Yellowstone or ???

[Ralph Wiggum]

Thinking about planning a trip (tenting) out West next summer for the wife, dog, and I. Yellowstone interests us, but I imagine it's pretty popular. What are some similar, but a little less popular (i.e. busy) destinations out that direction? Any advice for planning this trip? We've only camped in-state prior to this.

[solbes]

Three other destinations you should add for consideration: 1) Rocky Mountain national in Colorado 2) Glacier National in Montana 3) Banff/Lake Louise/Jasper in Alberta Canada.

I've been to Yellowstone and the three mentioned above. Far and away my favorite is Banff. I don't think there is a prettier stretch of scenery on this continent. Lots of Elk, rams, mountain goats. Lots of trails at various stops. You really can't go for a cheaper and more rewarding trip if you are tenting than that one IMO. We stayed in the Lake Loise campground because it was centrally located. Nice campground and they had a deep sink w/ warm water to do your dishes in. Great idea! The only issue is that it's a 2 day drive for the most part.

I love Rocky Mountain national too. It's the shortest drive of the 4 and also nice. Just not quite as much variety and it's a smaller area.

Glacier is very pretty too. And I like Yellowstone for all of the geologic variety. Lots of geysers, hot pools, wildlife, etc. Just not as scenic IMO.

[DrKen]

Depending on what you want to do, there are many good spots in Montana that are not associated with a national park. If it just camping and enjoying scenery just pick a couple of spots in western third and you will find state and federal campgrounds in most. Yellowstone only really takes a couple of days to go thru and Glacier is about the same. Other things to do and see are the Museum of the Rockies in Bozeman, Virginia City. Helena has many historic sights and the Montana History Museum has tours of the city. wyoming,the Black Hills, Idaho are all similar. You don't have to go to the crowded spots to enjoy the west. Let me know what you are interested in and I can give you even more ideas. I grew up in Montana and have been through a good chunk of the west on vacations.

[bobbymalone]

I have been to Yellowstone and it's definitely cool. Didn't have enough time and had a couple prissy chicks with me that hindered my experience a bit... at least from an enjoying Yellowstone in all it's grandeur point of view .

Spent a number of days in Yosemite too and it left me equally awestruck.

I wouldn't worry too much about the crowds, especially because Yellowstone is so freaking awesome and unique that you absolutely have to check it out. The crowds get pretty thick when you are standing around waiting for old faithful to go or staring up at Yosemite falls, but in my experiences as soon as you get 150 yards away from the parking lot the crowds are cut in quarter and once you get 500 yards away from the parking lot you're by yourself.

Yellowstone only really takes a couple of days to go thru

it takes a couple days to see Old Faithful, this and that boiling mud pit, Yellowstone falls, etc, but it could take a lifetime to experience all that is Yellowstone.

[Hammy]

I wouldn't worry about the Yellowstone crowds, depending on the kind of camping you want to do. If you are back country type campers, as soon as you leave the road, it is an entirely different park. I am not sure about the dog in the back country regs though.

If you kayak or canoe, you can get out on Lake Yellowstone or some of the smaller lakes for a night or two.

Make a drive out of it, too. Drive, camp, and hike in the Beartooths. Think about the Grand Tetons and go through Jackson Hole. Plan a nice big circle that goes through Yellowstone.

I had the opportunity to guide through Yellowstone for a couple summers and the park really does have something for everyone. Don't let people [PoorWordUsage] [PoorWordUsage] the popularity of the park. It is popular for a reason.

And who knows, the bulge might blow and there might not be a Yellowstone to visit...

[fishing tech]

Remember you need a passport to go to Canada now.