Late summer early fall of 2020 I am planning a trip through Glacier, Yellowstone and Grand Teton national parks and I would appreciate input with regard to how much time I should allocate to be able to see and enjoy these parks. I am currently thinking of allowing a week for each park. I know the size of these parks are immense and I want to be sure I spend enough time at each to fully appreciate what they have to offer. Also we will be traveling with a 5th wheel and would like any advise that previous visitors have on where to stay.

A week each is good IMO. You won't see everything...but you never will.

A day or two for Teton. No less than a week in Yellowstone if you really want to enjoy it. Part of a day or a day in Jackson Hole is worthwhile as well.

We went to Glacier National Park Sept 1st to the 7th 2019 and the weather was great. 4 days later they had 4 feet of snow. I agree a week in Glacier and a week in Yellowstone.

plkitchen wrote:Late summer early fall of 2020 I am planning a trip through Glacier, Yellowstone and Grand Teton national parks and I would appreciate input with regard to how much time I should allocate to be able to see and enjoy these parks. As much as you can get - Honest - You will only just scratch the surface with just 7 days in each.Yellowstone will not only be crowded but by September you might catch some snow - might get lucky and have 70's everyday, but plan for Cold and Damp and be Happy with Sunny and Warm.Depending on your style - drive around walk a hundred feet get back in the car and hit the Next stop or find a Great hike - get away from the crowds enjoy the Calm and Beauty then Find a great spot for Lunch (You Bring your own right) and find one more hike before winding your way back to the Campsite, Next day repeat....I am currently thinking of allowing a week for each park. Try to get an extra 5 days in Yellowstone (12-18 would be nice) Likely steal a couple days from the Tetons and a few from Travel days (Drive a lot further on those travel days so as to have more time at the Park) Many people forget that Yellowstone is also Surrounded by Beauty - the Beartooth - Chief Joseph Hwy - Cody - Wind River Canyon - Red Lodge......on and on so you need to steal some time for them too. So with a week in Glacier that will allow you to see the East - West the Lakes some of Canada - Going to the Sun Road.......things are not close and speeds are a lot closer to 20 -25 than 50 most of the time. then down to Yellowstone I'd suggest Cody as the start, but West Yellowstone might be easier - Cody is filled with some side sights and drives, then into Yellowstone do the North Loop then down to the Geysers and then on through Tetons.From there to Flaming Gorge NRA - Dino NM - Colorado Monument as possibly if not too late Aspen in Colorado :)I know the size of these parks are immense and I want to be sure I spend enough time at each to fully appreciate what they have to offer. Sooooo..... much to See and Never enough TIME!Also we will be traveling with a 5th wheel and would like any advise that previous visitors have on where to stay.At this late date anywhere you can find that works for your Needs, as the season goes well into October Now.Hope this of some help,

Thanks for the responses so far. I especially found the remarks from Busskipper very helpful.

Visiting Glacier, Yellowstone and Grand Teton Ntl Pk,s

RAS43
Explorer III
Dec 20, 2019
one_strange_texan wrote:
Busskipper wrote:

Yellowstone will not only be crowded but by September you might catch some snow - might get lucky and have 70's everyday, but plan for Cold and Damp and be Happy with Sunny and Warm.

We are also planning a trip to Tetons, Yellowstone, and Glacier in the same time frame in 2020.

I know snow is a possibility, but I am surprised Yellowstone is still crowded in September. I know it is very popular park, but I would think the crowds would be down some from the summer peak due to school being back in session.

Bus loads of foreign visitors come in every day from various points. They glog up walkways and the buses fill up parking lots. Early and late are best to enjoy a great park!
goducks10
Explorer
Dec 20, 2019
We were in Gros Ventre Campground Sept 4th-7th. The 5th was beautiful. It rained on the 6th, we left on the 7th. In one day we visited Jenny Lake, did the boat ride across to the falls trails. Drove up the hwy to Yellowstone and got in 30 mins before Old Faithful blew. Drove over and checked out the mud basins and stuff.
On the 6th when it rained we went into Jackson for lunch.
We didn't plan on going there, we just ended up going there as part of our trip. We had no plans for our trip after Labor Day. Pretty much just winged the last half of our month long Aug-Sept trip.
We came down through Id and thought what the heck lets try it. So we trekked over the Teton mtns and hit Jackson.
Pulled in to Gros Ventre Campground at 3:00 on the 5th. Checked in and they gave up us a great spot. No Res so we had our fingers crossed.
We got to see some of the best sights in a very short time. Too rushed yeah somewhat. But for just winging it, it was fun. The weather turned nasty right after we left. So timing was great.
Jackson is a bust for us. Unless you like really high priced stuff then it's basically a tourist trap IMO. We did eat lunch at Picas Taqueria. Great Mexican. We also ate lunch at The Signal Mountain Lodge. Good views and hit or miss on the food.
My advice would be to try and get there before the 2nd weekend in Sept. After that it's a who knows on the weather.

