Best route into Yellowstone from the east

[cubmaster252]

Planning our first big trip with our TT from Cleveland OH to Yellowstone in July. This would be our first time taking a RV into the mountains, looking for advice. Would you stay on 90 and go up to Montana, coming in through the North Entrance or would you head down to Cody and then west to the East entrance? We are booked into Fishing Bridge for 5 days then heading down to Grand Teton for 2 nights before returning east.

We traded in our pop-up for a hard side unit back in January just so we could stay in Yellowstone.

[jalichty]

We visit Grand Teton at least three times each summer, usually June, July and August, for a week at a time. Park at Colter Bay Campground and fish on Jackson Lake most of the time. Nothing more majestic than the Tetons from the lake. If you have time, stop at Colter Bay and take the boat tour around the lake. The cruise starts out from Colter Bay, down south around Elk Island, up to Moran Bay ( at the base of Mount Moran) then north for a ways to Waterfall Canyon and then back to Colter Bay. We love being on that lake and having lunch on the boat in Moran Bay looking up about 6,000 feet towards the top of Mount Moran. About two summers ago we saw six different Grizzly Bears, including two sub-adults right alongside the bike path from Moose Junction to Jenny Lake. Got about a 30-second video of them from about 40 feet away. Then, last summer coming out of the Jenny Lake circle we saw a little brown bear close to the road and I was able to get some shots before he ran away. Grand Teton is a different experience than Yellowstone as I think Yellowstone has more features and Grand Teton is more majestic.

[Windwalker55]

CloudDriver wrote:

cubmaster252 wrote:
Thank you so much for all the tips. My initial plan was to come in through the North Gate and exit through the South Gate. We will avoid the Bear Tooth Pass.

As a flat lander, really looking forward to this trip. My kids have never seen mountains and I've not been to Yellowstone. Trip of a lifetime.

At Grand Teton your kids will experience some of the most dramatic mountains in the country. IMO the best views are obtained by driving the Teton park road south across Jackson lake Dam to Jenny lake and on to the Visitor Center at Moose. At Jenny Lake take the boat ride across and hike to Hidden Falls and on to Inspiration Point, which has great views of the valley.

Grand Teton is our favorite place!

Have to agree with this too. Tetons are fantastic. We camped at Gros Ventre campground. Had mother and baby moose in the mornings. Nice rustic campground close to GTNP and Jackson. We saw a lot more wildlife in the Tetons than in Yellowstone. Tetons are a little more open and makes it easier to see the wildlife. Would recommend eating breakfast at the Bunnery in Jackson.
Have fun.

[Windwalker55]

AlabamaTraveler wrote:
If you could find time to drive the Bear Tooth Pass while in that area, please do. This is absolutely the most beautiful drive in America.

I agree. It is a gorgeous and interesting drive. I've done it a couple of times with a truck camper. Didn't have any problems. It really depends on how large your camper is and how well your vehicle will tow it.

[Jim_Shoe]

Agree with Cloud Driver. For two western National Parks that are only about 25 miles apart, they are completely different. Since you're a fellow Ohioan, I'll give you a couple of secrets if you promise not to tell anybody. On your way south on Teton Park Rd. there's a left hand turnoff for Signal Mountain. Its a steep and winding road, but at the top, there's a viewing platform that has a view of the whole Teton Valley. My last trip up there, I watched a hot air balloon float past and I was looking down on it.
When you return to the Teton Park Rd. southbound take the Jenny Lake Loop Rd. southbound. There's a small turnout that takes you down to the shore line. Probably parking for no more than 6 cars. Walk over to the edge of the lake, sit down on a rock and stare at the lake and the mountains that come down to the water's edge. It'll lower your blood pressure 20 points. Maybe the most beautiful spot I've ever visited in my travels.

[CloudDriver]

cubmaster252 wrote:
Thank you so much for all the tips. My initial plan was to come in through the North Gate and exit through the South Gate. We will avoid the Bear Tooth Pass.

As a flat lander, really looking forward to this trip. My kids have never seen mountains and I've not been to Yellowstone. Trip of a lifetime.

At Grand Teton your kids will experience some of the most dramatic mountains in the country. IMO the best views are obtained by driving the Teton park road south across Jackson lake Dam to Jenny lake and on to the Visitor Center at Moose. At Jenny Lake take the boat ride across and hike to Hidden Falls and on to Inspiration Point, which has great views of the valley.

Grand Teton is our favorite place!

