AboutSue Mecham Expertise Best places to stay, eat, best roads to travel on activities. Idaho native for 45 years, travel is my number 1 hobby, I enjoy conversing with people via internet, and really enjoy helping others plan an enjoyable trip.
We (3 adulds, age 35-40) will be traveling in late May from Salt Lake City to Yellowstone NP and "back-track" afterwards through Idaho. My idea was to stay 3 nights at Redfish Lake Lodge - to explore local hot springs (Gold Bug in particular) and to see also City of Rocks National Reserve.
1) What do you think about this plan?
2) Would you recommend something different that we can see on the way from Yellowstone to SLC?
3) What is your best guess on weather conditions for the late May and for this particular part of the ste state?
Thanks a lot,
Alexei
ANSWER: Hello! Sounds like you've done your research!
1. When going from Salt Lake City to Yellowstone, go north to Brigham City (exit 354) and then over to Logan, and east towards Montpelier, Idaho (hwy 89)... You'll go by Bear Lake and see some great scenery. You can travel up the west side of Wyoming through "star valley" and up through Jackson, Wyoming (stars like Harrison Ford live here)...then up through Grand Teton and then Yellowstone.
You can "do" yellowstone in 2 or 3 days, then come back through West Yellowstone, MT and down through Rexburg. There's a wal-mart on the north end of town for replenishing supplies. Then, Highway 33 is the center exit of Rexburg and it takes you straight west over I-15 and through "mud lake" then north towards Salmon on Hwy 28. When you get to a traffic light, that's where you turn left to the south (or turn right for a nice grocery store before you leave town) and you'll get to the Hot Springs after going through Elk Bend. You could talk to Marcia Ross at http://www.salmonriverrvp.com/localfun.html
and she will tell you the road to Gold Bug is one mile further south from her RV park. It's a hike - be prepared... From there you can go south to Challis 35 miles, then south of town is the start of Hwy 75 to Stanley, then Redfish Lake Lodge is south of Stanley and you should have reservations. Watch for rocks on the road between Clayton and lower Stanley.
When you leave Stanley, I suggest going south through Sun Valley, Shoshone, and get on I-84 a few miles north of Twin Falls. You can get to the city of Rocks from the Burley exit, and get back on I-84 at exit 245 to Tremonton, Utah, then back to Salt Lake City.
For weather conditions, BRING A COAT for evenings and mornings in Yellowstone and Redfish, but the middle of the day should be wonderful...maybe even HOT for a change! Also, there are lots of picnic areas in Yellowstone and between Clayton-Stanley, and at Redfish...sometimes that will be the ONLY option for eating...bring a cooler and stock up in the big towns...
This is quite a loop with some scenic areas, some that are not...but bring your camera and lots of room for pictures. Please let me know if you have ANY other questions like places to eat or stay etc...
Hope I can be of more help..
Sue
---------- FOLLOW-UP ----------
QUESTION: Sue,
Thank you very much for the detailed respond. To follow-up (since you kindly offered it:
1) I was planning to stay at RedFish Lodge, because somebody suggested it.
Do you have in mind any better options for staying in the area?
2) Same issue - accommodations - with regard to Yellowstone NP. Basically, I was planning to stay either in West Yellowstone or in Gardiner.
Any suggestions for particular places to stay in YNP?
3) Hot springs. Again, somebody advised me on Gold Bug. Do you have in mind any other (preferably non-commercial) which are worth visiting?
Thank you
Alexei
Answer I have to admit, Redfish Lodge is an experience! I figure the Sawtooth National Recreational Area (SNRA) will soon be a national park like yellowstone. The lake is beautiful by itself, but with the sawtooths behind it, it's awesome! For scenery, I will have to concur with the opinion someone gave you. I suggest you stock up on "stuff" and groceries in Rexburg or Salmon - it will be more expensive in Stanley. There are a few other options for eating out in Stanley besides the lodge, but I'd still plan on picnics while there.
In Yellowstone, you could stay in Jackson on the way up depending on how far you want to travel the first day. It's a "cowboy town" with wooden sidewalks and stagecoach rides but still a tourist trap. For the budget minded, there's a motel6 and k-mart on the south end of town.
We usually stay in West Yellowstone because there are more places to stay and it's not as expensive. The road between W.Yellowstone and Madison Jct has some swans in their natural habitat and you'll see baby buffalo there too. We stay in the "Yellowstone Cabins" because of the rustic feel but have stayed at others too. You'll have the advantage of school not being out yet so better rates, more vacancies, and not as crowded. Some even have wifi if you need to catch up on internet stuff or do research on the area. There's also an IMAX theater and "grizzly experience" in W. Yellowstone if you like that kind of stuff. If you are near Mammoth around lunchtime, you could drop down into Gardiner to eat - cross over the river and head out a mile or so and there's the "Yellowstone Mine" on the left... it's pretty good. There's also a drive in you'll see on the way serving "buffalo" burgers. They are the size of a serving plate so you might consider half per person.
If you are in the Canyon area, there's a diner-type cafe in the gift store that's unique - we like to eat there.
This company is the "official vendor" for the park so they own all the lodging, restaurants and stores.
you'll see the rates and when they open. The end of May is a good time to go for another reason: all the babies! You'll not only see baby buffalo but elk too. There are yellow-bellied marmots that hang out around the boardwalk surrounding the Old-Faithful geyser...maybe you see some little one there too.
Gold Bug Hot Springs is about a 2 mile walk one way. It's nice enough that it's worth the walk. You'll pass by Sunbeam Hot Springs right on HWY 75 on the way to Stanley too. It's easy to visit - no hiking. You'll see other hot areas with steam along the Salmon River between Clayton and Stanley. There is a commercial hot springs on the east valley of Challis where they have two pools (one hot, one lukewarm) and dressing booths. The bottom is rock, so if you decide to stop in there bring some old shoes to wear... it makes it easier to navigate around the pool. I think it's a $9 fee.
For fuel prices, fill up in Rexburg. The next best place will be the Flying J coming down Hwy 93 when you get to the interstate between Boise and Pocatello.
If you think of any other topics or if I have'nt covered what you were looking for, PLEASE let me know.... I enjoy helping people with travel plans and would enjoy helping in any way possible.
Write again when you think of some other questions.... Sue
