Forum Discussion

4azn8vs's avatar
4azn8vs
Explorer
May 25, 2020

Cody, WY to Yellowstone (East Entrance)

We are planning our first majorRV trip for this summer. Due to the closure of the North and Northeast entrances to Yellowstone, we are planning on driving from Cody, WY to Yellowstone via the east entrance. I'm learning it is a mountainous road! My husband is very comfortable and experienced driving large vehicles/RV (we have a 25 foot C Class).

Has anyone driven this stretch before? How treacherous is it?
  • I have been driving it for many decades. I really like the east approach best up the Shoshone River. Keep an eye out for moose. Stop at Wabuska Tipi, Bill Cody's old lodge. Visiting Cody is always fun. Spend some time at the Buffalo Bill Visitor Center to get warmed up for Ystone.
  • Ivylog's avatar
    Ivylog
    Explorer III
    The other entrances should be open fairly soon so doubt you will have to use just the south or East. Non of them are difficult... OK, getting to the NE/Lamar entrance could be fun.
  • 4azn8vs wrote:
    We are planning our first majorRV trip for this summer. Due to the closure of the North and Northeast entrances to Yellowstone, we are planning on driving from Cody, WY to Yellowstone via the east entrance. I'm learning it is a mountainous road! My husband is very comfortable and experienced driving large vehicles/RV (we have a 25 foot C Class).

    Has anyone driven this stretch before? How treacherous is it?


    Even if the north entrance is open when you go to Yellowstone (It should open in June) I'd still favor Cody for a few days before entering YNP.

    A stop in Cody will give you Cody with many attraction in and of itself, but also a few great day drives in the Toad - Chief Joseph Highway - Beartooth Highway - Wind River Canyon with Shoshoni and Thermopolis and the Hot Springs. Might even stay in the Buffalo Bill State Park and get all your supplies at the Cody Walmart before you get into the $$$$ high cost of YNP.

    As for the Drive - Easy but Beautiful - most likely it is part of the reason you drove all this way to Wyoming - to see these Mountains.

    JMHO,
  • Cody, WY to Yellowstone via the east entrance is a basically no contest of a drive as compared to many routes throughout the Rockies. I have driven it some five times and its has a few spots where you need to slow down and be mindful of grades up and down but can easily be done with basically any size RV unit. From the east out of Buffalo, Wy on Hwy 16 which is probably the least treacherous of most of the ways into Yellowstone the route out of Cody up to Yellowstone east gate is much, much easier. You'll have no problem on this route. Enjoy the museum in Cody which is fantastic and the scenic drive into Yellowstone which is only a little more than 50 miles.
  • the east entrance mountain pass is, relatively, a piece of cake compared to many others in the Rockies. you shouldn't have any problems with it.
  • This is a fairly fast road with sweeping curves and some grade as you approach the entrance. The grade will probably slow you down more than the curves. Road is good. Take your time and enjoy the drive. This is not a winding slow mountain road with hairpin curves.
  • I have. It’s not treacherous. Twenty-five foot C isn’t large. IMO you should start early to avoid lines at the entrance.