This is our tentative trip (fly & drive) for late spring. We want to see the Grand Tetons and Yellowstone at a minimum. I'd appreciate any ideas or suggestions (Airbnb's/cabins) from any of you guys that may have done this before. This is a first for us. Thanks.
I live 2 hours north of Yellowstone and this entire area of the country has always been one of my true passions. I love it.
Here are a couple of older threads with similar discussions that you mind find helpful:
My clan (Myself, Wife, two teenagers) are planning to do a western US vacation this summer (pending states open). From Nevada, up (by some route) to Montana, over to Seattle and down the Pacific coast. Has anyone on here made a similar trip and have any must do suggestions? We are already...
southcarolina.forums.rivals.com
My wife wants to go to Glacier and see Going to the Sun Road. But, here's the rub, she hates to ride in cars for 10-12 hours per day. I told her that I want to see more and do more than visit Glacier. What are some other things we could that would be close by to Glacier? She likes to stay in...
southcarolina.forums.rivals.com
As far as Yellowstone goes, I'll echo what's been said before about the NE corner of the park being perhaps the most beautiful part of the park but probably the least explored. The Lamar River Valley is definitely your best chance for seeing large herds (hundreds and hundreds) of bison. Additionally, the Beartooth Highway runs from the NE entrance of the park to Red Lodge, MT. If you are in the area, a drive on the Beartooth is
NOT TO BE MISSED. As has been stated above, the Beartooth Highway usually fully opens around Memorial Day each year, but even on that weekend, the spectacular views may be obstructed by the sheer walls of snow on each side of the road.
Give yourself as much time for Yellowstone and Grand Teton as you can. In the last few years, I've probably spent 45 days in the park and every time I go, I do some hike or see something spectacular that I've never seen before. You really need about 3 days, minimum, to hit the highlights of Yellowstone. Grand Teton is incredible, but it's a small park. If you end up using Jackson Hole as your base of operations for seeing Yellowstone, you'll drive through Grand Teton every day, so it's possible to squeeze in a Grand Teton hike each afternoon and feel like you've done a pretty good job of "seeing" Grand Teton.
I won't repeat here everything mentioned in the threads above. But I will repeat one piece of advice I give to every new Yellowstone tourist. After you enter the park the first time, chances are good that you will see bison within your first half hour in the park. DO NOT stop in the middle of the road to take a picture of said bison. Pull off to the side if you wish, but you will see many bison during your time in Yellowstone, so don't be THAT GUY who makes everybody angry by stopping traffic just so you can get a picture that will likely be repeated hundreds of times.
At least one of the threads I linked above talks about visiting Glacier National Park as well. Glacier is the living embodiment of "shock and awe," but if your time frame is late May or early June, the Going To The Sun Road won't be fully open. You won't see enough of the park that time of year to make the trip worth it, in my opinion.