Yellowstone is definitely for Tourons.
Quote:
Originally Posted by
runfiverun
west yellowstone is just barely inside Montana.
your on the side to see plenty of Buffalo but not too many bears usually.
the last time we went we went in through Jackson hole [short 1.5 hr trip] and up and out to Cody.
and then went to the museum in the afternoon after shooting into the park early in the morning.
we went from there up to Baker [Lamar valley] and done the same early morning thing and bailed after lunch in the park.
about 10.am or so the tourist busses start rolling in and you can't drive anywhere or get near any attractions.
it's best to be on your way out shortly afterwards.
anyway there is a 3-D movie theater there in W-Ystone the kids will love.
and Bear world usually has something going on.
it's a little bit of a drive west over into Idaho to Henry's lake and a left turn.
the drive looks just like the park so nobody will notice the difference until you drop out of the Mtn's and onto the flats near St. Anthony.
once you get there you'll get to see the bears, wolves, and elk you didn't see in the park.
As a former worker bee in the park and long time resident of the Greater Yellowstone Area I find the current experience of Yellowstone very disappointing. Thanks to the wolves and G. Bears most of the elk are gone, you might see a moose in the Lamar Valley up by Soda Butte Creek, but what you will see is loooong lines of vehicles and tourists at all of the attractions. It is definitely not a wilderness experience more like Disney World. With luck you might get to see a bear jam on the Mamouth side of Dunraven. The fires of the late 80's did help to 'open' up the views a bit. The areas around Jellystone are far more interesting than the park. Also take some of the side trips in the park; Blacktail Plateau, old stagecoach road from Mamouth to Gardiner. In the West Yellowstone area, visit Quake Lake, Henry's Lake, Mesa Falls. The Buffalo Bill Museum in Cody is well worth the visit and of course the tour of the Beartooth Highway is worthwhile. And yeah, driving is the name of the game!