Grand Tetons & Yellowstone

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Grand Tetons & Yellowstone

December 29, 2011, 02:09:41 pm

For all of you that have made the Grand Teton and Yellowstone trip recently, what campground(s) are preferred? We are heading that way in mid July and want to make reservations now. Coulter Bay RV campground for the Tetons is where we are leaning towards but what about Yellowstone? I see a KOA West that is 6 miles from the West Entrance to Yellowstone. Anyone ever stayed at the KOA?

Thanks!

Re: Grand Tetons & Yellowstone

Reply #1 – December 29, 2011, 02:59:44 pm

KOA is tight and full of thousands of kids. The other thing is it is 20 mins outside of the park. Stay in Grizzly. Much better place.

Re: Grand Tetons & Yellowstone

Reply #2 – December 29, 2011, 03:03:48 pm

John, can you give me a bit more infor on "Grizzly"?

Re: Grand Tetons & Yellowstone

Reply #3 – December 29, 2011, 03:06:48 pm

Grizzly would be my choice. Yellowstone Grizzly RV Park and Cabins Easy drive into the park from there.

As a side note, here is a nice write up on driving routes to and through Yellowstone. Good reading. RVcruzer.com - Driving Routes for Large RVs into Yellowstone National Park

Re: Grand Tetons & Yellowstone

Reply #4 – December 29, 2011, 03:22:01 pm

Ah!! I see why Grizzly now! For sure we'll be making reservations there! Thanks for the heads up! and for the driving directions as well!

Re: Grand Tetons & Yellowstone

Reply #5 – December 29, 2011, 08:39:53 pm

We stayed at a commercial campground between Yellowstone and Teton when we were there two years ago. We spent most of the time in the parks, not at the tent, so we didn't make use of much of what the campground offered. This summer we have our mpg, and want to spend more time in the Tetons, so we may look at staying closer to that park. I just asked DW what the name of the park we stayed at was, and she doesn't remember either.

Re: Grand Tetons & Yellowstone

Reply #6 – December 29, 2011, 10:35:43 pm

In many years of camping at Yellowstone, Mammoth Campground is our favorite. Sites are not on top of each other with water at most, hot springs in the river close by, weather is the warmest in the park and the restrooms even have hot water. See the reviews at TripAdvisor.com: Mammoth Campground (Yellowstone National Park, WY) - Campground Reviews -

Dry camping only but far enough apart that generator won't bother neighbors.

Pierce

Re: Grand Tetons & Yellowstone

Reply #7 – December 29, 2011, 10:39:22 pm

I have been to both places the last 2 summers. 2010 in July and 2011 in August. Both years were completely different regarding availability of campsites. Both parks have campgrounds that are operated by park personnel and campgrounds that are operated by a concessionaire Xanterra. Coulter Bay is about the only place in Teton NP for RV's. Campgrounds operated by park personnel are first come first serve. Reservations can be made at the campgrounds operated by Xanterra. In 2010 I had a reservation for 1 night at Coulter Bay and could not get a reservation in Yellowstone 2 months prior. Full hookups are in the reservable area at Coulter Bay. It's a wooded area, so no view. The nonreservable campground at Coulter does not have hookups, but a few of the sites do have a view. Stayed 1 night in the reserved section and 2 nights in the nonreserve area. At Coulter both years, both areas had available sites. In 2010 arrived at Teton then went to Yellowstone. Only Fishing Bridge in Yellowstone has hookups. Arrived at Bridge Bay at about 2:30pm and some sites were available, stayed 3 nights. Yellowstone is a huge park, you will be doing a lot of driving; if you stay outside the park you will be doing even more driving. In 2011 we went from Salt Lake City to West Yellowstone first and spent a night in a private campground. Drove into the park early the next morning and all the campgrounds were full except for Mammoth, so we went there for the first night. The next day my family left in the car to see the geyser area. On the way they stopped at Norris campground and found that one of the 2 50' sites was unoccupied and immediately put a tag on the post and secured a bike to a tree. Then they got a park ranger to call Mammoth that I could move to Norris and we stayed there for 2 nights. Bridge Bay, Madison, Fishing Bridge, and Norris are somewhat centrally located. Bridge Bay has 431 sites, but only one dump station. Madison has 277 sites and more dump stations. Next we went to Teton and stayed one night in the nonreservable area at Coulter Bay. We could have stayed longer at both places, but I was just the driver and the family had a schedule to keep. In 2011 water flow at Mammoth Hot Springs was way below normal, and it is not centrally located, so maybe that was why sites were available, but it did fill up in the afternoon. More sites may have been available in 2010 because of the recession. Your coach is longer than mine, so staying outside the park may be the thing to do. There were 4 of us in 2010 and 5 in 2011 and we managed to go 3 or 4 days with out dumping or adding water. Also cool enough that AC was not needed. Yellowstone National Park - Campgrounds in Yellowstone (U.S. National Park I also like to use Google Earth to check out the campgrounds when planning a trip.

