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Grand Tetons/Yellowstone Early October Recommendations
Posted on 2/20/24 at 11:18 am
Posted on 2/20/24 at 11:18 am
We are looking at planning a 5 night trip this fall to the Grand Tetons/Yellowstone with some friends. At first we were thinking of staying in Jackson but after some research, Teton Village may be a little more laid back and less touristy? We also found some nice cabins on VRBO in Teton Village. Any recommendations on hikes, things to see, restaurants with views etc. Initial thought is to spend a couple of days hiking the Tetons, 1 day Yellowstone to see a few sights, maybe float or fly fish Snake River and check out Jackson Hole at some point. What would ya'll recommend? Thanks! 
This post was edited on 2/20/24 at 11:24 am
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Posted on 2/20/24 at 1:11 pm to tigers84
A few general comments.
One day is a really small amount of time for Yellowstone, especially if you're coming from Jackson or Teton Village. Yellowstone is huge and unless you just want to see one and only one thing, just the drive times are gonna be pretty significant.
It depends on how much hiking you want to do, but Grand Teton is much smaller and easier to get place to place. If you're serious abiut Yellowstone, I would think about more days for Yellowstone vs GT.
October, weather is gonna get dicey too. I was there in September and there were massive temp swings from the 80's to below freezing.
There are some nice, rustic cabin setups in the area. GT is stunningly beautiful, so any place you can see the Tetons is gonna knock your socks off.
My big recommendation is to think about Yellowstone as a major time commitment because it takes so much drive time and with weather you can't count on, you'll need more flexibility than usual.
One day is a really small amount of time for Yellowstone, especially if you're coming from Jackson or Teton Village. Yellowstone is huge and unless you just want to see one and only one thing, just the drive times are gonna be pretty significant.
It depends on how much hiking you want to do, but Grand Teton is much smaller and easier to get place to place. If you're serious abiut Yellowstone, I would think about more days for Yellowstone vs GT.
October, weather is gonna get dicey too. I was there in September and there were massive temp swings from the 80's to below freezing.
There are some nice, rustic cabin setups in the area. GT is stunningly beautiful, so any place you can see the Tetons is gonna knock your socks off.
My big recommendation is to think about Yellowstone as a major time commitment because it takes so much drive time and with weather you can't count on, you'll need more flexibility than usual.
Posted on 2/20/24 at 1:18 pm to tigers84
quote:
after some research, Teton Village may be a little more laid back and less touristy?
After some research you decided the ski resort would be less touristy than the city that has banks and grocery stores?
Posted on 2/20/24 at 1:28 pm to tigers84
There's a reasonable amount of posts on this so the search would help you also.
I've said this in other threads, I'm bias but my FIL used to own in Teton Village and I enjoyed staying there and never wished we stayed in "town" of Jackson. But
Teton village is within walking distance to the back gate of GTNP. We would routinely see moose on our street and mule deer in the backyard, my grandparents had a black bear walk on the back patio while we were out hiking. There's some good hiking up and down the mountain. I would highly recommend hiking Jenny Lake to the overlook.
There's restaurants and shopping in both. The grocery store is in town.
I would also suggest more than 5 days, its really not a lot of time for both GTNP and Yellowstone. You can easily spend a day in Teton Village especially taking the Gondola or Tram up and hiking around. Appetizers and drinks on the patio up the Gondolas is one of my favorite things to do on A day in the town of Jackson. 3-5 days in GTNP, and then I've done Yellowstone multiple times for day trips but its a very long day and you are only seeing 1/3 or so of the park by car. But its doable and a great vacation either way.
I've said this in other threads, I'm bias but my FIL used to own in Teton Village and I enjoyed staying there and never wished we stayed in "town" of Jackson. But
Teton village is within walking distance to the back gate of GTNP. We would routinely see moose on our street and mule deer in the backyard, my grandparents had a black bear walk on the back patio while we were out hiking. There's some good hiking up and down the mountain. I would highly recommend hiking Jenny Lake to the overlook.
There's restaurants and shopping in both. The grocery store is in town.
I would also suggest more than 5 days, its really not a lot of time for both GTNP and Yellowstone. You can easily spend a day in Teton Village especially taking the Gondola or Tram up and hiking around. Appetizers and drinks on the patio up the Gondolas is one of my favorite things to do on A day in the town of Jackson. 3-5 days in GTNP, and then I've done Yellowstone multiple times for day trips but its a very long day and you are only seeing 1/3 or so of the park by car. But its doable and a great vacation either way.
Posted on 2/20/24 at 1:31 pm to idontyield
quote:
After some research you decided the ski resort would be less touristy than the city that has banks and grocery stores?
I'm just curious if you have ever been there? It really depends on where you are staying in both, but if you are on the outskirts of Teton Village it is absolutely less touristy then the downtown area of Jackson. But there are certainly plenty of areas of town that are not touristy.
But I'd consider really the entire area from Teton Village to Jackson a tourist area.
Posted on 2/20/24 at 1:45 pm to tigers84
I can tell you 5 days is no where near enough for both of Yellowstone and Tetons. Not saying don't go, but just be aware you won't be able to see anywhere near close to what you would really want to. Especailly from Jackson hole, that's such a long drive up to Yellowstone.
