This link should help: http://www.yellowstoneinsider.com/plans/touring/how-long-does-it-take-to-see-yellowstone.php
You will have to do the math to see which airport + rental car deal is the best.
Don't forget that Cody also has an airport.

There may be parts of the park that are closed due to snow in late May/early June, so they need to check before the trip.

Thanks! Just got off the phone with the lodging folks....Canyon/Dunraven opens on May 25th. We booked starting 31 May - 2 nights at Dunraven and 2 nights at Old Faithful Inn (got last 2 rooms for 2nd, 3rd as of now). Sound good so far?

That sounds great so far.

Lee Ann

We are going in a week - family of 4 two kids under 10. Here is our schedule - fly into Bozeman - drive to Red Lodge - 1 night - BTH into NE park entrance. Next 2 nights in a Frontier Cabin (private bath) at the Roosevelt Lodge. Plan to do the upper loop and maybe part of the lower loop over our stay there. Also doing the BBQ at the Roosevelt Lodge. Then 1 night at the Inn at OF w/dinner reservation the night we stay. Last night I booked a room in Big Sky to be within an hour of Bozeman. Plan to check out the Grizzly & Wolf Discovery Center while departing West Yellowstone. Not sure what trails we will do will do some reading on that while in the air. I will write a trip report when we return to let you know how we make out. Good luck with your plans.

Was in Yellowstone early last June and stayed in Lake Village Cabins. It was extremely comfortable and food was pretty good at the lodge. We spent 5 days in Yellowstone and 4 in Tetons. We did a mix of sight-seeing and hiking. One must do hike is the Lower Falls hike, 5 miles, moderate, amazing views of the canyon and the Lower Falls. In Tetons beware of snow on the trails, we did the Inspiration Point trail only to find it closed halfway because of snow cover. We stayed at the Colter Bay Village Cabins. You have to visit the Jackson Lodge, have the best bison burgers in the area, amazing sunset views, and perfect moose watching area. Bring warm clothing because we had lows in the upper 20s and highs near 50. A must do is bring a decent slr camera. If you do not have one ask to borrow one from your friends. That way you will cherish your memories. And bring a backpack or a camelbak. Have fun with the trip and good luck.

Thanks! I will look forward to your report when you get back, familythattravels - hope you have a wonderful trip!

dsham...appreciate the input, especially the hiking suggestions and weather/clothing tips. They do have an slr camera.

One more thing that I forgot to add yesterday is to definitely make sure that Dunraven Pass is open, last year at the time your friends are planning on going, it was closed and only opened the day we came June 10th, And tell them to not drive the East entrance if one of them is afraid of heights, especially going eastbound, Sylvan Pass had my head spinning looking down the cliff. Hope all this input is useful.

Hi fun4all4 - We spent 5 nights in/around Yellowstone last week. It was wonderful. We have young kids so are activity level is different but we did several trails. Also flew in through Bozeman, stayed one night in Red Lodge, Mt and drove the Beartooth Highway into the NE section of Yellowstone. Our first two nights in the park were at Roosevelt. I did post a trip report. Weather will really rule your itinerary - hope it goes in your favor.

Parts of the park didn't open until June 15. I think we were there in 2009 or 2008. We stayed at Old Faithful Inn, Roosevelt Cabins, and Lake Hotel. I would do it the same way again.
We stayed at Colter Village Cabins in the Tetons.

Late May could be early to go. It depends on snowfall/snowpack this winter.

I agree with Spiro about lodging choices in YNP, but I would choose Jackson Lake Lodge in the Tetons. The rooms are nicer than at Colter Bay. (I've stayed in both places.) Get a room with a view of the mountains. The view is ncredible. Also, there are better dining options at/near JLL. Would definitely pick lodging in GTNP over Jackson.

