yellowstone, Grand Teton, Galcier NP and Banff

[subiesailor]

I've been told a few times now north end of grand canyon doesnt have the crowds and also has a lodge designed by the same guy that did the famous Awani in Yosemite. I cant recall the name but found it on wikipedia. Also we discovered that the online booking system for these parks books out long before they actually sell out. Learned that one the hard way last August in yosemite. We could have stayed in the valley if I had called around vs just looked online.

[awd-gg]

guys, thanks for all the suggestion... I never even thought of the road to Glacier NP may not be Open by Late June/early July. Just did a quick calculation, If I drive all the way from chicago and hit Badland, Mt Rushmore, Yellowstone, Grand Teton, Glacier NP, and Banff (and Back) it will take 4700 miles. To cover all this in 2 weeks, I only get to spend 2 nights in badland+mt. Rushmore(custer st park), 5 nights in YNP+GTNP, 2 nights at GNP and 2 nights at Banff, Then 4 days to drive from Banff back to Chicago(1650 miles)....Might be a bit too rush!

if I fly to Calgary, total drive to cover at these places are 2400 miles...(and back to Calgary)...much better.....Cost a bit more....(not much more because using Airlines miles for the ticket and 1 weeks car rental using Hertz Points)

If I can find a decent price One way car rental for a decent price, then fly to Calgary, and fly back from Rapid city, SD that's the way to go!!! I think Total miles comes down to 1500 miles or less. Definitely much better.....

I have been to BAdlands, Rushmore, YNP and GTNP 12 yrs ago. But didn't have time to cover GNP and Banff back then and keep telling myself the next time I'm out that way, L need to go GNP and Banff...

If driving, we still cannot decide to take the OB or The Minivan. We (especially the boys) really like the minivan for cross country drive. we did a chicago-Mobile,AL-New Orlean-chicago trip(2300 miles) last summer and the boys love the minivan. I perdonally prefer the minivan for cross country trip, but driving thru' the Rockies, the OB is probably a better/safer car but less comfortable, less space...etc

Yes, I always get the annual National park Pass.We may even swing by Pipestone NP in MN on the way.

By the way, I assume the road to Banff doesn't close due to Weather (like GNP)?
Is Jasper NP (north of Banff) worth going? What abt the Glacier Nat'l park in Canada?

Anyone taken the Boat tour from GNP(US side) to Waterton (sp?) in the canada side?

decisions...decisions...

thanks for all the valuable suggestion!!!!
also, to all planning to make a trip out west "one day". do it Now when you still have able/healthy body.... You can still do your ocean cruise when you hit 75 yrs old!!!

[Darkanion]

I hear ya about the miles and being rushed. I've been wanting to take a road trip out to California to check out the Pacific Coast Highway. The initial PCH trip morphed into "and the National Parks on the inland side.. and SF.. and the Columbia River Valley.. and Mount St. Helsn, Raineer, Crater Lake.. and and and..."

By the time I added on all the things I wanted to see "because I had already gone that far," I think it was over 6k miles.. And I highly doubted I could get enough time off from work all at one time to do a trip like that and do it right.

So, a few weeks ago, I decided I'd try to break the trip up into smaller chunks... and check into flying out there and getting a rental, instead of driving.

The initial plan was to fly to L.A., rent a car, drive around CA for most of a week, and fly back home from S.F. Well, the rental car companies tack on a significant (to me at least) surcharge for doing a one way drop off like that. (I think it was about 50% of the cost of the week's rental. ) So, what I'm now looking at is flying out, renting a car, driving around for a week, seeing what all I can cover, yet still taking some time to SEE things, not just drive past 'em, and dropping the car back off where I started.. Next year, fly to a different spot, see what I can see in a week's time, and fly back home.. Repeat until I've covered everything.. Yeah, it'll take more time, but taking more time to do it will give me more time to actually take things in as I do each segment of the overall journey..

Getting the tickets early, I'll actually be able to fly out there and back for considerably less than it'd cost just in gas if I drove from here to L.A. and back.. That estimate doesn't include a single mile on the PCH OR extra nights in a motel on the way there and back..

I guess what I'm getting at is see if you can plan it out and get your tickets early. The savings in time, allowing you more time where you want to be (and not largely in transit) might be worth it.. Then again, you'll be looking at a lot more airfare for a family than I am for "just me"..

[awd-gg]

Originally Posted by slcOBGuy

Avoid Old Faithful in Yellowstone and just go hike a few flat miles to Angel Falls in Yellowstone instead and see a couple of nearly-constant eruptions of cool geysers.

There's so many cool stops at every place and you've got a list of all the best parks I've been to yet (besides Acadia NP in Maine!) and no matter what, you'll have a great time!

how hard is the hike to Angel Falls (for 4 and 6 yrs old)?

Acadia is On my list to visit too... Missed a chance a few years back as my wife had a conf. in Maine but we couldn't make it due to new born baby....

I also checked Old Faithful lodge(website) and they are fully booked. Have not call them yet....

[awd-gg]

Originally Posted by Darkanion

Here are a few pictures I took back in 2005 on a trip that took me through Badlands NP, the Tetons, and Yellowstone. I still need to get the pictures from my 2011 Tetons trip posted..

nice pics and thanks for sharing. I bet it was a fantastic trip!
Looking forward for my trip everyday!! LOL!

[TheBetterMethod]

The Badlands is a GREAT place. I spent the night out there back in 09. It was great. Absolutely beautiful out there. Mt. Rushmore was not that great, kinda cool to see it, but not a big deal.

[awd-gg]

Originally Posted by TheBetterMethod

The Badlands is a GREAT place. I spent the night out there back in 09. It was great. Absolutely beautiful out there. Mt. Rushmore was not that great, kinda cool to see it, but not a big deal.

yes, badlands were absolutely beautiful. I went there twice, 1988 and 2000.
back in 1988, I was driving to the Mt rushmore with a few college friends and while all my friend were asleep in the car, I saw the national park sign and decided to turn in to check it out(more because I was tire) and wow.... what a gem! everyone in the car were so glad I decide to check it out as It wasn't in out plan(more like we didn;t know abt. it).....

on the other hand, Wall drug was a joke.....!!!

[Darkanion]

Originally Posted by awd-gg

nice pics and thanks for sharing. I bet it was a fantastic trip!
Looking forward for my trip everyday!! LOL!

Thanks! It was a great trip! I wish I could've stayed in the Tetons longer.

[awd-gg]

HAs anyone been to the Eagle Center in Wabasha, MN? It is a 50 miles (one way detour (off I-90)from My route to Yellowstone. I wonder if it is worth spending the few hrs there?

[Darkanion]

Originally Posted by awd-gg

HAs anyone been to the Eagle Center in Wabasha, MN? It is a 50 miles (one way detour (off I-90)from My route to Yellowstone. I wonder if it is worth spending the few hrs there?

Nope. Never even heard of it..