Author Topic: Yellowstone Travel  (Read 17702 times)

Jeff Watt

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Yellowstone Travel
« on: March 04, 2013, 07:38:09 PM »
[size=14][/size]I plan to tour around Yellowstone/Teton after the Gillette rally and am wondering what other members thoughts are, i.e what roads to use/avoid. I did a search to see what others had posted about traveling around Yellowstone and Bill had posted:

Quote from: Bill Sprague

...  Chief Joseph Pass at 7,000+ was an event.  The Beaver did well both up and down.

The scenery was a "killer"!

I need to spend more time driving in Idaho.

Bill

I thought this road may be too much but maybe not. However if I enter Yellowstone from the East using that road what is the best place to go to - assuming i cant overnight in the park.

Is it best to avoid 14 and 16? I know 14A should be avoided as well as the beartooth pass.

I am thiniking I may go south west from Gillette and come in the bottom of Tetons then work up to West yellowstone then over east.

Thanks,

Jeff


Joel Ashley

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Re: Yellowstone Travel
« Reply #1 on: March 04, 2013, 09:50:28 PM »
Chief Joseph Pass, near Lost Trail Pass between Salmon, ID, and Darby, MT, is just fine for our coaches;  been there, done that many times over both passes.  The roads may wind some but are wide and easily maneuvered, and the gradual grades aren't extraordinarily steep, and have passing lanes available.

All that said, those passes are a good deal northwest of Yellowstone.  We've taken our old motorhome through Yellowstone, but that was 16 years ago and it was a bit smaller rig than our Beaver.  Nevertheless, as long as you reserve campsites ahead of time so you have a base of operation, taking the coach on the main roads shouldn't be an issue, and do your main touring in your toad, a luxury we didn't have on that trip.

 If you are still concerned, take an RV park site in Cody and toad the park to check out things ahead of time.  We've also come in from Alpine, to the south, in the old coach.  But I'm sure the Beaver would do fine.  My issue with the area was expensive private RV parks and inadequate parking in Grand Teton NP for large RVs at some view points and visitor centers... and sans a toad we were only 30 ft long.  They allowed cars to park in large vehicle spots with no enforcement.  And like I mentioned, in midsummer you will want to plan ahead, and reserve camping spots in advance, especially in park campgrounds if you will use them;  any sites, especially big ones, will be at a premium.  Check this out with the Park Service months in advance to know what you'll be up against.

Otherwise, if you just want to stay in Cody or Jackson and then pass through without camping to West Yellowstone, the main park roads are no problem.  You can stop at Old Faithful easily on the way through, as there is a super large parking lot.  The only imposition might be when people stop in narrower road areas to gawk at wildlife, or if crews are working on a road section.  That is often the case with the road north from Madison junction to Gardiner, but you don't sound like you need to hit that section in the coach.

Joel
« Last Edit: March 04, 2013, 10:01:36 PM by 77 »
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Karl Welhart

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Re: Yellowstone Travel
« Reply #2 on: March 05, 2013, 12:16:02 AM »
Jeff,

Did Yellowstone two years ago and we stayed in Buffalo, WY and had no problem with Powder River Pass (Hwy 16) into Cody.  Then drove the MH into Yellowston to West Yellowstone, MT.  I had no problems with the main roads in Yellowstone, but would not recommend staying in any of the campgrounds inside the park.  Most are very tight and not designed for large MHs.  

I would recommend the West Yellowstone RV Park just outside the West gate on Lake Hebgen and about 10 miles outside of town.  This is the easiest place to get in and out of Yellowstone.  The Grizzly RV Park is right outside the west gate and right in West Yellowstone, MT.  Grizzly Campground is OK.  

We left Yellowstone on September 1, 2010 and it was 28 degrees with 8 inches of snow on the ground.  West and South gate were closed and we had to wait several hours before we could get from the west gate to the south gate then on to the Grand Tetons/Jackson, WY.  We stayed in a little campground near Grand Teton Village.  It was very nice compared to the campgrounds in Jackson, WY.

Hope this is helpful,

Karl
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Mike.Way

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Re: Yellowstone Travel
« Reply #3 on: March 05, 2013, 02:04:33 AM »
We have stayed at Fishing Bridge. It is full hook ups. Last in there 2 years ago driving the Marquis. If I remember correctly they were starting to remodel even more  sites for 50 amp power. When we came from the east, it was typically from Cody, then out to Livingston.  We have exited through West Yellowstone and then down through Island Park. Also exited through Jackson and the Tetons.

Fishing Bridge and most Yellowstone CGs need to be reserved soon, especially since the area will be super-saturated with coaches.