I like 2 days for Tetons and 5 for Yellowstone and that is staying closer to Yellowstone. But if you only have 5, I would definitely bounce from one hotel/airbnb etc to another.
Like if flying into Jackson. Stay in Jackson the first night, then drive up and visit Tetons for a day on the way to Yellowstone. End the day in West Yellowstone
Then the next day do like Old Faithful and geyser area and the lake and back to west yellowstone.
Then the next day do the canyon and then up to gardiner for the night hitting mammoth hotsprings on the way.
Then the next day head up to lamar valley and then back to gardiner.
Last day head back down to Jackson hitting things along the way.
I think that's six nights. But you get the picture. Yellowstone is HUGE and there is TONS to see.
You need to break it up like that or you are going to be spending all you time driving to and then in and out of the park to different areas.
Eta: I reread your post and of you are just wanting a day in Yellowstone and to spend more time in Tetons and Jackson area then 5 days is plenty. Just realize you wont see Yellowstone at all really. Maybe drive up and see old faithful and the geyser area up to the turn for west yellowstone/Madison Valley and then head back.
I like 2 days for Tetons and 5 for Yellowstone and that is staying closer to Yellowstone. But if you only have 5, I would definitely bounce from one hotel/airbnb etc to another.
Like if flying into Jackson. Stay in Jackson the first night, then drive up and visit Tetons for a day on the way to Yellowstone. End the day in West Yellowstone
Then the next day do like Old Faithful and geyser area and the lake and back to west yellowstone.
Then the next day do the canyon and then up to gardiner for the night hitting mammoth hotsprings on the way.
Then the next day head up to lamar valley and then back to gardiner.
Last day head back down to Jackson hitting things along the way.
I think that's six nights. But you get the picture. Yellowstone is HUGE and there is TONS to see.
You need to break it up like that or you are going to be spending all you time driving to and then in and out of the park to different areas.
Eta: I reread your post and of you are just wanting a day in Yellowstone and to spend more time in Tetons and Jackson area then 5 days is plenty. Just realize you wont see Yellowstone at all really. Maybe drive up and see old faithful and the geyser area up to the turn for west yellowstone/Madison Valley and then head back.
This post was edited on 2/20/24 at 4:15 pm
Posted on 2/20/24 at 1:51 pm to baldona
If you want laid back and less touristy, look on the west side of the Tetons. Driggs is what your looking for. Not nearly as nice as Jackson or Teton Village, but there are a good amount of much cheaper airbnb's and Driggs has a nice little downtown area.
You have access to the west entrance to Yellowstone, Grand Targhee(I think mtn biking usually shuts down by late Sept), Darby Canyon(great hiking), not far from the snake and places to fish and you can get to Jackson in about 45 minutes or so.
Might not be close enough to the action for you, but it's way less touristy than the Jackson/Teton Village area.
You have access to the west entrance to Yellowstone, Grand Targhee(I think mtn biking usually shuts down by late Sept), Darby Canyon(great hiking), not far from the snake and places to fish and you can get to Jackson in about 45 minutes or so.
Might not be close enough to the action for you, but it's way less touristy than the Jackson/Teton Village area.
Posted on 2/20/24 at 2:05 pm to baldona
quote:
I'm just curious if you have ever been there?
Every summer for about the last 10 yrs, but dont let that stop you from telling me how a resort is less touristy than a city that has full time residents.
Posted on 2/20/24 at 2:15 pm to idontyield
quote:
Every summer for about the last 10 yrs, but dont let that stop you from telling me how a resort is less touristy than a city that has full time residents.
I'm not going to get into a pissing match on the travel board, but frankly you don't act like it.
Like I said above, if you stay right in the downtown touristy areas its absolutely more touristy than the outskirts of Teton Village. The main areas around the ski lifts for teton village would absolutely be more touristy than the outskirts of town, however. But you certainly know this. Your comments are just odd.
Posted on 2/20/24 at 2:19 pm to CharlieTiger
quote:
You have access to the west entrance to Yellowstone, Grand Targhee(I think mtn biking usually shuts down by late Sept), Darby Canyon(great hiking), not far from the snake and places to fish and you can get to Jackson in about 45 minutes or so.
Might not be close enough to the action for you, but it's way less touristy than the Jackson/Teton Village area.
I certainly agree, but that's pushing someone into a crazy drive. From Driggs to Moose is an hour. If you are hiking you'd be exhausted.
Compared to some places the Grand Tetons can certainly be Touristy in the summer, but generally speaking in October its really nice. I wouldn't sweat touristy areas that time of year unless there's something unusual going on.
Posted on 2/20/24 at 3:54 pm to baldona
Thanks everyone for the comments/suggestions so far! I have been reading other threads and I see there are many different ways to plan this trip. I know we need to be there longer but with work right now 5 nights is gonna be the max. I'm not that worried about touristy, that's just what I've heard several people tell me about Jackson. I'm just looking forward to something different from the beach...been to Steamboat several times recently and really enjoy the mountains but haven't been when it's not ski season in a while. Everything I've read about the Tetons is that they are amazing so that was my main focus for this trip and maybe just jump over to Yellowstone 1-2 days to see a few things. I do like the idea of staying at different places to reduce the driving times while still enjoying everything. I read we should eat at Dornans for some great views.
