Absolutely. It all will depend on how many photo/rest stops you take.

Assuming you go up the Beartooth Pass from Red Lodge, you'll enter YNP at Cooke City. From there you head through the Lamar Valley (lots of wildlife) to Tower. Head south from there to Canyon, up and over Dunraven Pass.

From Canyon, you could do one of two things, depending if you plan to come back up through the Park to Cody. If yes, then at Canyon go west towards Norris, then to Madison Jct and all the way to West Thumb, then south to GTNP and Moran Jct. The ride from West Thumb to Moran Jct will move quite a bit better than the other roads in YNP, hitting highway speeds once you clear the YNP boundary. This will be a long day but easily bearable, if you stop at Canyon (a view stop), Norris (at least walk the short loop), Mid Geyser Basin (quick, but impressive) and Old Faithful (also a quick walk). The riding will mostly be slow and low-stress, with plenty of chances to stop, stretch the legs, etc.

If no Cody, then from Canyon, go south through Hayden Valley to Fishing Bridge and along Yellowstone Lake to West Thumb.

Hope that helps.

 

Thanks Faber! We will do the west side one the way to Moran and east side the next day. Is there any must see's that you recomend? Less than 3 weeks now!!

 

On your putt through GTNP, keep an eye out for these guys :-)
http://missoulian.com/news/state-and...cc4c03286.html

 

Cool!! I will have my camera handy!

 

What do you like to do? Just ride and enjoy the photo ops? Some short hikes? Some fishing? Good eating? Trail riding?

There is some nice day hiking from Jenny Lake. You can do a trail ride from Jackson Lake Lodge. Great fishing on the Snake River! Good eating at any of the lodges in GTNP.

In YNP, the eating is not so good. Not good at all, really (all run by a Park Service-contracted concession service). West Thumb will be your first geyser basin. It's a small one but worth it, because you can see geothermal features under the surface of Yellowstone Lake. On the west side of YNP, be sure to stop at Old Faithful, Mid Geyser Basin, ride the Firehole Falls loop, Norris Geyser Basin (at least walk the short loop) and Mammoth Hot Springs. On the east side, spend a little time in the Lamar Valley (bring your binos) and look for the wolf packs there and over by Druid Peak. Good chance of seeing griz or black on the ride up to Dunraven Pass. Canyon is a great view/photo op. The Hayden Valley will have tons of bison. The Hayden Valley and the Lamar Valley will be your best chance to see otters. Remember: the key to wildlife watching is waiting. Good to find a nice spot, open a picnic lunch and just relax. You'll be surprised at what wanders by. Maybe even some German backpackers At Grant Village you can rent kayaks to go play on Yellowstone Lake.

You should read up a little on the geology of Yellowstone before going. Then, when you ride, say, Madison Jct to Norris, you'll know that you're riding on the caldera edge, what to look for, etc. Remember, Yellowstone is not incredible because it is in the mountains; it is incredible because it is a hole in the mountains. That's what's driving all those geothermal features. Also look out for the the 400' high "black walls" that were the edge of the lava flow from the last eruption, ~60,000 years ago, and teh basaltic columns around Canyon. You can also find some pre-Cambrian formations, too (pre-Cambrian = rock that was formed before there was life on earth--oldest stuff there is on the planet).

In Red Lodge, you'll find the best eating in the whole general Yellowstone area. Really can't go wrong there. Really can't! There is also a cool brewpub on the north edge of town. Red Lodge is one of my favorite weekend getaways. For a--ahem--"authentic" western/biker bar experience, try the Snow Creek Saloon. Never a dull moment at the Creek.

In Cody, the fun place to eat is the Irma. Maybe one of the more expensive places in what is still an inexpensive town, but it *was* Buffalo Bill Cody's place! it is a real piece of the Old West, well, or the first piece of the packaging of Old West for tourists (read about Buffalo Bill). Either way, it's the real deal and has a great atmosphere. Good bison steak and ribs there!! In Cody, go see the Nite Rodeo. If you've never been to a rodeo, you will love it. While it is a real pro rodeo (the guys are competing for points, money, and buckles), the whole evening is great to introduce tourists to rodeo. A lot of fun.

You are going to have a great time!

 

Thanks Faber! You are a host of info on the area and I appreciate it much!

 

+ 1 on doing the Badlands loop .... great photo ops ... great landscape