SLC-Teton-Yellowstone-SLC Trip Advice

Question

Hello all, first time RV’er here looking to take my family of five on our first real adventure as a family. We’re planning to start our 11 day trip in Salt Lake City on May 24 of this year in a 32 foot Thor class C RV and plan head up to the Tetons through Jackson then tour Yellowstone for 5 days, then back south to SLC. Since rental vehicles during our visit were so cheap five months ago when we planned this trip, we plan to have the rental SUV follow (not tow) behind the RV to each campsite then visit places along the way so we don’t have to disconnect the RV every day (wife insisted on this idea). We are looking for suggestions on any must see sites or activities along our route to ensure we don’t miss anything during our first and probably last trip before our oldest moves on to college. We’ve booked a few campsites along the way so our planned itinerary is as follows:

Day 1:
Depart SLC KOA and Tavel to Gros Ventre Campground (Jackson, WY)

Day 2:
Gros Ventre - Headwaters Lodge (Moran, WY)

Day 3:
Headwaters Lodge

Day 4:
Headwaters Lodge - Yellowstone Grizzly RV Park

Day 5-9:
Yellowstone Grizzly RV Park

Day 10:
Grizzly RV Park - Lava Campground (Lava Hot Springs, ID)

Day 11:
Lava non stop to SLC

Please comment if you have an opinion on our itinerary and have any suggestions on sites to visit along the way. Hopefully we didn’t bite off more than we can chew with having my wife follow me in a SUV during our entire trip. BTW, our kids are 9, 13, and 16.

Thanks everyone for any suggestions and criticisms regarding our timing and trip itinerary. We plan to dress for elements since we’ll be traveling during the beginning of the season.

redrollingroadb · Answer

If you got smartphones get an app for Yellowstone. We used "Just Ahead" app and it was worth the cost. Wife set her iPhone to play through the radio and then we could vote to take the side-trip. Others have said the National Parks App is good too.

We did Yellowstone last year with our then 14, 11 year old grandsons and our 7 year granddaughter. Wish we would have had your SUV as the Focus is getting too small for them. Took one day off and just fooled around the campground or the kids would have mutiny.

clouddriver · Answer

A couple of thoughts for your consideration.

We like to drive route 89 when going from SLC to Grand Teton NP. Between Logan and Garden City 89 is the Logan Canyon Scenic Byway. After Garden City we stay on 89 all the way up to Jackson. It's a beautiful drive with one 6% down grade just before Garden City. Use lower gears with the RV going down to save the brakes. If you decide to use I15 up to Idaho Falls, take route 26 to Alpine then 89 up to Jackson. Do not use route 22 from Victor over the Teton Pass to Jackson. 10% grade, not recommended for a first time RV'er.

Gros Ventre is our favorite campground for the Tetons. When driving Gros Ventre road between 89 and the campground, keep your eyes open for Moose grazing along the river.

We have had snow showers as late as mid-June on several past trips to the Tetons and Yellowstone. Bring some warm clothes so you can layer up.

nancyjerry · Answer

What ages are kids?Can you borrow/do you have multiple pairs of binoculars?If you can spring for a scope that would be great too.We just arrived Friday at Colter Bay in Grand Teton N.P. Hubby works with the NPS and we will be here til early October. (Our 3rd year here )Have seen 6 moose, 2 fox, coyote and a large Grizzly 3 days straight. She/he has found a field full of something it is digging and enjoying!Ask away. ;)Nancy

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