Rocky Mountains and Grand Teton Fall Adventure Sept 21th to 29th 2024 | Nashville Travel Photographer & Solo Female Travel

Rocky Mountains and Grand Teton Fall Adventure Sept 21^th to 29^th 2024

Beaver Meadows Visitor Center 40.36643406167106, -105.56106074083971

1.50 hours to Rocky Mountain National Park Trail Ridge Road – 40.440949, -105.755609

Bear Lake 40.311839145640356, -105.64519750750087

5pm Stanley Hotel Spirited Night Tour is a 60 minute walking tour that will take you through the
dark edges of the hotel.

Runza in Loveland open to 9pm

5.75 hours to hotel 75 North Bypass Road, Buffalo, WY

Sunday, September 22^nd

Leave hotel by 7am Willow Grove Cemetery, Buffalo
https://www.findagrave.com/memorial/7616569/nate-champion 44.334060, -106.702594

https://www.findagrave.com/memorial/7470/joe-shelby-lefors

1.5 to Little Bighorn Battlefield National Monument 45.57012404720117, -107.43048150942029

The temporary Visitor Center is located beside the restroom in the trailer at the main VC Parking Area. The bookstore and information desk are located inside and will be available during normal park hours

Entrance Gate: Open 8:00 A.M. – 4:30 P.M.

Visitor Center/Museum/Bookstore: 8:00 A.M. – 4:30 P.M.

Last Stand Hill/Indian Memorial: 8:00 A.M. – 4:30 P.M.

Custer National Cemetery: 8:00 A.M. – 4:30 P.M.

https://www.findagrave.com/cemetery/644034/famous-memorials?page=1#sr-180891001

https://www.findagrave.com/memorial/50416053/george-armstrong-custer 45.570365, -107.427391

Skip Bighorn Canyon National Recreation Area – Cal Taggart Visitor Center

Winter Hours: 8:30 AM – 4:30 PM; Monday through Saturday

Leave by 9:30 am 3.5 hours to Missouri Headwaters State Park

45.9262371349976, -111.50286924515329

1585 Trident Rd, Three Forks, MT 59752

Leave by 1:30pm 1.5 hours to Grant-Kohrs Ranch National Historic Site open 9-4:30

266 Warren Ln, Deer Lodge, MT 59722

Leave 3pm to 1.5 hours to Big Hole National Battlefield open 9-5

45.64094403084936, -113.64277969532462

16425 Highway 43 West

Wisdom, MT 59761

2.5 hours to Montana State Capitol

1301 E 6th Ave, Helena, MT 59601

Sunset is 7:24 in Helena

If time allows Forestvale Cemetery https://www.findagrave.com/memorial/103279997/fannie-elizabeth-steele

2 hours to hotel from Capitol

Monday. September 23rd

1 hour to Yellowstone National Park Gateway Garden 45.02959250338284, -110.70558290799028

Yellowstone National Park Passport Stamp Locations

Here are all the locations to find the Yellowstone National Park Passport Stamps. Not every stamp is available at every location.

Yellowstone National Park Passport locations

15 mins to Albright Visitor Center at Mammoth Hot Springs 9-5
9767177082038, -110.69834355269332
Tower Ranger Station 8-4:30 maybe tower falls next
91632163797955, -110.41992192260287
Canyon Visitor Education Center 8-6pm 734558548475924, -110.49151844145065

then Artist Point 44.719852179368104, -110.48012141977559

Fishing Bridge Visitor Center 8-6pm 56361427627833, -110.37739250260655
Lake Yellowstone Hotel Gift Shop (BONUS ONLY) 44.55008143890672, -110.399953348511
West Thumb Information Station Bookstore 9-5 44.41574167762233, -110.5733085423464
Grant Visitor Center 8-6pm 44.39320736675786, -110.55674247011252
Old Faithful Visitor Education Center 8-6pm 44.45819044422617, -110.82993874868858

