Yellowstone NP

I’ve got a hole in our next trip that needs to be filled. We have reservations at Flagg Ranch in the Tetons for Aug 12^th - 14 and we have reservations at Bridge Bay in Yellowstone NP for Aug 20^th - 25. Now I have to find a place for the 15^th to the 19^th….I feel so unwanted. I guess this is what I deserved for waiting so long to make plans.

Trying to get Xanterra on the phone for reservations was quite an ordeal with all the busy signals, and then when I finally got through I was put on hold forever. This will be our third trip to the Yellowstone area and I’m really pumped about it.

We haven’t boondocked since our last trip to Yellowstone back in 2004 so I had to search out the ol’ drip coffee pot. The Honda 2000i generator will be getting a workout too. My wife and I did a lot of tenting camping before we bought our first fifth wheel and we used to be very adept at managing our resources. I hope I haven’t forgotten how.

I’m looking forward to taking a few hikes in Yellowstone. A hike is the best way to get away from the crowds and experience true wilderness. I can’t wait for August to get here.

That is knod of a nasty gap in time. You may want to keep pestering Xanterra and see if the get cancellations and you might be able to move the date up? From Flagg Ranch you would have to drive a bit, but you could spend some time (and money) in Jackson or Cody. Another option is to see if you can get into a non reservation site and extend your time in one of the parks? In the past some of the campgrounds around Colter Bay were not that heavily used.

Well, I filled in the gap in our Teton/Yellowstone trip. We will spend the 15^th of Aug thru the 19^th at Yellowstone Grizzly RV Park in West Yellowstone, MT. I was hoping to spend more time camping within the park’s boundaries but I knew it would be a challenge getting reservations at this late date. I’ll just have to be satisfied with the six nights at the Bridge Bay campground.

I do like the fact that my Interagency Senior Pass gets my vehicle into the national parks for free and that my camping at Bridge Bay is half price.

Glad the problem is solved.

Don't know if you've ever been over to Lander/Riverton/Sweet Water area, but it's worth checking out someday; plenty to do and see.

TC

We always like to spend time in Cody, Wyoming. Buffalo Bill Historical center is a must see, we stay in Wapiti campground, about halfway between Cody and the East entrance of Yellowstone on hwy 16.

I'm going to be staying at Grants Village 25-30 Aug. Anyone have any experience staying there? After that, we are going down to Lava Hot Springs KOA for a couple of nights as we head on back towards Seattle afterwards. I have never been in that area. Does anyone have any expreience driving Idaho Hwy 34 from Grand Teton area down to Soda Springs?? Looks like a small hwy on the map, just wondering how it is towing a 34 ft 5th wheel?!?

Thanks!

We are at Yellowstone right now. 4 out of 7? campgrounds are full in the park. I'll bet some boondocking sites are available for then. We are staying at Rocky mountain at the North entrance. We are here for the first time. Has exceeded our expectations by far. just got back from our first day. West road down to Old Faithfull. Didn't see all so may come back after the other loops. I do think we will stay in the park or maybe at West entrance next time. Rocky Mountain is real nice. Have an awesome site, but could loose the extra hour + of driving. I like as some have posted, stay a day or two in 3 different places.
Will be checking out Grant village tomorrow when we are in the area.

We are staying a night near Lewis and Clark taverns then down to grant village. I'd be interested in reading what you thought of that area. We are staying 5 days there and just doing day trips from there. I'm hoping it's in a good spot to be able to do that. Being from the west coast, I didn't want to venture to far east although would love to see my rushmore but given only two weeks, the trip would be alot of one nighters and we didn't want that. Hope you're enjoying it there!!

Grant Village was ok. Bridge bay was too. I was shocked to see that Fishing Bridge was half empty and anyone could stay there. We toured that park and I can see why.
Great base camp. no more. I know if had power, they would be full. For that reason only.
After yesterday, I for sure would rather be centrally located. Like Grant, Fishing bridge, or West entrance. only 14 miles to loop. Some areas have construction, but we really didn't have too many problems.
We really enjoyed this park. Our 1st time here. Will be back. No question.
We took tons of pics
Have a few online
http://s980.photobucket.com/albums/ae287/azandy70/Yellowstone%20Day%201/Yellowstone%20Day%202/

My biggest advice is bring a good camera. We saw lots of wildlife.
Have fun. We will tour day 3 today

azandy700 wrote:Grant Village was ok. Bridge bay was too. I was shocked to see that Fishing Bridge was half empty and anyone could stay there. We toured that park and I can see why.
Great base camp. no more. I know if had power, they would be full. For that reason only.
After yesterday, I for sure would rather be centrally located. Like Grant, Fishing bridge, or West entrance. only 14 miles to loop. Some areas have construction, but we really didn't have too many problems.
We really enjoyed this park. Our 1st time here. Will be back. No question.
We took tons of pics
Have a few online
http://s980.photobucket.com/albums/ae287/azandy70/Yellowstone%20Day%201/Yellowstone%20Day%202/

My biggest advice is bring a good camera. We saw lots of wildlife.
Have fun. We will tour day 3 today

I looked at your photos and I'm incredibly jealous. You saw a bear. My wife and I have spent a total of about 21 days over two visits in the park and have yet to see a bear. I loved photos of the lower falls and can't wait to see it again. Did you happen to see the upper falls too?

I'm surprised that Fishing Bridge was that empty. When I called Xanterra trying to get reservations (to any campground) I was told that Fishing Bridge was booked solid. Perhaps they were only talking about the sections that allow generators.

Awesome pictures!! I can't wait to go there in August. I'm already wishing I had more time there. Thanks alot for posting those pictures :)

Richard,
I found out today too from others that we were extremly lucky to see all the animals we did. We took another tour today to Grant Village and back going down all the side roads like Firehole. We saw another grizzly just south of Fishing Bridge. A much bigger one. Couldn't get a good pic though. I was the third vechicle and the first one scared it some.
I am supprised at the number of people tring to walk up to these animals. I know they are used to that but I've been around wildlife long enough to respect them.
Other than that grizzly, saw lots of Bisen. Not as many as yesterday. Only 2 elk in Mammath. About 30 2 days ago.
The bull elk was cool yesterday.
Hope you have better luck with animals next time.
My youngest son wanted to see lots of animals. In Custer already, we saw a bunch. Of coarse Bear country was cool too.
We had a great time here. Will leave tomorrow to start our 1300 mile trip home. Was going to do it in two days, but DW suggested three with the kids along. They told me today they are tired of riding in the truck. I didn't tell them that we are 21 hours from home.

volfirefighter wrote:I'm going to be staying at Grants Village 25-30 Aug. Anyone have any experience staying there? After that, we are going down to Lava Hot Springs KOA for a couple of nights as we head on back towards Seattle afterwards. I have never been in that area. Does anyone have any expreience driving Idaho Hwy 34 from Grand Teton area down to Soda Springs?? Looks like a small hwy on the map, just wondering how it is towing a 34 ft 5th wheel?!?

Thanks!

I have not driven over Hwy 34 for many years, but I think it's ok. I usually go through Idaho Falls.

Thanks Scott. We want to drive south through the Grand Tetons when we leave Grants Village and to get to Lava Hot Springs is quicker down Hwy 34 vice going up to Idaho Falls. Even though its a longer route to Idaho Falls, it may be quicker because of a better hwy?!? I phoned a place located along hwy 34 and they said that there are some crazy cliffs but no problem for RVs. Sounds scenic to me. I guess I'll find out!!