Forum Discussion

bsbeedub's avatar
bsbeedub
Explorer
Feb 08, 2023

Opinions on Yellowstone trip

First:
We’re traveling to Yellowstone in September of 2023 and will be staying at Fishing Bridge RV Park. We got our reservations on the first available day this past September. We’ll be at Devils Tower at one point and then an overnight in Ten Sleep, WY. I want to take the least mountainous route there is and it looks like US-16 out of Ten Sleep, south on US-20 to Thermopolis then north on WY-120 up to US-14 west through Cody and into the park’s east entrance.
I’ve read that north out of Ten Sleep to US-14 west is much more mountainous. For those of you that are familiar with the trip, what are your thoughts on my route choice?

Second:
My 5er’s tires will be a few months shy of three years old when we begin our trip. I’m wondering if I should replace them beforehand. Opinions?
Seeking Advice
  • Bumpyroad's avatar
    Bumpyroad
    Explorer
    Feb 08, 2023
    after my brother in law described driving on those direct routes I decided to just take the interstate around and entered in the North entrance to Yellowstone.
    bumpy
  • valhalla360's avatar
    valhalla360
    Navigator
    Feb 08, 2023
    Did the same route last fall...

    US-16 is the better route across the Big Horn Mts (vs US-14) but still a decent climb and drop. That's really the mountainous part of getting from Devils Tower to Fishing Bridge.

    At 10 Sleep you are past the worst, the route isn't bad at all (north to Greybull then west to Cody). No reason to go way south to Thermopolis.

    As far as tires, assuming there are no other issues (balding, bubbles on the sidewall, etc...), 3yrs is fine. Typically around 6-7yrs is when you start to consider tires having aged out.
  • fj12ryder's avatar
    fj12ryder
    Explorer III
    Feb 08, 2023
    It's been a while since I've been that way, but seems to me once you've gotten to Ten Sleep you're over the worst of the winding roads. From there it's a coin toss up 16 to Greybull or 120 to Cody.

    As far as your tires, what brand and what size are you running? If you're running Westlake in an "E" rated 16", changing them out might not be a bad idea. They don't have a stellar reputation.

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