Yellowstone this year

[Miss-Teri]

We're planning on doing a Yellowstone/Grand Tetons tour this year in mid-June.  Probably staying at Flagg ranch.  I have been there as a child, but this will be DH and the DKs (kids) first time.  And I have never camped out there - just did the (shiver) hotel thing.  
A trip to Jackson Hole will definately be happening too, as the antlers over the entrance to the park must have made an impression on me because I remember it so well, lol.
Anyway, any veteran campers of this area have any advice for us?  Things to see, places to stay, cautions, memories, etc?
TIA!

[NightOwl]

Terri, you'll get plenty of advice of WHAT  to see so I wont do that, but  of course, you'll want to exercise caution around the thermal areas in Yellowstone.  (One  summer when we were there, a little boy took a misstep and fell into one of the thermal pools.  since then the guardrail system has been greatly improved but still, using extra caution is worth mentioning to anyone with lively kids.)

We were there in high season and of course, it was very crowded.  (We tent camped   in the Madison Campground--all spaces filled, but we had very thoughtful, quiet campers all around us, so we had a great time and had nary a complaint about our neighbors.

But to see the park animal life and to enjoy its features without getting impossibly tired of  PEOPLE you might try what we did which worked wonderfully well.

We went out early in the morning--usually  between 7:30 and 8:15. (It is chilly then--we needed sweaters when we started out.) Most people were still eating breakast and getting organized for the day when we left eh CG.  And  we were leaving features just as others  were arriving.  Also, the park animals are feeding then and roads are not so crowded.  We ALSO went out in the evening after an early dinner when others were gathering around their campfires and eating and relaxing.  Again, uncrowded roads and beautiful sunsets and lots of animal life you wont see in mid-day.   The long, long day length  allows you to do this there.   (The paintpots in the sunset  light were amazing--we went to see them 2 evenings)

It was a magical place and I hope you have a wonderful time there!

PS--in the Tetons we loved JennyLake and also one called String Lake.  the girls and I took a trail ride along Jenny Lake--beautiful and still snow in some shady places.

[AustinBoston]

If you are into horseback riding at all, do your best to get on a breakfast ride in the Tetons.  The breakfast is standard fare - pancakes, eggs, sausage, bacon, coffee, juice, etc. - but the views are among the best.  The Tetons will be lit by the rising sun, and you will be far enough from human machinery that you will hear only wildlife, horses, and the soft chatter of others on the ride.

From our long trip (17 states in 56 nights) this was in the top 5 list of events.

If you remember Mamoth Hot Springs near the north entrance (a series of terrace-like formations with boiling water slowly flowing over them), they are almost totally dry.  As a result, the colors, which are caused by various bacteria, are gone.  The terraces are all bright white.

One other thing that has probably changed.  Years ago, there was a large boulder perched at the top of Tower Falls.  PJay has a photo of it from about 1976.  It had fallen down by 2001 when we were there.

I second what NightOwl said about safety.  Even in the most commonly visited areas, there are no railings.  

Bison will kill if you push them far enough.  A book written about 5 years ago said that grizzly attacks have killed more than bison, but that is changing.  It's not that bison are particularly aggressive, but there are more and more close encounters between ignorant tourists and bison.  They are wild animals, treat them that way.  At least one of the visitor's centers has a continuous video running of tourists being gored, trampled, and tossed like rag dolls by bison.  All of them could have been prevented by following NPS guidelines.

Austin

[Diplomat]

We will be in Tetons and Yellowstone in early July.  We have already booked dinner and one other trip in Yellowstone.  (I can't remember which, DW is the tour director!)

I am retiring from the Marine Corps and returning to Kentucky.  We took a southern route when we drove our here three years ago.  That trip led us to buy our PU!  The return trip will be more northern and in the PU instead of on the ground!  DD's only request is that we visit Mall of America.   She has now decided that she hates camping but will suffer through it if it means a visit to a mall.

[Calstate361]

If you have not made your reservations yet and want to stay inside Yosemite, do so immediately as the campgrounds fill up very fast. You also need to mention that you have a Pop-up. I have heard that they don't allow Pop-ups in certain areas/campgrounds because of the bears.
 
You will love the area, just don't try to do too much in one day because there is a lot of walking so be prepared with good shoes and sunscreen. There are not a lot of places to rest on the trails. Also take water with you, if you can. The only place where their might be a fountain is near the restrooms and they are only at the entrance of the trail, if there is one there. Also, pack a lunch. There are very few places to purchase food and drink and they are expensive.
 
Last time we went (many years ago) we were lucky and, buy chance, purchased one of those large packages of Fuji film for our camera (before the digital) from Costco. It is difficult to get the colors of the thermal pools and mud pots because of the steam and sometimes because of the overcast sky. Our pictures came out better than we thought they would. Better than pictures taken with Kokak film. Fuji film tends to be more blue, so it really made our pictures beautiful. I don't know how well a digital will take those same pictures. Suggestion, take a picture of the wooden name sign of the thermal pool or mud pot before you take the picture of the pool or pot. You won't remember what it was and it is very helpful afterward to have the name before the picture. Usually at the beginning of the trail there is a box that holds a trail map. It is worth the donation they want because it gives detailed information and you can also add it to your scrapbook with the pictures you have taken. I did this and when I hear that someone is going to Yosemite I ask them if they would like to look at my book and it really gives them a lot of information before they go so they can plan on what they want to see or have an idea what they will be seeing.
 
There is a lot to see so if you have enough time, take several days to get it all in. That way you won't be rushed and can really enjoy the beauty of it all.
 
Have a great time, we did.
 
Joan

[David Roder]

If you go into Jackson Hole, have breakfast at Bubbas and you have to go into the million dollar cowboy bar for a drink at night.  Other than that I wouldn't know about camping in the area because we went last year on a motorcycle trip and after 12 hours on a crotch rocket you don't feel like camping.  But breakfast at Bubbas is a must for sure!!

[Miss-Teri]

Thank you!