Yellowstone

We've been there a number of times and always stay at Grizzly RV Resort. We usually stay about two weeks and take day trips in our car through the park, down to the Tetons and into Jackson and over into Idaho. Grizzly makes a good basecamp to start.

bigdogger wrote:
Because for most vacationing families, a trip to Yellowstone means taking the shortest route there, tour the park and take the shortest route back home. Personally, after a long day in the park the last thing I want to do is cook anything. Bring on the full service restaurant. And having cell service "nearby" doesn't help when I need to call or log in to the office.

The shortest route from Iowa would take them through the east entrance. Check your maps, It's a much longer drive around to get to West Yellowstone. Now, if there was a East Yellowstone?!!! Oh, I forgot that would be Cody. There is a big Walmart in Cody to stock up at just before entering the park.

Keith

In addition, on July 23rd 2013, the park service singed off on a Verizon Cell tower in the Lake/Fishing Bridge area. I don't know if it has been built yet, but that would eliminate your lack of cell service complaint. There was already service at Old Faithful, West Thumb area and Canyon.

Keith

2gypsies wrote:
Why would you have a 112 mi. round trip getting to Fishing Bridge? Go in from one direction and exit another. Cell service is available near Fishing Bridge - we've used it. Stock up on supplies before entering the park. They can easily last 1-2 weeks except for milk or bread. Take a side trip outside the park to West Yellowstone for a day of siteseeing that area and fueling up before going back to Fishing Bridge. Also, fuel in West Yellowstone is much higher than in Jackson. Do the West Yellowstone folks drive down to Jackson for fuel?

Because for most vacationing families, a trip to Yellowstone means taking the shortest route there, tour the park and take the shortest route back home. Personally, after a long day in the park the last thing I want to do is cook anything. Bring on the full service restaurant. And having cell service "nearby" doesn't help when I need to call or log in to the office.

bigdogger wrote:
However, if you enter at West Yellowstone and stay there, you eliminate the 112 mile round trip pulling the RV through the park to get to Fishing Bridge. Plus for many people some Cell service and wifi access is a necessity, not a convenience. Also costs for fuel, supplies and restaurant food is much less outside the park than in it. Pluses and minuses to both.

Really?!!

Did you read the OP's original post?

They are coming from Iowa!!! So, most likely, they would have to enter Yellowstone through the east entrance and drive right by all those nice campgrounds to get to West Yellowstone and then turn around again to drive back into the park for sight seeing.

Now if you want to talk about wasted miles, be my guest.

Keith

Why would you have a 112 mi. round trip getting to Fishing Bridge? Go in from one direction and exit another. Cell service is available near Fishing Bridge - we've used it. Stock up on supplies before entering the park. They can easily last 1-2 weeks except for milk or bread. Take a side trip outside the park to West Yellowstone for a day of siteseeing that area and fueling up before going back to Fishing Bridge. Also, fuel in West Yellowstone is much higher than in Jackson. Do the West Yellowstone folks drive down to Jackson for fuel?

kedanie wrote:

Rowdy3803 wrote:
Hello I would like to take my family out to Yellowstone this summer. I have been searching to find information on camping with our travel trailer. We will be traveling from Iowa. Just hoping to get some tips and recommendations for things to do. Thank you.

First off I'll repeat what is said often, Yellowstone is huge. We go there often and still haven't seen all of the park that is open to visitors. We usually stay at least 2 weeks, but 5 days is pretty much a minimum. With only 5 days you would only be starting to get the feel of all that Yellowstone has to offer. The more time you have there, the more you will enjoy it.

Camping, by all means try and stay inside the park. Commuting in from outside the park on a daily basis makes no sense. West Yellowstone has some nice campgrounds, but what are you going to Yellowstone for? Is it to see Yellowstone or hang around the RV park and get sucked in by all the tourist traps?

There are some nice campgrounds inside Yellowstone. By staying inside you will be able to enjoy the nightly ranger lead campfire programs, go out early or late to enjoy animal viewing in the Hayden Valley and not have to deal with the rush to get in or out of the park.

