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hfd3189's avatar
hfd3189
Explorer
Jun 04, 2014

Yellowstone and area suggestions..

Hi all.. been awhile for me but were back! .. bringing the blended family on a big trip.. looking for suggestions for the wow factor where to stay .. 4 kids are ages 10 to 15.. 30' toy hauler with bicycles. 2 weeks from end of july to beginning of Aug from WI to the YNP area.. open to other stops... (ive been out of RV's for a few years)
  • These are all great and please keep them coming.. i knew i really liked this site when i was active.. I know this is late to plan as far as availability of sites but im going to try and make the best of it..
    kgarrett9999 can you message me with more details..
  • As noted, there are few biking opportunities in Yellowstone. Here is a link to some of the rides that are available in the park. Many of these routes are more suited to mountain or hybrid bikes. The old road to Lone Star Geyser is interesting in that you get into a backcountry thermal area with a geyser and some hot spring pools.

    In the Black Hills, check out the George Mickelson Trail. You can ride parts of it on various days. It's an old railroad grade so the ride isn't very steep anywhere. If you ride from the Mystic trailhead, you're near the four tunnels on the route -- always a sure hit with kids. Map and Trail Guide are well worth having to enhance your riding experience.

    If you're going this year, I do hope you already have reservations as it's pretty late to be getting them now. You may want the "Wow" factor for places to stay, but you'll be getting the "what's left" campsites at this point. In Yellowstone there are some first come, first served CG's that tend to be more primitive and away from the main attractions. Also, Grand Teton NP has many first come, first served campsites, but that's a fair commute every day into Yellowstone from there.

    Your biggest challenge will be the Black Hills. Sturgis Motorcycle Rally runs August 4th - 10th and you don't want to be there then (campsites will be sold out anyway). So you might try to hit the Black Hills on your way west to YNP. We like Custer SP CG's, but again, you're going to find it a challenge to find a good campsite at this late date.
  • Where you stay is not really important in Yellowstone. It is a very big place and nothing is close to everything. Also, you won't be at your campsite very much, Yellowstone means long days out and about. Yellowstone is also not very bicycle friendly. You have to decide what you need in a campground and search for those amenities. Only Fishing Bridge has hookups inside the park. Several other campgrounds do not have showers which might be an issue managing 6 people's grooming schedules and those that do charge a fee. Six people can use a lot of water and fill waste tanks quickly, so you might be better served staying in a full service park. West Yellowstone and Gardiner are the best located towns for staying outside the park. Parks there will get you access to shopping, dining, cellular service, cable television and wifi. Make reservations ASAP since you can expect parks to be sold out daily during your timeframe.
  • One of my favorite places in the country to camp is about 2 hours south west of Yellowstone on the Greys River. Greys River road starts in Alpine and follows the Greys River for over 60 miles. Plenty of places to just pull over and camp. Numerous side roads and trails to explore and the fishing is fantastic. There are a few National Forest Campgrounds but other than vault toilets, trash pickup and possibly a hand water pump they don't have any amenities other than just a great place to camp, hike, bike, 4-wheel, fish and relax.
  • Cedar Pass Campground in the Badlands. Nice campground - electric only, water is available, nice bathhouse and a dump station as well. We only stayed 2 nights but the sunrise and sunsets are beautiful ... so is the surrounding landscape! Wall Drug isn't too far either (bring your wallet). It was fun for the kids and not too bad for us parents either. Lots of "stuff" to do in the area. We will definitely be going back!
  • I've been in the area several times. Frankly, I prefer the Black Hills area of South Dakota to Yellowstone, but if you're going to be that close, visit both.
    And you might want to re-think bikes inside YNP. The Bison herds roam freely, and when they cross the road they don't wait for a crossing guard. Saw a young lady pulled over with a BIG dent in her car door from trying to drive thru the herd. She was talking to a Ranger, but I'm not sure what she thought he could do. The Bison have amazingly hard heads encasing an amazingly small brain.
    Just keep reminding yourself that these are all wild animals.
  • We loved South Dakota Stayed at Rafter J campground in Hill Cit;y one on the best places we have been to.Yellowstone this year staying at Grizzly RV Park and from there Grand Tetons first week of August We are staying at Colter Bay Village campground .Good luck with reservations,Lots of places to go in South Dakota.We got the Trip Planner Book which gives you plenty of information Have a great trip
  • Mount Rushmore. We liked the Mount Rushmore KOA in Hill City.
    Cody Wyoming - KOA - Buffalo Bill Museum, rodeo.

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