Alternative Yellowstone vacation

“My wife and son were planning on going to Yellowstone and the Tetons the first week in September for about a week. My son will be 18 months old then. We just found out that baby #2 in on the way which means mom will be 6 mos preg when we were planning on going. We thought about taking the trip earlier, but I don't want to contend with summer Yellowstone crowds. I've never been West of the MS river before and am so ready to get to the mtns. I can't stand it. We were going to be doing lots of short hikes, not bp'ing. Any thoughts on a place that we could go in July that wouldn't be overly crowded? I realize we'll have to put up with some crowding; I just don't want bumper to bumper for 60 miles through a NP. Thanks.”

“Geez, the possibilities are endless.

If you've never crossed the Mighty Mississip, you'll be "easily" impressed. I would suggest some of the less popular Natl Forest campgrounds - they're EVERYWHERE! You could car camp, and take dayhikes into the mountains.

On my maiden western roadtrip, I could hardly believe all the camping areas. I'd pass sign after sign indicating campgrounds off the main roads.

You might want to begin a search at the NFS homepage, and narrow it down from there.

Good luck.”

“Black Hills, Custer National Park, Badlands, Mt. Rushmore, Crystal Caves, Devils Tower, Flintstone Land, all good places for day trips with younguns.”

“I don't know how I got threads going, but I'll try to keep this one going and let the other one die. Utahiker---It doesn't really have to be closer than Yellowstone. The problem w/ Yellowstone is the bumper to bumper traffice at peak season. Flying is not a problem. I was thinking that there were some places that would still be very pretty, but not maybe a little off the beaten path. I'm planning on flying in and staying at a B&B type place and then doing daytrips.”

“Oops, I don't know how I got TWO threads going.”

“Dejavu all over again”

“baume, did you have a similar thread recently? If so, what was the name of it. I'll go read it instead of rehashing old stuff. Thanks.”

“No, I was referring to the other identical thread going right now.Sorry about the mix up.”

“IDAHO ? not a popular as the NP is Utah and Yellowstone. Visit the Sawtooth National Recreation Area (big alpine mountains sort of like the Tetons), Craters of the Moon National Monument (could be hot in July, it looks like its name), Hells Canyon National Recreations Area (deepest canyon in the US of A). Take a half day whitewater run on the Payette River. Visit Shoshone Falls on the Snake River higher the Niagara (may low on water this summer) Or try Great Basin National Park in Nevada.”

“Chief I know you didn't suggest Flinstone Land did you? Iffin it's the one leading into the Grand Canyon even my daughter at age 4 was not impressed. LOL!”

“Glad to know that there are 2 threads on this cause I thought I was losing it or something! What about Colorado Springs..there are two many attractions in the area to list. Should be an easy search - lots of day activities there. Also, we've flown into Salt Lake City before and headed out from there...again lots of directions you can head, including Idaho though not sure how far that is. Why don't you start searching for cheap airfares and see what's out there. That helps me decide sometimes....fly cheap and spend the savings on your destination. Good luck, looks like you have LOTS of options!”

“Different one. This one is in Custer, SD. Good for the kids, not so much for the adults, except for the ride in Fred's flintsone mobile. You ride around this 'track' going about 90, and no one wears seat belts. Hold on to the kids!!!

And actually, Yellowstone isn't too bad for crowds (i.e. bumper-to-bumper). And if you are going over the 4th of July, there are a lot of fun things to do in the towns around Yellowstone. Cody, WY has a parade every day from the 1st thru the 4th.”

“Iff'n you do SW S. Dakota in early August, you can do "Sturgis." Its lovely that time of year!!! (Actually, it is. The Harley's Owners Group goes to alot of effort to keep things sane.)”

“Thanks for all of the suggestions, it was a big help. Now if we can just decide where to go.”