Forum Discussion

Groover's avatar
Groover
Explorer II
Apr 27, 2014

Yellowstone Trip --- Sanity Check

I am planning a trip to Yellowstone (and maybe a day or so in the Tetons) arriving around June 22nd and moving on to Glaciers around June 29th were we could spend another week. These dates were chosen mostly to accomodate the kids school/band schedules and partly to beat the crowds. We will be traveling in my 34ft Palazzo and don't plan to take a toad. I would like to do several day hikes up to 5 or 6 miles. We will have some small dogs with us that (I presume) will have to stay in the RV while we are hiking in the national parks. I have never been to either park before. I would rather boondock close to the attactions than have a fancy campground 20 miles away but we will have to find a laundry machine a couple of times.

My questions:
1) Will the parks be thawed enough to be enjoyable by then?
2) Can I get to the places I want to go with a 34' motorhome?
3) Do you have any highly recommended stops?
4) Any places to avoid?
5) Is there anything special that I need reservations for?
6) Are there any recommeded places between St. Louis and these parks where I should stop overnight or several hours to break up the trip and refresh a little bit?

Any guidance is appreciated.
Class A
  • Dick_B's avatar
    Dick_B
    Explorer
    Apr 27, 2014
    Be sure to search this Forum for the parks you will visit. Lots of information already including my suggestions for taking the bus/van tours of Yellowstone and Glacier.
  • sdianel_-acct_c's avatar
    sdianel_-acct_c
    Explorer
    Apr 27, 2014
    http://www.nps.gov/grte/planyourvisit/campgrounds.htm
    explains what campgrounds are in Teton National Park and whether you need reservations and size limit. If you arrive during the week you may get a site without hookups. They do have laundry facilities. We stayed at Riverton RV Park in Riverton WY and drove into Teton. You can rent a car at the Riverton airport.
    Ditto on renting a car at Yellowstone. We saw many RV's in traffic backups burning their fuel going nowhere.
    There is a KOA in Cheyenne Wyoming. We also liked the town of Douglas WY (home of the Jackalope). Outside of town 10 miles west is the Ayers Natural Bridge. Sorry no pets allowed in the park even inside the RV since they have lots of rabbits in the area.
  • idaho556's avatar
    idaho556
    Explorer
    Apr 27, 2014
    1 yes ,the snow will all be gone by then in Yellowstone to enjoy , you will have crowds at the tourist spot , like old faithful,mammoth hot springs,and so on .

    2 You could do with motor home, If it was me I would try move from one side to the other side .
    Like came at fishing bridge , then on Madison campground, then onto Mammoth, possible canyon.
    Our favorites or Madison and mammoth .you can make reservation at Madison, mammoth is first come first serve.note Yellowstone is big that why camp on the east because you're coming from the east then move to Madison then to Mammoth then up to glacier.

    3. If you're never been there everything will be good just take your time and enjoy.

    4 leave early in the morning to to avoid the crowds and arrive early back at the campsite to enjoy the evening

    5. You will need reservations for Madison, and fishing bridge, Mammoth because first-come first-served

    6 can't help you with this one
  • olly72's avatar
    olly72
    Explorer
    Apr 27, 2014
    I am going to Glacier right now as I am a Red Bus Driver. Hopefully the Going To The Sun Road will be open by the time you get there. A lot of the higher hiking trails may still be closed because of snow and ice on the path. I'm predacious but if you and your family will like to know what they are looking at on the road the Red Bus is the way to go. The top of the bus rolls open giving all a spectacular view and when stopped you can stand up to take pictures and take in these spectacular views. The bus will stop many times at available pull offs and you can exit the bus.
    The west side of glacier has many campgrounds but I don't know of any place to boondock. There are campgrounds for RV's inside the park.
  • SRT's avatar
    SRT
    Explorer
    Apr 27, 2014
    By June 29th Glacier's Going to the Sun highway should be open for a great trip over the pass. But you will need a toad for that as any vehicle over, I believe, 25' is prohibited. There is a "red bus" tour that is pretty good.
  • nwrandski's avatar
    nwrandski
    Explorer
    Apr 27, 2014
    Yellowstone is a great trip! I don't think you will have any problem with snow at that time of year, although some high passes will still have some along the road. It will be more of a consideration when you choose to do some hiking. We went to Yellowstone a few years back and also did not take a toad. We chose to stay at the West Yellowstone KOA, but there are other more typical RV parks in the area. We rented a car in West Yellowstone for touring inside the park - it is much better in a car than in any type of RV (highly recommended).

    Some comments:

    1. Hit up the Tetons before Yellowstone and enter through the South Entrance.
    2. Stay in West Yellowstone for excursions inside the park itself.
    3. Rent a car
    4. West Yellowstone is a good point to depart if you are heading to Glacier NP / Montana afterward.

    Have a great trip!

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