Trip to Yellowstone - tips?

[Steve St.Laurent]

I'll be making a vacation trip to yellowstone the first week in July with my family and my parents. We'll be leaving Michigan on June 29th (saturday) and arriving in the yellowstone area on July 1st (monday), then staying through the 6th and leaving that morning. We'll be coming in from the east side so would prefer any recomendations on campgrounds, etc on that side. I was thinking that something between yellowstone and the grand tetons would be perfect because we could go to either one. I'll have my truck and 35' TT (58 ft total length) and my parents with have their Avalanche and 31'' TT (52' ft total length, and has a slider) so we need someplace with large sites (at least 60' - preferably pull through, full hook ups). We would prefer someplace with larger campsites and seperation between sites if possible. My trailer sits very low to the ground and has a lot of overhang so it has to be fairly level to the site for me. Being a tad picky aren't I?



Also, how about the route out there, looks like we'll be taking 80 the whole way and then 287 up towards the parks - any tips?



Lastly how about things to see while we're out there - realizing that we're doing it on a holiday week. Any experiences regarding that specific time period would be GREATLY appreciated!

 

[Bob Wagner]

its like driving a semi

bring your large shoehorn if you plan to camp in any of the state campgrounds within the park.



there is a nice KOA @ moran jct.

 

[Joe G.]

There is a KOA in Cody on the way to the park. If you like guns and western art you need to see the Buffalo Bill Museum in Cody. I gawked until my feet gave out when we were there.

 

[pmartin]

Yellowstone

I parked my 32 ft 5th wheel, 12 ft 2 in high, at Yellowstone's Fishing Bridge RV Park in 1998 without much difficulty. It is a beautiful area.

While in that area you need to visit Jackson Hole. There is a nice KOA at Teton Village (just West of Jackson). Its been several years since I traveled US 287 but US 191 is a good road to Rock Springs. There you can see Flaming Gorge at Green River, WY.

Between Yellowstone & Tetons is Colter Bay and Moran, both with good RV Parks. However, it takes longer than you expect to travel from there to the heart (loop) of Yellowstone. I recommend a few days in each park. It should be a great trip.

 

[chuck3]

Yellowstone

Thats not the best time to go, its gonna be busy that time of year. My family and I have been to yellowstone every year for the past 15 years, need I tell you we love it. We have found the best time is around the end of Aug. but might not work for you with school kids. You could stay at the Fishing Bridge campground on the east side of the park, its a bit pricey, there are quite a few parks between the Tetons and Yellowstne. Have fun, enjoy.

 

[Whitmore]

Steve ,IMO I 80 is a drag, not alot to see ,its OK but the north end of the state is much prettier, I would try to come in Thru Buffalo to Tensleep or do the pass over to Shell , either of these passes are way cool and will be fun with the CUMMINS and the trailers. Make sure to cath the Buffalo Bill U-seeum as it is awsome and yes the Tetons are amazing too.

Biggest thing is to get reservations at the campgrounds as this is a very busy time of year out here. Give yourself plenty of time to stay and enjoy and not rush things. Have Fun ... ... . Kevin

 

[Fireman Dave]

Steve,



We camped in Yellowstone last June. You won't be able to get your rig on any of the traditional type of campsites in the park - it's too long. We barely got our 27' on a site in the Canyon campground. You could get it in the Fishing Bridge RV Park in the park, I believe. But - this is basically a big parking lot with full hook-ups - no campfire rings with the "sites". The rigs are pretty much wall to wall in there. I'm not knocking it, but it wasn't our preference - we like a campfire ring, picnic table, etc... that come with a more traditional site. There are a lot of places outside the park as well. Yellowstone is great. It involves a lot of driving time to get around, but it's so scenic, you won't mind. Oh yeah, and be prepared for snow. They got 15" of snow the day before we pulled in there (June 14th). It melted in a few days, though. Let me know if you want any more info.



Dave

 

[RJOL]

Re: Yellowstone

Originally posted by pmartin

... Colter Bay and Moran, both with good RV Parks. However, it takes longer than you expect to travel from there to the heart (loop) of Yellowstone. I recommend a few days in each park.

A lot of visitors to the West don't realize the size of some parks and areas... Yellowstone is about 60 miles by 50 miles in size, and driving the inner two loops is well over a 100 miles just by itself. If you stay in the Grand Teton's / Jackson Hole area you will have a long drive up into Yellowstone, and around the park... I'd have to agree with "pmartin" about staying Fishing Bridge RV Park which is privately run, but in Yellowstone Park. They have over 300 sites, some 45', full hookups, but I don't think any of them are pull throughs. After you've spent at least 2-3 day exploring Yellowstone, move down to Grand Teton National Park / Jackson Hole area and spend a couple of days there. I know 5 days sounds like a lot of time, but your going to be pressed to see all the main sites in that amount of time...