Re: Grand Tetons & Yellowstone

Reply #8 – December 30, 2011, 09:31:01 am

Jerry, when I was in Yellowstone last fall, there were no hookups at Fishing Bridge. They had shut them off as they were old and dangerous. They will be opening sections back up with electric as they complete them but there is no guarantee of electric. Grizzly is a wonderful place and you get to walk to West Yellowstone. I too spend much of my time in the park but some of it is in the town as well. Tried different places to eat etc. I have stayed in the park in Fishing bridge and it was ok when I stayed there but I think I prefer Grizzly now. The campgrounds in the park are dirty and tight to drive around and for us it was not the place to be. The pups would be filthy before we were there one day. I can camp lots of places in trees with no views and not have lots of other rigs around me. So, it is commercial for me and there is nothing better then Grizzly at West Yellowstone. they even had a Blue Bird Rally when I was there. It was great to talk to the owners and compare notes. The Tetons is different. I have stayed at different places but one place that I always try to stay at is the Virginian in Jackson. It is right in the middle of town and it is a great place to stay to see the rodeo and to take in the town. The Teton RV park in the middle of the park is an old KOA that is run down and we left a day early and there were some who turned around and left. It was the only option at the last min and they get bus after bus load of kids who stay in a barracks behind the campground with huge bonfires and noise that is amazing. I camped at Liberty Harbor which tells you before you come on the weekends there is a night club there in a tent and it is loud. This was louder in the Tetons....

Re: Grand Tetons & Yellowstone

Reply #9 – December 30, 2011, 12:13:38 pm

John S,

Thanks for the update on the problems at Fishing Bridge. I stayed there once in the 80's when it was still first come first serve. I took a look at Grizzly on Google Earth, for a private campground outside the park, that appears to be about as good as it gets and the least distance from most of the things in the park. I like staying in state and national parks most of the time, quieter, not lined up like cans on a shelf (usually), closer to what I came to see. It's quite obvious that many RVer's prefer private campgrounds and that's the great thing about RV's; it's your RV, you can do what makes you happy. Sometimes though even my 36' er is too big for a national park.

Re: Grand Tetons & Yellowstone

Reply #10 – December 30, 2011, 05:35:41 pm

DD is on the phone, and she remembered the name of the campground we stayed at two years ago.It was the Flagg Ranch, between Yellowstone and the Tetons.

Re: Grand Tetons & Yellowstone

Reply #11 – December 30, 2011, 11:57:37 pm

For the Tetons, we like to stay at Gros Ventre Campground, which is outside the park, but about 5 miles from the Moose entrance, and also close to Jackson. Dry camping only, but a huge campground, with ~300 sites.

Re: Grand Tetons & Yellowstone

Reply #12 – December 31, 2011, 12:14:59 pm

We are in the early planning stages of heading north from Arkansas, to North Dakota to see Mount Rushmore and then over to Yellowstone. We have not decided on which route to return but wanted to see something different on the way home. What routes are you considering or are you taking? Anyone have suggestions we would like to hear?? We have enjoyed the comments made so far.

