Yellowstone 2013

Just pulled in last night from Tetons/Yellowstone/Cody/SD.
Early in the parks is best if you don't like crowds, but you have
the cool weather to contend with. But we like less crowds, so its
a trade off. Fishing Bridge had lots of vacancies, but by the time
we left around June 3 you could tell things were starting to fill up.
Beautiful country!

There is a lot of country to see, and admire, in that 25 miles. We have routinely driven from Colter Bay, into the park and traveled most of the Park in one day. Yes, Flagg Ranch is at the southern end of the Park, but it's not really that bad. You can leave fairly early in the day, see and enjoy a loop and come back to the RV for a leisurely dinner and do the same thing the next day or for however many days you are in the Park. All those people who say it's so far to drive don't really understand that almost every mile of the Park is a great experience so why not enjoy it.

Just my opinion, but I wouldn't pick Flagg Ranch for touring Yellowstone. You'll be 25 miles south of the southernmost point of the Yellowstone loop and 90 miles from the northernmost point at Mammoth Hot Springs. And that's a lot of very slow miles.

Have a great visit. Flagg Ranch is right at the south entrance and easy driving distance to all the feature in Yellowstone. While you are there, don't forget to take in Grand Teton for at least one day. Some of the most beautiful scenery in the world. If you were to go there, try to take the cruise on Jackson Lake to truly understand the beauty of the Tetons. Also go to Jenny Lake to see a truly beautiful place and take a short hike around the lake to see Hidden Falls, it's well worth the trip. If you get tired of Flagg, Colter Bay campground is just a short trip down the road, about 25 miles or so, and has a lot of space, both dry and full hook-up. Hope you have a great trip.

Thanks very much for the replies. We have reservations for Headwaters CG "Flagg Ranch" and am looking forward to our visit. We are coming down from Glacier Park and then leaving out through Riverton.

We've been to Yellowstone several times in July including last year with NO problems. We always stay in West Yellowstone at Grizzly RV Resort which is near town and right next to the West entrance to the park. :C

All the hype and scary stories of the 'financial crisis' has passed. :) Go to Yellowstone and you'll have a great time. Thousands are there already!

All up and running as advertised in the park newspaper (check dates). Lots of info at Yellowstone homepage

No true boondocking (dispersed camping) allowed in Yellowstone at all. Only campground with hookups is Fishing Bridge, all others are without hookups or dry camping. Some have reservations, some are first come.

Campgrounds web page

I'm in Yellowstone right now - I don't see any serious problems - lots of bears (and lots of rangers available to handle the traffic), Fox Den hullabaloo (big goings on there and lots of rangers available for traffic control). The only thing I notice is that Blacktail Plateau Drive is closed and it's usually opened by now - they are waiting for it to dry off and regrade from winter, and Slough Creek campground is closed (no reason). Either have no date as to when they are open.

But we are on the Northern Tier only (have been to Old Faithful only twice in the last 2 weeks), and from another who said if you don't have reservations, you're pretty much out of luck unless you want to boondock and then it's first come, first serve, and a limit for how long you can stay.

Spring has come late (as with the rest of the country), so animals are late to show up. We were in Cooke City today and it snowed. Also not as much snow fall so river, lake and pond levels down, except in around the NW area where they are up more.

If there's anything you would like to know specifically, let me know and will either find out or send on where you can find it.