Tuesday, September 24

Madison Information Station Bookstore 9-4:30 44.64266855650822, -110.86095714859074
Norris Information Station Bookstore 9-5 44.72614400439477, -110.70194819846817
West Yellowstone Visitor Information Center Chamber of Commerce 8-6pm
30 Yellowstone Avenue, West Yellowstone, MT 59758
Snake River Ranger Station South Entrance Station

John D. Rockefeller, Jr., Memorial Parkway passport stamp

Headwaters Lodge at Flagg Ranch 44.107212764868315, -110.66737177045526

The three locations that now have this same stamp are here at the Moose entrance, at the Colter Bay Visitor Center, and at the new Laurance S. Rockefeller Reserve just north of Teton Village and the Park South entrance.

Colter Bay Visitor Center 8-5 43.90347565142022, -110.64354259136213

Jenny Lake Visitor Center 43.75122833426511, -110.72275266923569 likely closed by sept 12th

Craig Thomas Discovery and Visitor Center 8-5 (main visitor center)

43.654205169765966, -110.71780829564045

1 Teton Park Rd, Moose, WY 83012

Dornan’s Chuckwagon 12170 Dornans Rd, Moose, WY 83012
Open Daily Breakfast: 8am – 11am

Lunch and Dinner: Noon – 7:30pm

Laurance S. Rockefeller Preserve Center 9-5 43.626722467056574, -110.77343897919795

National Elk Refuge & Greater Yellowstone Visitor Center 9-5

532 N Cache St
Jackson, WY 83001

the six agencies that operate from the visitor center are the Bridger-Teton National Forest, Grand Teton Association, Grand Teton National Park, National Elk Refuge, Jackson Hole Chamber of Commerce, and Wyoming Game & Fish.

Mormon Row Barns, Schwabacher Landing, Snake River Overlook, and Oxbow Bend.

Oxbow Bend: This is one of the “Big Four” locations in the park for viewing any time of the year, but especially so in the fall. Peak can start in the last week of September and last into the first full week in October. There is a long stand of aspens along the West corner of the “bend” with Mt. Moran protruding from the horizon in the background. Typically, the yellows start at the south end and then work gradually to the north, but some years, it just goes off all at the same time. On calm mornings, you can get mirror reflections. If you are lucky, you can get snow on the peaks, orange and yellows in the trees, a perfect reflection, a few ducks, loons or waterfowl, and some perfectly lit cloud formations. It usually happens once each season! Go early in the morning.

Schwabacher Landing: This is the third of the “Big Four”.

Up the Gros Ventre: Take the Gros Ventre road out towards Slide Lake and beyond. There are lots of aspens stands along the way. Most of the drive will feel more like the red rock ranges of Utah and New Mexico than the Tetons. You won’t get that many looks back at the Tetons, but the variety is worth the trip in the fall.

Up the Buffalo River: This little drive is also outside the actual park. Go out the east side of the park at Moran Junction and take the Buffalo River Road a few miles to the east. There can be good sunrises there, looking at the sun and getting reflections in the river. Aspen stands line the road. You can continue on and come back out on the highway heading to Togwotee Pass. Shots here will be less of the grand vistas and more of stands of aspens and the smaller picture.

Wednesday, September 25^th

1 hour to Mormon Row 43.661257501713585, -110.66424658590266

Shadow Mountain: Shadow Mountain runs parallel with the highway on the eastern side of the valley floor. The mountain itself is outside the Park boundaries, but it still provides great views looking back West. I go there most often in the mornings. There are two forest service access points along the East Boundary Road. Check the maps for specifics. This is also a good area for Spring wildflowers. The road is a bit rough, but still passable in a passenger vehicle during the summer and fall.