Re: Grand Tetons & Yellowstone

Reply #13 – December 31, 2011, 12:53:43 pm

Lots to see in the Mt. Rushmore area. Recent posts give a good idea of what to see and the campground to avoid. Thermopolis might be a fun stop on the way home. Only several hours from East Yellowstone. The town's hot spring pool is free and very nice. See: Thermopolis, Wyoming: Home Great water slides/pools for kids. Mine had a great time years ago. Easy parking. We were there last year also.

Pierce

Re: Grand Tetons & Yellowstone

Reply #14 – December 31, 2011, 01:54:09 pm

Consider adding glacier np if time permits

Re: Grand Tetons & Yellowstone

Reply #15 – December 31, 2011, 04:44:04 pm

Agree with Tim F. Glacier has few glaciers left. You have to go see them before they're all gone. It is very beautiful country up there.

Re: Grand Tetons & Yellowstone

Reply #16 – January 01, 2012, 11:17:07 am

Add my vote for Gros Ventre Campground in GT. We stayed in the last loop on the left as you enter the camping area and got a spot that backed toward the river. Saw moose and bison every day and had access to infrequently used trails. It seemed to be the quieter end of the park but as said, close to Jackson and close to some less seen areas such as Morman row. We think it was the most beautiful spot of a totally beautiful park.

Re: Grand Tetons & Yellowstone

Reply #17 – January 01, 2012, 11:54:32 am

WDS3132 We are planning tha trip for late June so any tips are really appreciated.
DAN

Re: Grand Tetons & Yellowstone

Reply #18 – January 10, 2012, 12:52:13 pm

We have been reseaching about Yellowstone ! We found out that the NW Chapter is having a Rally June 3-8 in Cody, Wyoming. And when we contacted them for more information, we also asked them if they would like us to mention their Rally. We are thinking of moving our plans up to meet some of the NW Chapter.

Don't forget that Coach Net makes up a nice trip pak!

Re: Grand Tetons & Yellowstone

Reply #19 – January 10, 2012, 04:39:04 pm

No trip to Yellowstone is complete without a stop in Cody to tour the Buffalo Bill Cody Museum. Largest gun collection in the world I believe. Allot at least two days for the museum and area.
Gary B

Re: Grand Tetons & Yellowstone

Reply #20 – January 10, 2012, 05:12:37 pm

Can you realistically do Yellowstone toadless?

Re: Grand Tetons & Yellowstone

Reply #21 – January 10, 2012, 05:45:11 pm

Only if you like very long hikes. You can select a campground that's close to the trail and go from there. Then again, I haven't tried to research that option as the trails are so long, I would never be able to do one of these hikes w/o overnight tent camping along the trail.

Re: Grand Tetons & Yellowstone

Reply #22 – January 10, 2012, 06:04:45 pm

Mt Rushmore ... not bad(I kept thinking that it would have been much more beautiful if they had left it alone). Crazy Horse ... OUTSTANDING! Jewel Cave ... awesome (if you like caves). Custer State Park ... wonderful.

Re: Grand Tetons & Yellowstone

Reply #23 – January 10, 2012, 06:18:36 pm

see Mt. Rushmore during the day, and then go back at night for the lighting ceremony.

Re: Grand Tetons & Yellowstone

Reply #24 – January 10, 2012, 08:18:43 pm

Quote from: Peter & Beth – January 10, 2012, 05:45:11 pm

Only if you like very long hikes. You can select a campground that's close to the trail and go from there. Then again, I haven't tried to research that option as the trails are so long, I would never be able to do one of these hikes w/o overnight tent camping along the trail.

National Parks are still very restrictive on the use of bicycles, too (although they allow horses, inexplicably). I think you can ride a bicycle on any road that allows cars but on most trails they are banned.

Craig

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