Cross Country Road Trip

Personally, I don't believe you gave yourself enough time. Also, I would reverse the trip and do the northern part first so you can take your time and then finish the southern portion in late summer and fall when the weather will be more favorable to you. Finally on such a long trip keep a regular watch on routine mainrenance like tires, bearings, etc. Of course that's just my opinion and I could be wrong. Either way have a safe trip

Yellowstone without reservations might be ok but only if you do not want full hook-ups. IF you want full hook-ups, I would make reservations for Yellowstone. Otherwise you should be ok. Three month trip is a good start but it took us 3 years before we really started to settle into fulltiming. Until then it was just long vacations strung together. Have fun!

Even without hookups Yellowstone is likely to be an issue. I have been traveling to the West for the past 5 years. Last year the crowds have grown immensely. Plan on making reservations at Yellowstone. For hookups you may already be too late. Without hookups you should be ok for most time periods if you reserve a few weeks in advance.

Like Mr. Camper, I'd go north first and save AZ until late Sept/early OCT. We do three months out West without reservations, BUT we are fully self contained. I like USFS CGs during the week (fewer people/easy to find a site) and then resupply and travel on the weekends, except holiday weekends where it's better to stay put.

A 3K generator will pay for itself and will make not having reservations much easier. I'll assume you already added a tranny oil cooler.

I would also figure out where you want to be July 4th weekend and make reservations.

Sounds like a 2 month or so trip. I think you have a very ambitious list of places you want to visit for that short of a timeframe. If starting in NJ, then I'm guessing that's at least a 8,000 mile round trip, probably closer to 10,000. Driving that many miles means you will be just driving through these places instead of 'visiting'. It's real easy for a first time visitor to Yellowstone (bigger then the states of Delaware and Rhode Island combined) to spend 2 weeks or more. Distances out west are measured in hundreds of miles; much different then how close places are in the eastern half of the country. Personally, I would not try to do your schedule. I would do either the northern half (preferred) or the southern half, then do the other half next year.

There's an old story about a person asking a Yellowstone (or maybe Yosemite) Park Ranger what he would do if he had only one day to visit Yellowstone. The Ranger's reply - 'I'd cry'.

It seems to get busier every year. I was at Devil's Tower 2 years ago and was amazed at the number of people visiting this out of the way spot.

I use RVPARKREVIEWS when I am scouting out places to stay. I generally stay at least a week. I make my reservations about a week ahead of time, except if it's getting close to a holiday.

I believe that Bike Week in Sturgis, SD is the 8th - 14th of August this year. Anything anywhere near there will be packed the entire month of August.

As far as Yellowstone goes, there were record crowds last year and even more are expected this year. If you can get reservations at all, you need to get them ASAP.
http://lastbestnews.com/site/2015/11/after-record-year-yellowstone-park-makes-plans-for-2016/

Bring 10 to 15 rolls of quarters for laundry. Most campgrounds use regular machines so don't bring the HE soap from home. Take a couple of laundry baskets. Bring a bar of Lava soap for grease cleanup. Scope out a Walmart here or there for bottled water, shampoo, etc. Buying everything in small towns can get expensive. There are Ford dealers all over the west when it is time for an oil change. Call at least a few days in advance when you figure out when are where. Bring an air compressor if you can so you can keep your trailer tires at the correct psi at all times. We were at Yellowstone last July and most mornings were in the low to mid 30's so bring a sweatshirt at a minimum.

Have been out to the western parks a number of times. First in our mini-van, then a few times in our Class C. Suggest you consider doing the northern leg first as others have noted, and the southern part last. Yellowstone and Grand Teton will be booming. If you want to stay in the park at a hotel, it is recommended that you reserve as early as possible. Staying in a campsite is just as busy. If you can't get something in the park, consider Grizzly RV Park in West Yellowstone MT, just outside the western gate. It is very nice, with full hookups, but as you might expect a bit pricey. You can walk to town for meals, shopping, gas, etc. If you want to eat at a "nice" restaurant in YNP, make your reservations now. If you plan to hike much, allow a day or two to acclimatize because most of the park is over 7500 feet. It can snow in YNP any month, so consider taking heavier clothes and jacket with you. One June there, we were "Locked Down" in place by the Rangers (roads blocked off) because of a sudden overnight snow. Our then teenagers made snowmen. Another June we were there, it dropped to freezing a couple of nights. If you are out and about and hear thunder, head to an indoor safe area quickly. The lightning can be very bad.

Jackson in not as tricky with the weather. It can be cold, and the storms can be bad. Just pay attention. There are a number of camping areas around, and there is one campground in Jackson.

Finally, if your in the Yellowstone area, consider a visit to Cody, WY. The Buffalo Bill Museum there is first rate. Would take at least two days there to see it all.

Best wishes on your trip. It sounds like fun.