Sorry about another post on a common topic.We are a retired couple planning a 2015 trip to Glacier National Park and then on to Yellowstone. I am trying to determine how much time to plan for each park. We like to stay inside the national parks. We like to hike, motorcycle, and spend time viewing the sights.In Yellowstone, we plan to stay several different campsites to reduce driving. I prefer to make reservations since the parks are so popular.So, how many days should we plan for each park?Thanks!

Depends on youHonestlyIf you are "Car touring" and not planning on doing any hiking/looking one day in Glacier and two in Yellowstone.If you are spending time looking, hiking, taking your time three or more days for Glacier and a week in Yellowstone.

Here's a suggestion you might not expect, drive through Yellowstone and head south to Grand Teton National Park and spend a 3-5 days there. Just my preference. It's definitely your choice. :)

Definitely preference, and agreed that hiking will mean you need more time, especially in Glacier. I'd allow a minimum of 4 full days in Yellowstone, one of which should be spent visiting Grand Teton National Park, just to the south. I'd suggest 5, and add the Beartooth Highway (northeast entrance of the park) - it would be a dandy on a motorcycle! However, for that, you'd need to be sure to be there between mid-July and early September, or the road could close due to snow. If you need hookups, you will need to camp at Fishing Bridge, or outside the park (West Yellowstone being the best option for that, with several decent choices of CGs with hookups). If you can go for 5 days with no hookups, then almost any of the other reservable campgrounds inside the park will work for you, assuming your rig will fit in the site. Campgrounds in Yellowstone are older and many sites won't accommodate much bigger than about 25-28' total rig length. In no case would I ever recommend spending just one day in Yellowstone. :) Can't comment in detail on Glacier, as we have not yet been there. Going later this summer, if plans hold.

As much as you can! Retired, which means you have the all-access pass? So you're not limited to the 7 days like us youngsters. My preference is Glacier far and away. Many different areas in the park to explore and hike. We could/have spent a week there and it's not enough.

DW and I got home from last Friday our most recent trip to Yellowstone and Grand Teton. We spent the first two weeks of June in Yellowstone and the rest of the month in Grand Teton. There were still things we wanted to do, but it was getting way too busy for us.

Glacier NP and Yellowstone NP - how long to visit

GeoBoy
Explorer
Jul 17, 2014
We just returned home after a 38 day trip out west. We visited the Tetons, Yellowstone, Glacier, Devils Tower, Rushmore, Needles Hwy, Custer State Park, Crazy House, Wind Cave NP, Badlands, the Winnebago factory, my wife wanted to see it, and Waterloo, IA.
To me the Tetons are beautiful and the best in terms of layout.
We spent 6 nights in the Tetons which worked out well. 8 nights in Yellowstone which could have been shortened by 1 night. 6 nights in Glacier which could have been shortened to 4 nights. The weather, the closure of the Going to the Sun Road, all were factors in the short stay in Glacier. I was really looking forward to our stay in Glacier but after being in the Grand Tetons NP, in my opinion, Glacier doesn't compare.
littlemo
Explorer
Jul 17, 2014
Disagree with "driving through Yellowstone". There is so much beauty and areas of interest here, I can't imagine how anyone could just "drive through". As someone mentioned spend a minimum of 4 days here. If you camp at Fishing Bridge you will be centrally located and can drive your toad to a different area daily.(At least this tis what we do). As was mentioned do not miss driving the Beartooth Highway in your toad. It is a sight to see! Also spend a couple of days in the Tetons. Since you are retired and time is not limited the drive out the east entrance of Yellowstone to Cody is memorable. They have the Buffalo Bill museum there. I can't help with Glacier since that is still on my bucket list. Just enjoy. There is so much awesome beauty in that area!!!
SNOPRO711X
Explorer
Jul 16, 2014

This is what the Beartooth highway looked like in May of 2009. I had taken virtually an identical picture in the same spot on June 8th of 2008.
Duke-44
Explorer
Jul 16, 2014
linnemj wrote:
Duke-44 wrote:
Didn't notice if anyone has mentioned this. For your time in Glacier NP you will want to make sure that 'Going to the Sun' highway is open. It did not open this year until July 4th. I missed it having to be home by July 2nd. This is the 3rd year in a row I have missed it. You will have go around to see both east and west sides of the park. IMHO 'Going to the Sun ' is the main attraction of Glacier NP.

