Mickey Jetpur Loc: California

My photography group and I need your help again. Thank you for all your good advice and answers on Death Valley. We had a great time, went to all the areas suggested,loved Zabriskie Point and especially Artists Palette and prickly pear cocktails at Furnace Creek. Will post pics as soon as I get them edited.
The group is planning another trip to Yellowstone in Aug or Sept and I need some good suggestions as to where to stay and see wildlife. From the little research I have done it seems that the northern end is where the wildlife is. This will be a bigger group so we will most likely want to stay in a reasonably priced hotel for 7-8 days or so. Should we stay put in one area or should we divide our stay and move around. Love to hear your ideas. Thank you in advance.

Didereaux Loc: Swamps of E TX

If you are going to stay that length my suggestion would be to take a couple days and go east of the park to the Tetons as well.

doduce Loc: Holly Springs NC

Two suggestions. First, get in touch with MT Shooter here on UHH. He's a well-respected Hog and owns Carter's Camera Cottage in Billings and does lots of tours and workshops in YNP. He's a great source of top drawer information. Second, I bought two books before my brother and I went last year and it was a very good move. One--the better of the two--was Photographing Yellowstone National Park: Where to Find Perfect Shots and How to Take Them (The Photographer's Guide) by Gustav Verderber. The other--good but not as good as the first--was Photographer's Guide to Yellowstone and the Tetons by Joseph Lange. Both are available on amazon, total for both is a bit over $20.00.

Have a great trip. Lots to shoot.

DaveO Loc: Northeast CT

For starters,I highly recommend "Yellowstone Expedition Guide" by Travelbrains. Available on Amazon. Hands down the best single source for a trip to the park. Pay particular attention to the "Grand Canyon" area for short hikes and photo ops.

To say a particular area is best for wildlife is difficult in my opinion,particularly in Aug/Sept. I do favor Lamar Valley (NE),but hopefully you'll have a few days to move around. Check out the different tours offered for sightseeing and photography.

If you plan on staying in the park it will be difficult to have much of a choice of accommodations. Check Xanterra.com for openings. Trip Advisor has some decent reviews also. Next I would check Gardiner,Mt and then W Yellowstone,Mt. We much prefer staying in the park,but 6 to 12 months lead time is necessary for some of that.
We're going in September 24 thru October 6 this year. We don't expect to see any where near the wildlife we observed May into June last year.

You'll probably get a lot of feedback on the Park. Have fun and think seriously about getting the book. We have a dozen or so plus a few years of research and still refer back to it. Dave.

TGanner Loc: Haines, Alaska

Yellowstone this winter: http://timenspace.smugmug.com/Collections/Yellowstone/

flamenkio Loc: Progreso, TX

Beautiful pics!! Thanks for sharing!

Frank47 Loc: West coast Florida

A terrific suggestion as the Tetons are stunning, but the last time I was there (depending on where you are at in Yellowstone) the Tetons were about an hour south of Yellowstone.

LennyP4868 Loc: NJ

When you get to any entrance of yellow stone There is a half hour to 45 min drive to most places. Stay in the park and you will have more time taking pictures. The parks road is tow large circles like a figure 8. the Buffalo usually hand out on the lower circle about a quarter of the way down. on the right side AS YOU ARE LOOKING AT THE MAP. I would spend about 3 days in the park and then go out the south entrance to the Grand Tetons in Jackson Wyoming. Jackson is about 65 miles from the entrance. Jenny Lake Taggert lake and the moutons are just beautiful go to the Morman barn. The town is fun with many restaurants and stores. You can stay at the Rustic Inn right in town. and 5 minutes to the entrance of the park. I would stay there as long as you can Lots of photo ops. Good luck and have fun

minniev Loc: MIssissippi

I was there last fall for 10 days, my first fall trip to the area though have been there several other times of year. Be aware that many of the park accommodations begin to close around that time and those that are open book up well in advance.Here's what worked for our group:

Divided time between Teton and Yellowstone. They adjoin so you go right from one to another. We stayed in Teton at Colter Bay which was amazingly empty and had wonderfully cheap rates through expedia (shock!) that included a meal. We split the Yellowstone time between an ancient but fascinating hotel in West Yellowstone and a not quite as ancient but certainly not new motel in Gardiner. So we had easy access to all parts of both parks. Fall colors were just beginning, especially nice in Teton, the rangers will be able to give you advice when you arrive. We saw fewer bears (all in Yellowstone) than in summer, and no wolves but the hoofed animals were in wonderful form - bugling elk (both parks), squabbling buffalo bulls (both parks), busy and active moose and antelope, (mostly Teton). The thermal features in Yellowstone were the loveliest I've ever seen them, with fall skies.

Teton: Mormon Row/antelope flats, Horseshoe Bend, Snake River overlook, Rockefeller preserve, Schwabacher's Landing, Pilgrim Creek Rd, String Lake, Jenny Lake overlook and boat ride/hike to waterfall.

Yellowstone: Minerva Terrace, Lamar Valley, Blacktail plateau, Yellowstone Falls from all the angles, Grand Prismatic, Biscuit Basin, Norris Guyser Basin, Firehole Canyon.

Include at least some of Beartooth highway north of Yellowstone, it should still be open then.

twowindsbear

There are some great & historic lodges in YNP. On my last trip, I spent 1 night at each of 3 lodges, Old Faithful, Lake and Roosevelt. As I recall, they were a bit 'pricey' but a LOT more convenient that staying outside of the park and driving an hour or more each way. Have a GREAT trip!

Martax Loc: St. Joseph, Missouri

Tiggerpaws,
Don't forget that YNP is about 7000 feet above sea level. Not a problem most of the time, but if you take the trail down to view the lower falls, you'll probably notice the climb back up the trail. I would also highly recommend a trip to Glacier NP some time for your group. It my personal favorite.

GregWCIL Loc: Illinois

Hey Tom - you have some great winter shots there. We had lots of clouds when we were there in Feb. 2013.

For the OP, you may have trouble getting reservations in any park hotels at this late date. But there are several places to stay in Gardiner, Montana which is right at the north gate.

Porcelain Basin

(Download)

patrick43 Loc: Los Lunas,NM

We stayed in Yellowstone Park Inn halfway between Cody,Wy and SE entrance to park first night. Cooke City,Mt. second night(ten minutes from NE entrance). West Yellowstone, Mt. at Three Bear Lodge third and fourth night. (five minutes from west entrance) and Jackson Wy. last night when we visited the Tetons. Two adults and two teens. Worked for us great. Have fun and enjoy these two fantastic parks.
patrick

Kuzano

Make sure to check every entrance for possible closure for any sort of repairs.

Last time I visited Yellowstone, I lost 2/3 of a day backtracking from the Cody entrance and going around to the North Entrance.

Get a highway/entrance traffic report for all access points to Yellowstone.

This web site will help, but read it thoroughly and check it often.

http://www.nps.gov/yell/planyourvisit/roadclosures.htm

Hornet Driver Loc: So. California

Thanks, that is very helpful as we will be there by May 8.