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WILL1E
Moderator
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# Posted: 18 Feb 2022 08:46
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My wife just found out she is able to get an entire week off at the end of June and we are thinking about heading west to see the mountains. My son wants to visit mountains like he see's on TikTok and Youtube videos with the crystal clear mountain top lakes you can swim in, waterfalls, hiking, etc. So naturally i think Yellowstone is the place to go to find those things. Keep in mind we are in WI and only have a week to work with.
We have our 30' 5th wheel that we could haul if that gives us more options or i'm open to renting a cabin, staying a hotel/resort, etc. I realize we are likely late to the game to be booking something like this but i have hope we can find something.
I've been looking to see what the park has to offer and needless to say i'm overwhelmed and don't even know where to begin. I'm looking for suggestions, help where to look, etc.
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montecristo
Member
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# Posted: 18 Feb 2022 09:28
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I think Glacier National Park in Montana better suits what you are wanting to see.
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Brettny
Member
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# Posted: 18 Feb 2022 09:59
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Your looking at about a 19hr drive one way correct? So 2 days to get there and 2 to get back. Dosnt leave much room for a vacation.
Fly, rent a car and cabin or fly rent a car and bring some camping gear. At least do the cost for flying vs towing 1300mi one way.
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paulz
Member
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# Posted: 18 Feb 2022 10:02
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Quoting: montecristo I think Glacier National Park in Montana better suits what you are wanting to see.
Agree.
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travellerw
Member
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# Posted: 18 Feb 2022 10:08
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How about up here in Canada. Banff or Jasper are pretty much postcard perfect for snow topped mountain scenery. There is lakes, hot springs, skiing, hiking, nature walking and even abandon towns to explore. Pretty cool stuff.
Flights from Minneapolis to Calgary aren't all that expensive. Lots of lodging options in Banff or surrounding towns. Rent a car of out Calgary and the 1.5 hour drive is AMAZING!
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geobuild
Member
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# Posted: 18 Feb 2022 10:08 - Edited by: geobuild
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My wife and I spent 9 days in Yellowstone in early June 2015. I booked everything in February and got the last available spots at six different lodges in the park. Before we arrived i thought moving every day would be a pain but we're early risers, were out and on hiking trails by 5:30am and checked into the next lodging by 5:00pm.
We stayed at these locations:
OLD FAITHFUL SNOW LODGE
GRANT VILLAGE
LAKE YELLOWSTONE HOTEL
ROOSEVELT LODGE
MAMMOTH HOT SPRINGS HOTEL
LAKE LODGE
The lodgings ranged from luxurious to basic, from areas that are crowded to much less so. We liked Roosevelt Lodge the best. It's in the northern part of the park, away from the crowds, but easy access. They have basic cabins and a decent restaurant.
Definitely stay inside the park, it's a BIG park to travel into and out of every day.
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gcrank1
Member
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# Posted: 18 Feb 2022 10:31
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We were there the year before it burned; mc trip. In those days we were still able to be pretty spontaneous but Ive heard things have changed.
Main season, main venues, big lines. With the loosening of Covid restrictions and the pent up demand it could be insane this year.
Any of the big parks will be like camping in a small city.
We had tents on the bikes and were told 'hard side campers only' due to the bears; had to find a private place to camp. Price was not inexpensive for a corner of a parking lot  Rooms were Not available.
Make reservations NOW.
Unless the 'trip' is the adventure as much as the venue, dont drive.
Way lot of sights to see, its a BIG park.
Once wildlife is crossing or near the roadway traffic slows/stops/backs up. Big Time.
Canada may be out if you dont already have your paperwork and shots and Covid is still an issue with them.
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snobdds
Member
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# Posted: 18 Feb 2022 11:18
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Yellowstone is so over crowded anymore. I live in Wyoming and to be honest, there are better mountains than Yellowstone. However, we let the tourist go there and we go to the real mountains that are less traveled.
If you want beauty, go to the wind rivers, which is just a bit south and east of Yellowstone. They have the true alpine lakes and remoteness. The big horns are also very beautiful and a lot less busy than Yellowstone.
My local are the Snowy Range mountains. Still an unknown in the world and so beautiful. I can go on a hike and not see anyone else for the entire day. Try that in Yellowstone or the Tetons.
Just remember...Wyoming is what the west once was.
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Brettny
Member
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# Posted: 18 Feb 2022 11:36
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Quoting: gcrank1 Canada may be out if you dont already have your paperwork and shots and Covid is still an issue with them.
Yes you still need the shot to cross the border.
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travellerw
Member
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# Posted: 18 Feb 2022 11:45
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Quoting: snobdds Just remember...Wyoming is what the west once was.
Ok.. Now I have to tell a story..
