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12-10-2016, 09:22 PM
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#1
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Senior Member
Thor Owners Club iRV2 No Limits Club
Join Date: Mar 2016
Posts: 267
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Yellowstone in June with out reservation
I have 2 weeks in June and would like to spend about 5 days in Yellowstone. I've been there as a kid, but this will be the first time with just the wife and I. My question is how hard is it to find camping spots (travel trailer) in and around Yellowstone with out making reservations months in advance. I am going to, of course, try my best to get good reservations somewhere, but with how popular the park is I want to know is it possible to just show up. We have a small travel trailer so FS campgrounds are fine, too. Thanks for any advice.
P.S. We'd be arriving on a Tuesday.
__________________
2018 Venture Rv Sonic Lite 167VMS
2008 F150 with only 50k miles!!!!
2 Chihuahua's - yeah, were those people at the campground
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12-10-2016, 09:49 PM
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#2
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Senior Member
Join Date: Aug 2011
Location: Enjoying the Western States!
Posts: 19,767
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You'll get a spot in June especially if you can arrive early morning when folks are leaving. Spend the previous night close by.
Look over the park's website and you'll see that there are campgrounds in the park that don't even accept reservations. Also note the date opening of the various campgrounds.
Also, even though Madison campground accepts reservations it's large and in June there's a good chance of getting in.
Just outside the park is West Yellowstone and about 5 miles north of town is Baker's Hole national forest campground which is very nice. There are even some electric sites. Toward the rear the dry camping sites are along the Madison River. Reservations are not accepted here.
We've always gotten sites even with our 40' motorhome. Also, don't forget about Grand Teton Nat'l Park just to the south of Yellowstone. It has two campgrounds that don't accept reservations and each have 300 very nice sites. We like Gros Ventre campground closer to the town of Jackson. The other is Colter Bay campground. Next door to it is Colter Bay RV which accepts reservations but you still might get a spot there without, if needed. Have a great trip.
https://www.nps.gov/yell/planyourvisit/campgrounds.htm
https://www.nps.gov/grte/index.htm
__________________
Full-timed for 16 Years . . .
Traveled 8 yr in a 2004 Newmar Dutch Star 40' Diesel
& 8 yr in a 33' Travel Supreme 5th wheel
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12-10-2016, 09:57 PM
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#3
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Senior Member
Thor Owners Club iRV2 No Limits Club
Join Date: Mar 2016
Posts: 267
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Quote:
Originally Posted by twogypsies
You'll get a spot in June especially if you can arrive early morning when folks are leaving. Spend the previous night close by.
Look over the park's website and you'll see that there are campgrounds in the park that don't even accept reservations. Also note the date opening of the various campgrounds.
Also, even though Madison campground accepts reservations it's large and in June there's a good chance of getting in.
Just outside the park is West Yellowstone and about 5 miles north of town is Baker's Hole national forest campground which is very nice. There are even some electric sites. Toward the rear the dry camping sites are along the Madison River. Reservations are not accepted here.
We've always gotten sites even with our 40' motorhome. Also, don't forget about Grand Teton Nat'l Park just to the south of Yellowstone. It has two campgrounds that don't accept reservations and each have 300 very nice sites. We like Gros Ventre campground closer to the town of Jackson. The other is Colter Bay campground. Next door to it is Colter Bay RV which accepts reservations but you still might get a spot there without, if needed. Have a great trip.
https://www.nps.gov/yell/planyourvisit/campgrounds.htm
https://www.nps.gov/grte/index.htm
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We'll be going up 191 through Teton for sure. Thanks for the heads up. We have a generator so no sweat with a dry campsite. There are sites open at the Canyon Campground near Canyon Village. Might grab one of them.
__________________
2018 Venture Rv Sonic Lite 167VMS
2008 F150 with only 50k miles!!!!
2 Chihuahua's - yeah, were those people at the campground
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12-11-2016, 12:34 AM
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#4
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Senior Member
Join Date: Aug 2010
Posts: 2,772
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Just know that the only campground actually in Yellowstone that has full hookups is Fishing Bridge!
__________________
Terry & Alice
2006 Bounder 38L DP
2012 GMC Terrain
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12-11-2016, 08:36 AM
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#5
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Senior Member
Entegra Owners Club
Join Date: Jan 2001
Location: Cape Cod, MA
Posts: 1,801
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Grizzly, in West Yellowstone will allow you to modify your res. Make them now and if you have to change call as soon as you know your dates.
