Yellowstone Park advice

Liz and i have started planning our road trip to Yellowstone and Grand Teton in early May 2018. We are intending to spend several days in Gardiner, several more in Jackson and finishing up in West Yellowstone for a few more staying in hotels and day tripping around the parks. We then intend to visit Glacier Park for a couple of days on the way home.

Does any one have any advice, suggestions or guidance that may enable us to get the most out of our time there? We would also like to know of any ideal spots for sunrise/sunset photography.

[MENTION=11881]Moab Man[/MENTION] have you been to Yellowstone? @wtlwdwgn has a number of images on here from Yellowstone. Look through some of his posts:

https://nikonites.com/search.php?searchid=5733504#axzz4qrrMjclL

Thanks Cindy.

Yes, I have been to Yellowstone many times. The crowds can be insane! Best time is during the middle of the week, avoid holidays, and go before school is out. Small vehicles work best for trying to find the very limited parking but you drive what you have.

Some roads are still closed in May. Here is the projection for 2018
[h=2]2018 Spring Opening Dates[/h]Conditions permitting, roads will open at 8:00 am on the following dates:

• April 20: West Entrance to Madison, Mammoth to Old Faithful, Norris to Canyon.
• May 4: East Entrance to Lake (Sylvan Pass), Canyon Junction to Lake.
• May 11: South Entrance to West Thumb, Lake to West Thumb, West Thumb to Old Faithful (Craig Pass), Tower Junction to Tower Fall.
• May 25: Tower Fall to Canyon Junction (Dunraven Pass)
• May 25: Beartooth Highway

Have a circular polarizer, lens with a lot of zoom, really wide lens, monopod, and a tripod. If able, go into live mode before triggering the shutter in the lower light slower shutter speeds on the long lens.

Patience patience patience. Lost of stupidity will be on display. Groups walking where they are not supposed to and getting too close to the animals.

Did I mention a really long lens?

Food is terribly expensive in the park and often not worth half. Lines can be incredibly long and slow. Try to eat at off times and just bring food. We always eat one meal a day somewhere and the other meals from what we bring.

I don't have any places to recommend, just know that wherever you are there always seems to be people.