Community Forums

Newmar 14 · 01-13-2015, 01:37 PM

we are in process of trip to Yellowsone and Mt Rushmore from Tampa. We have 44ft Dutchstar. We plan on staying in or near Cody so we dont have to take rv and tow thru Yellowstone but we are also heading to Kanab Utah after that. Is it very difficult for this size rv to go thru on RT 20 and then connect with RT 15 south to Kanab ? Also if I can do that is it better to stay some where Cody or Dubois? any info on this issue or parks or places to see would be appreciated

kalynzoo · 01-13-2015, 05:42 PM

You might really enjoy a day or two in Jackson, Wy (Jackson hole), we certainly did, then take the 191 to the 189 to the 89 and end up at Brigham City and the 15. It is a beautiful easy ride on a smooth 2 and 4 lane highway. Easily accomplished in our previous gas 38ft Adventurer with toad followed by our friends with a 38ft fiver. Don't know much about Cody, we stayed in West Yellowstone at the West Yellowstone KOA, a great park that will easily accommodate big rigs with huge trailers. Our premium spot had a large patio, concrete table and bench (new) a large wooden adult swing. They have an indoor heated pool and a nice "restaurant." If you have any problems or need to rent anything I highly recommend Big Sky. I need an a/c compressor replaced and they were fantastic. Putting the RV back together so we could sleep at the KOA at night, and finishing the job the next day. Really great people. We also rented at 15 passenger van from them so both families could travel through the park together. Nice people.
Enjoy

skigramp · 01-13-2015, 10:26 PM

Staying in Cody will require quite a drive daily to enjoy the special sights inside the park ... I would second the suggestion that you plan to stay in West Yellowstone ... it will reduce your daily driving time greatly.

You should expect the travel time within the park to be longer than what you might imagine ... the wildlife and slow moving traffic will cause you to travel well below the speed limits much of the time.

Arch Hoagland · 01-13-2015, 11:53 PM

What time frame are you talking about?

If right now there may be a problem with snow and campgrounds closed for the winter.

skigramp · 01-14-2015, 02:51 PM

this site gives the current status of roads within Yellowstone

Current Yellowstone

Newmar 14 · 01-15-2015, 05:28 PM

Thanks for the info. we are going in June,

Newmar 14 · 01-15-2015, 05:31 PM

has anyone stayed at yellostone valley inn and rv park

twogypsies · 01-15-2015, 08:16 PM

Yes, we stayed one night at Yellowstone Valley Inn so we could make a early run to Mammoth campground in the park where they don't take reservations. It worked out well for that reason and we got a site in Yellowstone.

Yellowstone Valley Inn is in a beautiful setting just outside of busy Cody. However, it's a long way in to the major attractions of Yellowstone and once you're in the heart of Yellowstone you will still have a lot of driving to do. I wouldn't want to drive it daily to tour Yellowstone.

You might want to consider staying there to do the Cody thing and then drive your motorhome into Yellowstone and exit at West Yellowstone and stay there for touring Yellowstone. The drive would be easy to do with your 44' if you don't plan on stopping anywhere enroute. Leave early morning before the tourist crowds begin.

When you're finished touring Yellowstone, drive your motorhome through the park again and head south to Grand Teton Nat'l Park. It's altogether different from Yellowstone and is a must-see if you haven't been there. I'm not sure if you'd fit in Colter Bay RV in the park but there are park in Jackson that would work for you.

Have a good trip!

Newmar 14 · 01-16-2015, 09:12 AM

Thanks Twogypsies for the idea on Colter bay called and made reservation there after yellwstone. Do you or anyone esle have any info on rt 26/287 going south to Riverton. we want to stop in Thermopolis and looks like tahing 26/287 to Riverton and then n on 20 would be best way ???

ChileRick · 01-16-2015, 09:53 AM

Do you have the Truckers Mountain Directory? It has really good info on different roads and any potential issues. We always start there when planning a trip.

twogypsies · 01-16-2015, 11:41 AM

26/287 is a very good highway for RVs. You'll have no problems and no big climbs/descents.

Frutza · 01-20-2015, 10:15 PM

Cant help with Yellowstone, but it does take longer to get thru it than you think, We always stayed in Teton Village Between the Tetons and Jackson. We had stayed in Kanab, never having heard of the place, A really fabulous place, I don't think there were many big rig friendly places? But really centrally located, We went from there on day trips to Zion, Bryce canyon, North rim, If your into beautiful pictures, check out Antelope slot canyon, The Indians take you there thru the dessert, but its breath taking, Enjoy your trip

mbrandt1402 · 01-20-2015, 10:44 PM

We have not visited Yellowstone in our RV, so this may be useless info, but I'll offer it anyway.

The park and surrounding areas are too big to stay in one location. We have usually spent three days based in West Yellowstone: one day for the Old Faithful area to the south, another day for Norris Geyser Basin and the last one to do the center of the park (Yellowstone Falls and Canyon, Lake Lodge, etc), exiting to Cody. Add an extra day in Cody if you enjoy Western or firearm museums. Have a drink at the bar Buffalo Bill Cody owned, etc. We drive north from Cody over Dead Indian Pass, then drive the Beartooth Hwy (summit at 10,947' & Charles Curralt called it the most beautiful road in America) to Red Lodge, MT for lunch and back over to Cooke City / Silvergate for the night. Admittedly, this day is primarily just to drive those two great roads. The next day is spent wildlife watching in the Lamar Valley (get up before dawn for the best chance to see wolves), through to Tower Junction (make a side trip to Tower Fall) then on to Mammoth.

An RV doesn't adapt to that plan very well, but if you want to stay in a motel for a night or two, you can probably map out a derivative that works nicely.

If you want to take in the Park at anything more than a superficial level, you need a full week.

If you go further west a bit south of I90, Lewis & Clark Caverns is well worth an afternoon. Completely off of most people's radar, but really cool.

mbrandt1402 · 01-20-2015, 10:50 PM

Dinosaur National Monument isn't on your way to Kanab, but is another really interesting place to visit. The Visitor's Center straddles a dig that has yielded an incredible number of fossils. You can touch minor bones still embedded in the rock that are thousands of years old.