Posted on 2/20/24 at 4:19 pm to tigers84
You may consider staying north of GTNP at Jackon lake lodge, Colter Bay, or Yellowstone two days.
Its really hard to tell people that haven't been the expance of the area.
I'd strongly consider 2-3 days in Jackson or Teton Village, then driving north to stay 2 nights. Then you can hit the north side of GTNP and Yellowstone without having to drive back south.
Its really hard to tell people that haven't been the expance of the area.
I'd strongly consider 2-3 days in Jackson or Teton Village, then driving north to stay 2 nights. Then you can hit the north side of GTNP and Yellowstone without having to drive back south.
Posted on 2/20/24 at 4:21 pm to idontyield
quote:
Every summer for about the last 10 yrs, but dont let that stop you from telling me how a resort is less touristy than a city that has full time residents.
He's not going in the Summer, he's going in the Fall. No skiing and no peak Yellowstone crowds. I would imagine Teton Village is very laid back and chill during shoulder season. Jackson too but I image they still get some of the jetset crowd.
Posted on 2/20/24 at 4:24 pm to tigers84
Based on your time I would make this like you said, a tetons trip with a glimpse of Yellowstone.
That'll give time to relax, fish, hike, etc.
If you wanted a little more time in Yellowstone maybe drive up and spend one night in west yellowston and then drive back. You could do the west thumb, geyser area and old faithful on the way to west yellowstone and the canyon, Yellowstone lake, and west thumb on the way back. Or even better book a night at old faithful in. If you can ever go and stay in the park it's always worth it imo.
That would drive you through Hayden valley on the way back which is like a micro lamar valley (Buffalo, chance of wolves, elk, etc).
It'll definitely be enough to make you want to go back and do more.
There's some good places to look for moose if you drive out to the Gros venture campground.
So much to see and do in that area!
That'll give time to relax, fish, hike, etc.
If you wanted a little more time in Yellowstone maybe drive up and spend one night in west yellowston and then drive back. You could do the west thumb, geyser area and old faithful on the way to west yellowstone and the canyon, Yellowstone lake, and west thumb on the way back. Or even better book a night at old faithful in. If you can ever go and stay in the park it's always worth it imo.
That would drive you through Hayden valley on the way back which is like a micro lamar valley (Buffalo, chance of wolves, elk, etc).
It'll definitely be enough to make you want to go back and do more.
There's some good places to look for moose if you drive out to the Gros venture campground.
So much to see and do in that area!
This post was edited on 2/20/24 at 6:55 pm
Posted on 2/20/24 at 4:41 pm to tigers84
Oh, and I'm not a city type, eat out person. So if it were me I would stay at Jackson lake lodge like the other guy suggested, but that's me.
We camped 7 nights in tetons and Yellowstone on my last trip, lol.
We camped 7 nights in tetons and Yellowstone on my last trip, lol.
Posted on 2/20/24 at 5:44 pm to NATidefan
Lol, I'm with you! I want to hook up to my 32' camper one day and make the trip and stay for several weeks
Posted on 2/20/24 at 6:52 pm to tigers84
If you go back and camp or stay in the park at a lodge I recommend canyon campground. Shower, gas, etc there. It's right next to the canyon for great sunrise and sunsets and is very central. You can easily do day trips to different areas like lamar, old faithful, the lake, mammoth, even over to Cody which is cool town to visit.
This post was edited on 2/20/24 at 6:53 pm
Posted on 2/20/24 at 6:54 pm to tigers84
Whatever you do, I would book soon. Stuff in the park (lodges, etc) book a year out. Good places outside are probably already filling up.
Posted on 2/21/24 at 9:10 am to NATidefan
Cabin booked in Teton Village! Thanks all for the recommendations!
Posted on 2/21/24 at 9:28 am to tigers84
Teton Village was pretty cool. There's a tram to the top of the mountain and some hikes you can take from there if you want. I watched some 70+ year old lady paraglide off the top of the mountain when I hiked to the top. Moose Drool at the Mangy Moose is a must.
I know I'll be in the minority here, but Yellowstone is essentially a drivable zoo. We only spent a day there and it was more than enough for us. Traffic was awful, crowds were bad, and it was very touristy. We left EARLY one morning and packed a cooler per the Travel Board (life saver). We hit all the spots on the Yellowstone loop. Don't get me wrong, we enjoyed it, but we MUCH preferred Grand Teton.
I know I'll be in the minority here, but Yellowstone is essentially a drivable zoo. We only spent a day there and it was more than enough for us. Traffic was awful, crowds were bad, and it was very touristy. We left EARLY one morning and packed a cooler per the Travel Board (life saver). We hit all the spots on the Yellowstone loop. Don't get me wrong, we enjoyed it, but we MUCH preferred Grand Teton.
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