Yellowstone help needed

[NotyetMHCowner]

Hey all,

We are still waiting on our camper to be built. We ordered a 2015 Montana High Country 305RL from RVWholesalers, but I'm not sure that is what we are getting since it is going to be a 2016 model now. Anyway, I think it is going to be around 34' total length.

We are from the Knoxville, Tennessee area and wanting to go to Yellowstone next year, probably the last week of July and the first week of August for the total trip. We were planning 5 days there, 4 days at Yellowstone, 2 days at Rushmore, and 5 days back. We could probably tightened up the schedule a bit on the trip there and back, but we didn't want to spend the whole time in the truck. Maybe see a little on the way there and back.

I see that Fishing Bridge is the only one with full hookups. I guess that means that all of the other campgrounds have no utilities. That's not a huge problem. We should have good size tanks, and I do have a portable waste tank if needed. We are hoping to also have generator power. But we would rather be somewhere with scenery anyway. We were thinking of staying one place for a night or two and moving for the rest of the trip somewhere else.

We have never been anywhere that far away from home camping. I realize that we need to be ready to start making reservations and have plans now, so that is why I am on here.

I am really looking for thoughts on which campgrounds can accommodate a fifth wheel of our size, near points of interest, and general knowledge of a trip like that.

Thanks

[notanlines]

We are veterans of the Yellowstone Park, many times over. However, our battles have been fought through the motels in all the local areas. Our recommendation would be to reserve (a long time in advance, like today!) in West Yellowstone. In the Cody area there are a few, but you are 50 miles from the park. Same way with Jackson, maybe 40 miles. At least you are within striking distance in West Yellowstone.

[notanlines]

I might further add that Fishing Bridge is probably how Brenda and I would make this trip. Regardless, can we talk you into sliding by Memphis on your way? We'll chip in a couple bucks for fuel, AND do most of the cooking. Now is this a great offer or what?

[NotyetMHCowner]

Haha! That's hilarious. We may be going through Memphis, so we will have to consider your offer!! lol.

I made online reservations today to Fishing Bridge for all 5 nights (I am going to pay for an extra night so we don't have to check out by 11am). I noticed many days and campgrounds were taken, so I went ahead and jumped. We would still like to split the time there between two campgrounds. We will probably be coming into the South entrance and leave through the East entrance headed towards Rushmore.

I will call also, to be able to let them know particulars of our unit (that we don't even have yet!! lol). I have read some reviews about certain spots being big enough for their rigs, but low hanging trees only 9 or 10 feet off of the ground. Our rig will be over 13 feet tall, so I don't want to have a problem like that when arriving.

Once we are able to figure out where we are staying the whole time at Yellowstone, then we will start looking at places along the way there and back. We want to take two different routes there and back. We will probably go through St. Louis, Kansas City, Denver on the way there and Minnesota, Illinois, Indiana on the way back.

[gearhead]

Whatever else you do, you should go here:
http://centerofthewest.org/explore/buffalo-bill/

[placergoldman]

You might look at Red Rock Campground in Island Park Idaho.Its 20miles from the west entrance.Very nice place...

Tim

[Laredo291OH]

We were just at Fishing Bridge this past July. Don't expect much from the campground. It is basically a huge parking lot with hookups. Our 30' travel trailer was a tight squeeze and we actually had problems using our outdoor kitchen because the door opened directly into a tree. Saw a fiver that their entrance door and steps were in a tree also. I'm not sure I would stay there again, it's only plus is that it is full hookups and directly in the park. It rained quite a bit while we there turning the huge pot holes in the asphalt into small ponds, one was directly under our steps. Also, there are no fire rings or picnic tables. The one good, we really only slept and ate breakfast and dinner there, otherwise we were out traveling the park. You will put on a lot of miles just traveling the park, even though Fishing Bridge is inside of Yellowstone, everything is still a 30 or 40 mile drive, something you aren't used to if you are from Ohio like us.

