Camping in National Parks

Some more grist for the mill. In August 2011 we stayed at Johnsons of St Marys (private) outside the West entrance of Glacier NP. It was near the entrance and afforded a nice view and fhu.

A couple of days later we pulled into Bakers Hole CG, National Forest Service, just outside the west entrance to Yellowstone. No services, but gorgeous wooded sites large enough for any RV and second vehicle. Or there is Grizzly down the road with fhu and neighbors to stare into your site from feet away for much more money.

We practice water conservation and carry photovoltaic on the roof (not much good in the woods) so dry camp is good for us for a week easily and more if we eat out and skip a shower now and then.

BRAVO Cliff for uploading those pics. I agree 100% on the camping in Gros Ventre campground. Primitive but super enjoyable to say the least.

docj wrote:
There's also a very nice KOA in St. Mary at the east entrance to Glacier Park

X2 concise ant to glacier. Nice park.

kd9877 wrote:
I am needing to know where to camp in a 40' motorhome in Grant Teton NP, Yellowstone NP, and Glacier NP.
Thank you!

Colter Bay inside Grand Teton, Yellowstone has campgrounds all along the routes, but Fishing Bridge is the only one with full hookups and really not as nice as the others. We like Apgar on the West Glacier side, inside GNP, but again, not a full service campground. Gensets are allowed for 2hrs running, 3 times a day. Water is only available in faucets here and there and they do have a dump station. Great bike paths throughout, along with bus stops heading towards the ....road to the sun....and Logan's Pass, with stops along the way.

revump wrote:
We need a list of National Parks that can handle a 40ft MH

LMAO, we need a "LIKE" button!

Just FYI, when we were in Moab, jeeping into arches, we went up to the campground and spent some time with the camp host. (now thersa job I'd give (insert random body part here) for!)

He drove me around in his golf cart with the map that shows the supposed size of every campsite. We identified 8 where a forty footer would fit, with someplace to park the toad.

Note the reservation system shows a max length of like 32' in this campground.
nuttin beats boots on the ground and asking someone who knows.

And yes, I still have this map.

Bobsidea wrote:
We are planning to stay in our RV at St. Mary/East Glacier KOA in St. Mary but I'm wondering if anybody knows if they have a shuttle over to St. Mary visitor center where we can pick up the free shuttle to Going to the Sun Road. We won't have any transportation and looking for a campground close to free shuttles. Thanks for your time!

Have you asked this KOA and many offer shuttle service to popular destinations? If you're going up to Logan's pass anyway, you might as well hop on the smaller shuttle bus that goes down to the Apgar campground area and visitor center at West Glacier. Really a nice scenic drive along the cliff road and keep in mind that this bus doesn't start running until July 1st. Also they'll be some short waits for the first few days, while they clean away avalanche debris. Also, I hear that they're rebuilding the roadway and not sure if that's been completed as yet.

Another vote for Gros Ventre (assuming you can live without hookups). It's away from the crowds; a good base from which to see the rest of GTNP and Jackson Hole. A great wildlife viewing spot, you likely will see bison, moose, antelope, etc. within a mile or two of camp (or walking through camp). Decent fishing in the river also.
The camp:

This is a 5 min walk from camp:

A 5 min drive from camp (that row of trees ahead on the right is the turn to camp):
5 min from camp the other direction:

We are planning to stay in our RV at St. Mary/East Glacier KOA in St. Mary but I'm wondering if anybody knows if they have a shuttle over to St. Mary visitor center where we can pick up the free shuttle to Going to the Sun Road. We won't have any transportation and looking for a campground close to free shuttles. Thanks for your time!

BobandShaz wrote:

wny_pat wrote:
Just plug in your information at http://www.recreation.gov/ and it will find the proper length spot for you.

Really great info. THANKS

Keep in mind, that most sites are more than generous and one must wonder who is doing the measuring, if anyone. I mean, we've been in many a site where we weren't supposed to fit in.

wny_pat wrote:
Just plug in your information at http://www.recreation.gov/ and it will find the proper length spot for you.

Really great info. THANKS