Mike

Edward Buker

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Re: Yellowstone Travel
« Reply #4 on: March 05, 2013, 03:54:44 AM »
If you want to do a nice loop, head south and then west on 80 out of Cheyenne. Consider taking 287 north just beyond Sinclair to 26. Excellent roads, little traffic, nice rural small towns, and absolutely spectacular scenery. That route brings you in near Jackson Lake, between Jackson Hole and Yellowstone.

There is a private campground near Moran Junction. We took the toad both south to Jackson and the Tetons and north to Yellowstone from this area. We stayed at one of the National Park campgrounds and it involved some very tight turns and I had to have them trim some limbs just to get into my campsite. I would opt for a private campground if I did this trip over again. The NP policy is minimal trimming which really makes no sense within an RV campground.

You will go over Togwattee Pass west of Dubois but it is not a tough climb. It peaks at 9600ft. When you leave Dubois WY you are already at 7000ft so the climb is quite reasonable.  From I80 to the Yellowstone/Teton NP area is 255 miles of non interstate driving through the heart of Wyoming. It was really spectacular and memorable....

As a side note there is The National Museum Of Wildlife Art just outside of Jackson Hole to the north. Excellent sculpture and paintings dealing with nature if you like that sort of thing. Over 500 artists represented and 5000 pieces of art, all the greats from Europe and the U.S. in a very appropriate setting.

 http://www.wildlifeart.org/

Later Ed

Joel Ashley

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Re: Yellowstone Travel
« Reply #5 on: March 05, 2013, 06:39:00 AM »
Not to get far off Jeff's question, but in keeping with Ed's museum suggestion, if any of you are going to Gillette via the south Black Hills, don't miss Ft. Robinson west of Chadron, Nebraska, and above all don't pass up the Museum of the Fur Trade just east of Chadron.  

Allow plenty of time.  It's not a huge place, but it is exceptionally well done, and probably the most fascinating museum we've been in.  It is packed with literally hundreds of flintlock and percussion rifles, among others, all immaculately displayed.  Follow the fur story from the French Canadians to Indians to Hudson's Bay Brits to American entrepreneurs that helped make the Oregon Territory American.  Fur canoes of various types are displayed and expertly explained as to the reasoning behind their engineering and purpose, as is practically every accessory and piece of clothing or other material used in the business and lifestyle.  From beavers to buffalo, it took us many hours spread over 2 days to take it all in, and I learned more than I thought possible at my age.  

The fur trade drove the world economies for 300 years, but we never caught onto the concept until visiting this place.  A lot of questions, about how or why our world is the way it is now, were answered for us there.  It was a phenomenal learning experience, and one of the highlights of our 6000 mile, 6 month summer trip.  If you like world history, especially Canadian and American history, you will get immense enjoyment and fulfillment out of a visit here.

Now if you go, and buy one of their beaver pelts as a souvenir, I'll be compelled to slap you silly, cuz the wife wouldn't let me have one    :'(

Joel
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Wayne Tull

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Re: Yellowstone Travel
« Reply #6 on: March 05, 2013, 03:49:01 PM »
You may want to check with the park to see what roads they are repairing or have closed for repair for the time frame your looking at.  I've never been there when some entrance or road wasn't torn up or closed.

Jeff Watt

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Re: Yellowstone Travel
« Reply #7 on: March 05, 2013, 07:28:47 PM »
Thanks for the suggestions. I was looking at some campgrounds yesterday around Yellowstone and tetons and was taken aback by the prices. $65-70 for a place to park seems a little steep but I guess it is a captive market. I hate to think what hotel rooms must go for.

The problem I am seeing is most (all?) NP sites or state parks aren't really designed for 40+ foot motorhomes with a toad, so we are limited to private parks; I guess they think if you can roll in a big coach then paying $$$$ to park is not a concern. If i have to i will, but doesn't mean I agree with it.

Looking forward to the rally and then onto explore other areas. I have an extremely distant family connection to Buffalo Bill so plan to visit that museum. Others as well - probably 40 years since been at little big horn.

Jeff

Gerald Farris

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Re: Yellowstone Travel
« Reply #8 on: March 06, 2013, 03:24:37 AM »
Jeff,
There is a National Forest Campground (Baker's Hole Campground) located just out the West Yellowstone entrance, then 4 miles north. It has numerous sites that are in the 50 to 75 foot range. It has 33 sites with electrical service, some 30 amp and some with 50 amp. There is water in the park, but not at each site, and there is no sewer, not even a dump station. so show up with a full water tank and empty holding tanks.

