Yellowstone/Grand Tetons in September 2014

[tommy_salmon]

We are planning a 3 week trip (1 week traveling to and from Texas, 2 weeks there) to Yellowstone/Grand Tetons for 2014, and we are thinking September would be a good time to avoid crowds and see the fall foliage. We have seen posts here recommending Grizzly RV Park for Yellowstone and Colter Bay for Grand Tetons. Any others we should check out? Do any of the National Forest campgrounds have at least water/electric hookups? We were thinking maybe 3 days for Grand Tetons and the remainder of our time for Yellowstone. Also, what kind of weather should we expect there in September? This will be our biggest trip so far, and we want to "make it count"! Thanks in advance for what I'm sure will be great advice!

[sh4717]

We went to both Yellowstone and Tetons this past August for 10 days. Although in August there were a lot of people, YP is so big that it didn't really feel that crowded. Tetons were never crowded. September should be no concern as others have said.

I would recommend spending at least half your time in the Tetons and half in YP. We actually saw much more wildlife in the Tetons than in YP.

The BEST piece of advice I received was to have some plans made for your time in the parks, but do not be in a rush for anything. I literally cannot tell you how many times we just decided to take a dirt road here or there, or took a last minute unplanned hike that we came upon.

We stayed at Madison campground in YP and would highly recommend that (although no hookups, there is water and a dump right there) and Colter Bay while in the Tetons. Very quiet and the campsites are big and not too close to your neighbor.

Best camping trip we have ever taken!

[TenOC]

2gypsies wrote:
We like Gros Ventre campground (another 300 site) in the park - non-hookups.

we'll stay at a forest service campground about a mile north of West Yellowstone called Baker's Hole (Gallatin Nat'l Forest). It's a very, very pleasant place to stay and there are approx. 15 sites with electric and the rest non-electric. No water fill. No dump - so come prepared. There are water spigots which can be used for fill. It's on the Madison River and is in such a pretty setting. However, we find that staying outside the park for a main Yellowstone visit isn't convenient.

Gros Ventre and Baker's Hole are two of my favorite camp grounds.

[2gypsies1]

We would suggest at least one week in the Tetons - especially if you like to hike. The trails are wonderful and for all abilities. Also plan to take a gentle float trip down the Snake River and you just might see a moose in the water next to you. There's lots to do in the Teton area.

For the Tetons, if you need full hookups, the only good place is Colter Bay RV Park. It's right next door to the huge 300-site non-hookup national park campground called Colter Bay. We like Gros Ventre campground (another 300 site) in the park - non-hookups.

Yellowstone - Fishing Bridge is the most convenient and is full hook-ups. Folks will say it's a 'parking lot' but as you can see from these pictures, there are many trees so to us, it's not a barren 'parking lot'.

Fishing Bridge Campground


We like Mammoth, in the park but it doesn't accept reservations and it's non-hookup and no dump station although you can dump on your way in or other at Madison. We've also stayed at Madison. Since we've been to Yellowstone many times and sometimes we just want to explore more of the area outside the park and just go into the park a couple days, we'll stay at a forest service campground about a mile north of West Yellowstone called Baker's Hole (Gallatin Nat'l Forest). It's a very, very pleasant place to stay and there are approx. 15 sites with electric and the rest non-electric. No water fill. No dump - so come prepared. There are water spigots which can be used for fill. It's on the Madison River and is in such a pretty setting. However, we find that staying outside the park for a main Yellowstone visit isn't convenient.

Yellowstone is for animals. Grand Tetons is for beauty and hiking. They are two very different parks in looks. Yes, Yellowstone does have hiking trails but to us, they're not as scenic as those in the Tetons.

For major groceries, there are two stores just south of the town of Jackson, WY near the Tetons. One is Smith's on the west side of the highway which has an attached liquor store and a laundry and fuel station - good prices. The other is Albertson's on the east side of the highway. There's also good fuel price to be had further south at Alpine/Thayne areas if you're coming in or leaving from the south. West Yellowstone has two mom&pop small groceries.

We haven't stayed at either Fishing Bridge or Colter Bay RV Parks as we like the non-hookups parks better...but that's just us.

