Yellowstone with a class C

[AndyW]

I'm orchestrating a group of friends and family (19 people in 3 rigs) for a trip to Yellowstone in August. We currently have reservations for Bridge Bay campground.

Due to some circumstances beyond my control, I realized we're going to find ourselves short of run-around vehicles while in the park - we will only have two pickup trucks and one motorhome (my rig).

So my question - how crazy is it to 'see the sights' in a 30 foot class C? Are the roads and parking at major attractions doable? Anything specific I will need to avoid?

I don't mind the setup and tear down of camp each day, I can do that in 5-10 minutes. And our group ranges in age from 2 to 70, so we'll mostly be touring by vehicle with some low-stress hikes thrown in. And we will have the two trucks for anyone who wants to get off the beaten path, we just won't all be able to go together in those cases.

How crazy am I?

[Cali-MinnieWinn]

I say stay in the park! Nothing better than waking up and you are right in the middle of Yellowstone!
We stayed at Bridge Bay in a Class c and really enjoyed it. We tow a motorcycle and did most of our touring with that, but did use the rv for touring twice. The first, we were meeting a ranger for an early morning hike; we arrived early to be sure to get parking, then cooked breakfast. We sat in the RV with a nice cup of hot coffee until the ranger arrived. The 2nd time, we went to Hayden Valley to look for wildlife at dusk; cooked dinner in the RV! So, there are perks too as you will save money having your food and drink right there. Also, you won't be alone; there are a lot of renters out there who don't have any other option. If you are going to an area with limited parking, just be sure to leave early in the morning; which you should do anyway for a better chance of seeing wildlife and avoiding the crowds (at least for a couple of hours).
On our upcoming trip, we are staying at Canyon. Can't wait! Have a great trip!

[Busskipper]

AndyW wrote:
Sorry, typo, 13 people - families of 5, 4, and 4. Still more than we can fit in two vehicles.

Honestly, if it's at all reasonable, touring the park in the motorhome is my first choice. It's the ultimate day trip vehicle, especially with young kids. I just didn't want to go into this blind and find out I can't take it outside of the road to and from the campground.

Regarding water tankage...our budget is such that for the difference in price between Grizzly RV or KOA and the sites at Bridge Bay, I'll gladly drive to the dump station as needed. I've also been told that staying in the park is preferable so that you don't need to deal with traffic in and out each day. Different priorities I guess.

In the old days before Toads we all did it in the RV.

That said the crowds are larger now and it will be a little work but you will see everything on the road and in the Parking lots.

Keep the budget from Busting - do what you need to do with what you have - Get up early and beat many to the parking lots and reposition when it is crowded.

Only thing to keep in mind is you may have to wait to get into a space, in the parking lot, that works for your "C".

Have a plan - then be Flexible, it will be Fun,

[dave17352]

We have traveled in a class c with 2 adults and 4 kids at Yellowstone and stayed at fishing bridge. In some ways its perfect. You have everything you need all the time. But as others have said parking can be a bugger. Depends on how crowded the park is. If school is still out for summer I would imagine there would be plenty of people.

But if I were you I would take your chances and use your Class C. You will have to park farther away, but I always have thought our Class C was perfect for touring things with the kids. Of course ours was only 27.5 feet. On that particular trip we were on the road for close to two weeks. We have traveled with kids in a truck pulling a 5th wheel and kids in a class C. I greatly preferred traveling with kids in the Class C. JMHO

[2chiefsRus]

AndyW wrote:
Thanks, that sounds perfect. My youngest is 2, and will be in a backpack carrier, while my oldest is 5 and LOVES hiking, but not more than 4-5 miles at a time. It will be a solid afternoon for us.

I'm looking forward to returning in 10-12 years when we can REALLY get into the back country. But not this trip.

Be sure to watch for signs of problems with the increased elevation, especially for the young ones. Coming from Wisconsin to 8000 feet will be an adjustment especially when hiking.

[Durb]

I was there late September, not August. There were large numbers of Cruise America Class C motor home rentals and none were pulling a toad. Where ever we went they were parked in the lots and it seemed like the park was good at accommodating them. I would try to make sure everyone had a window to look out of when driving around.

[AndyW]

Thanks, that sounds perfect. My youngest is 2, and will be in a backpack carrier, while my oldest is 5 and LOVES hiking, but not more than 4-5 miles at a time. It will be a solid afternoon for us.

