Community Forums

**hamm2018** · 06-06-2023, 07:00 AM

If anybody has any questions about road conditions, or other questions about Yellowstone, ask me here.
We are in West Yellowstone until August 8th, and I am a delivery truck driver for the company that operates Yellowstone General Stores.

Like Saturday, wife and I went in around 3pm, drove the North Loop to Mammoth Hot Springs, Tower and over Mt. Washburn. We seen 5-6 bears, including Cinnamon, she was out and about. We seen the mama bear with her 2 cubs, and the big male Black Bear, I started calling him "Tommy". Rangers laughed and said, "that's as good as anything for him."
This was on the way to Tower.

On the way back across Gibbon Meadows, we hit a Bison Jam, it was about 5 miles long and 2+ hours. It was finally cleared up past Gibbons Falls.

rosebud1218 · 06-06-2023, 12:31 PM

"If anybody has any questions about road conditions, or other questions about Yellowstone, ask me here."

Thanks hamm2018 - my wife and I, along with our 10yo Chigi will be visiting Yellowstone for the first time with a late August week-long reservation at Bridge Bay Campground. Any tips or recommendations will be greatly appreciated! Additionally, my wife may need to fly back home at the end of our Yellowstone stay and I noted that Jackson Hole appears to be the closest airport. Would it be reassonable to drive there from Bridge Bay or should I find a campsite closer? Thanks again for any suggestions or direction.

**hamm2018** · 06-06-2023, 06:28 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by rosebud1218

"If anybody has any questions about road conditions, or other questions about Yellowstone, ask me here."

Thanks hamm2018 - my wife and I, along with our 10yo Chigi will be visiting Yellowstone for the first time with a late August week-long reservation at Bridge Bay Campground. Any tips or recommendations will be greatly appreciated! Additionally, my wife may need to fly back home at the end of our Yellowstone stay and I noted that Jackson Hole appears to be the closest airport. Would it be reassonable to drive there from Bridge Bay or should I find a campsite closer? Thanks again for any suggestions or direction.

There is an airport here in West Yellowstone.

The drive to Jackson airport is probably about 75 miles. So, round trip is close to 150 miles.

**hamm2018** · 06-06-2023, 06:31 PM

Today's traffic report in Yellowstone:
from West Gate to Grant Village:

From Bisquit Basin to Ole Faithful: road construction, traffic backup 45mins to 1 hour.
South of Ole Faithful various construction in areas, no delays.
Animals seen Bison & Elk

**hamm2018** · 06-07-2023, 07:36 PM

Animal Report 6/7/2023:
North Loop area I saw 2 black bears today on the way from Mammoth Hot Springs to Tower Falls. One of these was the huge male.
Seen numerous Bison.
Today on the way from Canyon to Fishing Bridge, there was a Bald Eagle circling looking for food, around Hayden Valley area.
No Elk today

KrisPA · 06-09-2023, 08:30 PM

Hello, brand new here so bear with me.

So, I planned a trip to YNP, knew about the flooding from last year, but read the North Entrance was opened again. Have reservations in Gardiner, MT.
What I didn't know was that they opened a new (actually remodeled an old road) that apparently is very curvy and steep. I watched 2 YT videos of people driving the road and I am now quite terrified and feel like I should pay whatever it costs to stay out of Gardiner.

Has anyone driven the Temporary North Entrance road in an RV? In the videos I watched I did see a tour bus and a Mac Truck/18 wheeler traveling on the road. I am always so careful to plan our route to avoid steep roads and seeing this road with a 10% grade is like a punch in the gut. Again so careful and YNP throws this at me.

We have a 21ft Class C, I know Class A people are probably laughing at me, but it is all relative to what you are used to.

Any reviews on this road?

thank you

**hamm2018** · 06-09-2023, 09:20 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by KrisPA

Hello, brand new here so bear with me.

So, I planned a trip to YNP, knew about the flooding from last year, but read the North Entrance was opened again. Have reservations in Gardiner, MT.
What I didn't know was that they opened a new (actually remodeled an old road) that apparently is very curvy and steep. I watched 2 YT videos of people driving the road and I am now quite terrified and feel like I should pay whatever it costs to stay out of Gardiner.

Has anyone driven the Temporary North Entrance road in an RV? In the videos I watched I did see a tour bus and a Mac Truck/18 wheeler traveling on the road. I am always so careful to plan our route to avoid steep roads and seeing this road with a 10% grade is like a punch in the gut. Again so careful and YNP throws this at me.