[Dadio24]

You are starting off right. Ask many questions and decide for yourself. I did the same trip in September a few years ago after Labor Day and still had plenty of people (but minimal from the 2 weeks earlier from a friend that went, he said it was packed and not enjoyable). The people were friendly and everything still open. We had dusting of snow everyday inside YS. Get the National Parks Pass and enjoy the trip from Texas to back to Texas. You already live near the free campsites, in Dumas and Littlefield, we use on our trips to the Rockies.

[lucy6194]

So disappointed in Yellowstone cg. Fishing Bridge is a rip off tight quarters no picnic tables. Stayed 2 nights because everything else was either closed or booked (check for closing dates of campgrounds) next we went up to Mammouth which we loved especially the elk in the cg. However, there is no dump station there!! had to tote it all back to Grant which has extremely tight sites and a drive to the showers. They also had closed one of the dump stations the morning we were leaving but didn't inform anyone. Next to the Tetons where we stayed at Slide Rock nothing but quiet and views. We prefer to boondock but friends camping with us no as adventuresom they admitted that enjoyed the wide open spaces much better than YS. Also traveled down to SW Wyoming and into Flaming Gorge in Utah. Found lots of free camping beside rivers and gorgeous views. Snow chased us east.

[NHIrish]

We enjoyed Yellowstone this September...but it sure wasn't devoid of others doing the same! I sure wouldn't want to be there in the summer. Grizzly is very nice, and very close to town and the West entrance. Sites are close and it is expensive...but very nicely done. I also would HIGHLY recommend Yellowstone holiday campground which is about 12 miles out of town. One of their premium waterfront sites is about as good as it gets.
Regarding the Tetons, we were looking for hookups and didn't like any of the local options, so we stayed on the other side of the pass in Victor, ID...again not a bad option with a very nice ride into Jackson hole.

I would ensure that you have reservations at Grizzly...they were full a couple of the nights we were there.

Enjoy!

[Lauren]

We did that trip in 2011 the latest time..stayed in Grizzly and Colter Bay and highly recommend them both. Got there just after Labor Day and spent about 2 1/2 weeks total. It was fantastic.

From West Yellowstone - if you can - take a day trip into ID to Big Springs and Mesa Falls, etc.

Weather? Up to God. Average for Sept 15th is 63 and 28. But I am reminded of the old saying about the guy who drowned walking across a stream that AVERAGED one feet deep!

And remember, things start closing down around the third week of Sept.

It can be crowded at the major attractions but not like high season. Get out early in the morning for best viewing.

Those are spectacular places to visit - enjoy.

To see a few pix check out www.LaurenBarbara.com click on the Wanderings tab on the left and look under Wyoming on the next page for two links.

[NCWriter]

We were in Yellowstone this year starting Sept 6 for five nights at Fishing Bridge followed by three nights in Grand Teton NP at Colter Bay RV.

Staff and services in both places exceeded my expectations. One thing I liked about Fishing Bridge was availability of propane and diesel at the service station near the campground entrance.

The weather was excellent, mostly brilliant sunny days in the 60s or 70s and nights in the 40s to 50s, just a couple of short rainy spells that cleared. Weather was gorgeous for a cruise of Yellowstone Lake and a Raft Trip at Grand Teton.

Neither park was very crowded (though both of the RV parks had "Full" signs posted most of the time). YNP is so huge that people are spread out over many miles. Only once did we encounter a very full parking lot.

On hiking trails, we saw some other people now and then, but never crowds.

Starting Sept. 1 or 2, YNP facilities including campgrounds, begin closing. For example, the Roosevelt horse trail rides and cookouts were not available after the 2nd.

[RFCN2]

Tommy Salmon - If it were me doing your planning I would stay a week at Colter Bay full hookups and a week at Fishing Bridge inside Yellowstone. We have a Wrangler too and there are a couple of really nice 4WD roads close to Colter Bay. The one that goes on the west side of the Snake river and takes about 3 hours is awesome! Not to be missed.