 

[Diese1nut]

Hospitality

Steve

You may want to go see Jerry Jardine. He is in Dubois WY and has a small campground. It's a verry nice area and can accomodate your rig. Jerry is a really nice guy and you can also see his exaust operation. It's not all that far from both parks.

 

[Larry Willard]

Steve

We stayed in West Yellowstone Montana at the Grizzly VR Park, they had a lot of bigger pull throughs, but I don't remember if campfires we allowed. That lets you come into the park at the center point of the 2 loops. Of course we were coming from Maymadness and that is the closest from Nevada, there is probably something on the east side as good.

I too was going to say stop and see Jerry Jardine, we didn't stay in the RV park there, just stopped for a visit. That is a pretty drive across that way, but you can't make time going like you will on the interstate.

Larry

 

[BigMike]

We made this trip a couple of years ago. We stayed at Grand Teton Village on the north end on Teton Park. You wouldn't have any trouble there, but will need to make reservations in advance. Cost us about $32 per night. We were warned about the campgrounds in Yellowstone, so we drove through Yellowstone from Teton and camped at West Yellowstone, which is just outside the West entrance. It was a terrific place to camp in a real neat little town. Then we just did day trips in and out of Yellowstone for a couple of days. I can't remember the name of the campground, but I can find out real easy if you'd like. Yellowstone was real neat, but because of the fires it's lost some of it's beauty. The Tetons were better in my opinion.

 

[StevenWalker]

Steve- I have family in Jackson,Woming and I have camped just about everywhere in the area. With your size rig you won't get into any of the regular campgrounds. Here is what I recommend. In Yellowstone stay at Fishing Bridge RV Park. Yellowstone is a big place and it is located in a central spot so you can venture out and visit the rest of the park. In Teton National Park, I recommend Coulter Bay RV Park. It is at the north end of the park and a good base to explore from. Prices are reasonable. There is a KOA at Moran, but it gets expensive since KOA charges you for every little thing. Be sure to make reservations in advance to avoid any problems. Plan on spending several days in both Yellowstone and in Teton NP because they large places and there is a lot to see and do. You'll have a great time.

 

[Paul Somers]

Good question Steve. Interested in replies because Wife and I are going in July also. Be a couple of weeks behine you. We're leaving Alabama first of July and first headed to your area, Dearborn, MI to visit Ford museum and Greenfield village. Then on to Yellowstone. There is also plan for Bowling Green, KY corvette museum if it reopens. Closed since Sept. 11th.

For tons of information on Yellowstone, search:

http://www.rvamerica.com

 

[wyosteve]

Steve, one other suggestion. If you are coming in from the south on 287. At the south entrance to Yellowstone is Flagg Ranch Resort. BUT having said that, just before you get to Flagg Ranch, immediately before the bridge that crosses the Snake River, on the right is a sign that says Scheffield Creek. There is a campground where you can get your rigs in. Doesn't cost much, is much more secluded than any of the commercial parks. Has bathrooms and nice area to hike. You do have to cross thru the creek to get there, but don't worry, it's a hard bottom. I've been doing it for years with the horse trailer and never had any difficulty. This would put you in position for day trips into either Yellowstone or Grand Teton. A final alternative which is closer to Grand Teton and Jackson and a little farther than Yellowstone is to turn onto the Pacific Creek road about 1/2 mile after you pass thru the toll booths for Grand Teton. It's about 7 miles of gravel/washboard road, but lots of room and isolated. You do have to be somewhat aware of the grizzlies in that area though.

 

[Power Wagon]

Steve... From one who's been there before... .



I'll second everyone's comments that the trailer is too long for almost all of the campsites inside Yellowstone. I did see a couple big monsters like yours in one of the parks I stayed at on the very west end of the park. However, without reservations starting NOW, you're never going to get one of them, and it might be too late already.



Your best bet would be a private CG just outside of the park, or one of the ones just south of Yellowstone into the Grand Tetons area. That part of the area is far more flat, and there are some really wide open campgrounds there.



I would not, under any circumstances, take your travel trailer to ANY of the northern half of the park. The roads are narrow, have switchbacks, and places where it just might get hit by gawking tourists.



I would suggest you get a Wheeler's guide, and perhaps a Woodall's as well. The Wheeler's is terrific at listing the details of the private CG's all over, and the Woodall's has better listings of the public (federal, state, etc) facilities.



Wheeler's you can get from www.wheelers.com if memory serves, and I would imagine Woodall's does too, but I got mine from a campground.



I found when driving all over the west, that my little 27 footer often caused consternation at public facilities, who often swore thier sites were created for no more than 24 foot. In a couple instances in Montana, I actually had to park slighty crossways in the spot and park my truck in the brush to get into the site.



Best of luck, Steve, and if I'm not in Alaska (crossing my fingers) we might drive out and see ya. Yellowstone is just a full day's drive from here.