[NotyetMHCowner]

That's good to know. I only grabbed Fishing Bridge because it was available at the time. I can cancel without fee if we find a better place. We probably wont be on the west side much except to see old faithful. We wanted to be somewhere centrally located as much as possible then drive from there to different sites. We would rather stay about 2 days at the south side and visit things around there, then 2 days or so more north or east and visit things there as well. We are still in the planning stages though, lol. We have to get a camper first!!

[Onthemove]

We have been to Yellowstone many times and we have always stayed at West Yellowstone Montana at the Grizzly RV Park. It is a half mile from the West entrance of Yellowstone. The Park has full hook up and you can walk to town from the Park.

[rschad]

There are several other rv parks near west yellowstone. the KOA is a couple miles west and there is another nice park a mile or so further west. All have full hook ups and are quite nice. Easy drive to the park.

[buckeyebobhockingcamper]

grizzly rv park would be my choice,in west yellowstone montana!!!

[kampfitt]

We have been to Yellowstone twice. Were you stay depends on what you want to do while you're there. We went To see animals, Fishing Bridge is great , Indian Pond area Bears, Elk , saw 2 Wolves. Lamar Valley, Canyon Village, area Wolves, Bears, Elk. Spent 5 days there and was spotting animals every day! Saw this Bear 2 miles east of Fishing Bridge!! Watched him for over 4 hrs!

[NotyetMHCowner]

We just realized that Sturgis is the week we were planning on going through South Dakota and seeing Mount Rushmore, so that is OUT now!. haha. We will either stay longer at Yellowstone, The Grand Tetons, or get into Utah a little.

[gearhead]

Maybe here at Grand Tetons:?
http://www.gtlc.com/lodging/colter-b...e-rv-park.aspx

[ChuckS]

I also have stayed at Grizzly RV.. We like the fact that we can ride our bikes into town..2 blocks, shop, get some ice cream, etc.. The drive into the park from West entrance is great and we always try to get in a little early to beat the rush..

Stayed there twice.. We do love to boon dock but after looking at several CG in YNP my 36 foot 5er is just too tight for my comfort. Plus you just can't beat Grizzly RV for all the creature comforts


Momma and her 3 cubs
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[hankaye]

NotyetMHCowner, Howdy;

Rascal and I spent a week here
http://www.campfirelodgewestyellowst...ailer-park.asp
last June. It's about 15 or so miles outside of West Yellowstone, but
right along the Madison River.

hankaye

[gearhead]

Originally Posted by placergoldman

You might look at Red Rock Campground in Island Park Idaho.Its 20miles from the west entrance.Very nice place...

Tim

If you have stayed here, how did the side by side arrangement work? Looks like one side gets a lot of room and the side can't open their awning.

[airforceret]

Yellowstone: We always stay in West Yellowstone and believe it allows the best home base for seeing the park and surrounding area, but no doubt if wildlife is your thing Fishing Bridge will likely not disappoint you. Having a dog we were always concerned about the bears in early spring there. We stayed at the KOA in West Yellowstone.

Denver Area: We like Dakota Ridge in Golden, Colorado. We've stayed there several times and never disappointed.

St Louis Area: Sundemeier in St Charles or 370 Campground in St Peters would be my choices. We've stayed in both and would recommend either one of them.

[bsmith0404]

We really like Flagg Ranch RV park. Close to the park entrance and great scenery from the Grand Tetons. They also have a nice horseback riding tour as well as a nice store and restaurant. Some of the sites can be a little tight with slides, but if you let them know what you have, they can get you set up nicely. They also have some nice hiking trails for a relaxing morning stroll or walking the dog. 50 amp full hookup service.

As for Rushmore area, We like staying at Big Pine in Custer. Convenient, but far enough out of town and off the road to be very quiet.

[koko]

We like both Flagg Ranch and the KOA in West Yellowstone. Both are close to entrances. To plan where you'll camp based on the animals you'll see, don't. We live in Wyoming and can't tell you how many times we've been there over the past 35 years - at every time of the year, including winter. Sometimes you see lots of wildlife, sometimes not. Wildlife is everywhere in the park. We've only seen bear two or three times. But the park is absolutely awesome regardless.