Camping and Traveling in the west in Winter

If you decide to visit Mammoth in January-February you can count on night time temps below 0 degrees. Last year there were quite a few nights with temps of minus 20 and even lower than minus 30. Think twice about what this means for RV camping without an hook ups.

Drove from Ft Worth to Jackson WY couple years back in January. I-80 was closed a couple of times because of high winds blowing semis' over. It was completely shut down about 10PM and didn't reopen till 3PM the next day. Not sure if they have the same problem farther north.

I believe the road condition map that I used on that trip was wyoroad.info.

In NW states, federal campgrounds start closing in late sept, you will find few if any open. Same with many RV parks, and county campgrounds. In Oregon the majority of state parks campgrounds have at least some of the sites open year round. A few are closed in the winter. But given your route, you won't be in Oregon. Washington has at least some of the statepark campgrounds open in the winter. I think there are some RV parks open year round in the Spokane/western Idaho area in the winter. There are few if any between missoula and spokane open in the winter.

Going north from yellowstone there may be RV spots open in Bozeman and/or Missoula. More than likely in the larger (for the area) cities are a combo RVparks/mobile home parks, sometimes of pretty questionable reputation. Open year round because 1/2 or more of the "park" is permanent mobile homes.

There is a wonderful thread on winter camping in the full time forum. In your situation it is a "must read".

I've boondocked at -37 c (-34 f).

It can be a real challenge even if you are prepared. Water freezing is my primary concern.

If you live in Seattle it may be hard for you to conceive of the kind of weather that can show up on the Northern Plains, not to mention the Yellowstone Plateau in February.

Truck stops will be your best bet. Many Flying Js have parking for rvs apart from trucks, but not all, but you can park with the trucks if necessary. their dump stations may be open.
your own water freezing will be something you'll have to watch carefully.

mowermech wrote:
Many RV parks close after October 15th (at the latest). A few (very few) are open year-round. Most USFS campgrounds and State Parks close shortly after Labor Day. Be prepared to dry camp in rest areas or parking lots. Facilities for filling fresh water tanks and dumping waste tanks may be few and far between.
Keep in mind that chains may be required on mountain passes, especially on towing vehicles, and chains may be required on the towed unit as well. If you do not have tire chains, you may have to park and wait until chain requirements are lifted. Some stores that sell tire chains will buy them back if they are not used.
Winter travel in an RV over I-90 can be done, IF you are prepared for lack of facilities and winter weather.
Good luck

I-90 ,same as I-80 thru Wyoming well traveled in the winter. Its amazing its a mess one day, and great the next. They do a pretty good job of keeping them clear, got to watch the weather . Traveled a lot on those highways. My big concern would be any freezing with that campers water system, that may be a challenge. Although I camped one night going thru Cheyenne last winter, but it was only down to 12 degrees :) Ran the furnace all night, some lights on in the basement of the fifth wheel, and all was well.

Many RV parks close after October 15th (at the latest). A few (very few) are open year-round. Most USFS campgrounds and State Parks close shortly after Labor Day. Be prepared to dry camp in rest areas or parking lots. Facilities for filling fresh water tanks and dumping waste tanks may be few and far between.
Keep in mind that chains may be required on mountain passes, especially on towing vehicles, and chains may be required on the towed unit as well. If you do not have tire chains, you may have to park and wait until chain requirements are lifted. Some stores that sell tire chains will buy them back if they are not used.
Winter travel in an RV over I-90 can be done, IF you are prepared for lack of facilities and winter weather.
Good luck

Yellowstone in Feb in a truck camper could be a survival mission. It was -36 degrees F in my driveway. The Plateau can be even colder. There is plenty of public land but finding RV facilities is going to be a challenge. You might try checking with truck stops. They have all kinds of facilities for winter conditions in Wyo.