 

[SlyBones]

On a completely different note, checkout this site. It has map of the park etc. Give great information about all the things to see and do. where the hikes are, the geyers, mud pits, etc. Helpsplan the other aspects of the trips other than where to camp



http://www.yellowstone-natl-park.com/

 

[chuck3]

Steve, Like Power Wagon said it may be tought to get a place this late! There is a chance at the Grizzly R V park in West Yellowstone Montana, a neat little town about a mile from the west gate. Its a large rv park with full hookups and cable TV, will handle huge RV's we usually stay there. Its walking distance from town and there's a museum, lots of gift shops, places to eat and north of the RV park is an IMAX theatre, and the grizzly park with bears and wolves to see. If you want to rough it theres a campground 4 miles north of West Yellowstone called Bakers Hole, its a nice place, no hookups first come first serve, we have stayed there allso, 10$ a night. Good Luck.

 

[jandtjil]

re: Yellowstone

Steve

Will 2nd comments above about CG in the park being small, and the park being at capacity at that time.

--East entrance

Outside of Cody is Buffalo Bill rsvr, which has campgrounds on the south (hang a left and go up the hill, just 1/2 - 3/4 mile past Walmart, heading west) and the north (continue west outta town towards Ystone(HWY14A), can't miss the CG's) (NOTE- it can be REAL WINDY HERE AT TIMES).

--NE entrance

If going to enter through the NE entrance (Cooke City) I recommend going north outta Cody and going across the Chief Joseph highway through sunlight basin, plenty pretty. The road going to Cooke City via Red Lodge, MT is STUNNING but as Power Wagon noted it can be a real eyebrow raiser with long rigs.

Of note is Heart Mtn which sits north of the city of Cody, one theory on it's formation I heard is that it was blown from sunlight basin by volcanic action and came to rest in its present location. Supposedly the rocks are oldest rear the top. Not normal I guess!



Things to do

-Go sit upstairs in the Old Faithful lodge balcony (on the west side), grab a beverage of choice, stake out a seat along the rail late in the afternoon and watch the sun go down, more than likely OF will cooperate and give you a sunset to remember (works well at dawn too). Most folks are on a schedule and can't sit still long enough to warm the seat bottom, so be patient, and you'll score a table.

-Bring unsalted in the shell peanuts for the squirrels

-Wave at folks with WY license plates, 90% of the time we wave

back.

-as mentioned earlier stop at BB historical/western art/Plains Indian museum & Winchester gun gallery in Cody. Bring comfartable shoes. Also take note that most of the men in the original posters of the Buffalo Bill wild West show have Mustaches like BBill!?? he was a trend setter I guess!

-take walk along back side of OF lodge along river, often times the crowds out front have pushed the animals back here, most folks are too busy to notice them back here(definitely notice if it is a griz, folks staying in the cabins often don't practice good campground hygiene).



whew sorry for the long post

JJ

 

[dewdo]

No one mentioned highway 16A out of Cody. This highway is called "OH MY GOD HILL" for a very good reason. It is a very long stretch of (more than ten miles) 10% grade followed by another stretch of about 6 miles or so of 8% grade. Switchbacks all the way down.



I made the mistake last year of taking that way into East Yellowstone. BIG, BIG MISTAKE! I had my camper on and I have an exhaust brake, but with the switchbacks I was never able to get above 25 MPH for the brake to be effective. Toasted my brakes, and my wife nearly had a heart attack.



My best advice when travelling through the mountain states is to go to a truck stop and get the two books that lists the mountian passes, altitude, grade percentage, and other information that you will need. One is for the eastern US and the other is for western US. Good investment.



Also be advised as beautiful as Yellowstone is, the traffic is bad to horrible and the roads in the park are the same. Construction going on constantly repairing frost heaves.



Good Luck. I hope I haven't dampened your enthusiasm for the park.



Dewdo in the other Washington

 

[SteveH]

Hey Steve,

By limiting yourself to all the city perks of the campgrounds, you are missing some of the most beautiful of scenery. Cooke City entry from the NW into the park would let you camp in the Red Lodge area, climb one of the most spectacular switchbacks you've ever seen, and still get into the park at their busiest season.

Granite Canyon in the Hobacks just south of Jackson Hole also has some spectacular scenery. (natural hot springs, etc. ) Quake lake outside West Yellowstone is worth seeing.



You should camp a couple of nights in these areas where there aren't "wall to wall" campers, get on the creek and enjoy. Visit only the areas of the park where the animals typically hang out, or the normal tourist attractions are located. (speed through the other areas while trying to dodge the tourists who think nothing of parking in the middle of the highway just to see a marmot. )



We lived in Cody, Wy for 6 years and now live about 15 miles west of Billings, MT. The trip suggested earlier over the Big Horns will make you pucker a few wrinkles in your leather seats when you drop off if you come out into Lovell. You can camp just about anywhere on top of the Big Horns in this area. You miss a lot by staying in the citified campgrounds.

Just my 2 cents worth.

Steve H.