Travel Advice, Montana or Wyoming, Yellowstone area

[cheek9075]

Off topic I know....

We (Wife and kids) are wanting to make our first trip out west, we are looking at going somewhere near Yellowstone National park. I no nothing about the area and was hoping someone could give advise on where to stay with in driving distance of visiting the park. I would like a resort of some kind or a extended stay, looking to sleep 4 with a kitchen.

Any advise will be greatly appreciated!

 

[Prairiedogger]

Cody WY. Indoor shooting range,
You'll enjoy the museum too.

 

[Outrider27]

In (many, lol) years past we generally stayed in Cody, and it worked out fine. Been a lot of years, but doubt that much has changed, so I second Prairiedogger's advice.

 

[TheOtherZilla]

Cody, or West Yellowstone Montana.

 

[Monte F]

Big Sky, MT a little ways up Gallatin Canyon from West Yellowstone is a resort area outside of the park.

 

[SecondsCount]

West Yellowstone is a small town but can get busy. No idea on where to stay, I pull my trailer up to Island Park and camp in the woods, away from everyone.

North entrance is quieter in my opinion.

Best time to go is before Memorial Day or after Labor Day when the crowds have gone home for school.

 

[Bc'z]

There's a great lil camp ground just outside the south entrance.

 

[Kracken McGraw]

Since your traveling a long ways I hope you can also take in Glacier National Park, its really amazing! It’s going to be crazy though, every shut me down state is going to be there too. We try to go every fall and our regular places booked up way early, housing market is Stupid Crazy!

 

[lawman29]

Bad news, you're late to the party. In order to have flexibility on choices regarding dates and lodging you should be looking a year in advance. With that said;

YNP has lodging available inside the park, get on their web site and it will provide links to concessionaires that provide lodging. YNP has 5 public entrances, the towns located near them are referred to as Gateway Communities. West entrance = West Yellowstone, MT; Main North entrance = Gardiner, MT; NE Entrance = Cooke City, MT (small); East entrance = Cody, WY and finally South entrance = Jackson Hole, WY.

My number one recommendation would be somewhere around Jackson Hole. You have both YNP and Grand Teton NP. The Flagg Ranch is located along the Roosevelt Parkway between Grand Teton and YNP as an example. I briefly looked at availability and the only dates I found were in August
https://www.gtlc.com/lodges/headwaters-lodge-at-flagg-ranch
There will be many other choices.

Cody, Wyoming where I live is located 50 miles from the east entrance. We're a town of ~ 9k people with over 40 motels that are full in the summer... There are several dude ranches located between Cody and the East Entrance along the North Fork Shoshone River. One of the best times to visit Cody is July 1 - 4, parade on the 3rd and 4th and the Cody Stampede Rodeo (outside of July 4th festivities the Cody Night Rodeo is every night) The Buffalo Bill Center of the West has 5 different museums; the Draper Natural History Museum is great for kids.

Cody Stampede Rodeo: Home of the Cody Rodeo & Night Rodeo | Cody, WY

Get your tickets to the Cody Rodeo online here! The Cody Rodeo happens each year from June 1st through August 31st and the Cody Night Rodeo happens each night at 8 PM. Visit the Rodeo Capital of the World in Cody, Wyoming!

www.codystampederodeo.com

Buffalo Bill Center of the West | Cody, Wyoming

Discover the rich history of the American West at the Buffalo Bill Center of the West in Cody, WY. Explore our museum and experience the Wild West.

centerofthewest.org

Lodging & Travel QuickLink Category | Cody Country Chamber of Commerce

Cody Country Chamber of Commerce | Lodging & Travel

business.codychamber.org

 

[Kittitas George]

I would recommend getting information from Livingston, Mt. or Island Park. There also maybe some places in the Paradise Valley, between Livingston and Gardiner. The Chop House and the Stockman in Livingston have wonderful food. Have a good time and enjoy!! Travel safely.

 

[cheek9075]

West Yellowstone is a small town but can get busy. No idea on where to stay, I pull my trailer up to Island Park and camp in the woods, away from everyone.

North entrance is quieter in my opinion.

Best time to go is before Memorial Day or after Labor Day when the crowds have gone home for school.

That's my problem... wife is school teacher and limit the time of travel..

 

[cheek9075]

I would recommend getting information from Livingston, Mt. or Island Park. There also maybe some places in the Paradise Valley, between Livingston and Gardiner. The Chop House and the Stockman in Livingston have wonderful food. Have a good time and enjoy!! Travel safely.

I will into those locations. Thanks!

