Have been to both areas and although I love Utah, I would definitely suggest the Yellowston/Tetons for your first trip. And for fun, consider Virginia City, Montana which lies just northwest of West Yellowstone. Check it out on the internet and see what you think.
the 3Dees
Dad, Daughter and Dog
All retired w/
2000 31' SurfSide Class A
I've made two long trips, 5 weeks in 2000 (Black Hills, Yellowstone, Moab area, Silverton, Whitesands, & Carlsbad Cavern) and 8 weeks in 2005 (Painted Desert, Grand Canyon, Bryce, Zion, Kings Canyon, Yosimite, Oregon coast, Yellowstone, Black Hills, & Badlands). This year I'm planning a shorter 3 week trip but still plan on making it west (??, Black Hills, & ??). The only common place of all three trips is the Black Hills. I tried to work Yellowstone into this trip but the extra 4 days of driving just isn't worth it. The first two trips were orientation trips where we would spend a couple nights at each locations (except Yellowstone where we spent 5 nights each trip). Next year's trip is more about relaxing and actually having time to enjoy our destination. However, if I can convince the wife to spend a fourth week on the road, I'll add Yellowstone in a heart beat.
If you want to see the most geological features, widest diversity of wildlife, and the most beautiful areas of this country, do the Black Hills/Yellowstone trip first. Then the next trip you make, do the others.
2004.5 Ram 3500 4x4 Quad-Cab SRW CTD 6-spd PacBrake, FASS 150/95
2005 Cougar 314EFS
1982 CJ-8 Scrambler - well built and preserved
Loving wife, two horse crazed daughters, two horses, two cats
Had the same issue when we planned our trip over a year ago. Went for Yellowstone and Mt Rushmore. Why well we decided we would go where the animals are. It was great I don't think 18 days with travel is enough. We spent 3 weeks and it just was not enough time. But we stuffed all we could into those 3 weeks, we can't wait to go back. My sister in law changed my mine, she had been to the GC but never yellowstone.
2003 Newmar 40' Dutchstar, 2008 Jeep Liberty with a Roadmaster all terrain with blue ox base plates using a Air force 1
I would suggest Yellowstone. I've been there twice, drive back home through the Tetons. The Grand Canyon was neat but didn't have the diversity and wildlife as old Yeller.
2008 Toyota Tacoma 4x4 DC V6 4.0L Supercharged 307HP 310TQ
2007 Cruiser RV Fun Finder 250BHS, Equalizer, Prodigy 5500#'s 27ft
THANK YOU all for your replys. Looks like we will definitely be going to yellowstone first. You all have given us even more ideas of things to see and do. Will research them all and will keep you all posted on our trip planning progress.
We know 18 days is not nearly enough to see everything, but it is all we can do this time. Hopefully someday we will have more time to go back and spend as much time as we want to spend at each place.
Thanks again for all your help.
Angie
(Larry the RV) 2007 Jayco 26L Tornado Installed, Ipod Mod
(Rambo the Ram Truck) 2006 Dodge Ram MegaCab 4x4 5.9L Cummins Turbo Diesel 6 Speed Manual Transmission, Dark Blue
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We did the Grand Canyon this past summer. What a gift! 3-4 would be about right. Stay in the park. Total trip was five weeks with time at Carlsbad and Branson. Next summer its Yellowstone for 6 weeks in the area.
Have a great trip!
YNP/GTNP are two of my fav places.
Tacklebox
Anyone ask were were I'm at tell ummmmmmmm I've goneeeeeeeeee fishinggggggggggggggg! Some of our favorite places would be Grand Teton,NP and Yellowstone, NP
Late to the discussion, but I'd have to agree, Yellowstone.
I've done two lengthy trips from Northern California (4wks/5wks) both had Yellowstone as a pivot point, with one trip heading north into Montana, Idaho & Canada, and the other heading south (RMNP, Bryce, Zion, GC).
Hands down is Yellowstone. I still want to return to Zion & Bryce as well, but I expect to be back to Yellowstone a couple more times before that happens.
If you have a choice, visit in June rather than July/August. Yes, it will be a bit cooler, but the crowds are much more manageable in June.
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Some of our favorite places would be Grand Teton,NP and Yellowstone, NP
