Yellowstone/Grand Tetons in September 2014

tommy salmon wrote:
Also, what kind of weather should we expect there in September?

You can check out the weather on by looking at my photos of the trip in Sept 2010. Look at the middle of the page, the "Folders" are by date YS can have snow in July.

Sept in YS/Teton

We were at Yellowstone 2 years ago at the end of September. We weren't camping, we didn't get a camper until this year (the accomodations in West Yellowstone might have contributed to that decision. Clean, but spartan). Beautiful time of year if the weather cooperates. It was perfect for us - the two days we toured the park, it was 25 degrees when we got up, and in the 70's by early afternoon, clear sunshine both days. It was mating season for the Elk, so they were very active. We were there the 21-23rd, and the tourists were pretty thin by that time.
Of course, two days after we left, they got their first snow of the season, 10"........ Timing and luck are everything!
Mark

Very difficult to guess about weather in the area. Doubt it will be that uncomfortable. We live north of Cody at 5000 ft and normally don't get first frost until 1st week of Sept. This year it was almost into Oct before we got a light frost. Higher up in Yellowstone a little cooler. Nights cool days pleasant but not too warm. This year got our first snow storm about 3rd week of Oct in Cody.

We went this year in our truck and camper in September to both places, and did not have reservations for our stays. A lot depends on what you expect to do, if you are avid hikers, or more inclined to drive and then walk about a bit.

But first.. both places have parks that are and perhaps with your service you may qualify for discounted rates. That would help. Gros Ventre in Grand Teton would certainly be a good spot to land and from there you can drive about with your toad. It is totally non hook up except for the park employees, but they did talk of that changing.

September is packed with tourists that figure the same as you.. we were overwhelmed with the numbers. The RV Parks are best booked for a bigger rig like yours. We had to be settled by about noon to get a spot in some places. It is really busy.

The best times we had were in the outside parks away from the National Parks. Some of the smaller ones still open were truly lovely places, quiet and peaceful, and with the pick of the prime sites in that season.

We stayed two nights in the Tetons, then headed east and went to the Longhorn Ranch and RV Resort in Dubois. What a beautiful and peaceful spot! Didn't hurt a bit to see a fisherman carrying his catch back from a time on the river. We went to Thermopolis and toured the dinosaur museum there, certainly wished I had spent more time there. A huge hotsprings for touring and for a swimming break there.

On to Cody to the western museum there, again worth a double day for a good visit. We went out to the State Park along the lake and stayed two nights.

From there, into Yellowstone... oh boy.. drive to see everything, busy busy busy, we stayed in two different parks, both with no reservations, and wild panic between 6:30 and 8:00 AM with people running about trying to secure sites that were vacating that morning. We checked the Weather Radio and left to the west with snow approaching that night.

In two days we were at a NFS site along the Crooked River near Bend, Oregon. How peaceful and lovely.

If you have to see with your own eyes, by all means visit the National Parks. The sights are truly impressive and wonderful. But if you want a relaxing journey, and are equally impressed by smaller venues, down home warm and fuzzy food, and local events, then enjoy the journey there and back, but be prepared to stay outside for the most part, and take the roads less travelled.