Planning for The Grand Teton/Yellowstone Trip

[RUSSELL5000]

I have been gaining some experience towing the camper now - and appreciate the responses to my thread which helped me in setting everything up.



I have also been following some threads where some members are going/or have gone to Yellowstone.



We are planning for a trip next summer (2014) to Grand Teton and Yellowstone. The rough beginnings of the plan go like this:



(1) We will leave Erie, PA on or around the middle of June (after school stuff is all done). The idea is to travel out, spend three to four weeks in Grand Teton/Yellowstone, travel down south into northern New Mexico for a week, and then travel home.



(2) The basic idea is to head west through Ohio, Indiania, Illinois, through Iowa and up into South Dakota - from there into Wyoming. We have already decided that a vist to Mount Rushmore and Devil's Tower are in order.



(3) Once done with the visit to Devil's Tower, the idea is to head to Grand Teton - east on I-90, down I-25, east on US 20/26, and then on US 287 into Jackson, WY.



(4) The entrance into Yellowstone would be through the south entrance.





I have picked this approach because of some comments regarding the east entrance to Yellowstone. I have never been on that road ( US 16/20 ) but a few postings said challenging. I have driven into Jackson, WY on US 287 - but that is now almost twenty years ago. My wife and I drove there when we were newly married and long before we had children. I recall it clearly because I talked my wife out of going to the beach and going to Grand Teton instead. While we were driving over the mountains it started snowing like crazy (on June 30th) - she was none too pleased with me! I don't remember what that road is actually like - although I should, as I told her I had to study the road real careful and not discuss the brialliance of going to the mountains rather than the beach right at that moment :-laf :-laf.



I am seeking input on ease of approach: - east entrance to Yellowstone or over the mountain and down into Jackson from the east?



I am also seeking input on the Indiana/Illinois/Iowa portion - are there things along I-90/I-39 which are really worth seeing? I have never been that way.





Thanks much!

 

[jelag]

At one time or another I've been through each of the entrances to the parks. . I really enjoy the parks in the spring before school is out... . its very quiet and the animals are giving birth for the next generation... . If you plan to spend time in the camp grounds in the park its time now to consider those reservations... we stay out of Yellowstone, out the west entrance and up north about 4 or 5 miles in a forest service campground with power...

We stay in any of the Forest Service camp grounds in Grand Tetons... . I don't understand about your time in the parks... . you can do both parks in 7-10 days very easily... . I'd be happy to answer any specific questions you might have... .

 

[BIGNASTY]

Russell

I saw your post yesterday and wanted to wait until I had some facts back from some people that used BOTH of the East entrances to the park JUST LAST WEEK.

We are in Yellowstone NOW and like you we like to spend time in a National Park when we go, we are staying for 3 weeks (a week and a half left) The reason I will give for staying in the park as long as we do is that both, well all of us are into the Geological Features of the park and the Thermal Features also, If we wanted to go for the forest I think that where we live is far better for that!! so why leave home? The people that came to the park to take vacation with us came from KY and a few from WI. The East entrance was said to be a piece of cake by almost everyone that used it Hwy 20 ( people think different what can you say) The North East entrance was said to be a little harder on the truck there was a pass of 8k+ feet that had a couple from WI a little more than scared. I don't know what kind of truck your driving but they had Gas rigs and I could see that at least 1 of them would be scared, I would have just getting into their truck.



The thing that I want to say to you is that in the Park there is ALWAYS construction going on, and the delay can be BIG TIME. Right now they are rebuilding the Grand loop road Just south of Tower-Roosevelt and North of Tower Fall and Tower Fall campground, they said that it will be done this year but when we went we got in the delay and were talking to a construction Foreman about the amount of work and even he said that HE DONT THINK ITS GOING TO HAPPEN THIS YEAR. So you might want to take a look at that as far as where you want to visit and how your going to get there. You can come in the NE entrance and head West to the Mammoth Hot Springs area and have no problems getting there, the road was a little tight in spots and kind of steep in spots but with prudent driving and use of the turnouts ITS NOT A PROBLEM.



