Yellowstone NP - things to do in and around

elkyinzer

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Good people watching, almost watched an Asian get run over by a pissed off mama buffalo. I've only spent 2 days in the park doing the touristy stuff. Cool but it was very crowded. Tetons are beautiful but only saw from afar, would like to explore them more.

If youre into fly fishing, its absolutely world class and many different options from tiny feeder streams to floating the mighty Snake River over the pass in ID.
 
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Oct 16, 2013
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I will be staying outside of West Yellowstone this summer. Would anyone recommend one of the Yellowstone Lake fishing trips for Lake Trout? I'm more concerned in if it is a good idea to see more of the sights, and also catch a few fish while doing so, or would it be a waste of money to go?

I just picked up a Tenkara rod for my boys (11 & 13) and I, and plan to hit some of the streams.

Has anyone been to the Rodeo in West Yellowstone? Is it a cheesy tourist trap, or a good show?

How about recommendations for horseback riding in the AM, or during the day? We will more than likely take a wagon ride out to the Chuck Wagon dinner, and just go as a family on a horseback ride.

This will be my families, me included, first trip out there, and would like to take in as much as possible, just hate wasting time or money. I know everyone's likes, and dislikes, are different, but much like the planning that goes into a hunt, the research is part of the whole adventure.
 
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wyosteve

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I would not recommend a lake trout fishing trip on Yellowstone Lake. The Park Service has been trying to eradicate the lakers from Yellowstone for the past 10 years or so. If I remember correctly, they netted around 350,000 last fall alone.
 

PMcGee

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I will be staying outside of West Yellowstone this summer. Would anyone recommend one of the Yellowstone Lake fishing trips for Lake Trout? I'm more concerned in if it is a good idea to see more of the sights, and also catch a few fish while doing so, or would it be a waste of money to go?

I just picked up a Tenkara rod for my boys (11 & 13) and I, and plan to hit some of the streams.

Has anyone been to the Rodeo in West Yellowstone? Is it a cheesy tourist trap, or a good show?

How about recommendations for horseback riding in the AM, or during the day? We will more than likely take a wagon ride out to the Chuck Wagon dinner, and just go as a family on a horseback ride.

This will be my families, me included, first trip out there, and would like to take in as much as possible, just hate wasting time or money. I know everyone's likes, and dislikes, are different, but much like the planning that goes into a hunt, the research is part of the whole adventure.

We didn't fish for lake trout but we took my nephews to Quake lake for a day of fishing. We caught a few rainbows. It's pretty neat how the lake was formed.


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Deepshax

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Wow, lots of good info in here. Im going to have to take some notes and have a sit down with Google. Tetons are on the list for sure as the wife wants to go. Maybe Ill pick up a tenkara rod or something for some fishing.
 
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Deepshax

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Move camp with you. Don't try to make a base camp. You will spend more time on the road, and it will take away from the experience.

This is kinda how I wanted to run this trip due to how large the area is but was wondering what the logistics of being on the move were in the area. Are there BLM sites or something? When we were down in southern Utah/Canyonlands/Arches we moved around everyday but were able to find spots to set up a camp at BLM sites which made it pretty easy to be flexible in what we did/where we went. I know the sites in the park are probably just about booked at this point but we didn't want to just book a site or hotel and end up wanting to be somewhere else when we actually figured it out.
 
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A lot of the hikes in the high country of the Tetons and Beartooths may still be snowed in if you'll be there in June.

Are you a fly fisherman? It will be prime time for the salmonfly hatch. Maybe look into a guided trip on the upper Madison?
 

IdahoElk

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Try Fishing the Henry's Fork in Harriman State Park,Box Canyon or go to Ennis and fish Henry's lake. The West Yellowstone area is Trout Heaven!
 

Eagle

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I will be staying outside of West Yellowstone this summer. Would anyone recommend one of the Yellowstone Lake fishing trips for Lake Trout? I'm more concerned in if it is a good idea to see more of the sights, and also catch a few fish while doing so, or would it be a waste of money to go?

I just picked up a Tenkara rod for my boys (11 & 13) and I, and plan to hit some of the streams.

Has anyone been to the Rodeo in West Yellowstone? Is it a cheesy tourist trap, or a good show?

How about recommendations for horseback riding in the AM, or during the day? We will more than likely take a wagon ride out to the Chuck Wagon dinner, and just go as a family on a horseback ride.

This will be my families, me included, first trip out there, and would like to take in as much as possible, just hate wasting time or money. I know everyone's likes, and dislikes, are different, but much like the planning that goes into a hunt, the research is part of the whole adventure.

Depending on the length of ride you want, the two hour ride at Roosevelt is the best two hour offered, the one hour at Canyon is the best one hour offered.

While backpacking in the park, I would meet a few of the local outfitters that were doing short horseback trips with tourists, and they never seemed to be going well. Generally one wrangler leading 5-6 people and a kid in the back getting owned by his dude horse that would take full advantage of his inexperience and eat grass while the rest of the dude train rode on. I would not suggest that kind of trip unless you have experienced riders that can control a horse, or the outfitter will send you out with at least two wranglers. One wrangler can't lead the dude train and keep everyone together.
 