We visited Montana and Wyoming about 8 years ago. While I was there I visited the Cody Firearms museum and after that went to a gun and trade show. I was mostly looking for antiques that fit our Canadian laws so I could maybe bring one back. However, there were people selling everything at that show, not just antiques.
I walk up to a table where 2 gentlemen are making a deal on a 9mm something. They are going back and forth haggling, when finally the seller says "SOLD". The buyer hands the seller the cash and the seller hands the buyer the gun. The buyer then takes the gun and sticks it in the front of his belt and just walks off. As a Canadian I just stood there with my mouth open.. LOL!
Wyoming is truly one of the last unspoiled places in the US!
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travellerw
Member
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# Posted: 18 Feb 2022 11:47
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Quoting: Brettny Yes you still need the shot to cross the border.
And to cross back!
Most of the restrictions are easing and by June, things should be mostly normal! (as long as you have your shots)
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ICC
Member
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# Posted: 18 Feb 2022 13:45 - Edited by: ICC
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Quoting: travellerw How about up here in Canada.
 That area is superb! I will never forget the view of Peyto Lake. One of the most spectacular views in any mountains anywhere. Nor shall I ever forget the hike down to it and back up.  But I have done it twice, many years apart. Should be on everyone's bucket list; seeing it if not the hike.
The water really is that color!
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Brettny
Member
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# Posted: 18 Feb 2022 14:10
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Theres an old quarry site near me with water that color too..but I bet it's not natural.
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gcrank1
Member
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# Posted: 18 Feb 2022 16:36
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Do I remember correctly that to go US to Canada you have to have a passport now?
Back when I did the circumnavigation of Lake Superior via 500cc sgl cyl motorcycle it was no papers/easy crossing.
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ICC
Member
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# Posted: 18 Feb 2022 19:26 - Edited by: ICC
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Citizens of the United States need a valid U.S. passport to fly to or transit through a Canadian airport.
Citizens of the United States coming to Canada by car, bus, train or boat need to carry proper identification. There may be other requirements....
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happilyretired
Member
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# Posted: 19 Feb 2022 10:37
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Quoting: ICC Citizens of the United States coming to Canada by car, bus, train or boat need to carry proper identification. There may be other requirements....
You need a passport. I don't think there are any international borders left in the world that you can cross without a passport.
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ICC
Member
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# Posted: 19 Feb 2022 12:07
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A passport may make travel to Canada for a US citizen easier as there are some special cases. However, I copied the following from a Canadian government website...
Website sourced
"Citizens of the United States need a valid U.S. passport to fly to or transit through a Canadian airport.
Citizens of the United States coming to Canada by car, bus, train or boat need to carry proper identification and meet the basic requirements to enter Canada.
Citizens of the United States who are also Canadian citizens should bring a valid Canadian passport and a valid U.S. passport or travel document to board a flight from the United States to Canada. Carrying both documents may help simplify both your entry into Canada and your return to the United States.
Permanent residents of the United States need a valid Alien Registration Card and a passport to enter Canada.
Dual citizens
Dual Canadian citizens need a valid Canadian passport to board a flight to, or transit through, Canada by air.
If your other country of citizenship needs you to enter and exit that country using a passport issued by its government, you will still need a valid Canadian passport to board your flight to Canada. Make sure you carry both passports when you travel."
Quoting: happilyretired I don't think there are any international borders left in the world that you can cross without a passport.
Not between countries that are member states of the EU. Going from here, once you pass through customs & immigration at the other end, you can cross borders freely unless there are other special restrictions in place (Covid)
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gcrank1
Member
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# Posted: 19 Feb 2022 12:12 - Edited by: gcrank1
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Note line 4 of your copied form:
"Permanent residents of the US need a valid Alien Reg Card AND a PP to enter Canada"
Apparently that satisfies their statement from line 2 regarding "proper ID"?
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ICC
Member
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# Posted: 19 Feb 2022 12:43 - Edited by: ICC
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Quoting: gcrank1 Permanent residents of the US
By that they mean people living in the US who are not US citizens but do hold a US Government issued permanent resident card (so-called "green card"). If a person is a US citizen you are not a permanent resident for border crossing rules; you are a US citizen and that is referenced in lines 1 and 2.
I have a foreign-born wife, a non-US citizen, with a Permanent Resident card issued by the US government. We have traveled back and forth annually until 2020, by air and land for about 3 decades. Formalities have changed and I do use my passport most of the time for land crossings because I have one. But I have "tested" the process a few times with my NM drivers license as ID and had no problems.
The proper ID was always a requirement and could be a government issued ID (state ID card that may be issued to those who do not have a drivers license AND a US birth certificate. I was never asked about proof of birth. So yes, a passport makes it easier. Definitely.
