Yosemite or yellowstone?

[iamjediknight]

Next summer I want to take a two week photo road trip from Dallas, Texas. I think I have narrowed it down to either Yosemite In California or Yellowstone in Wyoming. Either park will take about 3 full days of driving.

I'm thinking Yellowstone will give me more bang for my buck since I can also hit Grand Teton National Park as well as Mount Rushmore. But Yoesmite is so beautiful.

So where would you go if you had two full weeks?

[jeffclow]

Depends greatly on what you prefer in front of your lens. When given the choice, I always choose Wyoming, even though I've been there a lot of times.

If you want stunning landscape and lots of wildlife, then Grand Teton and Yellowstone are a great combination.

[iamjediknight]

I do want stunning landscapes!

[dcopeland]

For a summer trip I'd suggest the Yellowstone/Tetons as well.. since at least some of the waterfalls of Yosemite tend to dry up somewhat in the summer.

David

[iamjediknight]

If anyone has recommendations on lodging at Grand Tetons and Yellowstone that would be great.

[DEMDeepEllumMusic]

CAMP!
Yellowstone blows away Yosemite in my book, also don't passover the scenery between here and there, if you take a Colorado route you can dash off to Durango and Mes Verde and not have to travel to far off of 287 which goes right up to Yellowstone (so don't even need to get off of one highway!).

[pjt72611]

+1 on the camping.

We camped 7 nights in Grand Teton and Yellowstone last summer. There are quite a few of the campgrounds in Yellowstone that take reservations. We camped at three different campgrounds in Yellowstone and saw a lot of the park. Can't beat the Lamar Valley and Hayden Valley for wildlife sightings, early and late in the day. Highly recommend WY.

[sbsbennett]

Definitely Yellowstone. there is all the diverse landscape opportunities, then there are all the critters, everywhere. I love both, but Yellowstone offers so much more...

Steve

[jeffclow]

Originally Posted by iamjediknight

If anyone has recommendations on lodging at Grand Tetons and Yellowstone that would be great.

Whenever I take a trip to the Tetons I stay at The Ranch Inn in downtown Jackson, Wyoming. Clean, reasonably price, free internet access and one block off the town square:

Home

[TxPhotoShooter]

I have to agree with camping if you can. We made the same vacation years ago when the kids were small and before I got into photography. My wife and I are planning to make a return trip.

Here are my suggestions to check out. 1) Camp at the base of Pikes Peak 2) Detour off I-80 near Laramie on Hwy 130 which is referred to as Snowy Range Pass. We were there on June 20th and there were still snow banks along the road. 3) Stop at Sinks Canyon State Park outside of Lander Wy. and be ready to be stunned by the beauty of the canyon at daybreak. 4) Camp on the Snake River and explore the Grand Tetons 5) then to Yellowstone 6) After leaving Yellowstone, go to the Badlands State Park and again be ready to be stunned by a terrain unlike any other. 7) finish up with Mt. Rushmore and the Black Hills

No matter how much you get to see and do, you will want to return.

[parrotmomma]

Like everyone else I definitely agree, Yellowstone hands down. We've been (camping) at both twice, and Yellowstone is amazing! Yosemite is beautiful too, but unless you're really into backcountry hiking, you can basically see Yosemite in a day. You could spend a lifetime in Yellowstone and never see it all.

[trac76002]

Originally Posted by iamjediknight

I do want stunning landscapes!

If you want stunning landscapes then you want Yosemite! I've been to both places, but something about Yosemite I can't explain. You will understand once you get there!

[ovimo]

Go to Yosemite in May when the waterfalls are at their best. Camp there, forget all the other options - they are much more expensive and not much more comfortable. Make sure you reserve WAY in advance. There is a lot to do and see in Yosemite and you DO NOT have to do any backcountry hiking necessarily - there are tons of short half day or day hikes. Remember the Yosemite Valley is not the whole park...

Go to Yellowstone anytime from June to September. Does not matter really if you camp or not. Check out West Yellowstone for hotels. They are decent both price-wise and comfort. Also, you may want to look at Teton Village instead of Jackson Hole. Closer to the park and about the same pricing.

If I would have to choose one of the above, I'd go to Yellowstone in a heartbeat, but you really cannot go wrong with either one.

[iamjediknight]

Thanks everyone for the good advice. I've decided to go to the Grand Tetons/Yellowstone and possibly Mount Rushmore if time allows. Then in 2012 go to Yosmite, Bryce Canyon, Zion Canyon, Arches National Park.

Since my travel companion isn't big on camping, probably do a mix of camping and lodging.

[karakelian]

Go Yellowstone! We are going for a week in two weeks, staying in the budget cabins. I can not wait.