We will be heading to Oregon from New Mexico, going through Bakersfield. It looks like we will have a couple more days than we thought-is it possible to take a drive through Yellowstone? I know campsites are fully booked, but is there any plausible way to see some of that beautiful park as a day trip?
mailman01 said
06:23 PM Aug 11, 2010
The DW and I were at Yellowstone last month and stayed at a nice NFS campground about 12 miles EAST of Yellowstone called Rex Hale, with w/e, no dump, but a very scenic campground. You can go from the East side through the park by one of two routes exiting either the West side into Idaho or out the Southern exit into Wyoming and the Grand Tetons. One of the two routes takes one via a northern path which does have some construction taking place with some possible delays. The southern route takes you near Old Faithful, Yellowstone Lake and several other scenic areas from which you can choose to take the Southern exit or continue on through to the Western exit. The trip across Yellowstone is probably close to 100 miles, if memory serves me. Either way is very scenic and a lot of the park can be seen if you are pressed for time. Pulling a camper is not a problem, just a lot of climbs and descents, but not a problem. We were pulling an 8000 lb TT. There are numerous NFS campgrounds on hwy 20/16 between Cody, Wy and the Eastern entrance to the Park. These campgrounds accept the Golden Access Card, which makes it even more of a bargain. Hope this was helpful. Marty
Terry and Jo said
06:26 PM Aug 11, 2010
Jamie,
I can't help you too much on campgrounds, other than to say that there are some in the park and some outside the park.
Here is a link to a site that deals with the ones inside the park. Look at the links below the title of "Camping and RV" that is under the pictures at the top center of the home page. I think each of those names is an active link. Check those pretty close because I noticed one that said the length limit of RV sites was 30 feet.
Now, to touch on something else. We went to Yellowstone back in 2002 with the wife's sister and her husband. However, we stayed in lodges or cabins. We spent 5 days in the Grand Tetons and Yellowstone parks and still didn't see quite everything. So, going there for only a couple of days won't let you see much. Of course, we were looking at about everything in each area of the park and I took a lot of photos, so it may have taken us longer than most people. (After all, in that period of time in the two parks, I took 1400 pictures. I love digital photography.)
I wish I could have spent some more time in the Grand Tetons. While it is great to see the mountains, looking just isn't like walking on them.
It is a beautiful area with a lot to see. Be cautious of the wildlife. They have been around humans enough that they are not afraid of us. Some tourists have been attacked by bears and bison that I know of from the past. Give them plenty of room, even if it means walking out into the parking lots or streets.
Be very careful if you go off on trails. Should there be some reason that natural food sources are limited for the animals, they go looking. In other words, don't be lunch for a bear.
Oh, and if you are old enough, stop long enough at the entrance and get the federal senior citizen card for the parks. Here is a link to information on the different passes.
Yellowstone is quite daunting, It's huge and very crowded through September. It will take you about a full day just to drive across is and stop for a few sites. And if you get stuck in Bison jamb you might not even make it across.
We spent 2 weeks in Yellowstone last fall and a week in Teton and it was a full 3 weeks. One or 2 days just wouldn't do it justice.
Depending on your route, you might find a day at Bryce Canyon to be much more doable and enjoyable.
Enjoy your trip,
Ckerr said
09:04 PM Aug 11, 2010
If I remember correctly this will be your first big rv trip. So here's our 2 cents -- about what it's worth...
Take your time and don't try to cram too much in to one trip. You're planning to be on the road for a while, so there's no necessity to make sure you hit Yellowstone this trip.
Keep in mind that traveling with an rv doesn't move as quickly as in your passenger vehicle. We generally add 30% to however long the GPS or mapquest says it will take to get there. We have to stop more frequently for fuel, to walk the dog etc. Unless we have an urgent need to be someplace we don't usually plan to travel more than 300 max per day for a reasonable travel day. Remember you will need to do some amount of set up when you stop for the night and if you plan on cooking dinner be sure to allow time to do that.
I recommend planning a nice relaxing trip. Not like we did the first time!
NorCal Dan said
10:20 PM Aug 11, 2010
We drove through Yosemite a few years ago, not in an RV. If they allow RV traffic that might be an alternate choice.
Hope this was helpful.
Marty
I can't help you too much on campgrounds, other than to say that there are some in the park and some outside the park.
Here is a link to a site that deals with the ones inside the park. Look at the links below the title of "Camping and RV" that is under the pictures at the top center of the home page. I think each of those names is an active link. Check those pretty close because I noticed one that said the length limit of RV sites was 30 feet.
http://www.yellowstoneparknet.com/rv_camping/
Now, to touch on something else. We went to Yellowstone back in 2002 with the wife's sister and her husband. However, we stayed in lodges or cabins. We spent 5 days in the Grand Tetons and Yellowstone parks and still didn't see quite everything. So, going there for only a couple of days won't let you see much. Of course, we were looking at about everything in each area of the park and I took a lot of photos, so it may have taken us longer than most people. (After all, in that period of time in the two parks, I took 1400 pictures. I love digital photography.)
I wish I could have spent some more time in the Grand Tetons. While it is great to see the mountains, looking just isn't like walking on them.
It is a beautiful area with a lot to see. Be cautious of the wildlife. They have been around humans enough that they are not afraid of us. Some tourists have been attacked by bears and bison that I know of from the past. Give them plenty of room, even if it means walking out into the parking lots or streets.
Be very careful if you go off on trails. Should there be some reason that natural food sources are limited for the animals, they go looking. In other words, don't be lunch for a bear.
Oh, and if you are old enough, stop long enough at the entrance and get the federal senior citizen card for the parks. Here is a link to information on the different passes.
http://www.nps.gov/fees_passes.htm
Terry