Yellowstone Entrance

[BIGNASTY]

Have some people from another site that are going to meet in Yellowstone National Park this summer they will be coming in from different directions to the park. Some are not quite sure about hills with their rigs. I have never been in the West or East entrance of the park we always came in from Calif and spent a few days in Jackson Hole Wy and then went into the park, and sense being in MT we have gone in from Gardiner MT. Are the East and West entrances any problems with grades for these people and their rigs? We will be meeting and staying at the Bridge Bay Campground within the park.



Thanks

BIG

 

[mfurrh55]

Been in and out both, they are not a problem, Monte

 

[Jim W]

Big,

I have used the east entrance coming out of Cody WY and heading into the park. I have seen some pull a camper through this entrance but I would not want to pull my 5er using this entrance. Some of the curves are rather sharp and steep; you will also need to go into the other lane with a long 5er to round the curve. In fact I am not sure a 35ft/3 slides 5er would fit in some of the campgrounds; could be wrong.

I did talk to one of my neighbors who were park next to me at the campground where we stayed; the week we were in WY. He stated that he un-hooked the car and his wife drove the car and he drove the camper out through the east entrance with his 30+ FT motor home coming from the Grand Tetons entrance. He could not find a site in any of the campgrounds in the park.

You may know this already but if anyone in the car pulling the camper is over 62 you can get a senior pass to all national parks good for half off or free admission depending on the cost per visit.

Jim W.

 

[BIGNASTY]

Big,

I have used the east entrance coming out of Cody WY and heading into the park. I have seen some pull a camper through this entrance but I would not want to pull my 5er using this entrance. Some of the curves are rather sharp and steep; you will also need to go into the other lane with a long 5er to round the curve. In fact I am not sure a 35ft/3 slides 5er would fit in some of the campgrounds; could be wrong.

I did talk to one of my neighbors who were park next to me at the campground where we stayed; the week we were in WY. He stated that he un-hooked the car and his wife drove the car and he drove the camper out through the east entrance with his 30+ FT motor home coming from the Grand Tetons entrance. He could not find a site in any of the campgrounds in the park.

You may know this already but if anyone in the car pulling the camper is over 62 you can get a senior pass to all national parks good for half off or free admission depending on the cost per visit.

Jim W.

Monte/Jim

Thanks for the views

We have made reservations in Bridge Bay campground for all that are going, some of us have made them for sites that can accommodate a 40ft trailer and tow vehicle in line or the same size side by side. Most of the folks dont need any that long and have made their reservations for other spots.

Jim Im not quite old enough for the pass and as good as that will be, I think that I will hold off as long as I can to get the pass the Doctor said just the other day that I have a 20 year old disposition in a 40 year old body but being 60 years old he didnt know how much longer that would hold true I GUESS YOU CANT STAY 20 FOR EVER!!!! We do have a pass to all the National Parks for free admission we go to Glacier National Park so much because its literally right up the road from us that we buy a yearly pass which includes ALL parks. I dont know if we save money doing it but if it helps out our Parks System we're for it.

Thanks again for the info

BIG/Penny

 

[Grizzly]

BIG, my wife and I have been to Jackson Hole and Yellowstone, Grand Tetons and Glacier NP's a few times. No problems with the South, West and East Entrance. Never been through the East Entrance. We have always stayed at Fishing Bridge Campground. How does that compare to Bridge Bay?



We're thinking about going there in mid June and then maybe into Banff NP, Canada.



grizz

 

[BIGNASTY]

BIG, my wife and I have been to Jackson Hole and Yellowstone, Grand Tetons and Glacier NP's a few times. No problems with the South, West and East Entrance. Never been through the East Entrance. We have always stayed at Fishing Bridge Campground. How does that compare to Bridge Bay?



