Yellowstone NE entrance.

[dodge_guy]

Hello. I'm getting some things together for our Yellowstone trip next year. I'm already leaning on this route, but figured i'de ask anyway. Has anyone towed or taken their RV into Yellowstone from Red Lodge MT (212)? I know it is very high at 12k ft elevation, I don't have a problem with this, the wife may be surprised though! Just wondering if anyone has done this route with an RV. I'de rather not come in somewhere else and then drive back to 212 to do this route.

Just looking for comments. I know the other routes into Yellowstone, I'm just looking for something different that we don't see on other trips.

Thanks!

[TenOC]

The short answer is DO NOT DO IT. The long answer. You can do it, the road is not that bad, but you may need a new set of brakes later -- maybe a new transmission.

A better plan, enter from the East (Cody). But before entering YS, park the trailer at one of the many campgrounds at or near Cody. If you dry camp I think there are a number of places on FS or BLM land. Take a day trip to Red Lodge. The next day take a day trip from Cody to the NE entrance near Cooke City US 212. Do the loop in the park and return by US 14 (the East entrance) to your campground.

You should enjoy Cody, Red Lodge and the drive (without the trailer) Plus without the trailer you should be able to see the wildlife (and the associated traffic jams) in the valleys of YS.

On my last trip, I entered from the West (spent a night at Bakers Hole). Then pull the trailer over to a NFS campground near Cooke City. The drive down the mountain in YS to the NE entrance required me to stop a few time for the trailer brakes to cool off. Later I found that I had wore a flat spot on one set of Trailer tires.

I then visit Red Lodge and Cody without the trailer.

I re-entered the park from Cooke City and left the park with the trailer by the South entrance.

Edit: You can see some photos of the Bear Tooth in my travel photo below. I think YS trip is in the middle.

[pulsar]

I would not enjoy the drive pulling a trailer.

We have seen small trailers being pulled over the Beartooth. In the lower right side of this picture you can see a small trailer. The picture was taken just above 9000 feet.

Click on the picture to open a larger version in a new tab or window.



From Red Lodge, we take MT 309 to MT 72, which become WY 20, to US 14 in Cody.

Tom

[dewey02]

dodge guy wrote:
Hello. I'm getting some things together for our Yellowstone trip next year. I'm already leaning on this route, but figured i'de ask anyway. Has anyone towed or taken their RV into Yellowstone from Red Lodge MT (212)? I know it is very high at 12k ft elevation, I don't have a problem with this, the wife may be surprised though! Just wondering if anyone has done this route with an RV. I'de rather not come in somewhere else and then drive back to 212 to do this route.

Just looking for comments. I know the other routes into Yellowstone, I'm just looking for something different that we don't see on other trips.

Thanks!

That's just it. You WON'T see something different if you are driving. All you will be staring at is the road, the guardrails and your speedometer and tachometer. Your wife will be enjoying the view, but you will not be seeing any of it.

It is a beautiful drive, but do as others have recommended and park the trailer and take a drive in the tow vehicle. You will have a much better time and actually be able to enjoy the beauty of the road and the views.

[coolmom42]

It is a very very bad idea. It will put a huge strain on your nerves, TV drive train, and trailer brakes. If anything goes wrong, you would endanger yourself and others.

And most of all, it won't be any fun. That part of the world is worth more than a white-knuckle drive.

Park the trailer and do a day trip, it's well worth the time.

[Busskipper]

dodge guy wrote:
Hello. I'm getting some things together for our Yellowstone trip next year. I'm already leaning on this route, but figured i'de ask anyway. Has anyone towed or taken their RV into Yellowstone from Red Lodge MT (212)? I know it is very high at 12k ft elevation, I don't have a problem with this, the wife may be surprised though! Just wondering if anyone has done this route with an RV. I'de rather not come in somewhere else and then drive back to 212 to do this route.

Just looking for comments. I know the other routes into Yellowstone, I'm just looking for something different that we don't see on other trips.

Thanks!

Looking at the picture of your rig, I'd think long and hard about it. Do a search and then decide - IMHO you will enjoy it more after the Trailer is Parked.

I'm not usually one to ever discourage anyone but this is a case of just enjoyment - my advice is to take a day with a road trip doing Beartooth Chief Joseph and Red Lodge.

JMHO,

[WyoTraveler]

There are 2 hwys to NE entrance. Either. 212 or 296 over dead indian pass.

[Ernest]

We drove this,roundtrip, 2 years ago in a Jeep. Have to say it's a drive not to be missed, but you are probably a little on the long side. You might want to look at the snow removal youtube videos that are out there so you can decide.

[4runnerguy]

Do a search here for Beartooth Highway for all the answers you'll ever want. Most say no. We did it but we've only got a 19' long PUP.