Deadwood/Yellowstone/Grand Canyon

[HappyRV]

Me again....we are just hitting South Dakota but want to get a leg up on the planning for Yellowstone...when we leave Deadwood...are we better off going around to the West Entrance or cutting down to the South Entrance...seems like there's more camping options on the west...and not sure of road contions heading to the South Entrance...we would like to see Grand Teton also...too many options!! All your personal suggestions are a huge help!

[paz]

Grizzly RV Park in West Yellowstone is a popular place to stay because it is right outside the west entrance to Yellowstone.

Go in the east entrance and drive through the park to the west side. There are a few hills, but there are plenty of turn-outs to pull over and let traffic pass. Your entry fee is good for 7 days (I think), and you can get back in as many times as you want over that time. We spent 3 or 4 days in Yellowstone. If you are 62 or over, you may want to get an America the Beautiful Senior Pass if you don't already have one. With the pass, which costs $10 (good for life) you can get in as many national parks as you want, as many times as you want for as long as you want for free.

From West Yellowstone, we took a day trip to see the Tetons with a stop in Jackson, WY. Drive into the west entrance of the park and out the south.

[HappyRV]

Wow...I didnt think we should drive through with the fifth wheel.....now that might be an option!! Thanks!

[JimM68]

Driving through Yellowstone with the fiver won't be a problem.
And you won't be the only one doing it.

There's no camping close to yellowstone's east entrance.
Several places south, but an hour or two's drive from yellowstone (jackson lake area)
West yellowstone is a good sized town just outside the park. Lots to see and do there, and several campgrounds nearby.

[USMCRET]

What is your opinion of Deadwood? I've heard conflicting stories.

[swamphog]

Lucky you, got to go to Deadwood, SD, we tried to make it last year, but something else came up.,never did make it.

[Bob and Inga]

Originally Posted by USMCRET

What is your opinion of Deadwood? I've heard conflicting stories.

We liked it, visited it twice last summer. Well kept buildings and clean. Lots of casinos if you like to gamble. Beer prices were good ($1.75 and cold). Watched the gunfight reenactment. We were based outside of Sturgis a month before bike week. Sturgis was fairly rundown and not nearly as clean, beer was expensive and warm. I see no reason to ever go back there. But Deadwood would (will) get another visit someday.

We loved the Black Hills of SD, there is a ton of things to see and do. This area is not a two or three nighter. Custer SP area would make a good base for most of it. With a short stay over in the Badlands NP and a third to the west to visit Devils Tower NM. Wind Cave NP and Jewel Cave NM are also in this area. I could go on and on, but there are lots of old posts on the area.

Bob

[HappyRV]

We are headed to Badlands NP today..Cedar Pass...then up to Rapid City for 4 days or so...Deadwood and Devils Tower...then starts the trek to Yellowstone...still deciding on which route...looks like the husbands do not want to drive through the park...maybe we'll just wait and see how the weather looks...decisions, decisions..so nice to not have a timetable...after we leave Yellowstone, we're headed for the Grand Canyon...

[USMCRET]

Great input! Thanks.

[BCooke]

I guessing you know the Yellowstone campground is closed for the season. Parents were going to stop there.

Edit: I do not know if that was timeshare CG or Yellowstone CG

[HappyRV]

Wonderful trip hit a huge bump yesterday...while leaving Sioux Falls...warning lights for trailer disconnect appeared..after several attempts of moving connection to bumper..stopped at Jacks Campers...4 hours later, new connection plug installed...we were on our way...only to have same warning lights appear after about 20 miles...turned around...and are now at Lake Mitchell Campground with an early morning appointment scheduled for Monday with Jack's...they are hoping it is not the integrated braking system on the Ford Truck..if so, they can't repair..and have no idea who in the area could!! Very frustrating and scarry.....All lights...brakes are working perfectly!!!

[paz]

Originally Posted by USMCRET

What is your opinion of Deadwood? I've heard conflicting stories.

We weren't very impressed with Deadwood. Nothing much except casinos, which are OK if that's your thing.

[rdentist99]

Originally Posted by HappyRV

We are headed to Badlands NP today..Cedar Pass...then up to Rapid City for 4 days or so...Deadwood and Devils Tower...then starts the trek to Yellowstone...still deciding on which route...looks like the husbands do not want to drive through the park...maybe we'll just wait and see how the weather looks...decisions, decisions..so nice to not have a timetable...after we leave Yellowstone, we're headed for the Grand Canyon...

I did this route this summer with my family, wife and 4 children. It's a great trip. We went from Custer, SD to Cody WY. Then into the east entrance of Yellowstone through the park to the west entrance. Stayed in Grizzly. Grizzly is a great place to stay. Very Nice! If I was to do it over, I would have stayed two nights in Cody. It's a great little town. You HAVE to see the Wild Bill museum. It is awesome. It houses the largest collection of american firearms in the world, and the largest collection of Remington bronzes & paintings along with Russell paintings that I've ever seen. It's a world class museum in my opinion.

If you stay in West Yellowstone, you also MUST eat at the Mexican Food Bus... not sure what it's called... it's not open year round, so hopefully it's open. It's a white bus that serves the best mexican food I've eaten!!!

[rmmpe]

Visit Cody. It's a great little town and I'd move there if I could.