Different question about Yellowstone

Em, rain is almost always a possibility, thundershowers in the summer also.
Not having a roof would be, ah, wet.

ddndoug wrote:
I haven't seen this one asked yet...

For the veterans of Yellowstone,... Would you feel comfortable taking a Jeep with a soft top into the park for sightseeing? What about no top?

Doug

why wouldn't you?

convertibles are great in the summer

I don't see a risk for game viewing and transiting through the park with or without a soft top.

We just got back from a month in Africa with many hours and days in soft topped safari vehicles. We had stealthy hyenas, aggressive hippos, charging elephants, and a pride of lions surrounding us in the dark. The top was for sun protection. but also for concealment. We were told by the guides that people in the vehicle are not recognized at predator or prey if they are not moving or making identifiable noises. A silhouette or loud voice is recognizable, changes things, and was not permitted.

We were told by the rangers in YNP that bison are comfortable with people in vehicles, but have issues with people walking near them.

I'd use my Jeep topless there if it wasn't raining or cold. When we were there it was too early in the spring to have the top off of it - there were still some nice snow berms.

Bill

The only concern I would have is with bears. If you park any vehicle anywhere in Yellowstone with a soft top, hard top or no top, you run a statistical risk of a problem. Lower that risk by not leaving ANY food or even food wrappers in your car and you should be ok. I know someone in Colorado who left an empty fast food bag in his car in the hot sun. You should have seen what a little black bear did going after the smell! Bent back the door window frame like sardine can and totaled his Jeep Comanche. Statistically speaking the biggest danger in any national park has two legs and walks upright.

We were there late last summer. I had hoped to drag an aged Tracker out there, but it didn't want to go. If I had had it, I would have put the top down and driven all over the park. The only thing you would have to be careful about is leaving anything like food in it. Fishing Bridge does not allow soft campers. We saw elk and bison up close. (Got stuck in two bison jams.) Also saw wolves, but not up close and did not see any bears at all.

Drag the Jeep.

Matt

I think a convertible would be close to ideal for Yellowstone. Keep food out of your car, and you are likely fine. That should be your rule even if you take a hard top. I have seen bears get into regular cars when they smell food.

Thanks for all the replies. They are all in line with what I was thinking, but not having been there before I didn't want to do anything to put my family in danger.

Trackrig - What time of the year were you there?

Doug

Considering that there are a lot of tents and popup (tent) trailers there every year, why would a soft top jeep be a concern? Follow food protocols. One trip a bear attacked the popup next to us, bit the end on top and was scared off by the yelling inside but they've been known to peel off the doors of cars also. This was just after the Grant Village campground was built and at the evening ranger talk we were told the campground was built to get away from the bears at fishing bridge.

Yellowstone is very popular with motorcyclists and touring bicyclists. What is the real question you are asking? Weather, animals.......???