Highlight of the trip was when the resident Moose herd walked right by our TT around 2:30 at night. I heard what sounded like something hitting trees with a stick. Got up and found out it was the bull moose whacking his antlers on the branches.
I literally had a huge cow elk right outside my side rear window. Got to see several others as well walk by but not as close.
It was a crazy few days where everything seemed to click just right.
Lwiddis
Explorer II
Dec 20, 2019
Possibly some members don’t want a week in Glacier NP. I don’t agree but you gotta get out of the car/truck to enjoy it and walk a little.
one_strange_tex
Explorer
Dec 20, 2019
Busskipper wrote:

Yellowstone will not only be crowded but by September you might catch some snow - might get lucky and have 70's everyday, but plan for Cold and Damp and be Happy with Sunny and Warm.

We are also planning a trip to Tetons, Yellowstone, and Glacier in the same time frame in 2020.

I know snow is a possibility, but I am surprised Yellowstone is still crowded in September. I know it is very popular park, but I would think the crowds would be down some from the summer peak due to school being back in session.
plkitchen
Explorer
Dec 20, 2019
Thanks for the responses so far. I especially found the remarks from Busskipper very helpful.
Busskipper
Explorer
Dec 20, 2019
plkitchen wrote:

Late summer early fall of 2020 I am planning a trip through Glacier, Yellowstone and Grand Teton national parks and I would appreciate input with regard to how much time I should allocate to be able to see and enjoy these parks.

As much as you can get - Honest - You will only just scratch the surface with just 7 days in each.

Yellowstone will not only be crowded but by September you might catch some snow - might get lucky and have 70's everyday, but plan for Cold and Damp and be Happy with Sunny and Warm.

Depending on your style - drive around walk a hundred feet get back in the car and hit the Next stop or find a Great hike - get away from the crowds enjoy the Calm and Beauty then Find a great spot for Lunch (You Bring your own right) and find one more hike before winding your way back to the Campsite, Next day repeat....

I am currently thinking of allowing a week for each park.

Try to get an extra 5 days in Yellowstone (12-18 would be nice) Likely steal a couple days from the Tetons and a few from Travel days (Drive a lot further on those travel days so as to have more time at the Park) Many people forget that Yellowstone is also Surrounded by Beauty - the Beartooth - Chief Joseph Hwy - Cody - Wind River Canyon - Red Lodge......on and on so you need to steal some time for them too. So with a week in Glacier that will allow you to see the East - West the Lakes some of Canada - Going to the Sun Road.......things are not close and speeds are a lot closer to 20 -25 than 50 most of the time. then down to Yellowstone I'd suggest Cody as the start, but West Yellowstone might be easier - Cody is filled with some side sights and drives, then into Yellowstone do the North Loop then down to the Geysers and then on through Tetons.

From there to Flaming Gorge NRA - Dino NM - Colorado Monument as possibly if not too late Aspen in Colorado :)

I know the size of these parks are immense and I want to be sure I spend enough time at each to fully appreciate what they have to offer.

Sooooo..... much to See and Never enough TIME!

Also we will be traveling with a 5th wheel and would like any advise that previous visitors have on where to stay.

At this late date anywhere you can find that works for your Needs, as the season goes well into October Now.

Hope this of some help,
Old_Days
Explorer II
Dec 20, 2019
We went to Glacier National Park Sept 1st to the 7th 2019 and the weather was great. 4 days later they had 4 feet of snow. I agree a week in Glacier and a week in Yellowstone.
jkwilson
Explorer III
Dec 20, 2019
A day or two for Teton. No less than a week in Yellowstone if you really want to enjoy it. Part of a day or a day in Jackson Hole is worthwhile as well.
Lwiddis
Explorer II
Dec 20, 2019
A week each is good IMO. You won't see everything...but you never will.

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