Grand Teton or Glacier

[kfrost72]

We've got our plans set to drive out to Yellowstone next September, starting labor day weekend. We're going to do a circle from eastern Oregon, down into Southern Idaho and Wyoming and then up through the park and back through Montana. We have a couple of extra days on either end of our Yellowstone visit, but can't decide if we should spend them in the Grand Teton park or Glacier park. Any recommendations?

Also, last time I was in Yellowstone I was 10 years old and it was 1979. I remember driving near Jackson on a road that went over the Teton with a section that had a ton of cut backs that were lifted up on posts to make the corner. At 10 in the back of my parents old 1969 camper (pre-seatbelt and child protection laws) I remember being petrified by the road and semi's coming down the other side. I tried looking for where that road is now but can't find it. Anyone know?

Kari

[Lauren]

Maybe we could start another thread on the generator need - or maybe there is one, I don't know. For us, we do not need - and have never had in 17 years RVing - a generator. That being said, we have never stayed at anyplace that does not have elec and water hookups - can get by for about a week without sewer hookups if they have a decent bathhouse to shower when we come in from hiking, etc.

[newk]

kfrost72 wrote:
No reservation spots in Yellowstone. Our reservation for Canyon Campground is Friday - Sunday night labor day weekend. Does anyone have a feeling for how hard it would be to find a First Come/First Serve or cancelled spot that allows generators on Labor Day and the next day?

I can't answer the question, but I have one for you to ponder: Why do you need a generator for two days? You won't likely need A.C. in Yellowstone unless you plan to spend sunny days in the camper. I've been RVing for decades and never owned a generator. We regularly spend 4-5 days at a spot (with two batteries) and get by fine. That's running the furnace every night to keep it 65 degrees inside. (OAT of 40-45 degrees.)

[Islandman]

Looks like you will be spending a little time in the Wallowas of eastern OR, the state park just out of Joseph is a great place to spend a day or two. If you get a chance go down to the Imnaha River, but check with the locals to see if the road is what you would be comfortable with. It's been many years since we were in that part of OR, but it's still one or our favorite spots, hope to get down there when we visit Hells Canyon SP out of Lewiston ID.

[CVD]

Glacier is an amazing place, but it requires some serious hiking to get an appreciation of what’s there (especially to see wild life). Grand Teton’s on the other hand offer more to the car traveler or causal walker. In last 15 years, we’ve been to GT 3 times and Glacier once (approx. 5 days each trip). In GT, we saw average of 3 – 5 moose, and dozens of bison, antelope & elk, every day (we go out looking for them). In Glacier, we saw 2 moose and one grizzly in 5 days, and were fortunate to see them.

Caveat – the “Going to the Sun” road in Glacier is probably the most impressive section of road I’ve ever driven.

[Old_Days]

After we left Yellowstone we headed over to Jackson WY, I wanted to see the Elk horns that are stacked in a arch. We had a nice lunch got fuel than headed down to the Tetons. I also agree Colter Bay campgrounds is really worth staying at. Have a great trip.

[Padlin]

Haven't done Glacier yet but we wished we could have spent more time at the Tetons then the 4 days we were there. Of course we could have used another week in Yellowstone, we were hampered by needed road construction.

[jalichty]

The day you spend driving to and back from Glacier can be better spent in Grand Teton, in my opinion. As far as hiking easily in Grand Teton, the hike to Hidden Falls and Inspiration Point at Jenny Lake is a very easy hike as well. Also, the hike to Phelps Lake, in the Laurance Rockefeller Reserve, the newest part of Grand Teton, is really pretty easy and is very beautiful, especially when you get to Phelps Lake where the compound was that has now been totally reclaimed. Look out over the lake and see Death Canyon as well.

[GeoBoy]

I visited all 3 this June and the Tetons are the by far the most beautiful of the 3. Don't miss the Tetons.

