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Puma · 04-30-2013, 07:36 AM

First trip, first question

We are making our first trip to Yellowstone Nalt. Park. and want to stay in the Cody, Wy, area. We will have the grand kids and will be in the area for a week. Any thoughts or ideas on a good place to stay and or things to do on this trip. Is the Yellowstone Valley Inn a good place or do you have other suggestions. White water rafting is also in the cards.

BFlinn181 · 04-30-2013, 08:57 AM

I've spent more than 20 summers teaching and guiding in the Greater Yellowstone area. Cody is a good base, but it is a bit far from the park. Many choose Gardiner, MT or West Yellowstone, MT. You do have some great things to check out in Cody, though. The Buffalo Bill Historical Center is well worth a visit. Buffalo Bill Historical Center You might keep it in reserve for a rainy day. Cody also has a nightly rodeo. Cody Nite Rodeo in Cody, Wyoming

In Yellowstone, take a hike out of sight of the parking lot, you'll find wilderness and quiet. Sadly (luckily?) the vast majority of folks never go out of sight of their vehicle. At Old Faithful hike up to the Old Faithful Overlook. You'll see the eruption from a seldom visited vantage point. Do the self-guided tour of Fort Yellowstone at Mammoth, the Ranger Museum at Norris Campground, Norris Geyser Basin (hottest, most geologically active area of the park. Visitor centers at Old Faithful, Canyon and Mammoth have great science and historical exhibits.
If you plan one hike, the best is to the top of Mt. Washburn. From Dunraven Pass, it is a 3 mile hike up an old Model T road. 1,400 elevation gain to a mountain peak. (Everyone should climb a mountain once in their life!) Lots to see along the way, almost always see big horn sheep. At the top is a fire lookout and rest rooms, inside shelter. Take jackets and water, not unusual to have dramatic weather change on top.
Swimming is allowed in Firehole River, but it's not advertised or marked. From Madison Junction go south on one way Firehole Canyon Drive. At almost the end of the drive you will find a large parking area, pit toilets, and a stairway down to the river. The water is warmer than other rivers because of hot springs and geyser run off.

Go to Grand Tetons and the town of Jackson. A hike to Hidden Falls on Jenny Lake is an easy trail. Jackson has lots of rafting outfitters for the Snake River. Fun but not real stressful, my daughter spent her 12th birthday on a raft trip with us, but I've taken hundreds of adults on the same trip that felt it challenging.

MKM · 04-30-2013, 09:29 AM

Wow! Very nice write up. My wife and I visited once in the mid 90's and this summer are going back with our 7 year old daughter with our new class c.

D in Davie · 04-30-2013, 11:43 AM

We stayed at the Pondarosa Campground in Cody. Went there for 2 days but stayed a week. In addition to the musium, there are 2 scenic highways, the Beartooth and the Chief Joseph that are must see's. Check to see when the Indian Pow Wow is scheduled. It is a must see.

twogypsies · 04-30-2013, 12:20 PM

Yellowstone Valley Inn is in a very pretty setting but it's a long drive into Yellowstone for day touring. I would suggest visiting Cody for 3 nights and go into Yellowstone for 4 nights. A nice float trip is in Grand Teton Nat'l Park down the Snake River. You're going to have a very full one-week stay. For a more relaxing time how about skipping Cody and spend your week in Yellowstone and Grand Teton Nat'l Parks?

jrhartle · 05-06-2013, 10:12 AM

We stayed at Yellowstone Valley Inn and RV park last May had a grest camp there. Resturant is good and the bar is easy going. The sites are large and right on the river. A very pretty place to stay. It is about 45 minutes from the park but the drive there is great every day. You do get to see the mountain goats and seep on that road. The places in the park are closer of course but we liked camp at Yellowstone Valley Inn better. More quiet and less people. The sites to see in Cody are worth the visit. The Heart Heart Mountain Japanese internment camp outside Cody is a great stop. It is a ponient reminder of what we did during th war and should never do again.

Tom3205 · 05-07-2013, 08:18 AM

Yellowstone Valley Inn, is a passport America, half price park. It has all the perks like WiFi, pool, hot tub,.. Passport cost is $20.00 to $23.00 a night. NOT VALID MEMORIAL DAY TO LABOR DAY, so restriction limits the usefulness. When it can be used, it's only good for 2 nights. We belong to Passport, but will be staying at the Shoshone Nat'l Forest. The Fishing Bridge campground in Yellowstone, does not honor the senior pass, so the cost is $46.00 a night. That's why we are staying in the "forest", with pass, only $10.00/ night, with electricity.