Yellowstone for newbies

[Dennis235]

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, dislikes

Getting around with/without a car

If only 7 days top 5-7 things to see

Cell and hotspot reception?

Tips and advice welcome.

Thanks

Dennis & Mary

[noe-place]

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]

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]

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]

jspence1 wrote:
I just booked today anything 35' and less still had space

Hello, Hello

[jspence1]

I just booked today anything 35' and less still had space

[Eurocamper]

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]

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]

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]

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]

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

[jspence1]

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?

[Eurocamper]

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.

[jspence1]

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?

[Dennis235]

Wow, thanks for all the responses and tips. We live just SE of Flagstaff AZ at 5500 feet so 7000 feet at Yellowstone in the first 2 weeks of June should make us feel at home a little. We definitely have some thinking and planning to do.

Thank You

Dennis & Mary