Thanks again for all your help so far. OK, so she is getting ready to book the flights and hotels outside the Parks. Plan is to fly to Bozeman, drive to Red Lodge and go to Canyon Lodge by way of the Beartooth on the 31st of May. IF the road is not open...would they then simply stay near Bozeman and drive to Canyon Lodge through the North entrance near Gardiner as it appears on the NPS website? Stay 2 nights Canyon, 2 nights OF, then 3 nights Jackson...rest of plan the same except for first night?

Do you have that much to do in Jackson?

Just making sure you know that Jackson and Jackson Hole are sortof two different places. Jackson is the town and the entire area is Jackson Hole-includes Tetons and even the airport. The airport is pretty much between Jackson and the what I would call the main entrance to the GT National Park.

Thanks, I think they were thinking to stop on the way from OFI on the "first" day for hiking or water activity, that leaves 2 full days. Then probably a day trip as well as a day to hang and shop and such...I think they liked the idea of a real "town" with some shops and restaurants after 4 nights in Yellowstone. Is that a mistake? We do know that J and JH are not the same. It seemed that Jackson Hole - where the resorts like FS are and seems to be mountain base area, was actually less well-located for driving around?? At least according to google maps directions. I'm listening...how would you do it? Especially if they are ready for a "nicer" non-national park lodge in a place with shops/restaurants?

And if anyone can still clarify or confirm that the alternative route from Bozeman to YNP if the Bear Tooth way from Red Lodge is still closed is through the North Entrance near Gardiner??

Thanks!!

I like your idea of 4 days in Yellowstone.

With 3 more days, I'd use 2 for Grand Teton and one for Jackson.

When we have visited the area (twice), we have stayed in Jackson for a night in between YNP and GTNP. It was nice for our kids to have TV, restaurants, and shopping in between lots of hiking and nature. However, I can't imagine giving up 2 nights in the Tetons for Jackson. Can't help you with the Bozeman question. Maybe you could contact the park. The Rangers are very helpful.

Where did you stay in the Tetons? Is it workable to stay in Jackson and take a day trip?
The NPS site makes it seem that that is the entry that is best. I think I'll also have her call.

I'd say it's possible to do GTNP as a day trip from Jackson, but note that it's about 40 miles from the town to (for example) Colter Bay Visitor Center. Not as close as one might guess, and no idea if traffic might be a problem or not in high season.

Here are your lodging choices.
Colter Village-tent cabins and regular cabins
Jackson Lake Lodge
Jenny Lake Lodge-super expensive and upscale(for a NP)
Signal Mnt.
Flagg Ranch

You can drive Chief Joseph iv Beartooth is closed.
If your going to drive Beartooth, why not fly into Billings?

You really can't have enough time in Yellowstone, IMOP.
I think one night in Jackson and one night in the Tetons would be enough.

Getting to Canyon Lodge in Late May might be a really really long way around to get to it. I just want to make sure that you know that roads are probably more likely to be closed than open. I would seriously doubt that Beartooth would be open, and I would expect some of the Yellowstone major roads to still be closed too.

If the Beartooth Hwy is closed, you can get in the park through Gardiner. You'd drive from Bzn to Livingston and then north to Gardiner. It's a pretty drive.

The other alternative is to drive from Bozeman to West Yellowstone. It's also a pretty drive. Both the West Yellowstone and Gardiner (N. Entrance) are closer to Bozeman than the Beartooth Hwy.

Thanks again!,

If the bear tooth is closed then drive to Livinston and head south through Paridise Valley. There is a great resort/restaurant/hot springs call Chico Hot Springs. It would be very easy to fly into Bozeman, drive to chico and stay for the night then head into the park. OR from Bozeman you can drive south through the Galletin Canyon (near big sky) and head toward West Yellowstone where you will enter the park. It is then a short distance to Canyon. Sixes as to time.

All of the roads in the park will be open but it is cool at night and you will see melting snow on the side of the continental divide passes. Lot and Lots of baby animals that time of year.

If you want more of a town and want to shop then I would stay in Jackson Hole and not at Teton Village. Jackson has many many hotel of all levels of comfort and cost.

You will have great access to GTNP from Jackson Hole and there is good white water rafting, dining and shopping.