Four years ago we went to Yellowstone the week after Labor day. We did not RV. The hotels in West Yellowstone were pretty full, but Yellowstone Park was uncrowded at that time. We do a bit of hiking and the trails were empty. We stayed a week in Colter Bay this August. Just a fantastic spot. Gets my vote as the most spectacular place in the lower 48. Lots of stuff to do in the Colter area. Also visit Jackson. Touristy, but very nice restaurants and fun to walk around in Sep when the crowds have gone home. Consider a hot air balloon ride near the Grand Tetons. Make reservations early. I do not suggest going there without them. In August Colter Bay was full. Fishing Bridge had a couple of spots vacant. Don't chance that.

[naturist]

Yellowstone is always packed, I hear. We went in June last year, "before the crowds come" and it was crowded. September is going to be packed, too, I'll bet, with lots of folks thinking same as you. For what it is worth, I understand it often snows a bit particularly in the latter half of September, but should be beautiful.

Oh, and the only NP campground in Yellowstone with any hookups is Fishing Bridge.

[TenOC]

tommy salmon wrote:
Also, what kind of weather should we expect there in September?

You can check out the weather on by looking at my photos of the trip in Sept 2010. Look at the middle of the page, the "Folders" are by date YS can have snow in July.

Sept in YS/Teton

[msires]

We were at Yellowstone 2 years ago at the end of September. We weren't camping, we didn't get a camper until this year (the accomodations in West Yellowstone might have contributed to that decision. Clean, but spartan). Beautiful time of year if the weather cooperates. It was perfect for us - the two days we toured the park, it was 25 degrees when we got up, and in the 70's by early afternoon, clear sunshine both days. It was mating season for the Elk, so they were very active. We were there the 21-23rd, and the tourists were pretty thin by that time.
Of course, two days after we left, they got their first snow of the season, 10"........ Timing and luck are everything!
Mark

[WyoTraveler]

Very difficult to guess about weather in the area. Doubt it will be that uncomfortable. We live north of Cody at 5000 ft and normally don't get first frost until 1st week of Sept. This year it was almost into Oct before we got a light frost. Higher up in Yellowstone a little cooler. Nights cool days pleasant but not too warm. This year got our first snow storm about 3rd week of Oct in Cody.

[Artum_Snowbird]

We went this year in our truck and camper in September to both places, and did not have reservations for our stays. A lot depends on what you expect to do, if you are avid hikers, or more inclined to drive and then walk about a bit.

But first.. both places have parks that are and perhaps with your service you may qualify for discounted rates. That would help. Gros Ventre in Grand Teton would certainly be a good spot to land and from there you can drive about with your toad. It is totally non hook up except for the park employees, but they did talk of that changing.

September is packed with tourists that figure the same as you.. we were overwhelmed with the numbers. The RV Parks are best booked for a bigger rig like yours. We had to be settled by about noon to get a spot in some places. It is really busy.

The best times we had were in the outside parks away from the National Parks. Some of the smaller ones still open were truly lovely places, quiet and peaceful, and with the pick of the prime sites in that season.

We stayed two nights in the Tetons, then headed east and went to the Longhorn Ranch and RV Resort in Dubois. What a beautiful and peaceful spot! Didn't hurt a bit to see a fisherman carrying his catch back from a time on the river. We went to Thermopolis and toured the dinosaur museum there, certainly wished I had spent more time there. A huge hotsprings for touring and for a swimming break there.

On to Cody to the western museum there, again worth a double day for a good visit. We went out to the State Park along the lake and stayed two nights.

From there, into Yellowstone... oh boy.. drive to see everything, busy busy busy, we stayed in two different parks, both with no reservations, and wild panic between 6:30 and 8:00 AM with people running about trying to secure sites that were vacating that morning. We checked the Weather Radio and left to the west with snow approaching that night.

In two days we were at a NFS site along the Crooked River near Bend, Oregon. How peaceful and lovely.

If you have to see with your own eyes, by all means visit the National Parks. The sights are truly impressive and wonderful. But if you want a relaxing journey, and are equally impressed by smaller venues, down home warm and fuzzy food, and local events, then enjoy the journey there and back, but be prepared to stay outside for the most part, and take the roads less travelled.