[2gypsies1]

Eliminating Glacier (wise), you have a 1425 round trip from La Grande, OR (not sure where you live). This is the route I'd take:

La Grande, OR I-84; I-15 spending a night near Burly, Idaho which is 300 miles.
From Burley take I-15 to Hwy 26 at Idaho Falls to 89.
Take 89 north into Teton Nat'l Park and stay at Gros Ventre dry campground (doesn't accept reservations but it has 300 sites and rarely fills) Colter Bay dry campground also has 300 non-reservable sites. Colter Bay RV has full hookups.
From the Tetons continue into Yellowstone.
From Yellowstone go to Bozeman.
To return home: Take I-90 through Missoula to Spokane to 395 south to I-82/84 to La Grande, OR. - 1-2 nights

I would plan at least 2 nights in the Tetons; preferably 3. There are mild hikes, a gentle float trip down the Snake River and you might even see a moose in the river with you; a boat trip across Jenny Lake and walk to the waterfalls; The Jackson Rodeo; major groceries are in Jackson. Lots to do.

Yellowstone: 4 nights is plenty.

Total driving: 1425 miles roundtrip. This would make a very nice 2-week trip. Have fun!

[rexlion]

Some Teton trails are pretty flat, though. A walk around Leigh Lake and/or String Lake would be relaxing and scenic. Or rent something to get out on the water.

If you have never been to Tetons, it is definitely worthwhile and not to be missed as long as you're so close (Yellowstone). If you've been there before but haven't been to Glacier, then go visit Glacier.

The way I think of those 2 places is, Tetons inspires me to sit and enjoy the view, and Glacier makes me feel like driving or hiking. But that's probably just me.

[profdant139]

Katleman mentioned hiking -- we found that the hiking in Grand Teton was more mountainous (i.e., fun) than the hiking in Yellowstone, which is generally not as steep. So it depends on what you like. We spent a week in Yellowstone and four days in the Tetons, which seemed about right for us. But if you are not a hiker, or if you don't like steep terrain, I would tilt toward Yellowstone. (I don't want to give the impression that we are mountain climbers -- we are not. We are mountain walkers. Big difference. If I have to use my hands to make forward progress, that is too tough for me.)

[katleman]

kfrost72 wrote:
No reservation spots in Yellowstone. Our reservation for Canyon Campground is Friday - Sunday night labor day weekend. Does anyone have a feeling for how hard it would be to find a First Come/First Serve or cancelled spot that allows generators on Labor Day and the next day?

Only FCFS sites in the park that permit generators are Mammoth and Norris. Didn't have any problems getting spot early am at Norris, got there at 7:30. But my rig is small 24', your choices will be more limited the larger you are.

Periodically check for openings at Madison and the other reserveable campgrounds as folks do change / adjust plans as the year goes on.

[katleman]

I agree with the others, you should move your Bozeman visit to either

GT -> Yellowstone -> Bozeman
or
Bozeman -> Yellowstone -> GT

Too much backtracking to have Bozeman in the middle.

I've been to the region 6 times, I've found that the ideal ratio is 5:1, in favor of Yellowstone, as it's much larger and more diverse than GT. If you plan on hiking in GT, then add a day or two, otherwise it's just scenery (quite nice mind you).

Highly recommend Glacier, but you don't have enough time

[katleman]

CloudDriver wrote:

Surprised that no one has mentioned that route 22 west of Jackson is still not exactly RV friendly. 10% grades with switchbacks. Much easier on the brakes and transmission to take route 26 out of Idaho Falls to Alpine Junction then route 189 up to Jackson

After avoiding 22 west out of Jackson for years, I took it in my 24' C this past summer.

Perhaps it's just my level of experience on grades, or the relatively small size of my rig, but I found the drive to be quite pleasant, and quite scenic.

Would I take a large A or C? Or a trailer? No, but if you are comfortable on mountain roads, 22 is quite nice and very well maintained.