cancel
Showing results forย 
Search instead forย 
Did you mean:ย 

Yellowstone/Tetons Summer of 2014 help

LoudDog
Explorer
Explorer
We are planning on doing Yellowstone/Tetons for our summer of 2014 vacation. We have 2 weeks and we're driving from the Seattle WA area with 30ft TT.

I keep putting off doing any research or planning, but it's time to start thinking about plans.

Any help is appreciated!

Questions
1. Is 2 weeks too long or just right?
2. We're thinking of splitting time between two locations, one more north one more south. Try to most everything and minimize driving. Thoughts on that plan?
3. Suggested campgrounds with full hookups outside the park?
4. Our available time frame is mid June to mid August. I'm thinking earlier is less crowded but I'd rather not be there over the 4th. Thoughts?

Thanks!
TV: 2012 Ram 2500
TT: 2023 Cougar 22MLS
30 REPLIES 30

2gypsies1
Explorer II
Explorer II
Hiking in the Tetons is awesome! The trails are for all abilities and most lead you to a gorgeous lake or waterfall. Also, consider taking a float trip down the Snake River in the park. Many times you'll see moose alongside you. Have a good trip!
Full-Timed for 16 Years
.... Back in S&B Again
Traveled 8 yr in a 40' 2004 Newmar Dutch Star Motorhome
& 8 yr in a 33' Travel Supreme 5th Wheel

LoudDog
Explorer
Explorer
Thanks all! this helps a lot. Right now I'm thinking a week at Colter and a week at Fishing bridge, or maybe grizzly. might look at two locations in yellowstone though.

I do a lot of hiking so the Tetons has more draw for me than most people, I think I want to split the time.

Well aware of the dog rules. Did 1 week in Glacier each of the last two years. They do fine in the trailer as long as we get them out and let them expel some energy either in the campground or outside the park. One of the reasons hook ups are needed is for AC for the dogs while we are away. 2012 in glacier we were hitting 100 degrees each day.

As for us, we're not at all the sit at the RV type people. In our two weeks in glacier i don't think we ever even turned the TV on?
TV: 2012 Ram 2500
TT: 2023 Cougar 22MLS

2gypsies1
Explorer II
Explorer II
If you need hookups, the places to stay are Fishing Bridge - IN Yellowstone and Colter Bay RV Park - IN Grand Tetons. Mid-June would be ideal compared to later in summer. You'll some all the baby animals at that time. Have a good trip!
Full-Timed for 16 Years
.... Back in S&B Again
Traveled 8 yr in a 40' 2004 Newmar Dutch Star Motorhome
& 8 yr in a 33' Travel Supreme 5th Wheel

TenOC
Nomad
Nomad
YS is BIG!!!! 50 miles between the major tourist sites. Try to get inside the park at Fishing Bridge the only (?) campground with full hookup. Think about staying a few days with OUT full hookup, you will have much more options after all you want to spend time in the parks not in the RV watching TV. Take a week-end trip close to home and camp without hook-ups to practice for you summer trip.
Please give me enough troubles, uncertainty, problems, obstacles and STRESS so that I do not become arrogant, proud, and smug in my own abilities, and enough blessings and good times that I realize that someone else is in charge of my life.

Travel Photos

profdant139
Explorer II
Explorer II
The answer depends on what you like to do. We found, to our surprise, that the day hikes in the Tetons were better than in YNP. But there is a lot more geothermal stuff in YNP.

You might want to look into the issue of taking dogs out into the wild when there are grizzlies around. Even though border collies are brilliant, they may not know that unlike most animals, these bears will not back down and will chase the dogs, who will come running back to you for protection, bringing the bear along for the ride.

I am sure that others know more about this than I do -- my information is only second-hand. I could be wrong!
2012 Fun Finder X-139 "Boondock Style" (axle-flipped and extra insulation)
2013 Toyota Tacoma Off-Road (semi-beefy tires and components)
Our trips -- pix and text
About our trailer
"A journey of a thousand miles begins with a single list."

