Yellowstone Question

[NCMEDIC]

We are going to be spending the first part of our stay on the north side of the Park, near Gardiner, MT. The second half will be spent in Lander, WY. The current plan is to transit Yellowstone and Grand Teton, north to south, enroute to Lander. This is approximately 250 miles.

The question is whether this is a feasible plan for one day, given the roads, traffic, wildlife, etc.??

The backup plan is to go Gardiner, Jackson Hole, then Lander.

[Coloradobus]

It's fine, but with no stops at a posted in park speed limit of 45 mph, it will take you most of the day. Turning at Moran Jct, which about your halfway point and heading 120 miles to Lander, you will miss major valuable Grand Teton sightseeing opportunies like (Jenny Lake Dr Loop, Moose Jct museum, Church of Transfiguration )further down Hwy towards Jackson, the town. "Jackson Hole" is the entire area lying between the Gros Ventre Mtns on the east and The Tetons to the west. The term "hole" is a term used from French fur trappers lingo, meaning a valley surrounded by mountains.
Your fastest route will take you from MHS (Mammoth Hotsprings) south to Norris Jct, onto Old Faithful (OFI) thru Madison Jct. Then the slog 17 miles to West Thumb intersection, south onto South Gate via Grant Village (GV), 12 miles more or so after passing south gate of Yellowstonnwhich is 22 miles south Of GV thru Rockefellar Memorial Pkwy to Grand Teton boundary and south passing Grand Teton aLodge ( must see) and then Moran Jct east to Lander. But if you "gotta go" it's doable, albeit tiring especially if your towing

[n2916s]

FYI - the road between Mammoth Hot Springs and Norris Junction is and will be under construction all summer. Expect 30 minute delays and dusty, muddy and bumpy travel. Passable but not pleasant.

Mike

[Wayne&Sam]

IMO, there's too much great stuff to see to blow through it in one day. Break it up and enjoy it!

[Woosch]

You are in for a long day to transit both parks. Yellowstone can really test your patience with wildlife and tourists. We stayed at a place between Yellowstone and Grand Teton one year. Cant remember the name of it offhand but it wasn't bad. If I were you I would do an overnight at Coulter Bay in the north part of Grand Teton. Full hookups and spacious spots!

[Bill M.]

Are you towing or just driving a car? I like your backup plan better either way. I like going the tower route to the east better than taking the loop to Norris. And I think it is more direct to Moran junction. Could be an easy trip or you could end up with bear and bison jams and roads closed with fire and other slowdown, We have pulled Livingston to Gros Ventre campground both north and south several times and always did it in in a day. But about all the day I wanted. 9 or 10 hours with some stops and lunch. The road from Moran to Lander is spectacular and an easy drive.

[montanapat]

Depending on how many "moose/bear/bison/elk" jams you encounter, it can be a long day going through both parks. Also, be aware that there is construction between Old Faithful and West Thumb if you plan on going around the west side of the bottom loop of the Yellowstone road system.
I am in agreement with those who suggest two days. The place between the parks is Flagg Ranch and offers camping with hookups. Colter Bay is a wonderful campground with large spaces and hookups and great scenery, activities, and a few restaurants within walking distance. Jackson Lake Lodge with fancier dining is also nearby, and the town of Jackson with much fine dining and shopping is 1 hour or so south on a beautiful drive through the Teton park.
Moran Junction is about 5 miles south of Colter Bay and Lander is about 2-3 hours east over Togwotee Pass which offers a breathtaking view of the Tetons back to the west and amazing widlflowers in the right season.
Enjoy.
PAT

[NCMEDIC]

We will be towing a 35 ft fifth wheel (don't have an Airstream yet).

[Caffeinated]

I like the backup plan. A one day run will not be fun.

Mike

[EarlM]

Yellowstone is a minimum 7 days so much to see and everyday it different

take your time and enjoy it

[Len n Jeanne]

Will you be visiting the parks for a few days from your north and south destinations?

[NCMEDIC]

Originally Posted by Len n Jeanne

Will you be visiting the parks for a few days from your north and south destinations?

Yes, that's the plan. Four days near Gardiner, then two days in Jackson Hole, then four days down at Lander, WY.

[Piggy Bank]

I will just say that the drive from Yellowstone through the Wind River Range was one of the most beautiful drives I have ever seen. Just lovely.

The darling town of Dubois had a great main street diner where we ate lunch and they had home made pie.

I would definitely try to make it there.

[Len n Jeanne]

You could easily take a week in Yellowstone alone, but if you've got time to drop your trailer for a few days and explore, that's great. In Yellowstone, everybody's got to see Old Faithful once, but there will be crowds even in September. We like the thermal features on the west side of the park. In the Tetons, Jenny Lake is really beautiful. You should be able to make the drive all right, but you might want an early start, due to the aforementioned likely delays.