Yellowstone 2016

[RGar974417]

We are planning a trip to Yellowstone in mid May, 2016.We want to stay in the park.There are 2 campgrounds open during that time frame. Should we make reservations now? We will be traveling from Pa to Missouri to pick up our grand kids. When we leave Missouri,and good recommendations on over night stops? We prefer state or federal state parks.Full hookups not necessary.Electric would be nice. One more question. Best route into Yellowstone pulling a 27ft TT? Thanks.

[2gypsies1]

From I-80 in Wyoming I'd recommend exiting at Rock Springs, WY to Hwy 191 which will take you into Jackson, WY. Continue north through Jackson into Grand Teton Nat'l Park - a MUST stop. It's altogether different than Yellowstone in looks and things to do. If you want hookups, stay at Colter Bay RV in the park. If you want dry camping, stay at either Gros Ventre campground or Colter Bay campground (next to the RV park) which are both in the park. The two dry campgrounds don't accept reservations but they have 300 sites each and rarely fill even mid-summer. You won't have a problem getting a site. The RV park accepts reservations.

From Grand Teton Nat'l Park just continue north through the park and the road continues into Yellowstone Nat'l Park. It's all an easy drive with an RV.

Each park has an awesome web site which gives you driving, camping and things to do information. Read them thoroughly. They're very helpful.

Grand Teton National Park

Yellowstone National Park

Have everyone bring very warm clothes for the end of May - coats or layers and even hats and gloves. It could be very nice but then again, you could have some cold temps.

[kknowlton]

Several different good ways to get to YNP from I-80. In mid-May, some of the higher elevations may not yet be fully plowed, depending on the kind of winter we've had. Interstates are probably likeliest to be cleared, in which case you could take I-80 across Wyoming (watch out for wind and occasionally snowy conditions) and catch I-84 in Utah (less of a climb than I-80, as I recall) to I-15 north - then US 20 from Idaho Falls to West Yellowstone.

An excellent campground with hookups, just outside the park, is Grizzly RV in West Yellowstone. We usually use it. You will need reservations well ahead of time, and they may be taking them already for next May (not sure). You're not IN the park, true, but much less crowded conditions than in Fishing Bridge.

[RGar974417]

What is the best route into Yellowstone pulling a 27 ft TT.We will be on I-80 in Nebraska.Need a good route from I-80 to Yellowstone.

[Tammy7]

If you are unable to get a spot in the park, check out Yellowstone Holiday RV Park in West Yellowstone, MT. It's 10 minutes from the west entrance to Yellowstone and lies on a beautiful lake surrounded by mountains. You are close to town but out of the hustle and bustle of cars in Yellowstone that will quickly frustrate you. One morning we were treated to a mamma bison walking her calf up the road.

[narcodog]

70 across MO up to Neb. and west on 80 to Rock Springs WY is the way I go. I stay at Cabelas in Sidney Neb then at Walmart in Rock Springs.

[Two_Hands]

We were at Fishing Bridge RV Campground in Yellowstone last month. I made those reservations a year in advance. I had also tried to reserve a campground with no hookups but there were no spaces left for a rig of my size. A year in advance! Friends of ours stayed at Fishing Bridge in early May about three years ago. They sent us photos showing that snow had only been plowed out of the camp sites and was several feet deep between sites. So make reservations now and be prepared for cold weather.

[Rangerman40]

agesilaus wrote:
The sooner the better on making reservations at major parks. Are they taking reservations this early tho?

Yes. I've had my July 2016 Yellowstone trip booked for a few weeks now.

[RGar974417]

4huskers wrote:
Just be aware that all facilities may not be open and roads might still be closed. Mid May is pretty early for the park.

For several reasons it's the only time we could go.What about the route?
I -70 in Missouri to I-80 in Nebraska then which is best?

[4huskers]

Just be aware that all facilities may not be open and roads might still be closed. Mid May is pretty early for the park.

[schlep1967]

If it fits into your plans there is a good place to overnight in Marysville, KS (39.837967, -96.646500). It is the town park. It has 30 and 50 amp hook-ups for electric. And it is free or by donation.

[agesilaus]

The sooner the better on making reservations at major parks. Are they taking reservations this early tho?

Any entrance except Hwy 212 to the north should be fine.

A lot of people, coming from the east, plan their route thru SD and stop at the Badlands/Black Hills. There are a number of major parks in the area. And Devils Tower is just across the line in Wyoming.