We came in from the North Entrance because we live in MT, the road to the park in not a problem, at Mammoth Hot Springs the road south heading to Norris is steep and tight/winding for a short distance and from there to Norris the road is in need of some work, rough but VERY PASSABLE. (If your going to camp in the area take a look at Indian Creek campground we drove thru it and it looks to be a very nice campground, you didn't say the size of the camper or trailer you have but there were some pretty big motor homes and 5th wheels in that camp.



We stayed until a few days ago in Bridge Bay campground because of its central local and the availability of group campgrounds for our group, a really nice campground clean, quiet JUST A NICE PLACE!!! We are in Canyon Campground now and its a VERY VERY NICE place. The reason for the change is that 1 you can only stay for 14 nights in a spot (supposedly in the park but I made half the reservations and Penny made the other half so they don't know) 2 we like to spend time at all the spots in the park if you stay in one spot like our fellow campers did they saw the park in 7 days but REALLY DIDNT SEE THE PARK as we like to see it, the drives are VERY long from point to point and with Buffalo Jams and People just being People, times are EXTRA LONG AT TIMES. We are going to stay here for another few nights and then move to Coulter Bay Campground Grand Teton Nat Park, im not real happy with the choice of campgrounds but when your driving a 40ft motor home YOU CANT BE PICKEY sometimes, it will be nice to have hookups because Tetons are all about Hiking and sweating A LOT, so full showers and not conserving water will be nice.



Just a fact for you, the National Park has VERY good info on what's going on in their park. I do the planning of our trips and the wife says I PLAN EVERYTHING TO DEATH, That's just the way im built what can I say? Stay in touch with the Rangers, I did and over the year of planning our trip for 45 people I built a relationship with the Ranger that I stayed in touch with, she sent me road info up dates on EVERYTHING and she did it on her own time. We are going to a Cowboy Bar/Dinner hall this evening in Jackson Hole and taking her and her boy friend with us as a Pay Back she has attended all of our campfire sing a long's when we were at Bridge bay. A very nice gal that went WAY BEYOND what she had to, that's hard to find these days.



Just a little warning the Buff in the picture was in our campsite at Bridge Bay, Penny said NOW WHAT DO WE DO? I told her he looks happy just let him be!!! but we need to set up our camp!!! WELL THEN YOU GO MOVE HIM!!!! CAUSE HE'S LOOKS PRETTY TOUGH TO ME



The Teton pic is going to be fun we went down as a group one day and had a Birthday Party for my SIL a good gal to have on a campout SHE CAN COOK OH SO GOOD. Oo.



Hope it all works out for ya if you need any info I can help ya with let me know



BIG

 

[Tractorat]

Dont know how big your camper is. But I cant even tell you how many times I've been across I-90 pullng my 4klb 19ft TT. Unless you're pulling something huge, I wouldn't be afraid of it at all. I've seen some pretty big rigs going in thru the north entrance. But like Bignasty says, the road is pretty curvy heading south to Norris.

 

[RUSSELL5000]

Jim, Big, and Tractorat: thanks for the replies.



The details on my truck and camper are below - I have worked through this with input here on the forum - I think I am set up quite well.



My initial, biggest question is route in. It sounds like coming in the east entrance (through Cody, WY) is a feasible way to go. I will get to work on educating myslef on campgrounds.



I have been to Yellowstone/Grand Teton four times. I was there the year of the really big fire (1989?) and again several years later - I hiked through burn areas and looked at the sprouting trees. I am anxious to see how tall they are now - it has been over 15 years since I have been there. We really enjoy the land and wildlife - and if you are coming 1,800 miles may as well enjoy it for a while. I won't be able to stay that long, but my wife and sons should be able to get a good three weeks.



Big, my recollection of every trip I made in the past is that the roads were torn up and work underway all over the place, so I can readily appreciate your comments in that regard. I am sure you are correct and that the situation will be the same next year. I'll be following your thread. I hope you get to see a wolf.



I am sure I'll be generating questions as I work through this.



