yellowstone park-i want to camp in one place, where should I

[Bocephus660]

i will be making a trip to yellowstone park later this month. i will be coming in from livingson and heading south down into the park. my plan is to unhook the 5th wheel at a campsite, leave it there for my 3-4 day visit at the park, sight see numerous places, and return to my site every evening. i am looking for advice as to which camp site i should chose. i will mostly be around the southern loop and will drive out to beartooth pass and cheif joseph highway one of the days as well.

1. i would prefer something i can call ahead and reserve
2. i dont need full hookups, but electricity would be nice (not a necessity though) (if no electricity, i would need to be able to run the generator to recharge)
3. i will have a dog with me (im not sure if some areas have a "no pet" policy or not...??

[ReneeG]

Bocephus660 wrote:
how do you guys get away with parking at bridger bay with a 5th wheel. even their large, 40ft spots will not work if you have a 30' 5th wheel. this is what it says....


- RV/Vehicle combination, 40' total length or less and either
- One large tent, 12'x12' or smaller or two small tents, each 8'x8' or smaller
- This is a single-width site. The total extended length of all vehicles and towed/towing equipment cannot exceed 40 feet

We didn't have this fifth wheel when we went but there was one our size backed into a spot in the back across from us at Bridge Bay. This was in September when the crowds are down so maybe this has to do with it.

Take a look at this link with various photos of Bridge Bay CG. You can easily tell that the RV's are longer than that - Bridge Bay Link to Photos

[Bocephus660]

how do you guys get away with parking at bridger bay with a 5th wheel. even their large, 40ft spots will not work if you have a 30' 5th wheel. this is what it says....


- RV/Vehicle combination, 40' total length or less and either
- One large tent, 12'x12' or smaller or two small tents, each 8'x8' or smaller
- This is a single-width site. The total extended length of all vehicles and towed/towing equipment cannot exceed 40 feet

[Bocephus660]

kohldad wrote:
Just hope she says "yes" or it could be a long ride home.

haha, isnt that the truth! im not worried about it at all. shes been hinting to me for a while. hell, her mom is even ragging on me wondering when im going to marry her daughter. i guess its just that time....

[kohldad]

Based on your desire of including the Bear Tooth, the choice is narrowed down to Canyon. Even from here, it will be a long day to make just the top of Beartooth. I wouldn't worry about to much planning and play it by ear based on weather and traffic conditions. A herd of bison can make a two mile jaunt to the next attraction a 30 minute ordeal. Otherwise you may get upset at not reaching a destination or spending too much time driving by wonderful things.

Make sure you realize just how big Yellowstone is. On our first trip, we stayed at Madison and it took a long day to drive the north loop with only a few short hikes. It is really too big just to enjoy seeing from one location. Each time we go, we pick a different campground to explore that area. Even with each trip being 5 days, we don't get tired.

Make sure you reserve a couple hours one day just for sitting and watching wildlife.

My favorite campground though is Bridge Bay. Easy to get around to the geyser basin, large field for wildlife watching about 15 minutes north, short stroll to the lake, etc.

Top off your tank in Cody or as you leave the interstate. But don't sweat getting fuel in the park. It is a little more expensive, but reasonable considering the location.

There are so many wonderful spots to pop. One of the splendid colored pools, overlooking the Yellowstone waterfalls in the canyon, top of Beartooth or during a break on a hike. Don't recommend at Old Faithful as it isn't special with so many people around. Just hope she says "yes" or it could be a long ride home.

[littlemo]

Bocephus660 wrote:
I'm glad I posted this question on here guys. This has been a real help. We are definitely going to take our dog along. Now I have one more question. I wasnt going to post this, but what the heck.... I am planning on asking my girlfriend if 4 years to marry me while on this trip. Any suggestions on a good place to pop the question? We want to see as much as we can in our limited time there, so we won't be going on any long hikes....but a mile or so wouldn't hurt me if it ends up being a great spot to surprise her.

Any number of waterfalls for romantic backdrop, Lewis Falls, gibbons Falls. Maybe Boiling River where you can soak in pool. May be hard to find a really private spot. Either way she'll love it. Sweet!

[Bocephus660]

I'm glad I posted this question on here guys. This has been a real help. We are definitely going to take our dog along. Now I have one more question. I wasnt going to post this, but what the heck.... I am planning on asking my girlfriend if 4 years to marry me while on this trip. Any suggestions on a good place to pop the question? We want to see as much as we can in our limited time there, so we won't be going on any long hikes....but a mile or so wouldn't hurt me if it ends up being a great spot to surprise her.