I'm looking forward to returning in 10-12 years when we can REALLY get into the back country. But not this trip.

[2chiefsRus]

AndyW wrote:

2chiefsRus wrote:
I haven't been to Yellowstone recently but if I recall correctly, I would prefer to not drive a motorhome on the roads up on the north east corner of the Park. Also as others have mentioned, you will find parking a rig that size very problematic particularly in August.

How many days will you be spending in Yellowstone? If just for 2-3 days and if all you want to do is drive through and stop at only the major sites, you will probably be fine. If you are talking about a week long trip where you actually get to see more than just the areas that are within 100 yards of the pavement, then I would seriously consider getting a rental car and travel in three vehicles versus the motorhome.

5 days, Sunday through Friday. The plan is to hit the major attractions and pick a few easy 3-4 hour hikes. We have not settled on specifics yet, so could certainly skip any real problematic areas.

Elephant Back is a nice lollipop trail near Fishing Bridge. We took the grandsons on that hike when they were 7 and 11. They loved it.

From the NPS website - Elephant Back Mountain

Round trip 3.5 miles (5.9 km), moderately strenuous.

Starting at a pullout 1.0 mile (1.5 km) south of Fishing Bridge junction, this trail climbs 1.0 mile (1.5 km) through a lodgepole pine forest before reaching a junction. Either trail leads in another 0.5 miles (0.8 km) to a panoramic view of Yellowstone Lake.Pelican Creek

[AndyW]

2chiefsRus wrote:
I haven't been to Yellowstone recently but if I recall correctly, I would prefer to not drive a motorhome on the roads up on the north east corner of the Park. Also as others have mentioned, you will find parking a rig that size very problematic particularly in August.

How many days will you be spending in Yellowstone? If just for 2-3 days and if all you want to do is drive through and stop at only the major sites, you will probably be fine. If you are talking about a week long trip where you actually get to see more than just the areas that are within 100 yards of the pavement, then I would seriously consider getting a rental car and travel in three vehicles versus the motorhome.

5 days, Sunday through Friday. The plan is to hit the major attractions and pick a few easy 3-4 hour hikes. We have not settled on specifics yet, so could certainly skip any real problematic areas.

[AndyW]

Bumpyroad wrote:

AndyW wrote:
Sorry, typo, 13 people - families of 5, 4, and 4. Still more than we can fit in two vehicles.
.

and 13 in a class C works??????????
bumpy

Well no...but 13 in two pickups and a class C does. 13 in two trucks does not. I'm asking whether me, the guy with the motorhome, really needs to make arrangements for a toad/rental. The two families pulling trailers are all set - unhitch and go.

[2chiefsRus]

I haven't been to Yellowstone recently but if I recall correctly, I would prefer to not drive a motorhome on the roads up on the north east corner of the Park. Also as others have mentioned, you will find parking a rig that size very problematic particularly in August.

How many days will you be spending in Yellowstone? If just for 2-3 days and if all you want to do is drive through and stop at only the major sites, you will probably be fine. If you are talking about a week long trip where you actually get to see more than just the areas that are within 100 yards of the pavement, then I would seriously consider getting a rental car and travel in three vehicles versus the motorhome.

[Bumpyroad]

AndyW wrote:
Sorry, typo, 13 people - families of 5, 4, and 4. Still more than we can fit in two vehicles.
.

and 13 in a class C works??????????
bumpy

[AndyW]

Sorry, typo, 13 people - families of 5, 4, and 4. Still more than we can fit in two vehicles.

Honestly, if it's at all reasonable, touring the park in the motorhome is my first choice. It's the ultimate day trip vehicle, especially with young kids. I just didn't want to go into this blind and find out I can't take it outside of the road to and from the campground.

Regarding water tankage...our budget is such that for the difference in price between Grizzly RV or KOA and the sites at Bridge Bay, I'll gladly drive to the dump station as needed. I've also been told that staying in the park is preferable so that you don't need to deal with traffic in and out each day. Different priorities I guess.

[Bumpyroad]

Lwiddis wrote:
I agree with GeoBoy.

yep, makes a lot of sense to me.
bumpy

[Lwiddis]

I agree with GeoBoy.