Community Forums

ke4jr · 04-17-2018, 03:19 PM

Getting ready to start planing this years trip to the Northern States National Parks, so looking for input, suggestions, ways to go, places to stop and see along the way. Destinations in mind are Mt. Rushmore. Yellowstone, Glacier, old west towns, etc.
Planning to leave after Mother's Day. Any feedback is appreciated!
Thanks in advance.

Steve Kiemele · 04-17-2018, 03:47 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by ke4jr

Getting ready to start planing this years trip to the Northern States National Parks, so looking for input, suggestions, ways to go, places to stop and see along the way. Destinations in mind are Mt. Rushmore. Yellowstone, Glacier, old west towns, etc.

Planning to leave after Mother's Day. Any feedback is appreciated!

Thanks in advance.

It’s a bit late to be planning this trip. I’m going to Tetons/Yellowstone, Glacier, and the on up to the Canadian Rockies (Banff and Jasper) this summer. A month ago, I could not find a reservation in Tetons/ Yellowstone. I’m going try to find a spot in Gross Venture (dry camping) on a first come basis. Could not find a reservation in Banff - staying 70 miles away in Calgary.
Also, could not find a reservation near Rocky Mountain NP in August - gave it up.

All that said, Tetons/Yellowstone and Glacier are special places and you should go there before you die. Good luck.

doc · 04-17-2018, 05:04 PM

Cabela (no hookups but great place to overnite) Mitchell SD
Cabela (same as above) Rapid City SD
Arrow CG (FHU) Wall SD (near the Drug Store and BadLands NP)
Custer Gulch (for Rushmore and Crazy Horse)
Spearfish City CG - (FHU) for the Deadwood area
Devil's Tower - KOA
Fishing Bridge CG (FHU) inside Yellowstone
Glacier CG (original isn't it?) (water and electric only) West Glacier, Montana

hoosierrun · 04-17-2018, 05:38 PM

Last June, we arrived in Yellowstone and were able to get into Grant campsite with no problem by arriving early in the day. That is basically dry camping, although I believe you can fill your water tank and you get 2 tickets to use the showers. Most sites allow you to run a generator up until 7:00 or 8:00 PM.

When we checked in at Grant, we had the clerk check on Fishing Bridge and they did have some water/electric/sewer sites for 35 foot rigs. We stayed there (although a little disappointing ... Grant was so nice in comparison). This was in early June and at least 1 of the campgrounds had not even opened up yet.

In the Tetons you probably can get into Gros Ventre Campground, but don't count on getting one of the electric sites. They are reserved for park employees and families, but if not full, available to the public on first come basis.

In early June, you may still find some snow around the camping areas in patches.... and be aware that they have some hungry mosquitoes there in the evening.

twogypsies · 04-17-2018, 11:27 PM

No.... it's not too late.

In Yellowstone there are 7 campgrounds that don't even accept reservations. In Glacier, Apgar campground in the park doesn't accept reservations. In Grand Teton Nat'l Park (you must go there if going to Yellowstone - right next door) there are two campgrounds in the park each with 300 sites and rarely fills - no reservations accepted. They all have water fill and dump stations. We like Gros Ventre. The other is Colter Bay campground (not the RV park next door)

We've gotten sites in all of the above without reservations. You do have to be at the campgrounds early morning. Stay nearby the previous night.

We've also gotten reservations sites that were cancelled just by driving up to the campground.

Each national park has a great web site giving things to do, camping information, road information and special alerts. Check them out. Here is Yellowstone's.

https://www.nps.gov/yell/planyourvisit/index.htm

lenkerb · 04-18-2018, 01:31 AM

Hello, we left New Port Richey April 4 and are headed to our camp host positions at the Buffalo Bill State Park west of Cody Wyoming...Cody is one of the nicest western cities...we have hosted the Buffalo Bill State Park for five years....so much to see and do including ghost towns and dinosaurs... we are 34 miles outside of Yellowstone's east gate... there are five entrances to Yellowstone. The south entrance takes you to the Tetons and Jackson Hole...lots of interesting day trips. We are presently in Kansas heading to I 70 then Denver then Wyoming...take your time because there is so much to see and experience!

nutcker · 04-18-2018, 02:41 AM

If you get a chance check out the "Little Big Horn Battle Grounds", and Devils tower. Both are quite interesting. Have a great time.

ke4jr · 04-18-2018, 08:31 AM

Sounds like we'll be stopping by Buffalo Bill State Park, what route are you driving to get there?

lenkerb · 04-18-2018, 12:58 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by ke4jr

Sounds like we'll be stopping by Buffalo Bill State Park, what route are you driving to get there?

we will be heading north on 25 to Cheyenne.
Then head to Casper. We will go to Riverton (the casino there has several first come first served electric on the lamp posts. From Riverton we head north on 20..which goes through Thermopolis which has free hot springs and a fantastic Dinosaur Museum. From there we continue to Cody...Rodeo every night June 1st to August 31!! Follow the route to Yellowstone 120, 14, and 16 all one road! Buffalo Bill State Parks (North Shore and North Fork) are located on the left after passing through the tunnels! Safe travels!!

McGarrett50 · 04-26-2018, 04:09 PM

If you are headed North out of Tampa thru GA before you head west (rather than I-10), there’s a great little overnight campground south of Macon (360 miles or so from TPA) called “Twin Oaks” that we always stay at on our first night.

MapleKing · 04-27-2018, 12:32 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by twogypsies

No.... it's not too late.

In Yellowstone there are 7 campgrounds that don't even accept reservations. In Glacier, Apgar campground in the park doesn't accept reservations. In Grand Teton Nat'l Park (you must go there if going to Yellowstone - right next door) there are two campgrounds in the park each with 300 sites and rarely fills - no reservations accepted. They all have water fill and dump stations. We like Gros Ventre. The other is Colter Bay campground (not the RV park next door)

We've gotten sites in all of the above without reservations. You do have to be at the campgrounds early morning. Stay nearby the previous night.

We've also gotten reservations sites that were cancelled just by driving up to the campground.

Each national park has a great web site giving things to do, camping information, road information and special alerts. Check them out. Here is Yellowstone's.

https://www.nps.gov/yell/planyourvisit/index.htm

When you say early morning, what time do you mean? 6AM? 8AM?