Hi all, I have been trying to weed through all the various posts regarding Yellowstone Park looking for advice. There are so many and some old so I thought I would post a few questions and solicit some opinions so my wife and I could cut it down to one thread. Sorry if it’s the same old thing to some you.We’re thinking of going during the first couple of weeks of June.7 days in Yellowstone and 2 days at the Grand Teton National Park (so far)We have a class C 24 foot RV.A few question:RV campgrounds - Just one or rotate, likes, dislikesGetting around with/without a carIf only 7 days top 5-7 things to seeCell and hotspot reception?Tips and advice welcome.ThanksDennis & Mary

We'll be there the weekend of June 20th and it will be or first time there thanks for starting this thread. I'm sure I'll find it very helpful oh we'll be staying the KOA at west yellowstone

I can't help with campgrounds, but the number of days you will be there will be enough. You can't go to Yellowstone w/out seeing the Guysers, Hot Spots, Old Faithful, Mammoth Hot Springs, the falls. All of those areas will be busy tourist areas, but I would not miss them. You will need your car because Yellowston is so massive. I would recommend stopping at the Visitor Center watch the movie and talk to the rangers. If you want to get away from the tourists, hike the trails. If you are hiking in the northern regions, I would make certain to carry a bear spray canister and know how to use it. The beauty and wildlife of Yellowstone will create memories that you will carry forever. We have been there 3 times, plan many more trips. Yellowstone can be tranquil away from the tourists and it can give you a feeling of coming home each time you arrive.

When we went, we decided not to stay in Yellowstone itself because we feared it would be pretty crowded (it was). We camped at Henry's Lake State Park across the border in Idaho - about 20 min away. For us it worked great. We drove in to the Park every day in our car, used our car on the narrow roads, parked at the crowded exhibits where cars park, and generally had a great time.One tip: When you arrive, make your first stop to the visitor center. Not only is there a great film there, you can talk with the rangers. They know which attractions are working at the time you're there so you won't drive a long ways (and the distances are large) only to see a dribble. They also know where you're likely to see wild life. We enjoyed eating at the lodge - once - just to say we had done it. Hiking is great... no, fantastic, there! Comfortable shoes is a must.We did the Grand Tetons in a second trip. They are magnificent. So nice, we renewed our spot twice so we could spend extra time! Oh, a tip for the Tetons: there are multiple visitor centers. They are NOT all the same. Each has its own specialty and ALL of them are absolutely worth taking the time to visit & talk with the rangers at each. The movies are different and well done. For that trip, we did camp right in the park at Colter Bay. We would also have liked to camp at Jenny's Lake (we did drive through it and liked it - more wooded and rustic than Colter Bay) but it was full up while we were there.Enjoy your trip. You'll see some of the best that the West has to offer. On your next trip, check out Southern Utah.. the Grand Canyon.. and Mesa Verde .. then North to Glacier.

More driving than you might think. 24' C you would probably be OK in many of the parking lots. Some places you just pull off the road to see things. You may miss a few things if it is in the crowded season. Nice to have a toad.

Whatever you decide to do, make reservations everywhere as early as you can. Even in June, the place fills up. One option I'd suggest is the Flagg Ranch campground about halfway between Yellowstone and Grand Tetons. When we went in June 2012, it had just come under new management, and was lovely as well as mostly empty. Probably not so much available now as then, but well situated for a central location from which to visit everything in both parks.

Yellowstone for newbies | Good Sam Community

noe-place
Explorer
Mar 02, 2014
We've been to Y'stone a number of times from Kentucky and can't get enough. We always stay at Grizzly Rv Resort in West Yellowstone. It's so close to downtown you can walk to groceries, restaurants and entertainment from the RV Resort. I always reserve a car right there in town and pick it up when we arrive. It's a short walk from the resort as well. With so few days you'll barely have time to do a drive through of the park in general terms. Use the park map and you'll see the most popular spots to visit for your first trip. Cell service is great and the resort has free wi fi.
katleman
Explorer
Feb 27, 2014
jspence1 wrote:
We too are going to yellowstone this summer. Any advice on the tours, must do things that are/aren't worth the costs. I've heard the old west cookout is good but at over $250 is it worth it?

We did it in 2009, taking the 1 hour trail ride to the cookout. First time the boys had been on horseback, everyone enjoyed the evening. Saw bears on the ride back.

Was apprehensive based on the price, but in hindsight, was a highlight of the 4 week trip. We had a campsite at Tower, which made for a relaxing evening.

Now is NOT to early for reservations, especially for the horse back rides.

I'd recommend doing it once.
uintafly
Explorer
Feb 21, 2014
You should check out Rainbow Point Campground. It's about 15 miles outside of West Yellowstone and is right on the shores of Hebgen Lake. Very affordable and they have spots with electric if you need it. IMO it is much nicer than any of the campgrounds in West Yellowstone, which are all to city like for my taste.

Also if you like fly fishing, Hebgen Lake has a great population of big browns. When we were there last the campgorund host also had kayak rentals.
Supercharged
Explorer
Feb 21, 2014
jspence1 wrote:
I just booked today anything 35' and less still had space
Hello, Hello
jspence1
Explorer
Feb 21, 2014
I just booked today anything 35' and less still had space
Eurocamper
Explorer
Feb 21, 2014
jspence1 wrote:
Just looking for opinions

I'm sure somebody else will show up who has done the cookout (I wouldn't put much credence in the opinion of people who haven't tried it:R.) Until then: Search for Roosevelt Cookout or Roosevelt Chuckwagon.
Supercharged
Explorer
Feb 21, 2014
Old Days wrote:
Awhile back a lady on here tried to make reservation at Fishing Bridge campgrounds and they said it was booked for 2014 season already. She was going to try for 2015.
I have got in twice within three days . People don't show up, dog sick, wife fell down stair, mother won't let them go that far away this summer. Stay twice with less the three days of calling. Hello
jspence1
Explorer
Feb 21, 2014
Just looking for opinions we very rarely eat out (I can't even remember the last time we did maybe 3 years ago when we went to Florida) and have almost no idea of what I should expect to pay. It's a vacation and I'm not going to worry about spending money for a good experience, but I also don't want to waste my money. Heck I'm going to be spending at least $3500 in fuel.
Eurocamper
Explorer
Feb 21, 2014
I think only you can decide if it's worth it to you.

I can say that the price is within the range found for these kind of things, maybe on the high side of that range. The wagon ride/cookout in the Grand Tetons is $52 per person and the Yellowstone one was much better.
Bumpyroad
Explorer
Feb 21, 2014
jspence1 wrote:
Eurocamper wrote:
jspence1 wrote:
We too are going to yellowstone this summer. Any advice on the tours, must do things that are/aren't worth the costs. I've heard the old west cookout is good but at over $250 is it worth it?

Where did you get $250? Cost is only $57. I usually spend over $30 with tip just to go out to eat at a nice steak house in town.

I've done it several times and I thought it was worth it. The wagon ride, entertainment and meal were highlights of our trip. Last time we had a bear walk by about 75 yards away from the dining area, you should have seen the people bolt out of their seats to get a look at it.

OK let me rephrase, at over $250 for the family is it worth it?

assuming a family of 4, that's over $60 per person. for a meal and a phony old west charade. Not to me.
bumpy

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