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Deepshax

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What are bugs like in this area late June/July? Wondering if I should bring a floorless shelter or standard 3 season
 
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Deepshax

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A lot of the hikes in the high country of the Tetons and Beartooths may still be snowed in if you'll be there in June.

Are you a fly fisherman? It will be prime time for the salmonfly hatch. Maybe look into a guided trip on the upper Madison?

No not really, I live next to the beach, all my fishing is done with spin gear (from a kayak) for saltwater species (stripers, bluefish, albies, black drum, tog, etc)
 
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I know the sites in the park are probably just about booked at this point but we didn't want to just book a site or hotel and end up wanting to be somewhere else when we actually figured it out.

I've been looking into doing this trip this summer as well. From what I have found, most sites in Yellowstone, and All in Teton are First-come/First-Serve. There are several in Yellowstone run by Xanterra Parks and Resorts that take reservations; apparently those book FAST. But everything that I have found on campgrounds like Mammoth, Norris, Tower Fall, Indian Creek don't accept reservations.

Someone correct me if I am wrong.
 

Eagle

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What are bugs like in this area late June/July? Wondering if I should bring a floorless shelter or standard 3 season

It's peak mosquito season, and they will be BAD if there's as much water around as it sounds like there will be. I would advise you have a thermacell and an enclosed shelter.
 
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To my knowledge all camp sites are first come on a reservagion basis. Xanterra runs all the tourist stuff in the park. the cowboy dinner is worth it and will get you off the road a little.

I always kinda laugh at the ones that say the tourists are bad. Around the grand canyon, tower falls, old faithful, and mammoth and the paved road system then yes absolutely true but walk half a mile on any trail and you are almost always on your own.

There will be plenty of lake trout to catch as I believe most reports are that 350,000 trout netted seems like a lot but barely scratches the surface. I would recommend fishing anywhere you can but keep in mind run off will probably have the northeast corner blown out (Lamar and Yellowstone rivers) check any fly shop in the area and they will help you out. Also you can catch lake trout everywhere but Yellowstone cuts were my draw. The backcountry lake fishing should be really good at that time

If you want more info I can give you some ideas on hikes and fishing spots but you can find a lot of information pretty easily.

I spent 8 days there 4 years ago and have been looking to get back.
 

Eagle

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I've been looking into doing this trip this summer as well. From what I have found, most sites in Yellowstone, and All in Teton are First-come/First-Serve. There are several in Yellowstone run by Xanterra Parks and Resorts that take reservations; apparently those book FAST. But everything that I have found on campgrounds like Mammoth, Norris, Tower Fall, Indian Creek don't accept reservations.

Someone correct me if I am wrong.

You are correct. As a general rule, if you want to stay in the various Inn's/Lodges within the park, you need to plan and book your trip a year in advance, especially during peak times.

I know it's inconvenient due to schools being in, but my suggestion to those wanting to go, is to go in early September. It's past peak tourist season, the bugs are gone, the elk are beginning to act right, the streams are clear and great for fishing, and the weather is generally more stable.
 
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Deepshax

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I've been looking into doing this trip this summer as well. From what I have found, most sites in Yellowstone, and All in Teton are First-come/First-Serve. There are several in Yellowstone run by Xanterra Parks and Resorts that take reservations; apparently those book FAST. But everything that I have found on campgrounds like Mammoth, Norris, Tower Fall, Indian Creek don't accept reservations.

Someone correct me if I am wrong.

Excellent, this is what I wanted to hear.
 
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I know it's inconvenient due to schools being in, but my suggestion to those wanting to go, is to go in early September. It's past peak tourist season, the bugs are gone, the elk are beginning to act right, the streams are clear and great for fishing, and the weather is generally more stable.

It's also inconvenient because September is time to hunt elk rather than looking at them from the car with the family.
 
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Move camp with you. Don't try to make a base camp. You will spend more time on the road, and it will take away from the experience.

This really sounds like the way to go. We were thinking of camping in Teton NP as a base and just going out from there. But from a campground in Teton, to just say Old Faithful (tourist trap-sure, but something I want to see at least) its about 1.5 hour drive. More I'm researching, the more I think packing up camp early morning, getting to the general area you want to be for the day and grabbing a site at the closest campground is the way to go.
 

Eagle

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It's also inconvenient because September is time to hunt elk rather than looking at them from the car with the family.

True, but why not make it work. Vacation with the family for a few days, then send them on their way via plane while you stay behind to kill elk, haha? Seriously though, anytime from Mid-August on is better than the peak tourist times.
 

The John

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Has anyone been to the Rodeo in West Yellowstone? Is it a cheesy tourist trap, or a good show?

it has been MANY MANY years since I have been to that rodeo, but the last time I went it was ok. I went as a kid and really had a good time back then (I was probably 9-10). YMMV
 
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