First time across Wyoming

[roywho_colorado]

Hello! We are brand new RV-ers, taking out Fifth Wheel on it's first trip out of state (third trip total). We want to travel from Cheyenne, Wyoming to Yellowstone National Park. Interested in best route, we want to avoid a lot of steep grades or tiny roads. We are considering going North to Casper on I-25, then NorthWest to Cody via Hwy 20/26 to 120 into Cody. Our second option is West out of Cheyenne on I-80 then 189/191 North all the way to West Yellowstone Montana. We have never been there before so best side of the park to camp is also a consideration - either Cody, Wyoming out the East Gate or West Yellowstone, Montana out the West Gate. It looks like pluses and minuses for each route, wondering what other experiences have been for anyone who's done this drive, or any tips the experienced might have for us on this route!
Thank you!

[WyoTraveler]

Without resrvations Walmart in Cody works for overnight.

[trailertraveler]

roywho colorado wrote:
...We are considering going North to Casper on I-25, then NorthWest to Cody via Hwy 20/26 to 120 into Cody...

If you take this route and have the time, stop in Thermopolis to see the Hot Springs, Dinosaur Museum and Legend Rock Petroglyph Site. Cody has the Buffalo Bill Historic Center, Old Trail Town and the Nightly Rodeo. From Cody you can drive your tow vehicle in a loop including the Chief Joseph Scenic Highway, the Beartooth Scenic Byway and Red Lodge.

In my opinion, Cody is too far from most of the attractions in Yellowstone to use as a basecamp for visiting the park. West Yellowstone, Gardiner or Fishing Bridge in the park have hookups and each is closer to at least some of the popular attractions than Cody would be. When we visit Yellowstone we stay a week each in two or more locations.

The Tetons are definitely worth seeing so if you choose to go through Cody, I would exit the park to the South.

[paulj]

One other highway to avoid in Wyoming, WY22 west from Jackson over Teton Pass. Probably not on your way, unless you try to go from Jackson to W Yellowstone via Idaho. US26 is the correct route for that.

[MottissMT36RL]

If your going to West Yellowestoe to stay and tour the park from there, we usually take 287 out of Ft Collins to Laramre on I-80, then at Rock springs go NW on !91 to Daniel Jct and pick up 189 into Hoback and on into Jackson. Then on through Teton NP and go in the South Ent. to YNP and around the SW part of the Grand Loop and out at Madison Jct to W. Yellowstone. This is an easy pull no real grades to pull. Be safe... John

[Gale_Hawkins]

Two years ago we went to YS from Mount Rushmore on two and four lane and some mountain roads naturally. We did not have any road quality or grade issues in the state of WY.

[roywho_colorado]

Thanks SO MUCH to everyone for all the great advice! My first time RV-ing and first time posting, overwhelmed by the help, all great info that will make our decision much, much easier.

[Dick_B]

Get a copy of Mountain Directory West to help you make those route decisions.

[CloudDriver]

X3 on the route the West Yellowstone suggested by TexasShadow. No grades at all on that route.

While the exit through the east entrance to Cody isn't tough, it is a long downhill with 6-7% grades and lots of curves (but no switchbacks). We used 2nd gear to keep the brake usage down when we went that way in 2012.

[WyoTraveler]

If you do go west on I80 to pick up 191becareful of high winds on I80 west of Cheyenne. May want to fuel up in Rock Springs.

[azdryheat]

We stayed at Grizzlie RV park in West Yellowstone and highly recommend it. Wherever you stay, get reservations. We towed our 37' 5r all over Yellowstone with no issues.

[kangaroo]

I agree with Texas Shadow. We drove the 191 route out of Rock Springs, WY last fall. In my opinion, the grades are less on this route than coming West thru Cody. We stayed a week at the Fishing Bridge Campground within Yellowstone National Park. You are required to have a hard-sided camper to stay at Fishing Bridge because of potential bear visits. There are also some nice campgrounds in Jackson,WY, on the way to YNP. Hope this helps some.

[paulj]

All entrances of Yellowstone are RV friendly, with the exception of NE (Chief Joseph/Beartooth). Yellowstone itself is a mountain top, a volcanic caldera. Yellowstone Lake is only a 1000' or so lower than points on the rim. Cody to the east entrance is likely to be the only one (other than NE) that would remind you of a Colorado climb into the Rockies.

[TexasShadow]

if you're going now, go on west to 191 and up to Hoback Junction (26 and 89) then drop down to Alpine and take 26 over to 20 and go north to West Yellowstone.
you'll have more luck finding an rv park up there and it's the closest you'll get to the Park without being inside the park.
North of Pinedale WY: about 20 miles nw of town, there is a little federal campground with water and dump, good overnight stop.
or west of Alpine: a few miles, just below the dam, is a federal campground.
at Ririe, ID, there is a shortcut over to 20 if you don't mind a few miles of county road.
Rexburg, ID has the last walmart you'll see in case you want to stock up on anything.
Henry's Lake: there is a nice state park with elec, water and dump, reasonable price. or an RV park within half a mile of the park entrance road, that has a very nice laundry if you want or need that amenity, and prices are better than West Yellowstone.
or
go on to West Yellowstone where you will find 3 or 4 RV parks, all decent.
There are no noticeable grades on this route.
But if you do this, take your return route through the park and out the east gate to Cody. Sylvan Pass is not especially tough and there is yet another federal campground about 20 miles east of the park gate, called Rex Hale, with water and elec.
or:
Buffalo Bill State Park is closer to Cody and has elec, water and dump.
Enjoy.