2 Options for Yellowstone Trip

First, you might want to edit your first post to July rather than January.

If you leave in July and have to return by mid August, that's not enough time to do the West. How often will you make this long trip? If not often, then you need a lot more time.

Do Choice #2 leaving August 20 after your commitments. Do the northern part of the country first and then slowly work your way south. Take in the southern Utah national parks on your return along with the Grand Canyon in AZ. Then head to New Mexico and tour Santa Fe and Taos areas. You have to think about the weather in the Western states. Leisurely traveling the southern states on your way home is the way to go.

I was there on Father's day a few years back and our pictures were all in a blizzard. Bear Tooth pass was closed by snow.

I like option # 1, I did this about 3 years ago. Left South AL - Mobile Jan 1. Travel across the Gulf Coast. Big Bend NP in early spring. Then North in UT. Grand Tetons as soon as they open the GV campground, I think May 15th (?). Followed the snow melt north to Glacier NP and up to Braniff National Park Canada

1. I like the spring while there is still snow on the mountains (a big plus for someone from GA) and lots of water flowing in the NPs. In the summer and late fall YS looks "dry".

2. Yes I got snowed on in YS, but only for a day, but I know people who have had snow at YS in July.

3. I saw 1,000's of elk moving out of the Jackson valley up onto the mountains.

4. The Buffalo are having babies. In YS saw a bear kill one.

In the spring you can also do Death Valley.

The ONLY TIME to see Yosemite is in the spring when there is water over the falls. . . . :B . . . :B

#2

#2

#2

#2

THINK THAT ABOUT COVERS IT

BOL,

#2 then after listed parks north to a at and then west to WA. As WX gets cold then south.

Golferdave78 wrote:
My mistake
Leave July 21
Must be autocorrect

In that case, definitely #2.

Been there many times and always in September. So, I'd go with #2, the later the better, Just had a co-worker go early August and there were 2 hr waits to get into the park. No waits in all the years we've been there in September.

The late option exposes you to increase smoke/forest fire risk. This year the big forest fires are in Northern California, Oregon, Washington and Northern Montana (Glacier). Long term weather forecasts (worth exactly what they cost) claim that in a big El Nino Year, the moisture will funnel to the southern US and the Northwest should be mild and drier than normal. If that actually pans out, there may be increased fire risk next fire season and smoke could be an issue in August and September. I sure know it is right now!!

I am fairly certain that July is the busiest month for Yellowstone and the Grand Tetons. So I would recommend you go in late August. But, make reservations now for campgrounds in those parks. Have a great trip.

You will enjoy Yellowstone more in the Spring or the Fall than any other time of year. Most of the campgrounds don't open until late May so plan accordingly. Dry camping sites are always available. It will snow into May (Awesome!) or later and it can start snowing in the early part of Fall. All the animals are gone and there are way too many people in the park during the Summer (worst while schools are out) so try to avoid that entirely.