__________________
Jeanie, Ed & Slade the GSD(RIP)
Cape Cod, MA
2017 Entegra Aspire RBQ & Silverado Crew or GC
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12-11-2016, 05:48 PM
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#6
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Senior Member
Thor Owners Club Pond Piggies Club Outdoors RV Owners Club
Join Date: Jun 2000
Location: NE. Ohio USA
Posts: 5,973
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Quote:
We've always gotten sites even with our 40' motorhome. Also, don't forget about Grand Teton Nat'l Park just to the south of Yellowstone. It has two campgrounds that don't accept reservations and each have 300 very nice sites. We like Gros Ventre campground closer to the town of Jackson. The other is Colter Bay campground. Next door to it is Colter Bay RV which accepts reservations but you still might get a spot there without, if needed. Have a great trip.
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Originally I was going to plan a mid May ( 15th ?) trip to YS, with a 2nd stop in the Tetons on the backside, most likely Gros Ventre. I didn't realize being that early I could hit chilly weather because the camping is at 6800' (Madison) and 7800' (Bridge Bay). Not wanting to take a chance of not getting a site I wanted to reserve sites for 14 nights.
When I called about 2 weeks ago, I said I had a 26' tt. The lady said sorry, the whole summer has been filled ?7%4*??. She went on to say you have to add the total length of your tow vehicle too, which puts me at 26' + 19' = 45'. Sorry your too big for any sites...Max is 40'. Hum?. I said can I back my 26' tt into a site and unhook putting me at 26'. She said sorry again, your not allowed to unhook with your tow vehicle in the street. Hum again? You have to back all the way into your site.
I went to a website called Campgroundviews.com where they drive thru the campground with a 360 degree video camera. I noticed half the RV rigs were 32' RV trailers or larger. Even triple axle toy haulers. So a 44' TH + truck must be over 40'.
I knew she must be going by the letter of the law / rules of no rigs over 40' total length. So I called back a few days later and said I had a 15' RV tt towed with a 14' Jeep to get one of the 30' sites. 7 nights at Madison and 7 nights at Bridge Bay. I changed my plans a little and started my YS stay the Tue. after Memorial Day. I'll plan to arrive in the Tetons the week earlier (Gros Ventre) to get a non-reservable site.
Do you think I'll have any issues having reserved a 30' site for a 26' travel trailer?
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12-11-2016, 05:52 PM
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#7
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Senior Member
Forest River Owners Club Freightliner Owners Club
Join Date: Aug 2015
Location: Macon, Georgia USA
Posts: 301
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We've found places within a few weeks of going in July a couple years ago. We had limited utilities but was just fine. Last time we stayed just outside the park on the N side. I hear W Yellowstone is also doable but seems to far from the NE side and all the wildlife there. Good luck.
__________________
Safe travels, Tom & Jen, Middle GA
2009 Coachmen Sportscoach Legend TG500 45'
2016 Jeep Rubicon Toad, Blue Ox Avail & Invisibrake
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12-11-2016, 06:01 PM
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#8
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Senior Member
Thor Owners Club Pond Piggies Club Outdoors RV Owners Club
Join Date: Jun 2000
Location: NE. Ohio USA
Posts: 5,973
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Quote:
We've found places within a few weeks of going in July a couple years ago. We had limited utilities but was just fine. Last time we stayed just outside the park on the N side. I hear W Yellowstone is also doable but seems to far from the NE side and all the wildlife there. Good luck.
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I was thinking about doing a few days outside the park to have utilities for a few days, but being in the park means far less travel time to all the sites. I know my son is going to love Old Faithful and all the sulfur pools.
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12-12-2016, 06:59 AM
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#9
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Senior Member
Thor Owners Club iRV2 No Limits Club
Join Date: Mar 2016
Posts: 267
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Quote:
Originally Posted by Superslif
Originally I was going to plan a mid May ( 15th ?) trip to YS, with a 2nd stop in the Tetons on the backside, most likely Gros Ventre. I didn't realize being that early I could hit chilly weather because the camping is at 6800' (Madison) and 7800' (Bridge Bay). Not wanting to take a chance of not getting a site I wanted to reserve sites for 14 nights.
When I called about 2 weeks ago, I said I had a 26' tt. The lady said sorry, the whole summer has been filled ?7%4*??. She went on to say you have to add the total length of your tow vehicle too, which puts me at 26' + 19' = 45'. Sorry your too big for any sites...Max is 40'. Hum?. I said can I back my 26' tt into a site and unhook putting me at 26'. She said sorry again, your not allowed to unhook with your tow vehicle in the street. Hum again? You have to back all the way into your site.
I went to a website called Campgroundviews.com where they drive thru the campground with a 360 degree video camera. I noticed half the RV rigs were 32' RV trailers or larger. Even triple axle toy haulers. So a 44' TH + truck must be over 40'.
I knew she must be going by the letter of the law / rules of no rigs over 40' total length. So I called back a few days later and said I had a 15' RV tt towed with a 14' Jeep to get one of the 30' sites. 7 nights at Madison and 7 nights at Bridge Bay. I changed my plans a little and started my YS stay the Tue. after Memorial Day. I'll plan to arrive in the Tetons the week earlier (Gros Ventre) to get a non-reservable site.
