Pulling 5th wheel through Yellowstone

[rgstarnes]

I am visiting Yellowstone this month and wanted to know if pulling a 39 ft 5th wheel was OK on HWY 14/16 (on the East side) through the park up to Gardiner, rather than going around the North on I-90?
I am staying outside Yellowstone in Gardiner and then West Yellowstone for a week at each.

[kknowlton]

We just left there. Lots of road construction with backups between Mammoth ?Hot Springs and Norris Junction. We stayed at Yellowstone's Edge in Emigrant and then went 89 thru West Yellowstone down to Jackson Hole.

I'm glad to see that someone finally mentioned this. Construction on the Norris to Mammoth section of the park road is major. Unfortunately, the only alternative to get between Mammoth and the rest of the park is the northeast part of the Grand Loop Road, which goes over Dunraven Pass and has some steep, narrow and/or winding sections with no guardrails & a big dropoff. It's do-able with a large trailer (we have done it) but not exactly pleasant for the driver. And depending on how late in the season you will be in the park, Dunraven Pass may be closed altogether.

That said, it will take much, much longer to go up to I-90 and around. Just take it slow & easy and don't be concentrating on the scenery. If you take the area under construction, allow extra time for those delays.

[racer4]

If you enter the park's east entrance, going through Cody, I recommend you take Rt 16 from I-90 at Buffalo through Ten Sleep to Worland. Then north on Rt 16 to Greybull, then on to Cody. I have read that Rt 14 from I-90 to Greybull is a harder drive with an RV, than Rt 16. I have driven the Rt 16 and it has a long steep downhill into Ten Sleep, but OK if you are used to mountain driving. Gear down, hopefully your truck has an exhaust brake function.

Secondly, if you pull the FW through the park, avoid the north east part of the Grand Loop Rd heading north from Canyon to Tower Falls. It is steep and curvy. Instead use the north west part of the "figure 8" going west from Canyon to Norris, then north to Mammoth and on to Gardiner.

Finally, staying on I-90 from Buffalo to Livingston is longer in miles compared to going through the park, but not much longer in time. So the bigger factor is how you feel about driving with the FW on steep mountain roads.

[northmeck0255]

We just left there. Lots of road construction with backups between Mammoth ?Hot Springs and Norris Junction. We stayed at Yellowstone's Edge in Emigrant and then went 89 thru West Yellowstone down to Jackson Hole.

[CloudDriver]

One additional thought - If you do come in the east entrance, turn right at Fishing Bridge then left at Canyon and right at Norris to go up to Gardiner.

If you go straight at Canyon, you will have a steep climb to Dunraven Pass, then a steep descent with a few sharp curves down to Tower Falls and then on to Mammoth. The road between Tower and Mammoth is narrow in spots with curves and IMO not big rig friendly. Definitely not my wife's favorite road in our 24 ft Class C.

[bigdogger]

The fastest route from Rapid city to Yellowstone is take 212 from Belle Fourche to Garryowen and then pick up I-90. Going the route you are considering is more scenic, but you will have a climb over the Bighorn mountains and then another climb over Sylvan pass into Yellowstone Proper, then a pretty good descent from Mammoth into Gardiner. Taking I-90 to either Buffalo or Sheridan and then over the Bighorns into Cody and then into Gardiner is going to take 4 or 5 hours more than the route I mentioned.

[golf_bears]

Going through the park with your rig should not be an issue. Getting there is a different story. If I understand your question correctly you would like to take 14/16 west from I90 to Cody then on through the park. If that is part of your question, I would not take 14/16 west from I90 with that size rig. Getting to the top of the Bighorn Mountains from I90 on 14/16 is treacherous at best with your rig. It’s a great scenic road and fun with a car through all the S turns and switch backs but not pulling a 40 ft rig. I would plan another way to get there. Coming into the park from the north through Mammoth Hot Springs is a safer way in and also very scenic along the Yellowstone river.

While in Wall, SD make sure to stop at Wall Drug, they have the best cake doughnuts in the whole world and coffee is only 5 cents!!!!!

[Murphsmom]

Don't forget the Buffalo Bill Center if you are going through Cody. We can usually spend a couple of days wandering around in there....must be why your entry fee includes a second day at the same price.

[rgstarnes]

Thanks for all the info. Any other thoughts on Yellowstone, Grand Tetons, Badlands, or the Grand Canyon, let me know.
We are staying at Wall,SD, and after Yellowstone we are at Grand Tetons Colter Bay, Then Flagstaff, and Trailer Village at Grand canyon.

[Fire5er]

You are going to love Grizzly RV park in W. Yellowstone...great park.

[Dick_B]

And when you get there leave the truck at the campground and take the day bus tours thru the Park. The driver/guides will tell you more than you could ever find out by yourself.
Suggest taking the North Loop tour on one day, tour on your own the 2nd day and the South Loop tour on the 3rd day.

[rgstarnes]

I have reservations at Rocky Mt RV park in Gardiner and at Yellowstone Grizzly in West yellowstone. It just looked like a much shorter pull through Yellowstone from rapid City versus going I-90 North of the Park and then 89 down to Gardiner.
Just wanted to make sure the pull on 14/16 and through Yellowstone was OK for us to make.

[C-Bears]

Two summers ago we visited there. Stayed outside the park and just drove in during the day with the truck. When we left we towed through and it wasn't a problem. Just don't have a blow out of any issues because pulling over could be a problem.

[Ivylog]

Your F250 will do fine on the long pull into the park. Finding a parking spot will be a problem, but you'll be coming back with just the truck.

[rr2254545]

No problem at all its done all the time