Community Forums

egwilly · 08-27-2018, 06:09 PM

Wondering if anyone out there has taken a RV trip to Yellowstone from So Cal. Towing a fifth wheel.

Would like to plan on May 2019 time frame and need details on sites, good overnight parks, etc. Where to stay in the park too.

If you've done this, please share!

BFlinn181 · 08-27-2018, 06:59 PM

Simplest route is I-15 all the way to Idaho Falls, ID, then US 20 to West Yellowstone MT. It's about 15 hours of driving. In YNP the only full hook up CG, Fishing Bridge, will be closed for upgrading the whole 2019 season. West Yellowstone has a number of nice campgrounds, Yellowstone Grizzly RV Park is a favorite, but there are others in town and nearby. The campgrounds inside YNP have no hookups and are first come, first serve. To get a site, you'd need to be at the campground before 9 AM and take the next site that opens up.

I have no suggestions for campgrounds between CA and Idaho, I've not camped on that route for over 40 years when I was van camping.

YNP is large and the speed limit is 45 mph. Any charismatic megafauna will cause an instant BHM jam (big hairy mammal) on the road, so it lengthens travel time. Use the YNP website to learn more about the park and do plan to go south to visit the Grand Tetons and if you want to shop, Jackson.

rbr · 08-29-2018, 10:33 AM

You'll probably get more responses to your questions in the
"Camping Locations, Plans & Trip Reports" forum. This forum is for discussion of the web application "RV Trip Wizard".

Searching_Ut · 08-29-2018, 12:40 PM

Do you have time to stop and see the sites along the way? Are you traveling with kids? How big is the fifth wheel? Personally I would make the first stop in the Saint George Utah area and spend at least a day exploring the Zion National Park area. If you’re looking to make time and keep travel days minimal, maybe continue on as far as SLC, assuming you’ll be taking I-15. As for where to stay in Yellowstone, fishing bridge is the only full hookup campground. There are lots of campgrounds for dry camping but they tend to be smaller and you have to keep the fifth wheel and tow vehicle in the spot, and the are sometimes pretty firm about not getting off the pavement/driveway. Many folks with larger rigs stay just outside the park. More info about the a,punt of time you have, what you enjoy doing, whether or not the Tetons are part of your plans etc. will help us provide better advice.

vsheetz · 08-29-2018, 12:48 PM

Just came back from Yellowstone to San Diego area. Stayed at Grissly RV near the west entrance - very nice and super close to the park. As others have commented the I15 is most direct route.

Jake21 · 08-29-2018, 01:04 PM

Just south of Cedar City, UT is a rest area that is good for an overnight. KOA in SLC is a good stop over also. From there you can easily drive to West Yellowstone in about 6 hours

rver98 · 10-22-2018, 07:37 PM

We did this trip a few years back. Not sure how many miles per day you can tolerate. We drove to Mesquite, NV, North SLC, then West Yellowstone at Grizzly RV. Enjoyed our trip.

Good luck

bigchick · 10-23-2018, 06:18 AM

don't know what type of places you like. here are some along that route that we have stayed at and would recommend

las vegas - oasis or sams town
hurricane (just outside of st george, utah) - willowwind
provo - lakeside rv resort
west yellowstone - grizzly rv park

EZDZIT · 10-23-2018, 08:31 PM

We recommend a short and beautiful side trip into Zion NP right off I-15 at Kolob Canyon exit. The canyon and surroundings are absolutely stunning. NP entrance fee does apply. You could unhook at the visitor center or tow to the end of the paved road where there is a loop.