Here is the rig set-up:



Truck:



2012 2500 CC 4WD ST Trim

3. 73 rear axle ratio

TransForce AT LT265/70R17 load range E tires

tire weight rating = 3,200

MaxBrake trailer brake controller

PML 68RFE Deep Transmission Pan: +4 quarts

BD Steering Box Stabilizer

Big Wig Rear Anti-Sway Bar



Camper Trailer:



1995 Jayco Eagle Series 304 BH

GVWR = 7,800 tandem axle

equalizer double eye spring suspension; equalizer

three leaves in leaf springs

axle weight rating = 6,000

12 inch brake drum; electric brakes

Firestone TransForce HT LT225/75R16 load range E tires

tire weight rating = 2,700

Equal-I-Zer Weight Distributing w/ Anti-Sway Hitch: 12,000

 

[Tractorat]

Its been years and years since Ive gone that way. And maybe there is a dfferent route thru Cody that what Ive take. But Ive been out of the east entrance and headed to Cody several times. I remember along the way there was a very steep hill that climbed quite a bit of altitute with many many switchbacks. The fastest I could go up was about 35mph if I remember correctly. If you are taking that same route in from the east, it could conceivably be pretty interesting.
Any know which grade Im talking about ?

 

[RUSSELL5000]

I have been working on this sporadically and I believe I have now planned out the first half of the trip: the path will go west from Erie, PA moving along the interstates (I90/I80 across Pennsylvania, Ohio, Indiana, Illinois, and Iowa; north up I29; then I90 across South Dakota). This first phase will be pretty much just traveling.



The idea is to spend two or three days in the Black Hills/Mount Rushmore area, a couple of days around Devil's Tower, and maybe a day by Sheridan, WY to take a drive up into the Big Horn mountain range to look for wild horses.



Another travel day across Montana on I90 until Livingston, MT. From there, south on US89, ending in Gardiner, MT, right outside the north entrance to Yellowstone.



Rocky Mountain RV Park & Lodging in Gardiner, MT will be the base for four days where the focus will be on Mammoth Hot Springs, the Lamar Valley, and a drive out the northeast entrance and up the Beartooth Highway (without the trailer - a day trip).



Yellowstone Grizzly RV Park in West Yellowstone, MT will be the base for three days where the focus will be on the geysers and thermal features.



Fishing Bridge RV Park in Yellowstone itself will be the base for five days where the focus will be on the remainder of the park not yet seen.



The next step will be a move down to Colter Bay Village RV Park in Grand Teton National Park for ten nights.



Thanks for those of you that provided input - I followed up on things and this all seems to work so far. Please let me know if you seen anything that you'd avoid or something I have left out that you would make sure you saw.







Here is the part I am still tryong to work out:



Movement from Jackson, WY to Grand Junction, CO. My initial thought is to take US189/US191 south out of Jackson, WY. The idea is to stay on US191 down to Vernal, UT. Does anyone know what the grades are like going south out of Jackson, WY? Aalso, what the grades are like as US191 crosses a mountain range as US191 enters northern Utah - US191 crosses this mountain range as it leaves southern Wyoming and enters northern Utah before you come to Vernal, UT. US191 intersects with US40 in Vernal, UT.



I want to get from Vernal, UT to Grand Junction, CO. The maps shows that if I head east on US40 I will intersect with CO64 and be able to go south. CO64 will intersect with CO139, which I can again follow south to an intersection with US50/US6 and then east into Grand Junction, CO. It does appear that CO139 climbs through a mountain range - I see a lot of switchbacks. Does anyone know what the grades are like on this road?



I then want to get from Grand Junction, CO to Colorado Springs, CO. I think I could either go east on I70 and then turn south on I25 in Denver or I could go east on US50 and north on I25 when I hit Pueblo, CO. Is anyone familiar with the grades and mountain passes on these two roads?



I still need to work on the return path from Colorado Springs, but that will be mostly just travelling.



Your thoughts are welcome and appreciated.

 

[NIsaacs]

Hwy 191 from Rock Springs, Wy to Vernal, Ut. is narrow, steep and crooked, some 9 & 10% grades. It's about 110 miles and with an empty pickup I was 3 hours and only stopped once at the Dam for a few minutes. That's a real pretty drive tho and your rig will handle it no problem.



