First Timer To Yellowstone

A month? Like you said, better than nothing. Bet you'll be planning another trip west on the way home.

If you've never been, as you said, you are in for a treat no matter where you go. Take time at each place - like Yellowstone, a month. Then plan on extended time in other areas for next trip. If you try to see too much, you'll miss most of it.

Utah all by itself is at least a month (five national parks, all beautiful, especially if you are a hiker/walker)- Colorado a month. Oregon a month ... etc a month... and it will fill your eyes with beauty, all of these areas.

Thanks all, really appreciate the helpful advice from everyone.

Here's the official Yellowstone site with lots of good information including when the campgrounds close for the season. You still have plenty of choices in September and it's a wonderful time to be there. You'll most likely have cool nights and warm days...but be prepared for dusting of snow but it'll melt fast.

Yellowstone

Be sure in include Grand Teton National Park which is connected to Yellowstone to the south. It's completely different in looks than Yellowstone.

As mentioned above, purchase the Mountain Directory for Truckers and RVers. It will be very helpful for you. Buy it from its site..Amazon is way more expensive for some reason.

You'll have plenty of time for a month. If you have time you should consider heading south into Utah for other awesome national parks like Zion and Arches. Then continue south to the Grand Canyon in Arizona before returning home. Sounds like a good trip!

Teton NP is supposed to be especially beautiful when the aspen leaves are changing. You might hit it just right. Take some time around Jenny Lake. I'm headed there hopefully this July.

Yellowstone is "BIG". We camped at Flagg Ranch, Moran Junction WY 83013 United States Tel: +1 (800)443-2311. It is located just outside of the South entrance to Yellowstone. It is close to Grand Tetons and is an easy drive up 191. Important note was that animal activity is early morning and at dusk. Many visitors miss seeing the animals as they stay up late and sleep in. Also, early morning traffic is light. If you are going to Little Big Horn NM, be sure to stop at Big Bend County Museum in Hardin, Mt. They have restored an entire western village. It well worth spending a day. Also don't forget the Corn Palace in Mitchell, SD.

rr2254545 wrote:

Executive wrote:
A quick tip about Yellowstone....the park is laid out as a figure eight with the top zero having the most wildlife and the bottom zero having the most geysers. Plan your trip accordingly. Old Faithful is in the lower zero. There is a lodge there that is not to be missed. You can get a great view of the geyser from the upstairs lounge, or you can get closer sitting on their benches. We did both. For wildlife viewing, take the upper zero. Remember the animals are more active in the mornings and at dusk. Lunch at Fort Yellowstone....Dennis

Good advise but last September we saw more animals in the lower zero depends on the season perhaps - ask the ranger they will tell you where to go

Or just follow the car jams ?? if people are pulled off the road it means some kind of critter is close. As far as animals in lower or upper part of loops we saw animals all over the place and had a lone wolf right across the road from us near Fishing Bridge. Now that was rare and amazing.

Executive wrote:
A quick tip about Yellowstone....the park is laid out as a figure eight with the top zero having the most wildlife and the bottom zero having the most geysers. Plan your trip accordingly. Old Faithful is in the lower zero. There is a lodge there that is not to be missed. You can get a great view of the geyser from the upstairs lounge, or you can get closer sitting on their benches. We did both. For wildlife viewing, take the upper zero. Remember the animals are more active in the mornings and at dusk. Lunch at Fort Yellowstone....Dennis

Good advise but last September we saw more animals in the lower zero depends on the season perhaps - ask the ranger they will tell you where to go

A quick tip about Yellowstone....the park is laid out as a figure eight with the top zero having the most wildlife and the bottom zero having the most geysers. Plan your trip accordingly. Old Faithful is in the lower zero. There is a lodge there that is not to be missed. You can get a great view of the geyser from the upstairs lounge, or you can get closer sitting on their benches. We did both. For wildlife viewing, take the upper zero. Remember the animals are more active in the mornings and at dusk. Lunch at Fort Yellowstone....Dennis

we've been twice. Not many scenic routes to get there. I would go the fastest route to Denver. I-75, I-24, I-57, I-64, I-70. We stayed at the Fort Collins Co KOA. You can take a day trip to Estes Park from there. Last year there was lots of construction in Denver. If you want to see Albuquerque and Colorado Springs, take I-40 through Oklahoma City and Amarillo. That will add a day to your trip out. If not, from Denver, take I-25 north. In Casper take US26 west to Shoshoni, then north on US20 toward Thermopolis. At Greybull there is a KOA. Hwy 14-16-20 turns west to Cody. Stop in Cody and see the Buffalo Bill Museum. If Yellowstone is booked, we stayed at Yellowstone Valley Inn RV Park. 35 miles from the West Yellowstone entrance. We drove back and forth from the RV park to Yellowstone. You can also drive to see the Tetons from there. From Cody, go back east to Greybull, south on US20 to Worland, then US16 east through the Big Horn Mts. (allow plenty of time) and pickup I-90 in Buffalo. From there you can get to the Black Hills and Bad Lands. Once you have your route we can help with campgrounds. Many campgrounds will be closing in September so I would check their websites for closure dates. Tips:
For mountain driving use your engine retarder or jake brake and or lower gear. Don't ride brakes. Approach descent very slowly. Get fuel more often. We stopped when our fuel gauge was at half. Allow plenty of time between stops to allow for construction and windy mountain roads. Purchase a western mountain atlas or truckers atlas that shows steep grades and truck routes. Wish we were going again!