Yellowstone, Jackson Hole and the Tetons to Start Summer

Often times it is said the anticipation and planning of the trip can be a highlight and delight unto itself. When we, the Siewierski clan, decided we would kick off the summer of 2007 with a family road trip north to Yellowstone National Park and the surrounding Teton Mountains and Jackson Hole it was the signal for me to start the planning process.

While I have been to Yellowstone on several occasions this will be a first time for my wife, Laura, and our three boys Jarid(11), Nicky(9) and Sam(6). The plan is unfolding where we will depart Boulder early Monday June 18 and head north via 1-25 to Bozeman Montana. We will spend the first night at the Holiday Inn in Bozeman, as I have an early morning work meeting the next day on the 19th, with the ad agency Mercury for Travel Montana. We will be sure to post a lodging review for this property and others we visit as well as camp site updates.

While we are close to Bridger Bowl the plan calls for my wife to load supplies from the local grocery store before heading into the park. The first two nights we will spend in Gardiner, Montana at the North Entrance to Yellowstone National Park. The camp ground we have selected is the Rocky Mountain RV Park. All listings make it seem like a great starting point. We hope to enjoy a float down the Yellowstone River one day, do some local fishing, get to the Mammoth Hot Springs and over to Roosevelt Tower while in of this area.

The balance of the trip will include two nights camping at the Madison Campground near geyser country and the west entrance of Yellowstone. This area is close to Big Sky Ski Resort. After exploring this region we will go to the Yellowstone Lake and stay in one of their cabins before heading to the Grand Canyon of Yellowstone for 2 last nights of camping before we drop down to Teton Village and Jackson Hole for 3 nights. The end of the journey will be complete with creature comforts as we settle into the the delightful Alpenhof Lodge. The comforts of a nice bed, rooms and showers will be welcome at that stage. Having meals served will also been a pleasant way to wind down at the end of this trip.