Nick

 

[JR]

The trip through Hoback Canyon between Pinedale and Jackson Hole is a good one. I believe that's all part of 191? It's bee a long time. It used to be a narrow windy road, but I've been told they have made many improvements in the last 20 years. Spent lots of time in Pinedale and Boulder, WY growing up.

 

[Jim W]

Will the west is pretty will covered so I will concentrate on IN, IL, and WI. As far as IN from I80 or I94/90 there is the Indiana Dunes State Park which has camping, but it does not have full hook-ups water and electric only, it has 140 sites all with 50 Amps. The park is in Chesterton IN along Lake Michigan. See link attached.

Online reservations are available at camp. IN.gov or toll free at 1-866-6CAMPIN (866-622-6746).

Now as far as IL you only have one toll to be paid as you leave I294/80/90 to enter I80 for you this is a cash toll do not know how much; since I have an IL toll way transponder which provides lower cost rates. I80 does not have much to see along the way as you travel to I39. Now you can continue on I80 to IA or travel north to WI on I39. Again you will have one toll in South Beloit IL as you exit the toll way on I90/39. There are things to do and see in WI depending on how much time you want to spend in WI. I am usually trying to get to somewhere or home from somewhere so we usually stay at KOA's with pull through sites off of I90.

Good luck I will be heading east in the late summer early fall next year to the Boston area and up to Maine, so safe travels and good camping.

Jim W.

 

[RUSSELL5000]

Thanks to Nick, diesel4life, and Jim W. Input is appreciated.



I was pointed to a resource which describes grades on roads: Mountain Directory: (http://www.mountaindirectory.com).



I think I have the route nailed down.



So, the first real stop of time and intrest will be in the Mount Rushmore area and Devil's Tower.



Does anyone have any experience with campgrounds in these areas? I am reading Good Sam and RVParksReview.com. , but I don't think anything beats hearing from someone who has been there.



Thanks much!

Thanks!

 

[Jim W]

For Mt Rushmore I would recommend Rafter J Bar Ranch in Keystone SD. We stayed there in 2008 with full hook-ups, pull thru site. Large camp ground with several camp sites spread out also two entrances and exits also some cabins on site with a pool for the kids. Lower cost then the KOA down the road way and more room to walk and enjoy the outdoors.
Jim W.

 

[Tractorat]

Another rv site you might take a look at near mt rushmore is the fish and fry campground. It has a trout pond where the kids can catch their own dinner. They can cook the troup up for you in the cafe too.

 

[RUSSELL5000]

Thanks, Jim W and Tractorat. Looks like I have that part ready to go now.



I have one travel slot that I am looking at - anyone got anything in mind aoprund the Kansas City area? - this would be to just stop for the night while traveling.



Thanks!

 

[DaveHess]

Russell 5000, I would highly recommend Rafter J Bar in Keystone, SD. That is where I stay on every visit to the heads and have never been disappointed. The town is also very nice and worth a visit. If you like wine, visit the Prairie Berry Winery. Cool stop. Anyway, Rafter J Bar, they have several different sections in their campground ranging from campsites in the woods to out in the open campsites. I like the wooded section for the shade but it is, and only a very small amount, a little tricky pulling through the trees and the sites are mostly back-ins. I am 51 feet total combined pick-up and travel trailer. But the campground is excellent. As for Devils Tower. I have been there several times and have always stayed at the KOA at the base of the tower. Nice campground with a nice gift shop and you are in the shadow so to speak of the tower. AND if you are a movie buff, they show "Close Encounters of the Third Kind" every night at the campground. For those who don't know, that movie was partially shot and loosely based on Devils Tower being the place where an alien spaceship visits humans. Not a true story by the way but fun none the less. If you are physically able, take the hike around the base of the tower. You can look up and see the crazies who climb this behemoth! These two locations are one of my favorites as it is a 6 hour pull and I am there. BTW, I am originally from Buffalo, NY and the tolls were expensive when I pull the trailer home. I have tolls now from just south-east of Rockford all the way into Buffalo. I have also been to Yellowstone but I stayed in West Yellowstone at the KOA. I liked it and had no problems but I noticed no-one seems to jazzed about that side of the park. Have fun!