We're thinking about going there in mid June and then maybe into Banff NP, Canada.



grizz

Grizz



Fishing Bridge has FULL HOOK-UP'S and Bridge Bay doesn't Fishing Bridge is like camping in a Wal Mart parking lot its side by side with little or no room for privacy. Some of the spots are corner to corner thats how close they are. Bridge Bay has both kinds of spots NO HOOK-UP'S at all but it has turn out, pull thru, and back in spots and some in the trees and some not, it has water at various points around the camp and has a waste dump station in the campground. We take our Yamaha Gen and run it when needed they have times that it can be ran but as quiet as it runs nobody even knows it running.



The thing about camping in the National Parks that we have been to is we are not there for the camping!!! WE ARE THERE FOR THE SITES so camping in the most pristine camp is not a priority to us we have a campfire and a sing along (and have quite a few fellow campers come and join in) we eat take showers and SLEEP other than that we are OUT ALL DAY LONG seeing the sites and exploring the park



We have been to Banff NP ( I think they call them Provincial Parks) ITS FANTASTIC Grizz we one time stayed in Banff and two other times stayed in Lake Louise (I can get the campground name for you) We prefer Lake Louise it's not that far apart anyway but the campground and staff are SOME OF THE BEST AND MOST KNOWABLEABLE that we have encountered ANY PLACE. The lake Louise campground we stayed at had full hookups one time we went for a cross-country ski tour and the campground had HOT WATER at your site. Its a FANTASTIC PLACE to visit. make sure you have your hiking legs with you, if not you miss allot of the park that is MAGNIFICENT. If you need info I can send it to you but Canada has REAL nice web sites on the parks.



BIG

 

[BIGNASTY]

Here ya go Grizz to me a bit to find it We stayed at Lake Louise Trailer Campground but as you can see there are many many to choose from.




http://www.banffnationalpark.com/campgrounds/lake-louise-campground.html

 

[EricBu12]

Hey guys. . I stayed here last time I went. . in the town of west Yellowstone. . literally outside the gate of the west side. . nice open full hookup place. . not too hard of a road to the town. 1 sorta steep grade but on a open highway.
http://www.grizzlyrv.com/

 

[BIGNASTY]

Hey guys. . I stayed here last time I went. . in the town of west Yellowstone. . literally outside the gate of the west side. . nice open full hookup place. . not too hard of a road to the town. 1 sorta steep grade but on a open highway.

http://www.grizzlyrv.com/

Eric we were going to use that RV park one time ( I think it was the one but wife says not) but anyway had an problem at home and we didnt go. The thing that the group, that are going this summer liked about Bridge Bay is that it's pretty centrally located within the park, the price of fuel and time traveled was a consideration to all in the group. This map doesn't show Bridge Bay Campground but the arrow is the approximate area. Grizz if you call the Park you can get info on road construction within the park ITS ALWAYS GOING ON in the summer and may help you make a choice in camping TRAFFIC and ANIMAL jams are common in National Parks

 

[Newt]

We were at Yellowstone in 2010. We went through every entrance except the East one. The North East entrance, Bear Tooth Hwy, would be interesting pulling a good size 5th wheel.

Newt

 

[jelag]

I've been to Yellowstone 15-20 times over the years... I agree with Jim, I'd never again drive from Cody to the East entrance... its those tight curves... some were switch backs... even on the goldwing my wife wasn't comfortable... .



I've also been un and down the 8-10 grade in/out of Grand Teton heading I think West... . we went down that grade with the truck in 2nd and 3rd... . with the exhaust brake and only used the service brake in the 15 MPH corners...



We enjoy both the West and North entrances. . AND, AND we found a nice forest service camp ground north of the WEST ENTRANCE... about 6-8 miles north. . if your there at the right time in the morning you can get a nice spot with POWER, pit toilets and good water... . all the sights are dry sights with something like 15-20 with power... we were there 10 days and each day we saw one to 3 of the powered sights open up... . usually in the mid-morning... we have the senior pass and we think even with a dry sight this is nicest for the price... . the west entrance is almost fair traded from the private RV parks... . $35-45 a night plus and up charge in some of them for a 50 amp service...



If you've not been to this park... I personally think its a week to 10 days to do it right..... we spent 2 days watching a group of Grizzly's, wolves, eagles, vultures etc devour a bison... we watched with our 60 power spotting scope. .



