Forum Discussion

1stgenfarmboy's avatar
1stgenfarmboy
Explorer
Dec 28, 2017

Crazy Yellowstone

My Dad and stepmom just told me last weekend they wanted to go to Colorado and up to Yellowstone this year in mid Aug and wants me to drive, so I got on the line to see if there was some rooms at Old Faithful Inn......yeh not till 2020.... I can get on a waiting list for 2019 but nothing for 2018, as a matter of fact she said there is nothing in the entire park for 4 people in the sub 250 a night range for 2018, except a couple cabins in Lake Lodge so I reserved one of them.


Is she pulling my leg with some kind of sales gimmic to try to get me to buy the $400-500 a night rooms ? ?

PS we won't be taking the camper this trip, his class B and my TT are really only couples rigs.
  • GordonThree's avatar
    GordonThree
    Explorer
    Dec 28, 2017
    I've stayed a few times in a room more than $300 a night. One was a suite on the Mediterranean Ocean in Naples, another was on the Atlantic in Marathon Key.

    Family members thought it was neat to spend $2500 a night for a room with only three walls on some central American island resort. I wasn't involved with that trip thankfully.

    Yellowstone is great but I don't think I'd splurge that kind of cash on a room there.
  • D_E_Bishop's avatar
    D_E_Bishop
    Explorer
    Dec 28, 2017
    Just a couple of questions, did you try to make reservations on line or by calling. The DW has been sucessful with calling. She has been sucessful in extending our stay by walking into the office at the park when on line there were no spaces available.

    Have you tried for reservations in West Yellowstone. WY is a neat little town, or at least it was and rooms would probably be cheaper.

    I had to edit because I remember wrong.
  • kohldad's avatar
    kohldad
    Explorer III
    Dec 28, 2017
    August is an extremely busy time and Old Faithful area is the most desired. I just checked and did find a few rooms available at Lake Lodge Cabin for arriving Aug 13, 2018.

    An alternative would be to go before June 29 when the crowds get there. Babies are just coming out and the weather is usually very nice.
  • ppine's avatar
    ppine
    Explorer II
    Dec 28, 2017
    I have been going to Yellowstone since 1955. My Dad first went in 1938. It is not set up for staying in lodges and obviously the demand outstrips the supply by a lot. I avoid July and August entirely. The best times are in the spring when the babies are out and the second half of Sept during the elk rut. Camp if you are going to Yellowstone.
  • Thom02099's avatar
    Thom02099
    Explorer II
    Dec 28, 2017
    A quick Trivago search shows that there are rooms available, starting at $77/night for a mythical 7 day stay in mid-August, at the Headwaters Lodge in Moran, just outside Yellowstone. Nothing else came up inside the park.
  • westernrvparkow's avatar
    westernrvparkow
    Explorer
    Dec 28, 2017
    Your room inside the park will be unlike any room you have ever had. There will be no television, likely no internet, and depending on carrier, your cell phone may or may not have service. Your only dining will be expensive and limited to one or two options. Shopping for anything will be limited to a couple of very pricy souvenir shops. If that is OK with everyone, Yellowstone is worth any price. If your group prefers having those afformentioned creature comforts, West Yellowstone and Gardiner Montana are both adjacent to park entrances and have numerous, available lodging options for less money, creature comforts included.
  • DaveG39's avatar
    DaveG39
    Explorer
    Dec 28, 2017
    I second the West Yellowstone hotel comment. You can drive in from there or take a tour bus of varying sizes from companies in West Yellowstone. Town is right next to west gate of the park. I have stayed with RV in West Yellowstone. Easily accessible to the park attractions. That time of year expect lines or crowds for much of the park.
  • Crowe's avatar
    Crowe
    Explorer
    Dec 28, 2017
    Is she pulling my leg with some kind of sales gimmic to try to get me to buy the $400-500 a night rooms ? ?

    No, she is not pulling your leg. It's the basic laws of supply and demand. They know that time of year if you won't pay the $ someone else will. I do extensive travel planning, both business and personal. I agree with staying outside but as close to the park as possible. It will be less expensive. It will not be the same experience as staying in the park but should be just as enjoyable.

    Another tactic to get inside the park is to book something outside with a liberal cancellation policy and then keep checking to see if something opens up in the park.
  • 2gypsies1's avatar
    2gypsies1
    Explorer III
    Dec 28, 2017
    Cody,WY is another option for rooms.

    On Edit... I just checked other places in Yellowstone and there are openings. For instance, at Mammoth Hotel there are openings from Aug 9 - Aug 17 for $168.

    Your choice of staying at Old Faithful is your problem, I believe. I'd prefer to stay IN the park in another area rather than going outside the park.

About Campground 101

Recommendations, reviews, and the inside scoop from fellow travelers.14,716 PostsLatest Activity: Oct 15, 2013