If you need full hookups, Fishing Bridge is your only choice inside the park. They take reservations over a year in advance, so get your reservations in early. The detractors of Fishing Bridge shout about being in a parking lot and jammed in tight. Yes it is a little tight and there will be lots of RV's around you. The reality is that you will spend very little time at you camp site. Most are up early, spend most of the day in various parts of the park and arrive back at dinner time and rest for the next days activities.

Here are a few of the mileage numbers.
Miles from West Yellowstone/ Miles from Fishing Bridge

Old Faithful Geyser .......... 31.3 miles/39.4 miles
Grand Canyon of Yellowstone............ 39.6 miles/15.7 miles
Hayden Valley............. 47.1 / 8.4 miles
Mammoth Hot Springs............ 48.7 miles/48.6 miles
Yellowstone Lake (nearest approach) ............ 48.6 miles/ .3 miles
Norris Geyser Basin............ 28.2 miles/27.7 miles
Lamar Valley...... 65.2 miles/41.9 miles
Tower Fall....... 55.4/31.8 miles
West Thumb Geyser Basin...... 48.3 miles/20.5 miles

Whatever you choose, enjoy Yellowstone!!!!!

Keith

However, if you enter at West Yellowstone and stay there, you eliminate the 112 mile round trip pulling the RV through the park to get to Fishing Bridge. Plus for many people some Cell service and wifi access is a necessity, not a convenience. Also costs for fuel, supplies and restaurant food is much less outside the park than in it. Pluses and minuses to both.

Was just there in Aug/Sept. Better go stay in Grand Teton at Colter Bay RV Park, full hook ups, much less traffic. Grand Teton is South of Yellowstone NP and connected to it.

Thank you for all the great information, it gives me a starting place.

Rowdy3803 wrote:
Hello I would like to take my family out to Yellowstone this summer. I have been searching to find information on camping with our travel trailer. We will be traveling from Iowa. Just hoping to get some tips and recommendations for things to do. Thank you.

First off I'll repeat what is said often, Yellowstone is huge. We go there often and still haven't seen all of the park that is open to visitors. We usually stay at least 2 weeks, but 5 days is pretty much a minimum. With only 5 days you would only be starting to get the feel of all that Yellowstone has to offer. The more time you have there, the more you will enjoy it.

Camping, by all means try and stay inside the park. Commuting in from outside the park on a daily basis makes no sense. West Yellowstone has some nice campgrounds, but what are you going to Yellowstone for? Is it to see Yellowstone or hang around the RV park and get sucked in by all the tourist traps?

There are some nice campgrounds inside Yellowstone. By staying inside you will be able to enjoy the nightly ranger lead campfire programs, go out early or late to enjoy animal viewing in the Hayden Valley and not have to deal with the rush to get in or out of the park.

If you need full hookups, Fishing Bridge is your only choice inside the park. They take reservations over a year in advance, so get your reservations in early. The detractors of Fishing Bridge shout about being in a parking lot and jammed in tight. Yes it is a little tight and there will be lots of RV's around you. The reality is that you will spend very little time at you camp site. Most are up early, spend most of the day in various parts of the park and arrive back at dinner time and rest for the next days activities.

Here are a few of the mileage numbers.
Miles from West Yellowstone/ Miles from Fishing Bridge

Old Faithful Geyser .......... 31.3 miles/39.4 miles
Grand Canyon of Yellowstone............ 39.6 miles/15.7 miles
Hayden Valley............. 47.1 / 8.4 miles
Mammoth Hot Springs............ 48.7 miles/48.6 miles
Yellowstone Lake (nearest approach) ............ 48.6 miles/ .3 miles
Norris Geyser Basin............ 28.2 miles/27.7 miles
Lamar Valley...... 65.2 miles/41.9 miles
Tower Fall....... 55.4/31.8 miles
West Thumb Geyser Basin...... 48.3 miles/20.5 miles

Whatever you choose, enjoy Yellowstone!!!!!

Keith