Need Yellowstone Route Planning Help

[jpassxx1]

Hello All! We are planning a visit to Yellowstone the third week of June and will be staying at the Grizzly campground in West Yellowstone. Would greatly appreciate any advice regarding the best big rig friendly route into the East Park entrance coming from Buffalo. I will be driving a 2003 Forest River Windsong 37' with the Workhorse 8.1L, Allison 5-speed without a Grade-Brake. I've seen a couple route recommendations from other posts when driving west from Buffalo.
1st recommendation is to take 16 to Worland, then 20 north to Greybull and then 14 west over to Cody and 16/20 into Yellowstone.
2nd recommendation is again taking 16 out of Buffalo to Worland, and then 20 south to Thermopolis. From Thermopolis, 120 north to Cody and then 16/20 into Yellowstone East entrance. Would like to know which route is better with less steep grades and which route has the shorter driving time to Cody from Buffalo. Also, how are the roads once inside Yellowstone and the best route to West Yellowstone through the park with a big rig?
Appreciate the help and thanks in advance for any comments!

[FlyingDiver]

Take the southern route. The hills are steeper on the northern (14) route.

Once you're in Yellowstone, you don't really have any choice. There's only one route from the east entrance on through to West Yellowstone. We had no problem with a 45' King Aire pulling a toad.

joe


joe

[sip]

In Cody the the Buffalo Bill Museum is at must.Sorry came in the north and out the east. Wanted to go through the Bad Lands. Had reservations at the Fishing Bridge for June because of the big rigs hook up's but they called and said no eletric this year do to renavation in the park.

[Wizard]

We did your #1 plan last year, '02 brave towing 4500# Explorer. Grades over the Big Horn mountains was a little steep but we maintained at least 40 MPH and no problems. However we was not in any big hurry as the scenery was spectacular.

[RVThere]

You shouldn't have a problem with either route. Route from Thermopolis is less hilly but also less scenic. Stop at the hot springs in Thermopolis for a dip.

Once in the park, make a right past Fishing Bridge towards Canyons and the make a left at Canyon and follow through Norris to West Yellowstone.

[skigramp]

I suggest that you purchase

"Mountain Directory West for Truckers, RV, and Motorhome Drivers"

published by R&R Publishing ... 785-504-4054

or available at Amazon.com

This books shows all the steep inclines in the Western United States ...

[Elkhartjim]

Cruzer is a regular poster in here but just in case you miss it, here is his website with some great info about Yellowstone. RVcruzer.com - Home Page

Here's another cruzer link RVcruzer.com - Driving Routes for Large RVs into Yellowstone National Park

Do Not miss the Beartooth Hwy drive out of the NE corner of Yellowstone and I would drive way out of my way to again visit Custard State Park (should be a National Park) in South Dakota.

On edit...Mark I sure hope you don''t mind me sharing the wealth of information you have compiled over the years.

[FlyingDiver]

Custer State Park is great. On our way to Yellowstone last summer, we stayed in Hill City a week and visited Rushmore and Custer. It was something like $6/person for a week pass to the park. Great scenery and lots of wildlife.


joe

[Elkhartjim]

Right on Joe. We had reservations here Rafter J Bar Ranch - Home for 7 days and ended up staying ten. Great location and an even greater rv Resort.

[Wizard]

While in Cody last year we spent 2 days on the Beartooth. Ran out of batteries in the camera about half way through the first day. Bought new batteries and spares and went back the next day.
Also will need at least a day for the museum in cody, never saw so many guns in my lifetime.
Also check out the Irma hotel.

[jpassxx1]

Thanks to All for your comments and tips!