Glacier is tough since there is such a short window of time that the road is open. We plan on getting there in late August and then head to Yellowstone after Labor Day. We know that both parks are very popular which equals crowds. Our plan is to stay in two different campgrounds at Yellowstone to reduce driving time to see sights. What are your recommendations for Yellowstone campgrounds for a 30' travel trailer? We can dry camp for 5 nights without an issue if we can run a generator for a few hours a day.

It is hard say, as people have different desires and wants. I was going to say Madison and Fishing Bridge would work great, especially since you can reserve them. Then I noticed that you are coming after Labor Day when it won't be as crowded. Then I would say....I would go to these two, still, just for location.
It is really a matter of what you want to do. Madison is close to West Yellowstone in case you want to get some groceries or spend an evening in town and it's a beautiful drive. Madison is also close to some of the main sites in YS. After Labor day, it should not be as hard to drive around to sites such as Mammoth and the Falls. Be mindful that a lot of Park concessions close right after Labor Day. You do not want to miss seeing the inside of Old Faithful Lodge.

I live only 100 miles from the south entrance...so sometimes take day trips. We have gone several times in mid-October, a day or two before the Park closes and stayed overnight in Gardner, MT, then come back down the opposite side. it is really peaceful then. I would take a side trip up to Cooke City (Cooked City as we called it during the big fires of '88') and over Beartooth Pass to Redlodge as some have suggested. Just have fun!
kcmoedoe
Explorer
Jul 16, 2014
Beware of some of special aspects of the campgrounds inside Yellowstone. For example, Slough Creek and Pebble Creek are both in the Lamar Valley and neither allow any generators at any time. Also, this winter was a big snow winter and that translates into mosquitos that often resemble black clouds of death. They are so bad this year that I am really surprised we haven't seen or heard of anyone who has had every drop of blood drained from their bodies by them. I was up fishing the upper meadows of Slough Creek and headnets, long sleeves, gloves and Deet were much more important than fly selection. I always set up my rig on the highest ground I can find, a long way from any water. Even though staying next to a stream or lake sounds sexy, being eaten alive is not.
SRT
Explorer
Jul 16, 2014
From past experience allow at least a week at each. Lots to see. You can always leave early if you see enough.
linnemj
Explorer
Jul 16, 2014
Duke-44 wrote:
Didn't notice if anyone has mentioned this. For your time in Glacier NP you will want to make sure that 'Going to the Sun' highway is open. It did not open this year until July 4th. I missed it having to be home by July 2nd. This is the 3rd year in a row I have missed it. You will have go around to see both east and west sides of the park. IMHO 'Going to the Sun ' is the main attraction of Glacier NP.

Glacier is tough since there is such a short window of time that the road is open. We plan on getting there in late August and then head to Yellowstone after Labor Day. We know that both parks are very popular which equals crowds. Our plan is to stay in two different campgrounds at Yellowstone to reduce driving time to see sights. What are your recommendations for Yellowstone campgrounds for a 30' travel trailer? We can dry camp for 5 nights without an issue if we can run a generator for a few hours a day.
Duke-44
Explorer
Jul 16, 2014
Didn't notice if anyone has mentioned this. For your time in Glacier NP you will want to make sure that 'Going to the Sun' highway is open. It did not open this year until July 4th. I missed it having to be home by July 2nd. This is the 3rd year in a row I have missed it. You will have go around to see both east and west sides of the park. IMHO 'Going to the Sun ' is the main attraction of Glacier NP.
John_S_
Explorer II
Jul 16, 2014
It is never enough time. I would reserve 5 days in Yellowstone and 3 days in the Tetons and a couple days in Jackson too. Glacier I found I did in two days and on trip but yelliwstone has been six trips and Tetons five.
pulsar
Explorer
Jul 16, 2014
We prefer Glacier National Park to Yellowstone. Both are wonderful and you will not have enough time for either!

We have visited Yellowstone 4 time; Glacier 7 times. We spend 12 days in Glacier in 2012 and another 6 last summer.

A problem with Glacier, you never know when the snow will leave. My brother-in-law is has a scout troop pack backing in Glacier last week and most of this week. The entire Hidden Lake trail was snow covered. One of our favorite hikes, the Highline Loop trail, was closed because of snow on both of our last two visits.

Here is a picture taken at Hidden Lake in 2012

A nice morning hike is the Avalanche Lake trail (about 4.5 miles roundtrip)

The Beartooth Highway has been mentioned. Its a great road for a cycle. Heres a view of a segment of the road.

And here is one of the many lakes along the Beartooth.

The Beartooth pictures were taken on June 21, 2012.

Whatever you decide you will have fun and will want to go back for more.

Tom