I could write pages on this but will stop at this point... . hope this helps.



I just read part of your post about using Bridge Bay... there's also a RV part inside the West entrance. . I'm guessing that if you don't have reservations now you won't get the time you want. . we found that if you didn't plan 5 to 6 months early time in the park RV parks are spoken for... . One last thought... these RV campgrounds in the park are ran by a private contractor so the 1/2 camping on the senior pass is not valid. . something I personally think is wrong... .

 

[BIGNASTY]

Newt/Jelag

Thanks for your view it helps out immensely

BIG

 

[Shadrach]

Some day I would like to visit Jellystone. Gardiner is about 12 South of me. I have been to Banff many times. It was Canada's first National Park. The hot springs at Banff were discovered by some railway employees when the RR was going thru to BC. It's about 4 hours from where I live. My first time there was in the late sixties. For me the town is now too commercial but all you have to do is travel just outside and the tourists are less. Lake Louise is nice as well. I prefer Jasper National Park, about 3. 5 hours West of me, and the same North of Banff. I prefer to camp in the trees and have some space and privacy. Shad

 

[Grizzly]

Here ya go Grizz to me a bit to find it We stayed at Lake Louise Trailer Campground but as you can see there are many many to choose from.









http://www.banffnationalpark.com/campgrounds/lake-louise-campground.html

Thanks BIG. That's good information on Banff and Yellowstone. If we go to Yellowstone, I'll try for Bridge Bay.



The last time we were in Banff was in 2006. We stayed at Tunnel Mountain Campground, which was like a Wal-Mart parking lot, but like you said, we only wanted to eat, sleep and shower. We spend lots of time in Lake Louise and Moraine Lake. We enjoyed every minute of our stay. We also enjoyed Jasper Park a little north of Banff. From there we went on to Alaska



While in Jackson Hole we stayed at an RV Park just inside of the Grand Tetons. Had no hook-ups, which was okay since we had our on-board generator in our Lance truck camper.



grizz

 

[Roscoe14]

I have been in and out of all entrances except the south entrance. 30ft Cougar behind my 04. 5 Cummins, no problems making corners, the going is always slow anyways with all the looky-loo's stopping in the middle of the road for pictures. Grades?... ... . well you do cross the continental divide in the park. Most folks dont realize that Yellowstone Park is at the 8000 ft level. Bridge Bay Campground has plenty of room for the larger rigs. My favorite is Madison, but spots are limited for the larger rigs and you have to reserve early. Have fun!



Saw the interest in Banff National Park! Check this outstanding website for info on all Alberta parks: www.albertawow.com

(and see if you can flick that pesky bug off the screen)

 

[Hoefler]

In 09, we pulled our 40' fifth wheel in the east entrance from Cody. They had the road tore up for 22 miles of it. It was interesting to say the least. Had the 08 back then, pulled well and had no real problems other than the road and the slow crawl up the Big Horn, ( 3-8 mph due to being so rough ). Coming down the west side was unbelievable if you have never been in that area before!! Locked the transmission in 3rd and let the exhaust brake do all the work and never touched the service brakes.

 

[jeepit]

We should get a group together and meet out there!

 

[Grizzly]

We should get a group together and meet out there!

I like the way you think. Great idea. Count me in.



george

 

[jelag]

We're 506 miles from the west entrance... Well not now... were volunteers at ODFW (Oregon Department Fish Wildlife) at their Klamath Falls Wildlife Refuge... but were 506 miles when we're home in WA... I'd go back for another 7-10 days... someone throw out some dates...

 

[Grizzly]

We're 506 miles from the west entrance... Well not now... were volunteers at ODFW (Oregon Department Fish Wildlife) at their Klamath Falls Wildlife Refuge... but were 506 miles when we're home in WA... I'd go back for another 7-10 days... someone throw out some dates...

A trip to Yellowstone in mid June is still in the thinking stage, which depends on many factors. If we do go to Yellowstone, we will for sure go to Glacier NP and maybe Banff. I'll send you an e-mail to explain our options.



george