The price is right though, the last time I was there (2 years ago) it was $14 a night for 50 amp with the Golden Age Card. They do not take reservations, however I have never had a problem getting in to a 50 amp site on a weekday. Weekends are more crowded when school is out.

Gerald    

Stan Simpson

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Re: Yellowstone Travel
« Reply #9 on: March 07, 2013, 07:21:59 PM »
Jeff, we are planning essentially the same trip after Gillette. I'm interested in knowing the RV park where you decided to stay. We did Yellowstone in 2008 with a 32 ft mh with no slides and it was very tight. Wouldn't consider NP campgrounds this time.
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Jeff Watt

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Re: Yellowstone Travel
« Reply #10 on: March 07, 2013, 08:32:11 PM »
Thanks for the suggestions. I still  haven't decided on the route yet, so decisions re. Campground are up in the air. I looked at the ones at West yellowstone, and decided because of our personal requirements, to use grizzly which is right in town. It is booked at $60/night plus taxes and whatever others fees they may want to charge  :-/.  This is for a few days later, June 26, so I have to figure out which way to get there.

In-house discussions  have pointed out to me that we live only a 2 day drive from yellowstone and will be passing by it in September when going to Bak-to-the-future, so we don't have to see everything this trip.

Nevertheless I do want to see some of it; probably the north half now as in September conditions may not be as favorable.

Stan,  I have been thinking of going up to around Hardin or just south to see the Little Bighorn Monument. There is the 7th ranch rv camp nearby. The park in Crow Agency doesnt look to great neither does the casino parking lot. I'm also thinking that it may be a slow process leaving gillette, so I'm not planning on getting to far on the 23.

Jeff

Jeff Watt

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Re: Yellowstone Travel
« Reply #11 on: March 10, 2013, 05:53:57 PM »

Thinking of going around the top of Yellowstone,  staying at West Yellowstone for 3 or so days, then travel through the park and south to the Tetons - probably won't stay in Jackson but will visit it - then continue on 26 as per Ed's suggestion (reverse). Ed, what park did you use around Moran - Grand Teton? Colter Bay? North is Flagg Ranch?

I don't think coming in the North Entrance is workable in the coach, although I gather driving to Gardiner is pretty easy.

Alternatively, we'll go to Cody, then drive through the park to West Yellowstone then south and out.

Is the road #120 from Thermopolis to Cody reasonable? Could use this if want to backtrack to cody after partially using Ed's route if I don't go through Cody on the way into West Yellowstone.

Edward Buker

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Re: Yellowstone Travel
« Reply #12 on: March 10, 2013, 08:13:57 PM »
We stayed one night in Lander and one night in Dubois on the way up. Adequate parks, nothing special. I remember a private campground somewhere near Moran Junction that looked to be more open spaces without a lot of trees but we did not stay there. When in the NP area we stayed at the Grand Teton Colter Bay campground. It is a big park 300+ sites and many of the sites are large enough for a 40ft+ RV but turns were very tight and the tree trimming was a joke. I would probably not stay there again due to that. They site a policy of minimal trimming in the NP as the reason. Obviously the layout was policies were done by someone who does not RV. Really can't help on where the best place is to stay up there but I am thinking that it would be a private campground. Once we were settled at Colter Bay we did not look and did not worry about it until we had to leave the park. If you have to stay in one of the NP parks walk it first to your campsite and sort out the best route and hazards. Hope this helps.

http://www.nps.gov/grte/planyourvisit/campgrounds.htm#CP_JUMP_31270

Later Ed
« Last Edit: March 10, 2013, 08:44:32 PM by 910 »

Stan Simpson

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Re: Yellowstone Travel
« Reply #13 on: April 05, 2013, 01:30:15 AM »
Jeff,

We have our plans finalized for after Gillette. We are staying at Yellowstone Valley about 15 miles west of Cody for a week and will use it as our base to explore the two eastern quarters of YNP. They gave us a nice weekly rate, which is still high, as you mentioned above. From there we are going to Yellowstone Holiday RV Park which is a bit west of W Yellowstone, on Hebgen Lake Rd. From there we plan to explore the two western quarters. We're leaving there and going to Teton Valley RV Park in Victor, ID which we will use for the Jackson, Grand Teton area before we leave for Cheyenne and Frontier Days.

I hope your trip goes as planned. This will be our second trip to YNP, the first to Grand Teton.

So many places to see, so little time.

Stan
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Karl Welhart

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Re: Yellowstone Travel
« Reply #14 on: April 05, 2013, 02:52:06 AM »
Stan,

Do you have a route from Yellowstone Holiday RV Park to Teton Valley in Victor, ID?  I would not recommend going through Jackson over Teton Pass to Victor.

Karl
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