I wanted ice cream without a crowd, but was in there when the folks started streaming in after the eruption and the ground floor public restrooms were available. BTW, if anyone is in the OF Inn and there are lines, go upstairs to the floors with hotel rooms and just use the public toilets up there.

BTW, there was a huge hydrothermal explosion at Biscuit Basin this week of Black Diamond Pool. Here is an excellent youtube explanation from the Yellowstone Volcano Observatory scientist.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=VjhJF9EtZEk

Chatter on the geyser gazer FB pages indicate Biscuit Basin will probably be closed the rest of the season as the area is evaluated and the boardwalk is rebuilt.