Not_a_Clue
Explorer
Explorer
Also there is a nice Scenic Drive about 20 miles outside of West Yellowstone off Highway 20.

Mesa Falls

Linda B.
Our Blog
2009 29' Fleetwood, Fiesta V10 - The Little Bus
2008 Saturn Vue (Toad)with US Gear UBS
& Demco baseplate and tow bar.
FMCA# F412985
Traveling with Robin(friend)& Buddee(cavalier)

1320quick
Explorer
Explorer
We are also planning a summer 2014 visit to Yellowstone and the Tetons. We are planning a 10 day vacation to the area. I've done lots of research lately on the area and I'm really looking forward to it. We are going June 19-29th. I'm sure it will be busy but hopefully not as busy as the July 4th time frame. I didn't want to go too early and have the weather be chilly.

I made reservations last week at Grizzly RV park in West Yellowstone and Colter Bay in Moran Wy as others have recommended in this thread. I wanted some place with full hook ups that allowed us to visit Jackson hole, the Tetons and Yellowstone and those two places fit the bill based upon my research. Grizzly RV park in West Yellowstone came highly recommended to me from a friend who has stayed there many times.
2002 GMC 2500HD 2WD, SRW LB 8.1 Allison
2014 Heartland Sundance XLT 285TS
1998 Champion 190SX - 175hp Johnson FastStrike

bikendan
Explorer
Explorer
katleman wrote:
2 weeks is fine
My preference is June, before the crowds of July & August arrive.

There is much more to do at Yellowstone, I would split your time 80/20, and consider two locations to base from in Yellowstone, to minimize driving.


x2! a ranger told us that July is the busiest month of the year, by far.
agree with the 80/20 split and having a base in YNP, due to how long it takes to drive around.
personally, we would never visit YNP in the summer. way too many people!
Sept. and Oct. are perfect times to visit.
Dan- Firefighter, Retired:C, Shawn- Musician/Entrepreneur:W, Zoe- Faithful Golden Retriever(RIP:(), 2014 Ford F150 3.5 EcoboostMax Tow pkg, 2016 PrimeTime TracerAIR 255 w/4pt Equalizer and 5 Mtn. bikes and 2 Road bikes

katleman
Explorer
Explorer
2 weeks is fine

I've been to Yellowstone/Grand Teton 4 times, one week each time, and I still did and saw things I had never seen before this summer.

My preference is June, before the crowds of July & August arrive.

There is much more to do at Yellowstone, I would split your time 80/20, and consider two locations to base from in Yellowstone, to minimize driving.
Visted via RV

Jim_Shoe
Explorer
Explorer
Agree with the above posters. You can't swallow all of YNP in one meal, but you can get a good feel for areas where you'd like to spend more time on your next visit, and there will be a next time. Some secrets (Don't tell anybody).
Don't forget camera and binoculars. From the west gate to the Grand Loop is 12 miles. Lots of wildlife on that little stretch, so watch for other cars pulled over. There's something to see, or they wouldn't have stopped. There's a Ranger station as you get to the loop. Stop in to see where the animals are that day. They'll know.
The SW quadrant boasts Old Faithful and the geyser basin. Stop in Yellowstone Lodge while there. A beautiful lobby. The SE quadrant has Yellowstone Lake. The NW quadrant has Mammoth Hot Springs. The old Army Barracks are in the small settlement there and elk wander through the streets. The NE quadrant has the upper and lower falls of the Yellowstone River. The lower falls are higher, but farther away from the headwaters - so lower falls.
The Tetons-
Drive the Teton Park Road south from Rt. 191. It passes Jackson Lake. Take Signal Mountain Rd. to the top. There's a viewing platform up there where you can see lots of the park and the Tetons above the tree line. My last visit, a hot air balloon went by - below me.
Then back to the Jenny Lake Loop Rd. Further south, there's a tiny turnout that holds maybe 5 or six cars. Walk over to the shore, sit on a rock and feel your Blood Pressure drop about 20 points. The prettiest view you may ever see.
As long as you're that close, you might as well drive into Jackson. Souvenir shops abound, but the Million Dollar Cowboy Bar is worth a visit. Good burgers, and the stools at the bar are saddles. The park in the center of town has arch entrances at each corner made out of Elk horns.
If you missed something, don't worry. You'll be back.
Retired and visiting as much of this beautiful country as I can.