[littlemo]

To add another thought to my comments.....We took our dogs (Jack Russell Terriers) all over the place including YNP and have never had a problem. They enjoyed looking at the buffalo and elk too! We never took them in the restricted areas. If we wanted to go on trails they did fine in the 5'er. BTW we didn't have any trouble with our 34 ft fifth wheel any where we went. We stayed at FB but never had to run the air (July). It is central in the park and Madison would be good also, as 2 Gypsies said. Enjoy!

[2gypsies1]

In our opinion, Cody is too far to stay to tour Yellowstone. We'd recommend staying IN the park. Madison is a good one.

[TexasShadow]

water is available at Bridge Bay and Madison I know for sure.

[ReneeG]

jalichty wrote:
Going over Sylvan Pass might be an adventure, but it's certainly doable. And, you shouldn't need to travel full of water, I believe all the campground will have fill sites within the campground. Might have just a bit in the FW in case you need to stop for a potty break.

Sylvan Pass is what you'll go over coming in through Cody. Again, I would only recommend Madison is you are also a whiz at maneuvering into and around tight campgrounds.

[jalichty]

Going over Sylvan Pass might be an adventure, but it's certainly doable. And, you shouldn't need to travel full of water, I believe all the campground will have fill sites within the campground. Might have just a bit in the FW in case you need to stop for a potty break.

[Mpula]

We have made several trips to Yellowstone, although none in the past 7 or 8 years. Our favorite in Park CG is Madison. It is centrally located and is nicely situated along the river. As most of the CG there are no hookups, but for three or four days that was never a problem for us. Also, it is close to West Yellowstone which has several "Daily Dog Care" options. You will want that if you are going to do any hiking and exploring. Have a great trip.

[Bocephus660]

i thank you guys for your comments, except naturist. judging from your name, you're the type of person i laugh at as well.

i am going to try and get something inside the park. the only thing i have going for me is all of my nightly stays will be on week days rather than weekends. i should also throw this out there.... i am coming from north dakota, and going to cody, wy rather than livingston is an option i am willing to entertain as well. it is within 50 miles driving distance for me, so staying on the outside of the park by the CODY entrance is a possibility.

that being said, IF i was to get a camp site at fishing bridge or canyon, what would be the better way for me to come in? my 5th wheel measures about 31-32 feet in actual lenght and weighs around 9500# loaded. im well seasoned on pulling trailers, so i not afraid of a little adventure with the camper behind me

one more question about filling water.... should i make sure im topped off before i get there, or is there a convenient place to fill along the way?

[Jayco-noslide]

I believe that about half the campgrounds are operated by Xanterra and take reservations and the rest are operated by the Park Service and do not reserve. I would try for reservations 1st but if none available, I wouldn't be afraid to show up at 1 of the non-reser. campgrounds(such as Mammoth) during mid to late morning. Be aware that the Park is huge so a centrally located campground, such as Canyon, might be good.

[CloudDriver]

Just to add to the confusion, here's my 2 cents:

If we were to stay in only one campground for Yellowstone, it would be Madison. Sites can be reserved, generators are allowed (8:00AM to 8:00PM) and it is centrally located, especially for the thermal features, which are mainly between the Old Faithful area and Norris. From Norris it's only 12 miles to the Yellowstone Canyon and the water falls.

My second choice would be Canyon campground, if Madison wasn't available.

IMO Fishing Bridge and Bridge Bay add unnecessary time driving to what is already your limited time in the Park.

Flagg Ranch is too far away and Colter Bay, which is great for Grand Teton NP, is way too far. If you possibly can go to Grand Teton after Yellowstone. Some of the most spectacular mountain scenery in the country.

Get an early start on the day you plan to drive the Chief Joseph and Beartooth Highways. That's a long drive and you will want to stop to enjoy the scenery. Also you will pass through the Lamar Valley in the northeast corner of the Park on the way. The valley is called the "Serengeti of America" and contains the largest herd of Bison in the Park. We got lucky and saw five wolves there last year.

Also plan for a full day at the Old Faithful, Black Sand Basin and Biscuit Basin thermal areas. Something like 25% of the geysers in the world in this area. Have lunch or dinner at the Old Faithful Inn.