Do you think I'll have any issues having reserved a 30' site for a 26' travel trailer?
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I am curious how strict Xanterra (the concessionaire), too. I have a little viking 17FG and a trail blazer. The trailer is 21'4" from bumper to tongue and my trail blazer is like 191 inches from bumper to bumper for a total around 37.25 feet. the thing is a 17 foot box. You're telling me I can't get that thing in a 30 foot slot? I may just tell them it's a 17 footer and the trailblazer wheel base of 131 inches for a total of
__________________
2018 Venture Rv Sonic Lite 167VMS
2008 F150 with only 50k miles!!!!
2 Chihuahua's - yeah, were those people at the campground
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12-12-2016, 01:53 PM
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#10
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Senior Member
Thor Owners Club Pond Piggies Club Outdoors RV Owners Club
Join Date: Jun 2000
Location: NE. Ohio USA
Posts: 5,973
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Here is the video of the whole Madison campground ( Campgroundviews.com) located not far from Old Faithful. You may have to run the video at 1080s to get a better view. See what you think.... And here is Bridge Bay campground video
I have been in a bunch of National park campgrounds and never had to say my 26' was a total of 45'.
The reason I choose Madison and Bridge Bay was being off the cord for 14 days my only power source will be a portable solar unit (100 watts). Both of those are semi wooded but there seems to be plenty of sunny sections I can grab some rays. And also being somewhat centralized inside the park.
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12-12-2016, 03:40 PM
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#11
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Senior Member
Join Date: Aug 2011
Location: Enjoying the Western States!
Posts: 19,767
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We've stayed in Madison, Bridge Bay and Mammoth with our 40' motorhome and Jeep and easily fit on the site. We didn't make reservations though - just drove up early morning.
__________________
Full-timed for 16 Years . . .
Traveled 8 yr in a 2004 Newmar Dutch Star 40' Diesel
& 8 yr in a 33' Travel Supreme 5th wheel
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12-12-2016, 04:57 PM
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#12
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Senior Member
Join Date: Aug 2010
Posts: 2,772
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Yellowstone in June with out reservation
Quote:
Originally Posted by Superslif
Here is the video of the whole Madison campground ( Campgroundviews.com) located not far from Old Faithful. You may have to run the video at 1080s to get a better view. See what you think.... And here is Bridge Bay campground video
I have been in a bunch of National park campgrounds and never had to say my 26' was a total of 45'.
The reason I choose Madison and Bridge Bay was being off the cord for 14 days my only power source will be a portable solar unit (100 watts). Both of those are semi wooded but there seems to be plenty of sunny sections I can grab some rays. And also being somewhat centralized inside the park.
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I would not call either of those campgrounds 'semiwooded'. You are definitely in the forest. That and the mountains nearby will make sat reception very iffy and solar power will be very limited.
We have worked at Ild Faithful for the last two summer seasons and are going back this year. Would be happy to answer any questions from anyone.
__________________
Terry & Alice
2006 Bounder 38L DP
2012 GMC Terrain
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12-12-2016, 07:27 PM
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#13
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Senior Member
Thor Owners Club iRV2 No Limits Club
Join Date: Mar 2016
Posts: 267
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Quote:
Originally Posted by firedoc
I would not call either of those campgrounds 'semiwooded'. You are definitely in the forest. That and the mountains nearby will make sat reception very iffy and solar power will be very limited.
We have worked at Ild Faithful for the last two summer seasons and are going back this year. Would be happy to answer any questions from anyone.
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How strict is Xanterra on vehicle sizes?
__________________
2018 Venture Rv Sonic Lite 167VMS
2008 F150 with only 50k miles!!!!
2 Chihuahua's - yeah, were those people at the campground
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12-12-2016, 07:39 PM
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#14
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Senior Member
Join Date: Aug 2011
Location: Enjoying the Western States!
Posts: 19,767
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Quote:
Originally Posted by Starbreaker
How strict is Xanterra on vehicle sizes?
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You really have to do some research on your own. This link shows pictures of the campsites. Use it in conjunction with the reservation site as to what size they have marked for the pictures. We've always gotten a good idea of the site just by looking at photos. Are there trees directly behind the parking barrier? That mean you can't back up as far. Are there trees where your slides may be? Xanterra could care less what you reserve. However, if you reserve and get to the campsite and don't fit then you will probably be out of luck. Don't expect to ask for another site.
Yellowstone National Park Campgrounds - campsitephotos.com
__________________
Full-timed for 16 Years . . .
Traveled 8 yr in a 2004 Newmar Dutch Star 40' Diesel
& 8 yr in a 33' Travel Supreme 5th wheel
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