enblethen
Nomad
Nomad
There is a new RV park behind the Imax theater, adjacent to the Grizzly park. That is more convenient to some of West Yellowstone tourist trap locales.
Two weeks is about right. Remember that it is a good distance to the Tetons from West Yellowstone. You may want to do a loop. Enter Yellowstone through West Yellowstone and exist via Jackson, WY and return home from there.
You will need to make reservations soon.
What part of WA? Would help to know in helping you plan route.

Bud
USAF Retired
Pace Arrow


2003 Chev Ice Road Tracker

Maurice45
Explorer
Explorer
We spent a week at Colter Bay RV park in September. Spaces are a little tight but otherwise I recommend it highly. Short walk down to the lake shore for a spectacular view of the Tetons, especiallly so at sunrise and sunset. Nice store with great warm rolls at 7:00 every morning.

bigdogger
Explorer II
Explorer II
Yellowstone is an old Indian word that means "lots of driving required". It is a big place, so plan on lots of miles, regardless of where you stay. Two weeks (including transit time) sure isn't too much time for most people. However, I have met people who find 1 day is more than enough. to those people a zoo is the place to see animals, waterfalls are nothing more than big faucets, geysers look a lot like broken pipes, mountains just make straight roads crooked and hiking is for people who can't afford a car. With two weeks I would suggest around 5 days at the north entrance (Gardiner, Montana) as this makes for the best base camp with hookups for the Lamar Valley, A trip over the Beartooth Highway, and touring the northern loop. The west entrance for three (West Yellowstone, Montana)for the Geyser basins and the Southern part of the Park and 3 days at Grand Teton. This will leave you with 2 days travel time coming and going and a day of flexibility. Fishing Bridge RV park is also not a bad option, but I prefer having Wifi, stores, restaurants, cable TV, cell service and the like, so the gateway towns are better for me. Plan a long day from either Gardiner or West Yellowstone for a day trip to Cody, Wyoming and the Buffalo Bill Historical center if you appreciate museums, western art and western firearms. It is the best in the world for those things.

TucsonJim
Explorer II
Explorer II
Highly recommend Grizzly RV Park in West Yellowstone. Very convenient to the park and town.

We haven't camped outside Teton, so no recommendations there.

Two weeks should allow you to get a pretty good experience in both parks.

Jim
2016 Ford F350 Turbo Diesel SRW 4x4
2017 Grand Design Reflection 297RSTS
2013 Ford F350 Turbo Diesel SRW 4x4 (Destroyed by fire - 8/29/16)
2014 Grand Design Reflection 337RLS (Destroyed by fire - 8/29/16)

Not_a_Clue
Explorer
Explorer
Mid June through August is prime time for NP visiting in that area.

We have been to the Yellowstone area three times in the last ten years.

The Tetons we usually stay two days three nights at Colter Bay RV Campground (FHU). Make reservations early.

For Yellowstone we have stayed at Madison Campground (dry camping). Nice campground if you don't need hookups. Fishing Bridge (FHU) but tight spots. Okay as you are not spending much time in the campground.

Our favorite is Grizzly RV Park in West Yellowstone, right outside the west entrance. Kinda pricey but walking distance into town. Also has laundry.

With any on these make reservations early as they will fill up at peak season.
My blog has pictures of campgrounds.

Our favorite time to go is spring (Memorial weekend into first part of June.
Linda B.
Our Blog
2009 29' Fleetwood, Fiesta V10 - The Little Bus
2008 Saturn Vue (Toad)with US Gear UBS
& Demco baseplate and tow bar.
FMCA# F412985
Traveling with Robin(friend)& Buddee(cavalier)