These days Covid has brought other requirements that must be met. And at the end of this month there is a scheduled update or adjustment to the rules for both air and land crossings.
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toyota_mdt_tech
Member
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# Posted: 21 Feb 2022 07:58
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Make reservations at the lodges NOW! I mean it.
Fills up fast. Might even be late already. Yellowstone takes 3 days to do the 2 loops (like a figure 8) with most features on the southern loop, this is if you do it with driving and no hiking in.
So figure travel time, will you have 3 days? We stated at Grand Tetons, in the Coulter Bay cabins. Used the Grand Teton Lodge CompanyURL website for reservations.
We had our own little log cabin. We didnt eat at the lodges, we cooked out own food, there is picnic areas all through the entire parks, so when you start gettign hungry, you wont drive more than 20 minutes before coming to a picnic area.
Glacier as other said might be a better option with your time frame. Again, make reservations online NOW! Usually a day drive to road to the sun highway and down the other side. Not much on the other side. We stayed at the campground at Lake Mc Donald. Strict rules for grizzly bear on how you wash dishes, dispose of dishwater, caution against scented deodorants, perfumes etc.
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Nobadays
Member
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# Posted: 21 Feb 2022 09:10
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Quoting: WILL1E My son wants to visit mountains like he see's on TikTok and Youtube videos with the crystal clear mountain top lakes you can swim in, waterfalls, hiking, etc.
Though there are wonderful sights in all the mentioned areas, those crystal clear high mountain lakes and waterfalls tend to be a hike/backpack into. We have backpacked in RMNP, Yellowstone, Grand Tetons and the Winds.... The Winds are fabulous and pretty much devoid of crowds but there is an "entrance fee" that involves pretty much a full day pack up into them. In RMNP you can get to some of these sights, lakes, etc with some strenuous day hikes. Yellowstone has a large variety of natural wonders to see... elbow to elbow with everyone else, worth it though. Bonus with YS is Grand Teton is right there too.. We went up to YS after a week of BPing in the Winds, no reservations and thought we would just get a camping spot while we waited 3 days for a backcountry permit... we did but had to move each day to another spot. Everything books months in advance... book now!
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gcrank1
Member
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# Posted: 21 Feb 2022 10:24
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Options? If you could like a place more like the Appalachians than the Rockies....
Have you ever been to The Porkies? Not too far away in the UP from your place up Nort.
Porcupine Mountains Wilderness State Park, do look it up, they have a nice website.
It has a road but it is pretty much NOT a scenic drive thru, it is a hiking and backpack into the interior type.
They do have some primitive cabins to hike to, resv. required! And nice campgrounds for your rv or a few small motels near by.
The Lake of the Clouds is a drive to and should be the first site you go to after the visitors center.
When we started going there about 1990ish it was a little known gem so we had no trouble showing up unannounced and finding a camping spot.
That changed!
Call to check availability asap now.
But other than the short hike trails and historic sites most people dont hike in far so it isnt crowded within a 1/2 hr walk. And there are some very nice short loop hikes near the parking areas for families.
One year we did the Porkies then took the trip along Lake Superior 'up the peninsula' to the eastern tip. It reminded me of long ago pics of the NE coast off the Atlantic.
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neb
Member
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# Posted: 23 Feb 2022 19:31
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Boy, a week is going to be a very rushed trip for all the things that would be nice to see. Coming that far it would be better to wait to come to the west when you had more time to spend here. Take sometime and plan it to detail of all the things you want to see and come when you have more time. IMO
I live here on the Yellowstone River and the west has so much to offer and see.
Good Luck!!
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NorthRick
Member
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# Posted: 24 Feb 2022 18:35
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Quoting: snobdds Yellowstone is so over crowded anymore. I live in Wyoming and to be honest, there are better mountains than Yellowstone. However, we let the tourist go there and we go to the real mountains that are less traveled.
I feel the same regarding Denali National Park here in Alaska. There are many equally beautiful places in the state that aren't near the hassle to visit.
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WILL1E
Moderator
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# Posted: 25 Feb 2022 08:12
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Thanks everyone! I agree we are going to be pushing it time wise. I think we've changed our mind to flying vs. driving so we have more time to enjoy the destination. I also believe we are going to just stay at one park and make the most of that visit.
I've proposed 3 options. Glacier NP. Yellowstone NP. And a mixed bag trip to SanFran and Yosemitie (see city sights, check out redwoods and check out Yosemite).
Quoting: NorthRick There are many equally beautiful places in the state that aren't near the hassle to visit.
Agree. The week I spent solo backpacking from Turqouise Lake to Upper Twin and staying by Dick Proenekes cabin was the best adventure of my life.
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