3.5 hours to Craters of the Moon National Monument & Preserve 9:40pm

43.461838095845316, -113.56201602547524

1.5 hours Hagerman Fossil Beds National Monument Visitor Center 9-5

42.83178376567522, -114.89190096785853

17970 U.S. Hwy 30
Hagerman, ID 83332

50 mins to Minidoka National Historic Site

42.678753268685576, -114.24400783158617

1428 Hunt Rd, Jerome, ID 83338

The visitor center is open on Fridays, Saturdays, and Sundays from 10 am to 5 pm.

If the visitor center is not open during your visit, please check the After Hours Box for brochures and the passport stamp. The historic site grounds are open year-round for self-guided walking tours.

30 mins to Shoshone Falls Park 42.59362480447763, -114.40173907696874

Sunset Memorial Park 2296 Kimberly Rd, Twin Falls, ID 83301

Anna Shaw Pinehurst Gardens, Lot 441

Known as Lyda Anna Mae Trueblood, The Black Widow, Lady Bluebeard, and America’s first female serial killer.

City of Rocks National Reserve Visitor Center 8-4:30

42.091209633831554, -113.63256504468842

3035 S Elba Almo Rd, Almo, ID 83312

3.25 hours Maybe to Idaho State Capitol Building, 700 W Jefferson St, Boise, ID 83702

Thursday, September 26^th

1.75 hours Golden Spike National Historical Park 6200 North 22300th Street West, Corinne, UT 84307

41.617093, -112.550766 open 9-5pm

Utah State Capitol

350 State St, Salt Lake City, UT 84103

https://www.findagrave.com/memorial/10550322/lilly_edith-gray

Maybe fly drone 40.771950161215365, -111.89487261928258

The headquarters for Find a Grave is located at 1300 W Traverse Parkway, Lehi, UT 84043

American Fork Cemetery

https://www.findagrave.com/memorial/1769/harvey-fletcher 40.390480, -111.798409

Wasatch Lawn Memorial Park

https://www.findagrave.com/memorial/32269407/caylee_marie-anthony 40.698512, -111.842508

https://www.findagrave.com/memorial/3659/david-cannon-evans

https://www.findagrave.com/cemetery/77494/famous-memorials?page=1#sr-3659

https://www.findagrave.com/memorial/6953556/herbert-earl-jepko

Ogden City Cemetery

https://www.findagrave.com/memorial/1679/john-moses-browning

Timpanogos Cave National Monument 7:00 AM–5:30 PM

40.44383024579428, -111.70525402237475

2038 E Alpine Lp Rd, American Fork, UT 84003

3.5 hours to Arches National Park Visitor Center 8-5

38.61637001330108, -109.62047824206643

45 mins to Canyonlands National Park

Island in the Sky Visitor Center 8-5

38.45982587389361, -109.82068459773814

Mesa Arch for sunrise?

2 hours to Saddlehorn Visitor Center 9-5

39.101026052942004, -108.7347358209285

1750 Rimrock Dr, Fruita, CO 81521

Hans Flat Ranger Station 8-2

2282 Resource Blvd
Moab, UT 84532

Maybe 2 hours north to Dinosaur Nat’l Monument Canyon Visitor Center

The Canyon Visitor Center is open daily (except for Tuesdays and Wednesdays)

2 hours from Colorado National Monument Black Canyon of the Gunnison National Park South Rim Visitor Center 8-5

38.554831713031284, -107.6865850386456

Curecanti National Recreation Area

102 Elk Creek
Gunnison, CO 81230

38.46663225828409, -107.16640767842799

TuesdayClosed

WednesdayClosed

Thursday8:00 AM–5:00 PM

Friday8:00 AM–5:00 PM

Saturday8:00 AM–5:00 PM

If near Montrose

https://www.findagrave.com/memorial/79234437/charles-franklin-hafley

if near Crawford

https://www.findagrave.com/memorial/140345547/joe-cocker

USFS hut halfway up the road is unmanned before 5 AM and the road is not gated or blocked.

