Denver to Yellowstone

Awesome trip!!
40 isn't bad for driving. It's definately got a few mountainous sections but you can drive it pretty much normal in a class C. And it's more scenic I'd say. Beautiful drive.

Have fun!

rob737 wrote:


What do you mean by 'dry camp'? Is that parking without water and power hookups? I assumed we would be on our own the whole time. But that begs the question, what is the endurance of a black water tank (13 gallons?), in days, for a family of 4? My wife is never a fan of pit latrines, and the later it gets in the season, the more I am inclined to agree with her.

Yes, dry camping is parking on a RV site with no hookups (water, electric, sewer). The dry campground in the Tetons have flush toilets. For 4 people and a 13 gal. black tank, I'd suggest everyone use the flush toilets when convenient except during the night. You'll be touring mostly all day anyway so you won't even be in the RV to use it. You'll be using flush toilets as you sitesee. If you're only staying a couple nights you'll have plenty of room in your black tank. The campgrounds will have dump stations so dump when you leave and you'll be ready for your next stop.

Be advised that US 191 from Vernal Utah to Flaming Gorge is fairly steep and crooked. From there to Jackson is a good road.

Thanks for the quick replies!

Yes we do have space reserved at Bridge Bay. I like the Tower/Roosevelt and Norris areas better, but BB is where I could confirm space. I've been to YNP a few times before, most recently about 15 years ago, but only in a SUV. This will be a different experience altogether.


We pick up our rental in Denver, so I'm afraid that's the one must of the whole trip. I've driven I 70 a dozen times or more, but never taken US 40. A quick map recon of CO 14 looks like it has as many wiggles as US 40, but its hard to judge the degree of difficulty on the scale I'm using.

My wife and I loved Tetons the last time we were there, so that's already on the list. I flew into Jackson this winter, we saw a Moose with calf on the airport access road.
What do you mean by 'dry camp'? Is that parking without water and power hookups? I assumed we would be on our own the whole time. But that begs the question, what is the endurance of a black water tank (13 gallons?), in days, for a family of 4? My wife is never a fan of pit latrines, and the later it gets in the season, the more I am inclined to agree with her.

We plan to stock up on consumables for the trip in Denver, so hopefully we won't need much in the way of supplies once we're on our way!

One thing to be aware of about Dinosaur National Monument, is that much of it is not accessible by road, in fact the road into the park to the fossil bed wall is just a short road in and out of the park, the main park road is just east of Dinosaur, CO about 25 miles east of the fossil bed wall. The main road makes a nice few hours of driving with maybe a dozen pull over spots, overlooks, picnic areas, etc. (we were there last summer in a rental van), there are some campground in the park that allow RV's, but I think most are tent camping only. Also be aware this a a very isolated area, most of the small towns in the area are lucky to have a gas station, so buy supplies before you leave civilization if driving from the east. When we went there last summer it was after a loop through southern WY (Saratoga, etc.) by way of Steamboat Springs, which was so packed we did not even stop, shoulder to shoulder people, we circled multiple blocks without seeing a single parking space of any type.

Unless you really want to drive through Denver (traffic) for some reason, I'd recommend you come in via I-80 then head south into Colorado to Fort Collins and take Hwy 14 west. Pick up Hwy 40 around Steamboat Springs and head west to Dinosaur Nat'l Monument. It's a beautiful drive and will gradually introduce you to some mountain driving.

https://www.nps.gov/dino/index.htm

Then continue north from Vernal, UT on 191. You'll immediately have a steep uphill toward Flaming Gorge Nat'l Monument but your rental isn't big and you shouldn't have any issues. You'll just be going slow uphill. When you have to go downhill use your gears, not your brakes. Shift into a lower one at the top before you get going fast midway.

Take 191 into Jackson, WY (stock up on groceries and fuel) and on to Grand Teton Nat'l Park where you should plan on stopping for a few days. The end of August you won't even need reservations especially if you can dry camp... and you can do so easily. Fill your fresh water tank and empty your grey and black tanks just before entering the campgrounds. During your stay conserve water. There will be shower facilities to help you do so. The first campground you'll come to is Gros Ventre (our favorite). Ask if one of the few electric sites are available. Otherwise you'll have a dry site. Continuing north through the park you'll then come to Colter Bay campground. Each of these two have 300 sites and rarely fill. Right next door to Colter Bay campground is Colter Bay RV park and you just might get lucky to get a site there if you want hookups. Grand Teton is a lovely park. The trails are awesome and even the easier ones will take you to little mountain lakes. The boys would love the gentle raft trip in the park down the Snake River. You might even see a moose in the water with you. We did!

https://www.nps.gov/grte/index.htm

Then continue north taking the South Entrance into Yellowstone to your camp destination.

You'll have a wonderful trip!

I'm not sure on the best Denver/YNP route since we normally go in via Salt Lake City to West Yellowstone. I would think some time on I-25 (once you get out of Denver traffic) would help getting used to the RV. Settle down in the right (or middle if available) lane at around 60mph and let it run. Don't let anybody push you around or crowd you. They have your permission to go around you and go as fast as they wish.

Do you have your reservations at Yellowstone? It is still very crowded at the end of August and choices may be very limited at this time although you need a much smaller space than my 54 foot combination.

Don't miss Dinosaur, The kids will love it. Plan to spend at least half a day at the fossil face.

Last Summer, with the grandson, we left Yellowstone via the South Entrance; down through Tetons to Jackson Hole; then to Green River, WY (overnight stop?); next day down through the Flaming Gorge Rec Area (take it slow and easy. Lots of scenic pull offs.) to Vernal. You would be going the other way. Vernal; Flaming Gorge; Green River; Jackson; Yellowstone.

The KOA at Vernal is nice, if a little pricy. Very friendly people with lots of local knowledge. You older one would enjoy the Petroglyph Ranch, but probably not so much for a five year old.

Have fun!