recommendations for rv campgrounds yellowstone / teton

Grizzly and Coulter.

In 2015, we camped 4 days in Gardiner while we explored the upper loop of Yellowstone, then 4 days in West Yellowstone while we explored the southern loop. We then spent 4 days in Colter Bay RV to see the Grand Teton area before heading home. If at all possible, stop by Cody, Wyoming (east of Yellowstone) and visit the Buffalo Bill Cody Museum---worth the visit. Have a great trip.

I'm sure you know this, but the Tetons are in the path of the Aug 21 eclipse, so things will be extra crowded at that time.

We were there in mid May and stayed at Madison Campground. We chose that because it was centrally located. The park is as big as the state of Rhode Island so you will do a lot of driving.It is about 16 miles from West Yellowstone to Madison, then about another 18 miles to Old Faithful. From Old Faithful to Mammoth Hot Springs is about 59 miles.Plus, there is lot to see in between.Look at one of the NPS maps and the distances between different areas of the park and you will see what I mean. Plus, depending on when you go you will have to put up with buffalo or bear jams which will slow you down. We stayed in the park for 4 days. We should have had at least 2 more.You have a fully self contained camper. Why not split it up by staying a few days in a non hookup campground in the park, then move to Fishing Bridge where they have hookups and then spend the last 2 days at Mammoth Hot Springs? At Mammoth, you are about 6 miles south of Gardiner,MT which has a grocery store,gas and nice restaurants.They also have gas and restaurants throughout the park. We really enjoyed the Inn at Old Faithful. Good food and reasonable prices.Even though most campgrounds don't have hookups, many like Madison allow generator use.We would run ours for about an hour in the morning and an hour in the evening to charge batteries,use the microwave or my wife's beloved curling iron. Each visitor center is different so make sure you stop at each one. We were lucky to see a mother grizzly and 3 cubs on our way from Norris to Canyon.The Grand Canyon of the Yellowstone is beautiful.The lower falls is really picturesque.Prepare yourself by checking out all you can online ahead of time or get books on the park so you can decide ahead of time what you want to see. And they have books in the park too. One I bought and really enjoyed was " Death in Yellowstone".It tells about all the people who died in Yellowstone since it's inception. Some died from disease, some froze to death, some were murdered and one couple drove over the cliff at the Grand Canyon! Maybe a little too macabre for some but I just want to know as much as I can about the places we visit.I hope you enjoy it as much as we did. It was our favorite trip ever.

GeoBoy wrote:

Rangerman40 wrote:
If you want to drive a ton every day stay in West Yellowstone. It's an extra 15 miles each way to the "loop". If not, stay at Fishing Bridge as it's about a mile to the "loop". As for the Tetons, Colter Bay is the best option. Full hookups and it's a very short walk to the shore of Jackson Lake.

For that extra 30 minute drive you are referring to, I gladly stay at Grizzly RV Park in the town of West Yellowstone. Grizzly and the town of West Yellowstone have so much more to offer than Fishing Bridge, run by Xanterra corporation, in the park.

Call me crazy but I don't think most people go to Yellowstone to stay at a campground with tons of amenities. It's a place I sleep while you are gone all day exploring some of the coolest things in this country. If you go to set out your lawn chairs and people watch them you could have stayed closer to home.

It took us 4 days to complete the loop. In and out over four days adds up to a decent chuck of time wasted for what?? The gigantic store right next to the park literally has just about everything you could want or need.

Rangerman40 wrote:
If you want to drive a ton every day stay in West Yellowstone. It's an extra 15 miles each way to the "loop". If not, stay at Fishing Bridge as it's about a mile to the "loop". As for the Tetons, Colter Bay is the best option. Full hookups and it's a very short walk to the shore of Jackson Lake.

For that extra 30 minute drive you are referring to, I gladly stay at Grizzly RV Park in the town of West Yellowstone. Grizzly and the town of West Yellowstone have so much more to offer than Fishing Bridge, run by Xanterra corporation, in the park.

If you want to drive a ton every day stay in West Yellowstone. It's an extra 15 miles each way to the "loop". If not, stay at Fishing Bridge as it's about a mile to the "loop". As for the Tetons, Colter Bay is the best option. Full hookups and it's a very short walk to the shore of Jackson Lake.

thank you for all the replies. Well check out all the suggestions!

2gypsies wrote:
For Yellowstone, stay in the park itself for the best experience. Fishing Bridge RV has hookups.

For Grand Teton, Colter Bay RV in the park is best.

X2 You can do both parks from Colter Bay but it is a long ride which would be impossible during peak season. We did it in early June but it was a lot of miles.

Grizzly RV Park for Yellowstone NP and Colter Bay for the Tetons.