West bound trip & need advice

[doglegdon]

Making a trip out west from Florida this summer with the family, RV w/tow. Have some reserevations complete, looking for a few brief stop recomendations.........ST Louis and Mt Rushmore areas, a couple of days each, then on the Yellowstone which we are set for reservations in West Yellowstone at Grizzly RV.

A question also, is West Yellowstone within decent driving conditions/time for day trip to the Tetons or is it better to stay there?

Big Rig friendly is good.

thanks

[2gypsies1]

West Yellowstone to Colter Bay? Just come straight through Yellowstone to the south end.

[doglegdon]

Kids are ok at Queens Casino RV Park,

How about the route with an RV from West Yellowstone to Colter Bay RV Park, thoughts?

Any input on Headwaters Lodge & RV in Grand Teton area,?...Colter Bay RV Park is booked.

[2gypsies1]

Yep, Casino Queen DOES allow children - they even have a playground!

[Stars101]

Quick update. I called 2 months ago and was told no kids in either restaurant or the CG. But now others are saying that there IS a playground and kids are allowed at CG. Just not in restaurant. Grrrrr. I re-planned my trip based on what the front desk said 2 months ago!

[Marv_Hoag]

Sorry, was unaware of the no kid policy at Casino Queen. Don't remember that.

You mentioned Pikes Peak. Took the cog railroad to the top (14000 ft) I had never been bothered before, but the altitude got to me. Had a bite to eat at the eatery at the top, felt better, but was eager to get back down the mountain. Cold at the top.

Just to set the record straight. Casino Queen does allow children in the RV park. No children allowed in the hotel/casino.

[doglegdon]

Yes, have kids so thanks for the heads-up.


Rafter J is booked for July 4th week so I am looking into option and yes I will look into Cheyenne as the option for that part of the trip....thanks

[Stars101]

Marv Hoag wrote:
St Louis - I liked the Casino Queen RV park. Right across the river from the Arch.

For me the Tetons were a great place to take a few pictures. I stayed 2 nights in the RV park near the lake, and honestly would have traded those 2 nights for 2 more in Yellowstone.

I stayed at Mt Rushmore KOA, it was OK. Rafter J Bar ranch would probably be my choice now.

Casino Queen won't work if you have kids. I nearly stayed there this summer for an overnight before we saw the Arch, but they have a NO KID policy in the campground and restaurant.

[Lauren]

West Yellowstone (Grizzly is good choice you made) to Tetons is not only too long for a day trip you can hit traffic jams due to crowds and "animal jams" (people stopped in the middle of the road to look at an animal). I would definitely recommend against it. Stay at Colter in the Teton NP. Rafter J in Mt. Rushmore area and KOA in Badlands.

Are you coming to Denver / Pikes Peak after Yellowstone or - presume that is what you mean. If so, do the 287 / 80 / 25.

At Pikes Peak area I recommend Cheyenne Mtn SP for the stay.

[doglegdon]

Thanks for the feedback by all......:)

One last question: we will be heading toward Denver/Pike Peak area after, any suggestion on routes with RV/Toad?

[Jim_Shoe]

I've been to YNP and the Tetons several times. I stay at Grizzly in West Yellowstone and at the Virginian in Jackson for the Tetons. Both parks are a lot easier to tour in a toad than a MH. The top of Signal Mountain in the Tetons is a must stop, but I wouldn't want to try it with the MH. Coulter Bay is nice as well, but I enjoy the town of Jackson nearly as much as the Tetons. I always have to stop for a beer or three at the Million Dollar Cowboy Bar. The bar stools are saddles. Jackson is a good place to shop for overpriced trinkets for friends at home.

[CA_Traveler]

And if you get caught in a Buffalo Jam it could indeed be a very long trip. They act like they have the right of way. :B

[2gypsies1]

What highway will you be coming into the St. Louis area? We love Edmund Babler State Park - huge manicured sites, trees and a beautiful park, hiking, biking, pool. It's an easy commute to see the Arch.

Tetons: This is one of our favorite parks which we've been to often. It's a long drive from W. Yellowstone. Do yourself a favor and stay there. The hiking trails are awesome and of all abilities. The scenery is like a little Alps and altogether different from Yellowstone. Take a gentle float trip down the Snake River and you might see a moose in the water with you! If you need full-hookups, Colter Bay RV Park is the one. If you can do without hookups, there's Colter Bay campground or Gros Ventre campground, both of which have 300 non-reservable sites. We like Gros Ventre. If you leave W. Yellowstone in the a.m. your sure to get a spot in the Tetons if you arrive by noon or so. We never make reservations for either the Tetons or Yellowstone. You'll probably head south out of the Tetons - going through Jackson. Just south of town are 2 large groceries - on both sides of the highway. It's a good place to re-stock as W. Yellowstone just has tiny expensive groceries. You'll also find better fuel prices heading out of Jackson toward Alpine/Thayne. Have a great trip!

[Dick_B]

Search for those areas of interest on this Forum where there are lots of good ideas such as bus tours of Rushmore, Yellowstone and Tetons boat rides.

[Marv_Hoag]

St Louis - I liked the Casino Queen RV park. Right across the river from the Arch.

For me the Tetons were a great place to take a few pictures. I stayed 2 nights in the RV park near the lake, and honestly would have traded those 2 nights for 2 more in Yellowstone.

I stayed at Mt Rushmore KOA, it was OK. Rafter J Bar ranch would probably be my choice now.