Maroon Bells Scenic Area

39.09859969719743, -106.94040305579233

Friday, September 27^th

Sunrise 7:01 for Maroon Bells, leave car by 6am for this spot to photograph sunrise 39.09815907983015, -106.9431462656958

Walk to lake bride and Crater Lake

Independence Pass 39.108520, -106.564384

38.86229894293494, -107.09679072567641

38.850003974370374, -107.10027678068745

Take million dollar highway (US550) to Telluride 37.91492073282667, -107.70113757758789

Middle and Wilson Peak, Telluride, Colorado

Wilson Mesa below Wilson Peak

Owl Creek Pass, Colorado 81432

Kebler Pass near Crested ButteDrive through one of the largest aspen groves in North America.

San Juan Mountains Scenic View

38.09925428879692, -107.87145502552957

323 CO-62, Ridgway, CO 81432

Last Dollar Road A sweeping view of Wilson Peak and Wilson Mesa and its many aspen groves, as seen from Last Dollar Mountain

overlook views 37.896862646913036, -107.8904190171324

Sunshine Mountain Scenic Overview 37.881065670661414, -107.8877796452445

Trout Lake 37.82923152629822, -107.88752895325388

1.25 hours to Mesa Verde National Park

Mesa Verde Visitor and Research Center 8:30-4pm

35853 Rd H.5, Mancos, CO 81328
37.336353, -108.408016

Cliff Palace Overlook

Mesa Verde National Park, CO 81330

37.167744, -108.473105

Chapin Mesa Museum at Mesa Verde National Park. Has the cancellation stamp for Yucca House NM as well 1 Mesa verde, Mesa Verde National Park, CO 81330 10-4:30

https://www.nps.gov/meve/planyourvisit/cliff_dwelling_tours.htm

1.75 hours Hovenweep National Monument Visitor Center 37.38614715476501, -109.07563458095161

Sunday9:00 AM–4:00 PM
Monday9:00 AM–4:00 PM
TuesdayClosed
WednesdayClosed
Thursday9:00 AM–4:00 PM
Friday9:00 AM–4:00 PM
Saturday9:00 AM–4:00 PM

1 hour to Four Corners Monument 36.998605, -109.044902

Please remember that the Navajo Nation is on Mountain Daylight Savings Time between March and November. During this time, the Navajo Nation is one hour ahead of the rest of Arizona (if it’s 8 am in Arizona, it’s 9 am in the park).

Four Corners Monument 36.998531, -109.044846 – get Navajo welcome sign

597 NM-597, Teec Nos Pos, AZ 86514

https://navajonationparks.org/tribal-parks/four-corners-monument/ Monday thru Sunday: 8:00 am – 5:45 pm August 20 to September 30

You have reserved the 8:15 AM shuttle departure on 09 / 29 / 2024.

Plan to arrive at the Maroon Bells Shuttle, located at Aspen Highlands Plaza, 30 minutes prior to your shuttle departure. This will allow for time to find parking, check in and obtain your boarding pass in the lobby. If you are planning to arrive at Aspen Highlands via RFTA bus, make sure you catch an early enough bus to get you to Aspen Highlands Plaza well ahead of your Maroon Bells shuttle departure time.

Garden of the Gods

Pikes Peak 38.840358, -105.042933 open summit closes at 6pm

Uphill gates open at 7:30 am and downhill gate closes at 7pm

Timed entry

Leave by 4pm for Den airport Evergreen Cemetery, Colorado Springs

https://www.findagrave.com/memorial/34465960/harry-james-cocks

https://www.findagrave.com/memorial/17811335/daniel-w-butts

https://www.findagrave.com/memorial/17808688/eva-mae-butts

https://www.findagrave.com/memorial/13415338/adolf-s-dick

https://www.findagrave.com/memorial/34642582/alva-conway-dick

Bishop Castle 12705 CO-165, Rye, CO 81069

open 9-6pm https://www.bishopcastle.org/