How many days for Yellowstone

[garyp4951]

Thanks for the old thread info, and I'm making decisions on all the input I received.
Going up from the south, and out through Cody.

I have booked 3 nights at Colter Bay RV (5/15) to see the Tetons, and not sure wether to go to Fishing Bridge, or West Yellowstone next.

How may days should I book to cover it pretty good, I retired so time doesn't matter except I want to get out before the big crowds get there.

I do have a senior pass that would save on NP's, but they only have elect at most of them.

[evanrem]

You might be able to see all the highlights in five days going full tilt. If I was to go back and time was not a factor I would stay at multiple places around the park to limit drive time and shoot for ten days. Depending how active you are three days in the Tetons might not be enough.

[Supercharged]

Campfire Time wrote:

Dick_B wrote:
If you don't hike I suggest four days.

And if you do hike stay at least a week. Lots of stuff to near the roads. But the best is on the back country trails and taking day hikes.

The day hike can be as little as a hour if a bear come after you.

[2gypsies1]

Here's the 'predicted' entrance openings... looks like May 12 for the south entrance - all subject to change depending on weather. Lots of other good information on this site, too. Bring a winter coat, hat and gloves - just in case. Mornings will be cold.

https://www.nps.gov/yell/planyourvisit/parkroads.htm

Here's a good description of all the entrances into Yellowstone:

http://www.rvtechmag.com/travel/4_yellowstonebyrv.php

[GeoBoy]

garyp4951 wrote:
Great info, I just booked 3 days at Fishing Bridge, and 3 at Grizzly.
I might try a NP next before going to Cody.

May maybe too early, cold. We were there in early June 2014 and there were freeze warnings at night, and light snow. You are going to love Coulter Bay and Grizzly RV Park. We stayed 5 days in the Tetons and 7 days in Yellowstone NP. Enjoy yourself.

[Lwiddis]

In total I've only spent 10 days in Yellowstone. Another 28 days and I might have seen most of it.

[Ivylog]

Depending on the amount of snow the south entrance may not be open that early.

[garyp4951]

Great info, I just booked 3 days at Fishing Bridge, and 3 at Grizzly.
I might try a NP next before going to Cody.

[tragusa3]

We stayed active from sun up to sun down and left on day 5. That said, if we were retired we would have enjoyed staying much longer. We saw pretty much everything that is within a half mile walk of a road (very little of the park).

Fishing Bridge was our home base, and probably the best location if you are staying in only one place. The mosquitos (in June) were crazy bad, as in you couldn't be outside at dawn and dusk.

[Two_Hands]

Minimum of four days in Yellowstone, seven would be better. Fishing Bridge RV Campground is the only one in the park that has full hookups. Get reservations now. Three days is probably good for the Tetons and Colter Bay RV Campground is nice. In the park with full hookups.

[CA_Traveler]

4 days or 2 days on each loop going the opposite direction. 2 more days will qualify you as "expert" tour guides. :B

[agesilaus]

We spent 2 weeks last time and have been there for 1 week stays several times across the years and still haven't seen all of it. Stay at Fishing Bridge if you want FHU. It's an ugly parking lot but it's all there is. And we were only there starting in the late afternoon/evening.

Remember that park is bigger than some small eastern states, there is a lot to see and many trails to walk. 4 days at the Tetons isn't too long if you get out and do trails, swim in the lake and see things. Ride the ferry across the lake and go on Ranger walks.

As mentioned there are many threads about YNP here it is a very popular question. Oh yeah the downside is the traffic. People stop and block the roads which have a 30-40 mph speed limit anyway, whenever they see a chipmunk or something larger. Which they will. The nps will also have at least one long section of some road torn up for rebuilding. So be patient.

[Campfire_Time]

Dick_B wrote:
If you don't hike I suggest four days.

And if you do hike stay at least a week. Lots of stuff to near the roads. But the best is on the back country trails and taking day hikes.

[Dick_B]

You could also search this Forum for Yellowstone in the RV Parks section for lots of opinions. If you don't hike I suggest four days. The first day take the bus tour of the northern loop. The next day revisit the areas of interest from the first tour. The third day take the bus tour of the southern loop which includes Old Faithful. The fourth day revisit the areas of interest from the 2nd tour.
If you are into books read `Tracking the Spirit of Yellowstone' by a former Ranger BEFORE you go there.

[scbwr]

Spend some time at Fishing Bridge and West Yellowstone. When we were there in 1015, we only stayed at Fishing Bridge, but the travel time to various parts of the park can be long and involve traffic as well as bison slow downs. If doing it again, I would book 3 nights at Fishing Bridge and then 2 o r three nights at West Yellowstone......or longer at both if you have the time.

And, the Grand Tetons are magnificent. We also stayed at Coulter Bay. Make sure you take the tram to the top of the mountain at Jackson Hole. We found the Tetons to be much more relaxing than Yellowstone. And, if you can, move right on up to Glacier NP as it is also amazing. We only got as far east as Logan Pass, but what an experience.

Have a great time!