Flagstaff to Flaming Gorge UT or Cody WY to Red Lodge MT

[Janss]

Just starting to plan our summer trip. We can leave as early as June 1, but could be later. Please comment on any part or all. If you want to post a map route link that would be great. I am an experienced driver, but still don't want to drive super curvy road with scary dropoffs beside me. MH and tow car in sig. We need at least electric hookup for camping due to medical issue. Spouse is very mobility challenged, so we mostly do scenic drives, viewpoints, visitor centers, boat tours, etc...stuff that barely involves walking. We do carry a scooter for museums and such.

We've been to Yellowstone and Grand Tetons a few times, so really concentrating on sites and roads we haven't seen yet.

Flagstaff to Flaming Gorge:
Don't know how to "do" the Gorge or how to get there and beyond. Do I use 191 all the way, any campgrounds with electric? Do I drive to SLC and take I-80 to stay in Green River, WY and do long day trip in the car? Suggestions appreciated!

Flaming Gorge to Cody:
Need route. I'm thinking something that goes up thru Thermopolis? Is that on track? Maybe even stay there a night or two? Plan to do Chief Joseph Hwy and other stuff from Cody.

Cody to Red Lodge:
Route? Plan to do Beartooth Hwy from Red Lodge.

Red Lodge to I-90 westbound:
Is 78 RV friendly or should I go up 212?

I realize June could be a little early for Beartooth and Chief Joseph highways. My friend in Montana told me the winter has been fairly light so far. So we'll just have to take our chances. Stay for few days in each place and hope for one good weather day.

[Janss]

Good to know if I decide to take 191 up there.

[trailertraveler]

deleted duplicate post

[trailertraveler]

In the Flaming Gorge area Dutch John RV Park has full hookups. Closer to Vernal, Steinaker State Park has some full hookup sites and some water and electric sites. Red Fleet State Park has five full hookup sites.

[Janss]

Thanks for the info!

[JAC1982]

Just had to add I agree w/ the others about Flaming Gorge... Lucerne Marina or Manila. The WY side of the Gorge kind of stinks, IMO. We did 7 days boondocking there near Buckboard Marina and will never do it again. The UT side at least has more trees and greenery.

Something to note, there is a free dump station in Rock Springs at the Wastewater Treatment Facility. Right off I-80 and very easy to get in/out.

[Janss]

Ok, great. Thanks for responding.

[GaryUT]

Janss wrote:
Too late for that ppine!

To the rest...great info, just what I needed to know. Thanks so much!

GaryUT...From Flaming Gorge to Cody, you suggested driving to Rawlins, then north. Is the route north from Rock Springs, 191 then 28 to Lander, not good? It's less miles.

I forgot about 191 and 28, it's fine.

Gary

[Janss]

Too late for that ppine!

To the rest...great info, just what I needed to know. Thanks so much!

GaryUT...From Flaming Gorge to Cody, you suggested driving to Rawlins, then north. Is the route north from Rock Springs, 191 then 28 to Lander, not good? It's less miles.

[ppine]

None of those roads are that hard. If you don't like windy and steep drop offs, stay out of the West.

[agesilaus]

Thermopolis has some free state park hot springs as well as some private ones. And some FHU cg. It's on our list tho I hear the hot springs are somewhat reduced from past years.

[GaryUT]

Janss wrote:

Flaming Gorge to Cody:
Need route. I'm thinking something that goes up thru Thermopolis? Is that on track? Maybe even stay there a night or two? Plan to do Chief Joseph Hwy and other stuff from Cody.

Take 530 north from Lucerne and catch I80 at Green River.

West to Rawlins then north on 287 to Lander. Take 789 and 26 to get to 20, north through Thermopolis and then catch 14 to Cody.

Gary

[WE-C-USA]

GaryUT wrote:

Janss wrote:
Thank you for that information. Would love to boondock where Grand Adventure does (or anywhere). That was possible years ago in good health and with a smaller RV. We used to do alot of boondocking. But I must stress, from my original post, that we MUST have electric hookup due to 24/7 supplemental oxygen needs at these higher altitudes. (Portable rechargeable oxygen machine in use during day trips.)

Lucerne campground has electric hookups. Water is available to fill your tank, and they have a dump station.

Lucerne campground reservations.

If electric is required then this is the place to stay. Book now

[GaryUT]

Janss wrote:
Flagstaff to Flaming Gorge:
Don't know how to "do" the Gorge or how to get there and beyond. Do I use 191 all the way, any campgrounds with electric? Do I drive to SLC and take I-80 to stay in Green River, WY and do long day trip in the car? Suggestions appreciated!

191 from Vernal UT to Flaming gorge has a steep grade and a LOT of switchbacks.

I would take 80 to Provo UT then 189 to 80, or you can stay ON 15 to SLC to catch 80, but you will have to pull parleys summit to Park City.

Get off 80 at Ft. Bridger and take 414/43 to Lucerne via Manila.

Use your toad for a day trips to the dam and Red Canyon overlook from Lucerne.

Gary

[padredw]

I don't believe you'll find FHU around the gorge. Either south at Vernal or up in WY. We stayed at Vernal one time, may have been a KOA

We stayed at the KOA in Manila, Utah and found it convenient to Flaming Gorge. We enjoyed a drive on a by-road called, "Sheep Creek Scenic Drive" just off highway 44. Many nice overlooks along this highway.