Visiting Yellowstone NP, Late Luly

Mandalay Parr wrote:
Try the Grizzly RV Park in West Yellowstone. You won't be disappointed.

Agree !! We loved that RV Park and our stay there !

What I have on Yellowstone.

If in this area of MT: We drove by Pompey's Pillar not knowing what it was in 2009, about 25 miles east of Billings, Montana, on our way to Yellowstone. "It bears the only remaining physical evidence of the Lewis and Clark Expedition, which appears on the trail today as it did 200 years ago. On the face of the 150-foot butte, Captain William Clark carved his name on July 25, 1806, during his return to the United States through the beautiful Yellowstone Valley." Might be worth a stop, if time allows.

Likewise, if in this area of WY: Overnighting Sites & Sights in the Douglas & Wheatland Area. Includes Guernsey & Fort Laramie Area.

Guernsey State Park ------- Fort Laramie National Historic Site ------ Oregon Trail Ruts and Register Cliff

Could use I-25 to Casper then US 20/26 to Tetons, then up to Yellowstone. Thermopolis is off this route. One could go via Cody to Yellowstone, or to Tetons, then to Yellowstone. More of a climb by going to Cody route.

We've gone by Thermopolis, WY twice to do a soak in the hot spring water at the State Bath House. Very neat. We over nighted in the Wind River Canyon in Aug '09 & at one of the Boysen State Park campgrounds by the lake some years ago. But each time, we had already gone to Yellowstone, before stopping.

thermopolis.com/todo/hot-springs-state-park/

Easiest Route would be the South entry from Rock Springs (US 191/189) & I have heard from Rawlins (US 287) is not bad, but it takes one up to US 26 which is basically like going to Casper then over.

We have use the US 191 and/or US 189 a few times, but we were going up from farther west than Denver. Never used the up from Rawlins route.

From Denver, I'd use I-25 up to Casper then west from there to Moran Junction in the Tetons north of Jackson (miss having to tread your way on some what narrow city streets of Jackson). Jackson is a town in the Jackson Hole valley of Teton County.

Mandalay Parr wrote:
Try the Grizzly RV Park in West Yellowstone. Take the Yellow Bus tours of Yellowstone. You won't be disappointed.

Absolutely agree on this one...

Now, you got me thinking.... Somehow I think this thread just cost me a $1700 trip. :)

Yellowstone is big, loop road is 70 miles! We stayed at Fishing Bridge, full hook ups but tight, and would do so again.
Bob

Just keep an eye out for what is happening in the areas you plan on visiting.
Last year, in September, there were fires around the Jackson area and you could not even see the Grand Tetons. Instead of staying in Jackson Hole, we left the area that was blanketed in smoke and headed towards an area with clear skies.
Obviously that is a single event but there has been a drought in the West and fires are not too unusual. From years of travel we know that STUFF can happen at any time of year so just always have a back-up plan in case Mother Nature decides to throw you a curve ball.

Also keep in mind that YNP is huge! Figure on several days just to travel the loops, entrance roads and see the basics, and more if you want to explore. Just an incredible place. Have a great time!

Mandalay Parr wrote:
Try the Grizzly RV Park in West Yellowstone. Take the Yellow Bus tours of Yellowstone. You won't be disappointed.

In our opinion, there is no place else to stay!! GREAT park!!

Yes it does get crowded.

I'll make three recommendations since we did that trip last year.

1. While in Denver...stay at Chatfield State Park. You will not be disappointed.
2. Coming across Wyoming, stay at Buffalo Bill State Park. Not the loop closest to Cody but the one farther down the road. Again, you won't be disappointed.
3. When coming in the East Gate, watch for Bighorn Sheep. There are several groups (herds?) that are just inside the East Gate. Take your time going through the park. Exit the West Gate and Grizzly RV Park is right there. Walking distance to town.

Finally, Yellowstone is basically a figure eight with a north circle and a south circle. The south circle has all the geysers including Old Faithful and some animals, mostly elk and buffalo. The north circle has all the animals. We hit the north circle around noon and took about 7 hours to tour. We saw Elk, Bighorn Sheep, Bison, Moose, Beaver, Bear X2, a Wolf and a nest of three baby owls...good luck...enjoy the park...Dennis

Stay in one of the many campgrounds inside the park and tour on your own (assuming you have a toad). Or - stay in the Grand Tetons - beautiful camping - and visit Yellowstone from there. The singular problem with Yellowstone is that it's over loved - too many tourists. As recently as 1981 we drove to Old Faithful Lodge w/o reservations and secured a room for the night. Now you'd better reserve months ahead. Have visited many, many times over the past 45 years - summer and by snowmobile in the winter. Never make reservations - last summer was the first time we experienced problems as all the campgrounds were full - EXCEPT for the RV park which is almost always booked way in advance. Go figure. BTW - too many tourists equates to drastically reduced wildlife sightings. Still a beautiful and must see park, however.