nikonlad Loc: Venice, FL

My wife and I would like to visit Yellowstone Nat'l Park in Sept. or May for sightseeing and photography. I have an 18-140mm, a Tamron 150-600mm, and Nikon D7200, so my camera gear is set. We are looking for a practical and economical way to travel. We want take a plane from Florida to ? (advise), rent a car, find lodging. For the opportunity to see wildlife, should we travel from the south (Tetons) or from the north? Should we stay inside or outside the park?
Thanks for your UHH suggestions.

Bob Yankle Loc: Burlington, NC

You fly into Cody, Wyoming and can rent a car at the Airport. Yellowstone is about an hour west from Cody. Stay inside the park (there are a number of hotels inside the park) Drive south from Yellowstone to enter the northern border of the Grand Tetons. Allow yourself at least 3 days within Yellowstone itself to drive to different areas inside the park (and different scenery for you camera) - hence the recommendation to stay inside the park. As for the Grand Tetons, we made that a one day "bounce" (down and back) ...... you'll still be able to visit all the grand historic views. We even stopped to take a canoe trip down the Snake River and went horse-back riding on a trail that overlooked the Tetons.

Another traveler's tip ...... if you buy a lot of souvenirs and they would cost a fortune to fly back on the plane, get a large box, pack all your stuff inside, and ship it via UPS to your home address. It probably won't arrive until a few days after you get home but will save you a ton of money in transportation costs. While you're in Cody, visit the Buffalo Bill Museum of the West. It's well worth a visit.

Jerry Coupe

Check on hotel reservations in the park immediately. We were there in Sept., 2015 and booked in June and most camping sites were full. Options for outside the park are Gardiner, MT at the north end and West Yellowstone on the west side. From both of these locations, The loop of roads makes seeing much of the Park pretty easy.

If you can rent a wider lens, I would recommend doing so. I used a 24-70 on full frame and for many of the geyser pools it wasn't quite wide enough and staying on the boardwalks limits you from backing up.

Yellowstone is a fantastic place. Around almost every curve in the road you wonder, 'can it get any better.'. And it does! Have a great trip.

imageal Loc: Ocala, FL

I agree with the advice of the previous two posts. However, you may find the cost of flying into Cody from Florida to be pricey. As an alternative, check the cost of flying into Salt Lake City. If memory serves me correctly, from SLC airport we went north to Ogden and picked up US 89 which crosses over into Wyoming and brings you into Jackson. Very pretty drive. From Jackson it's north along the Tetons and on into Yellowstone.

MT Shooter Loc: Montana

You can fly to Jackson, Cody, Billings, Bozeman or Idaho Falls, I would check rates from your airport to compare as Cody and Jackson are quite expensive, they are primarily "tourist traps". Billings is the largest city in the region so rates there will probably be cheaper, also rental cars in Billings will be the cheapest as well. You could even rent a mini motorhome or camper van there if you want to camp your way through the park rather than hit the hotels. Some campgrounds in Yellowstone offer showers as well. Hotels will be cheapest in Gardiner or West Yellowstone, Montana, by far.
The vast majority of wildlife in Yellowstone is from Yellowstone Lake northward. Teton Park does have more moose though. May is the BEST time of year to see Yellowstone as the tourist traffic has yet to peak and there are lots of baby animals being born, plus the bear are plentiful as they are still hanging around the roadways to eat the early vegetation.
Have a great trip whenever you decide to go.

DaveO Loc: Northeast CT

For the most part, flights into Salt Lake City are about half the cost of optional locations,at least from Tampa.

nikonlad Loc: Venice, FL

You all have given me a wealth of information. We a checking prices now.
Thanks,
Bob

Frank47 Loc: West coast Florida

I used a Nikkor 24-120mm and a Nikkor 10-24mm . . . . . the wider the better for a lot of shots. I've been to Yellowstone and the Tetons 10 times in the last 20 years and the Salt Lake City suggestion is a good one. The drive is beautiful albeit a little long if time is an issue. If not Salt Lake City, I would fly directly into Jackson WY, spend a few days in the Tetons, and then drive north into Yellowstone. The diversity you will see is amazing and captivating! Enjoy!

sb Loc: Florida's East Coast

From Orlando you can get a one-stop flight to Cody on United - takes about six hours. A lot of people save money and fly into Denver, but it is quite a long drive. You CAN fly into Jackson Hole, but there are few flights and it is costly. Flying in to Cody puts you due East of the East entrance to Yellowstone. The wolves are mostly at that end of the park, as I recall, but it is all wonderful - you will want to spend 3-4 days at least, but also plan on heading South to Grand Tetons National Park and into Jackson Hole. May is early - few visitors but you can get snow and it may be cold. September is great. Some things are closing up but you miss the peak tourist season.

Bill Munny Loc: Aurora, Colorado

From Billings you can go thru Big Sky, super place to stay at the Chet Huntley lodge. They even have timeshares there. Then travel into Yellowstone via the West Gate. Lots of animals on this route. I have been there in May and mid-Sept, like the fall better since I am a fly fisher also. One trip, if you have the time, is over Grassy Pass near the Flag Ranch on the northern end of Teton Ntl. Park. Very secluded and absolutely beautiful. Make sure you have an SUV, the road can be a little challenging if wet. Cave Falls at the southwest corner of Yellowstone Park (just off Grassy Pass road on the west side of the Tetons) is another out of the ordinary scenic area. Makes sure you have a good tripod and I had best luck using a 35mm or 85mm prime shooting in the raw, 1 stop down and then bracketing by 1 full stop and a circular polarizer.

DaveO Loc: Northeast CT

http://beartoothhighway.com/ (NE entrance,Lamar Valley)

http://www.yellowstone.co/webcams.htm

https://www.nps.gov/hfc/carto/PDF/YELLmap1.pdf (Keep perspective)

DaveO Loc: Northeast CT

Dupe.

plessner Loc: North Dakota

I was in Yellowstone and the Tetons in Sept. 2013 the bugeling elk and the gorgeous fall colors made me very happy I was there in the fall

BHC Loc: Strawberry Valley, JF, USA

I just love it when people living 1000-1500 miles from Yellowstone give advice that contradicts that of MTShooter who owns a camera shop near the park and guides groups through the park several times each year.

plessner Loc: North Dakota

MT was the guide for us on our trip in Yellowstone and we were on our own in the Tetons. He did a wonderful job and really knows that park like I know my backyard! Unfortunately his vehicle got rammed by a huge elk in the hotel parking lot...