 

[bpd459]

Greetings,
The Cody Museum, aka Museum of the West, is a must do. If going east to Bozeman, the Museum the Rockies is another great one.
I hit Yellowstone almost yearly, but the tourist traffic is getting bad!
Safe travels,
John

 

[cheek9075]

Bad news, you're late to the party. In order to have flexibility on choices regarding dates and lodging you should be looking a year in advance. With that said;

YNP has lodging available inside the park, get on their web site and it will provide links to concessionaires that provide lodging. YNP has 5 public entrances, the towns located near them are referred to as Gateway Communities. West entrance = West Yellowstone, MT; Main North entrance = Gardiner, MT; NE Entrance = Cooke City, MT (small); East entrance = Cody, WY and finally South entrance = Jackson Hole, WY.

My number one recommendation would be somewhere around Jackson Hole. You have both YNP and Grand Teton NP. The Flagg Ranch is located along the Roosevelt Parkway between Grand Teton and YNP as an example. I briefly looked at availability and the only dates I found were in August
https://www.gtlc.com/lodges/headwaters-lodge-at-flagg-ranch
There will be many other choices.

Cody, Wyoming where I live is located 50 miles from the east entrance. We're a town of ~ 9k people with over 40 motels that are full in the summer... There are several dude ranches located between Cody and the East Entrance along the North Fork Shoshone River. One of the best times to visit Cody is July 1 - 4, parade on the 3rd and 4th and the Cody Stampede Rodeo (outside of July 4th festivities the Cody Night Rodeo is every night) The Buffalo Bill Center of the West has 5 different museums; the Draper Natural History Museum is great for kids.

Cody Stampede Rodeo: Home of the Cody Rodeo & Night Rodeo | Cody, WY

Get your tickets to the Cody Rodeo online here! The Cody Rodeo happens each year from June 1st through August 31st and the Cody Night Rodeo happens each night at 8 PM. Visit the Rodeo Capital of the World in Cody, Wyoming!

www.codystampederodeo.com

Buffalo Bill Center of the West | Cody, Wyoming

Discover the rich history of the American West at the Buffalo Bill Center of the West in Cody, WY. Explore our museum and experience the Wild West.

centerofthewest.org

Lodging & Travel QuickLink Category | Cody Country Chamber of Commerce

Cody Country Chamber of Commerce | Lodging & Travel

business.codychamber.org

2 days late and 5 dollars short I know. I am looking for next year also. 4 things I am looking for... 1 make wife happy, 2 see everything we can, 3 get some shooting in (perry dogs) 4 yellowstone park...I don't think I can get all 4, #1 is most important!

 

[Trashy]

Did lake teton years ago with the grandparents but stayed in their motorhome. Absolutely stunning country. I need to get back, but covid put a wrench in those plans.

 

[cheek9075]

Since your traveling a long ways I hope you can also take in Glacier National Park, its really amazing! It’s going to be crazy though, every shut me down state is going to be there too. We try to go every fall and our regular places booked up way early, housing market is Stupid Crazy!

I'm thinking of taking a few weeks (3 maybe) looking for a place to stay a week and stops on the way. I am open to anything. I have some time off in the summer and want to make the best if the trip. Looking for a planned trip for 5-7 days in the middle of the trip.

 

[lawman29]

2 days late and 5 dollars short I know. I am looking for next year also. 4 things I am looking for... 1 make wife happy, 2 see everything we can, 3 get some shooting in (perry dogs) 4 yellowstone park...I don't think I can get all 4, #1 is most important!

If you're going to Federal facilities like National Parks you'll be facing probable covid-19 related restrictions in their visitor centers. With your kids and your wife being a teacher this is an issue if they're closed. You can still tour outside but the interactive stuff is great for kids and something your wife would appreciate. You should check on their status.

 

[lawman29]

Also you don't want to come in May for reasons to obvious to state, even if you could....

 

[SecondsCount]

Prairie doggin is fun but you'll probably need to know someone to be able to shoot them. I know of a couple ranches in Montana but nothing in Wyoming.

 

[DiffEQ]

Last year, I had a great time in Cooke City, MT. Stayed at a cabin at Moose Tracks. Our cabin would sleep four.
If you like chain hotels like Hiltons, it's not your place. If you don't mind traffic stopping in town for buffalo or elk, and what I would call "hearty" accommodations, it's a great place.
There are a bunch of ranches between there and Red Lodge that look comfortable.
Except for '84, I have always gone to Yellowstone in "off season." Much less crowded and very relaxing.
To me, I find extreme irritation at the tourist morons who shut off their car in the road to watch critters by the side of the road, or tell their little boy Joey to go pet the bison.
If you're one of those, YNP will be great for you. <sarcasm>
Please, park sensibly off the road, and get out of your car.
If you are irritated by tourons, bring some Valium or a good bag of weed.