Best route Wyoming-Colton Bay to Grizzly in a 45 Motorhome

[S-n-L]

Hello everyone,

We are planning our trip to Yellowstone and Tetons in July of 2014. We will be coming from the Bad Lands in SD, heading to Tetons, Yellowstone then off to Glacier NP in Montana.

We are thinking after leaving SD heading to Colton Bay in the Tetons then head to Yellowstone where we will be staying in Grizzly RV park.

Can we drive our 45 foot moho towing a toad through the south gate of Yellowstone and get to Grizzly RV park on the west side of YS? Or would it be better to head through Idaho and go north to Grizzly?

We have not made reservations yet so we can alter our plans if need be.

Thank you for your input,

Stuart & Leslie

[Mandalay_Parr]

While at Grizzley, I strongly recommend you take the Yellow Bus tours. It is well worth it. They have a N tour and a South tour. Yellowstone is very big. Take them both. You won't be disappointed.

[bass_n_bob]

we will also be touring the area next July. Our plan is a little different. After seeing all the sites around Rapid City we will head north on I 90 to Billings, MT and staying there overnight. From there we will travel on I 90 to 191 and take that south to West Yellowstone (Grizzly). Easy roads and staying at Grizzly we will use the toad to tour. Just another option if you're interested.

[Executive45]

We did it two years ago...you'll be fine...we are 65' with toad. Plan on it taking awhile though as lots of folks, especially in July stop in the middle of the road to take pics. The southern loop isn't as bad as the northern loop. Southern loop has all the geysers, northern loop the animals. Bison and elk are everywhere. When we were there, we got stuck behind a bison who decided to wander down the middle of the road...delayed us about 45 minutes but was worth it....Dennis

[2gypsies1]

Coming in from the east entrance is very doable with your rig. We've done it with our 40'. You certainly have enough power and braking for the ups and downs. Be sure to plan on 3-4 hours at the Cody Museum. It's top-notch and well worth it. There are a couple nice RV parks just outside of Cody toward the east entrance with beautiful views. I believe one is called Yellowstone Edge. Have a good trip. We've been to those national parks often - just can't get enough!

[CloudDriver]

From Cody to the east entrance is a gradual climb. Once through the entrance the grade increases to something like 7-8% for about 7 miles to Sylvan Pass then descends with shallow grade to the elevation of Yellowstone Lake. The road stays essentially at lake level to West Thumb Junction. Some minor ups and downs to Lewis lake then down with some 6-7% grades to the South entrance. From there one final up and down with 6% grades to Jackson Lake.

I doubt that you will have any traffic problems getting to Colter Bay. We left Grand Teton on July 2nd in 2012 and had no such issues driving through the Parks to Cody. In our experience, there is more traffic and animal jams on the western side of the lower loop.

We always leave the area before the 4th of July to avoid the crowds, so your experience may vary.

[S-n-L]

Hello again,

We are rethinking some things. I would like to get some input on a change in route. This will be just to move the coach from one place to another. We will be doing all of our touring in our toad once the coach is parked. My concern is driving through Yellowstone park and would like to know if the following is doable. We are now thinking of heading to Cody, WY, then tour the Beartooth Highway in our toad. After this take the coach and head into the east entrance of YS then out the south entrance and head to Colter Bay in the Tetons. Spend a few days there than head back into YS from the South entrance and head to and out of the west entrance and stay at Grizzly for a week. From hear head north towards Glacier.

So, in summary, with this plan we will need to drive the coach from the east entrance to the south entrance. Then back in through the south entrance and out the west entrance. We would choose to drive this at a time of day that is a lower traffic time but during daylight. Does this seem doable?

Thanks,

Stuart & Leslie

[S-n-L]

Thank you all for your responses. It sounds we will be fine. FYI, when we travel from Tetons to Yellowstone we will not be stopping, just getting to the rv park. Once we park the moho then we will be touring the park in the toad. We are planning to stay in the Tetons area for about 3 days and Yellowstone for one week.

Bob and Ann, thanks for the heads up on the Beartooth parkway. I was there in 1980 and am looking forward to heading back there this coming summer.

Everyone, have a wonderful Thanksgiving holiday,

Stuart & Leslie

[Jim_Shoe]

Its Colter Bay in the Tetons. They have both a dry camp ground and a FHU RV park next to each other. From TNP to West Yellowstone is fine thru the park. The southwest quadrant of YNP has good roads all the way to Madison Junction, then West 13 miles to the west gate. Then left on Canyon for one block, then right on Grizzly for one block. A great FHU RV park.

[Ivylog]

42' and a toad was not any problem although finding a parking space at old faithful took a while. Getting to the Tetons I like 287 from Lander/Dubois.

[CloudDriver]

I agree with others that you will have no issues with the route through the Park from Colter Bay to West Yellowstone.

Just as a heads up, a few miles after the South entrance the road follows along the edge of the Lewis River Canyon for a mile or two. Going northbound, your passenger will be looking down over the edge, which could be disconcerting to a person who has a fear of heights. No saying this to discourage you, just passing along so you will know what to expect when you get there.

[Not_a_Clue]

I am not as long as you but we have taken that route from Colter Bay to Grizzly a couple of times with no problems. I don't see a problem with your size, just watch out for animals, we have had to wait for bison to cross the road on a couple of occasions. You will love Yellowstone and the Tetons.

[4huskers]

Actually going north from West Yellowston on US287 to US89 north of Great Falls will take you to US2 at Browning which is east of Glacier. Unless things have changed it should be good two lane all the way.

[Bob___Ann]

S-n-L
I do not see a problem with driving your coach through the park. There are no tight turns. With that said there are no shoulders to pull off on and if you decide to stop some of the overlooks will be tight. The roads are wide enough that it will not stress you out but one cannot let it drift off the side of the road. If you are going out the west gate you must be heading to the west side of Glacier. It would be somewhat longer but I would head out the east gate and spend a night in Cody. From there you can take your toad on an easy days drive on the Beartooth Parkway. It is a must see and might be some of the prettiest scenery that you will see on your trip. If you choose to you could come in that way from South Dakota. You will enjoy Colteer Bay. The restaurant and grocery store there are pretty nice.

[Mandalay_Parr]

I've driven my motorhome the opposite way through Yellowstone going from West Yellowstone to Jackson Hole.
You should be ok.