Yellowstone

SwanInWA wrote:
You're going to have a blast. We went 3rd week of May 2013 and had an amazing time. Stayed at Norris in A Loop and LOVED it. Had every kind of weather you can imagine from t-shirt weather to snow to thunder and lightening. Most of the bigger campgrounds were open and the only roads that were closed were up at the Northeast entrance. Tons of wildlife and geyser activity. We stayed a week and still didn't get to see it all. I would go back in a heartbeat.

Well, We have 4 days starting May 4th @ Yellowstone Valley RV Park then 3 days@ Fishing Bridge in the NP all full hookup. That should give us enough time. God willing and the creeks don't rise.

You're going to have a blast. We went 3rd week of May 2013 and had an amazing time. Stayed at Norris in A Loop and LOVED it. Had every kind of weather you can imagine from t-shirt weather to snow to thunder and lightening. Most of the bigger campgrounds were open and the only roads that were closed were up at the Northeast entrance. Tons of wildlife and geyser activity. We stayed a week and still didn't get to see it all. I would go back in a heartbeat.

Went the second week of May last year and the lake was one big ice cube with 2-3 ft. burms of snow between the rv sites at fishing bridge and the higher passes still closed.

A lot stated already so I will do my standard plug because I believe this is your best tool to answer the question... See every campground in and around Yellowstone here

May is early so road conditions and spring storms will impact access and travel.

Altitude counts as much as distance north. The rule of thumb is that 1000 ft of altitude gain is the same as moving 500 miles north for climate.

As for Mesa Verde, make your tour reservations online well before you get there. The NPS used their government intelligence to move almost all tour reservations online and if you wait until you get there you will probably find all the tours filled. WE did anyway.

Thanks everybody. This is the longest trip we have ever tried. We where going to start out south and work our way west then up the west coast. From there back east across the more northern parts. But, we need to have some repairs at the Forrest River Factory in Indiana. We do not have a time limit so I guess we will hit Mesa Verde first and wiggle our way west then work back. Will need to check the weather there. Hope that will be far enough south.

""I note that they project opening the road between Old Faithful and West Thumb on June 11th this year.""

They will still be working on the new bridge at Isa Lake/Continental Divide for that time after the snow gets cleared (projected)... :) :)

You don't indicate whether you plan to get there early or late in May. Check here for the 2015 estimated road opening dates. I note that they project opening the road between Old Faithful and West Thumb on June 11th this year. They must have a lot of snow this year, as we had no problem with that road on June 2 last year.

Also for your info - Park Facility Opening/Closing Dates

If you can do without FHU, Bakers Hole Forest Service Campground just 3 miles north of West Yellowstone has one loop with electric plus water and a dump.

Agree with others that Madison and Mammoth are good locations for camping. Norris is also nice, especially if you can get a site in A loop (first loop on the right after the entrance station). First come,first served, but we have no problem getting a site in early June last year by arriving mid-morning.

YELL Trip Planner

Lots of reading here. AND correct info, ESPECIALLY opening dates when they become available. Many campgrounds not even open early May.

Check road reports as well.

Have a safe trip. :) :)

bikendan wrote:

agesilaus wrote:
The best place to stay is Fishing Bridge campground. They have power and water, I'm not sure if they added sewer yet.

OP has a popups, which are banned at Fishing Bridge.

Been a long time since I have posted here. I changed my sig.