Yellowstone and Tetons

[Colo_Native]

Looking at a end of season trip to Yellowstone and Tetons. I am thinking 5 days for both not really going to hike mostly drive around to see sights, I was thinking of doing a day trip to the Tetons from the campground looking at Yellowstone Valley inn and Rv park(gets a 7.2 on park reviews it a little pricey) Any sugestions. Thanks

[Barbielab]

We just visited these parks in May. We stayed at Gros Venture campground in GT and loved the location to explore both GT and Jackson. We have stayed at Coulter Bay before, and while it is more centrally located for the park, it was not yet open for the season this time. We then moved to Grizzly RV Park in West Yellowstone. ( check their rates as early and late season they drop them 50%) The figure 8 road in YNP is 200+ miles. The advantage to staying in WY is that it borders the west side of the park. We spent a day touring the upper half and one touring the lower. To exit the park we traversed YNP going east and stayed a few days at Buffalo Bill SP west of Cody. Awesome park, but it is a good 1 1/2 to 2 hour uphill windy drive to the eastern edge of YNP. Whatever you decide, enjoy your time in the parks, they are AMAZING!

[padredw]

coming from Colorado the trip over to Rawlins, up to Lander through Dubois and on to Grand Teton might be shorter than the trip to Casper, Shoshoni and up to Cody

Agree. This is our preferred route--over Togwotee Pass. Great first view of the Tetons.

[jalichty]

As far as seeing the sights in both Grand Teton and Yellowstone, your best bet would be to camp at the Colter Bay Campground and day-trip into Yellowstone. We did that this last spring, early June, leaving our site at Colter Bay Campground around 7:00, going to Grant Village, Old Faithful, on to Norris Junction and then up to Mammoth, over Dunraven, down to Canyon, over to Lake and then back to Grant Village and to Grand Teton. Got home around 7:00 in the evening. Lots of travel and sights, all in one day. About 25 miles to South Entrance to Yellowstone and then a ways past Lewis Lake Canyon and Lewis Lake before getting to Grant. If you were to take two or three days to travel around Yellowstone, this would certainly be the way to go, compared to camping around Cody and driving in each day. This is just my opinion, but we have been doing this for over 50 years and find that it's a great way to go and being in Grand Teton is a wonderful way to spend time and well as sightseeing around that park as well. Also, coming from Colorado the trip over to Rawlins, up to Lander through Dubois and on to Grand Teton might be shorter than the trip to Casper, Shoshoni and up to Cody. Might check your maps to see which is shorter.

[TexasShadow]

We have made "loop" day trips into yellowstone from the east..we stay at Buffalo Bill State Park... we drive into the park, take a right at Fishing Bridge and go north and then north east out that gate and then take the Chief Joseph scenic highway back down to Cody and out to our camp site. It takes most of the day, but we take a picnic lunch etc.
so you can do it, and it's a good drive if you go either way...up chief joseph into the park and out the east gate etc...
but doing Teton Park from the east side is going to take longer I think.. lots of driving on 45mph roads.

[2gypsies1]

Mammoth campground in the park itself is one of our favorites. It's open year-round but no hookups. Madison is another very nice campground - no hookups.

Driving into the Tetons is a very long day. Are you retired? Plan to add more days to your trip and really see the parks. Stay in both of them.

If you want to stay in Cody, you might want to consider Buffalo Bill State Park. Here's a nice review of it. There are some sites with W/E. I wouldn't think you need sewer for 5 nights.

https://wheelingit.us/?s=cody%2C+wyoming

[ppine]

Ninety percent of the visitor use in those parks is within 1/4 miles of a road. Get out and walk and it changes everything.
The elk rut starts right around Sept 15. Be there then.

[Dick_B]

Yes. Search this Forum for each location and read on. We like guided tours instead of driving ourselves; much more informational and easier on the driver.

[1320Fastback]

It wasn't at the end of season but we stayed at Colter Bay last year for a week. Was very convenient to be between Jackson and Yellowstone and loved the view of the Tetons from campsite.

[RAS43]

We stayed at Yellowstone Valley for visiting Cody and liked it. But it is a long day trip to the Tetons from there and I wouldn't want to do it. It is even many miles into the center of Yellowstone. I would suggest that from Denver you could travel to the Tetons and base there and go in the south entrance of Yellowstone.

[Colo_Native]

TexasShadow wrote:
In mid Sept., most of the campgrounds inside yellowstone will be closed.
the best source of rv parks with full hookups is West Yellowstone because there are several rv parks and because the town is right on the Park's border and a decent spot to start your tours of Yellowstone. But call and check on the availability of Fishing Bridge rv campground inside the park. you might get lucky.

For the Tetons, there is Colter Bay RV campground on the northern end of the park
and Gros Ventre park in the south has added some sites with electricity but not sure if you can reserve them ahead of time. Both these campgrounds should be open until late Sept.
I imagine you are not afraid of a little snow, but be advised you might see a snow shower or two at that time of year.

Prefer the east side, Fishing Bridge closes Sept 5 and will be closed all of 2019. So plan to stay outside but on the east side looking to make Tetons a day trip and keep base on the east side entrance or Cody. snow is an inconvenient be due able

[TexasShadow]

In mid Sept., most of the campgrounds inside yellowstone will be closed.
the best source of rv parks with full hookups is West Yellowstone because there are several rv parks and because the town is right on the Park's border and a decent spot to start your tours of Yellowstone. But call and check on the availability of Fishing Bridge rv campground inside the park. you might get lucky.

For the Tetons, there is Colter Bay RV campground on the northern end of the park
and Gros Ventre park in the south has added some sites with electricity but not sure if you can reserve them ahead of time. Both these campgrounds should be open until late Sept.
I imagine you are not afraid of a little snow, but be advised you might see a snow shower or two at that time of year.

[Colo_Native]

Acampingwewillgo wrote:
How late of season? If only doing 5 days and you can do without sewer hook up, go directly to Bakers Hole NFS. Many large pull thru 50 amp sites right next to the Madison River just outside the West Gate to Yellowstone. A few years ago we were there in early Sept and had a Great site. Have Fun!!!

I will be doing it around the middle of Sept. and coming from Denver so east side is easier. Prefer to have FHU.

[Acampingwewillg]

How late of season? If only doing 5 days and you can do without sewer hook up, go directly to Bakers Hole NFS. Many large pull thru 50 amp sites right next to the Madison River just outside the West Gate to Yellowstone. A few years ago we were there in early Sept and had a Great site. Have Fun!!!