We have a 21ft Class C, I know Class A people are probably laughing at me, but it is all relative to what you are used to.

Any reviews on this road?

thank you

I drive from Mammoth Hot Springs to Gardiner twice a week in a 36-foot box truck. Yes, it is curvy and has a steep grade, but remember it is only about
5-6 miles long. I also drive around the Park delivering to the stores in the box truck.

2004Horizon · 06-09-2023, 09:29 PM

I loved Yellowstone 20 years ago. Of course, your first visit is always the best.

2-3-4-5 visits latter and I try to avoid it now.

West Yellowstone is a carnival town.

Stay at Flying Bridge if you need full hook-ups. On the north side there is a nice campground I like better, but all the action and wildlife in in the park... with flies, which can be worse than mosquitos, and far too many car back-ups. So, go during the shoulder-seasons if you want to enjoy yourself!

Everyone needs to go at least once, whenever you can! It's a wonderland the first time!

twogypsies · 06-10-2023, 04:16 PM

Hmmm... this YouTube certainly isn't 'terrifying'. It looks like a good secondary highway with curves. As stated, it's not a very long drive.... this video only took a 10-minute drive. I wouldn't hesitate driving it with a RV.

However, if I were you I'd try to stay in a easier area to tour the whole park. You're going to be putting a lot of miles by driving the park.

Be sure to explore every inch of Yellowstone's web site for up-to-date information, closures, things to do, etc. There's always construction going on which slows down driving.

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

Try for West Yellowstone area - many RV parks, state park and lot of public campgrounds. Also try for Fishing Bridge if you need hookups or Madison if you don't. All are more centralized.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5bV8...nel=bearmauled

KrisPA · 06-11-2023, 11:00 AM

Thank you for the response about the Temp North Entrance. I have been watching the Webcam and I am seeing larger RVs and trucks towing travel trailers and boats.

Since this is the 'questions about Yellowstone?' thread my next question is about road construction.

NPS page states construction between Old Faithful and West Thumb. Is the delay both directions or only one? If it is only one, which direction is the delay?

thank you

**hamm2018** · 06-11-2023, 12:31 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by KrisPA

Thank you for the response about the Temp North Entrance. I have been watching the Webcam and I am seeing larger RVs and trucks towing travel trailers and boats.

Since this is the 'questions about Yellowstone?' thread my next question is about road construction.

NPS page states construction between Old Faithful and West Thumb. Is the delay both directions or only one? If it is only one, which direction is the delay?

thank you

The road construction is now from around Bisquit Basin (maybe even a little north of there) to Ole Faithful with possible long delays. The delays are in both direction, Tuesday I sat for about 1 hour each way on my trip.

After Ole Faithful to West Thumb is also road construction going on, some spots have flaggers out, short delays in this area.

I have not been south of Grant Village, so the condition of the roads down toward the South Entrance is unknown. But last year they were repairing a bridge down that way.

On the East Grand Loop close to Fishing Bridge and Mud Volcano area, they were doing road repair on Thursday, so not sure if it is still in progress.

twogypsies · 06-11-2023, 03:50 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by KrisPA

NPS page states construction between Old Faithful and West Thumb. Is the delay both directions or only one? If it is only one, which direction is the delay?

The answer you may be looking for is under 'Biscuit Basin":

Location: Grand Loop Road between Ol...ge structures.

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

Backcountry1 · 06-12-2023, 12:33 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by hamm2018

I have not been south of Grant Village, so the condition of the roads down toward the South Entrance is unknown. But last year they were repairing a bridge down that way.

They are still doing bridge work down by Lewis Lake. Drove through that area a few days ago and it was one way stop light traffic.

**hamm2018** · 06-12-2023, 06:47 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Backcountry1

They are still doing bridge work down by Lewis Lake. Drove through that area a few days ago and it was one way stop light traffic.

Thank you. I have not had the time to go down south yet, but plan on it in a few weeks. We went to Lamar Valley on Saturday, there is still road construction going on in there. There is one-way road using pilot cars. The sign warned of complete road closures on certain dates for blasting of the hillside.
Check the website for the dates.

We seen the largest herd of Bison I have ever seen. I would guess the herd was over 750 head. It went for over a couple of miles. We seen Mountain Goats, and a Black Bear, but no Grizzlies around.