[AlabamaTraveler]

If you could find time to drive the Bear Tooth Pass while in that area, please do. This is absolutely the most beautiful drive in America.

[cubmaster252]

Thank you so much for all the tips. My initial plan was to come in through the North Gate and exit through the South Gate. We will avoid the Bear Tooth Pass.

As a flat lander, really looking forward to this trip. My kids have never seen mountains and I've not been to Yellowstone. Trip of a lifetime.

[ExxWhy]

We did the trip in 2000 and 2012. First off, don't go through Chicago unless you have a reason for it. Stay on I80 to Iowa City, then cut north through Cedar Rapids, Waterloo, Mason City and pick up I90 at Albert Lea. It's just a few miles farther, but no tolls (adds up fast with a trailer!)and you avoid most of the insanity of Chicago. Good roads even if it's not all interstate.

In 2000 we came in over the Bear Tooth Pass towing a 22' trailer with a conversion van. Gorgeous road, but the turns may be a bit tight for a trailer over 30'. Exited through Jackson Hole and west to Idaho that time.

In 2012 with an Excursion and our 28' trailer we also came in the NE entrance, but went through the Big Horns to Cody for a day and then over the Chief Joseph highway. I thought the grades were a little steeper that way, but not a big deal. Came home via 287 down to I80 in Wyoming.

Easiest route of the 3 I took is 287, but I had no issues with any of them. Guess a few hills never scared me. 😉 Haven't been on 89 from I90 to Gardiner, but have heard that is the easiest.

If you happen to come home via 287 after the Tetons, the Falls Campground is a wonderful NF campground along the way.

Have fun!

[Bumpyroad]

Jim Shoe wrote:
As a flatlander, and new to Rving, I'd recommend staying on I-90 and coming in the north entrance on US 89 from Livingston, MT. Lots of places to see on the way. The Badlands is a drive thru with an east entrance and west exit. It only adds 20 miles. Also, you'll go right by Little Bighorn battlefield on I-90 at Garyowen, MT.
One other thing. As you're headed west on I-80 to get to I-29 N, when you get a choice of staying on I-80 or taking I-680, take I-680, Or you'll turn 17 miles into 47 miles plus traffic in Omaha.

x2, that is the way I went.
bumpy

[grampscamper]

2gypsies wrote:
If you're heading to Fishing Bridge, come in from Cody. Plan a couple nights in Cody, too - especially for the awesome museum.

X2 great museum. Well worth the stop.

[CloudDriver]

While we have used both routes 14 and 16 over the Bighorns with our Class C (not towing), I'm going to second newk's advice to stay on I90 past Billings to route 212 at Laurel then south to Cody thus avoiding mountain driving across the Bighorns. There's still a climb from Cody but it's the shortest route through the heavy July traffic in the Park to get to Fishing Bridge.

When you leave Grand Teton, routes 26 and 20 to Casper then I25 to I80 will make a nice loop for your return trip.

[Jim_Shoe]

As a flatlander, and new to Rving, I'd recommend staying on I-90 and coming in the north entrance on US 89 from Livingston, MT. Lots of places to see on the way. The Badlands is a drive thru with an east entrance and west exit. It only adds 20 miles. Also, you'll go right by Little Bighorn battlefield on I-90 at Garyowen, MT.
One other thing. As you're headed west on I-80 to get to I-29 N, when you get a choice of staying on I-80 or taking I-680, take I-680, Or you'll turn 17 miles into 47 miles plus traffic in Omaha.

[newk]

Are you pulling that 32QB with the Ram 1500? If so, I might suggest the most moderate mountain driving to get to Fishing Bridge. If that's the case, you might want to avoid the Big Horns. I think I'd still go through Cody, but maybe by way of Billings. You'll still have a bit of mountain driving after entering YS, but there won't be any steep descents to speak of.

If I'm underestimating the braking abilities of the truck, or if you're using a bigger truck or smaller camper, U.S. 16 exits I-90 at Buffalo and is a fairly easy, scenic trip over the Big Horns -- wide, few steep stretches up or down, mostly gentle curves. It's the route I'd normally recommend, but it might be a bit much for a flatlander, a big trailer and a small truck. 🙂

[gat75]

We turned off I90 at Livingston, drove south on 89 & base-camped at Yellowstone's Edge Rv. This was a super great place to stay, quiet, breathtaking view, had great hosts, etc. I would never try coming across bear tooth pass with my 34ft 5w. We seen some that did, (same ones that nearbout pushed us off the 9ft wide lane that we were in).