SF Bay Area to Yellowstone National Park.

[SirScottAlot]

Leaving in May and plan on being out for three weeks. Traveling in a 35 foot M/H with toad. Looking for a base camp to be able to explore from. Looking for some place that at lest has electricity and is secure. Any recommendations would be helpful. Thanks

[Lt Dan]

We stayed in the Colter Bay campground a few years ago. It's on the south end of the park in the Tetons. A good place to explore the park and the Tetons.

[SirScottAlot]

Originally Posted by Lt Dan

We stayed in the Colter Bay campground a few years ago. It's on the south end of the park in the Tetons. A good place to explore the park and the Tetons.

Thanks for the quick response but I’m thinking of entering on the west side. Thank you though.

[Busskipper]

Originally Posted by SirScottAlot

Thanks for the quick response but I’m thinking of entering on the west side. Thank you though.

West Yellowstone - anyone who has a Vacancy. -

That work. -

[HighDesert]

If you don't already have a reservation inside the park, you are pretty much hosed, I think. All available campgrounds there have no hookups, as Fishing Bridge won't reopen till 2022. There are a few first come first served CG's, like Mammoth,, but you need to be there pretty early to see who is clearing out and that is pretty much a crapshoot. I really suggest you call the park reservation system and tell them the dates you are coming and what you have - they can tell you what is available and reserve for you if available. Otherwise, if on the west entrance, plan on spending $80+ a night for a gravel strip and patch of grass. Just an opinion, as nothing worse than getting there and no place to stay. This year the park systems are being beat to death due to covid on availability of sites.

[MikeyG]

We did that trip a few years ago from the East Bay and stayed about 45 min. from the West entrance at Red Rock RV Park in Island Park. Its a nice spot and a nice little town out of the crowds from Yellowstone. We did day trips in our towed to Yellowstone, Henry's Lake, Big Springs, and Mesa Falls. We then went into the park with the motorhome, stayed in the park a couple of days, then traveled South on 191 to Coulter Bay for a few days. Another day or two in Jackson, then headed home West through Idaho Falls. One heck of a grade coming out of Jackson, but the rest of the trip was a piece of cake.
Have a blast.

[SirScottAlot]

Originally Posted by MikeyG

We did that trip a few years ago from the East Bay and stayed about 45 min. from the West entrance at Red Rock RV Park in Island Park. Its a nice spot and a nice little town out of the crowds from Yellowstone. We did day trips in our towed to Yellowstone, Henry's Lake, Big Springs, and Mesa Falls. We then went into the park with the motorhome, stayed in the park a couple of days, then traveled South on 191 to Coulter Bay for a few days. Another day or two in Jackson, then headed home West through Idaho Falls. One heck of a grade coming out of Jackson, but the rest of the trip was a piece of cake.
Have a blast.

Thanks for the response. I think staying outside the Park is a great idea. Even some State Park would be nice.

[SirScottAlot]

Originally Posted by HighDesert

If you don't already have a reservation inside the park, you are pretty much hosed, I think. All available campgrounds there have no hookups, as Fishing Bridge won't reopen till 2022. There are a few first come first served CG's, like Mammoth,, but you need to be there pretty early to see who is clearing out and that is pretty much a crapshoot. I really suggest you call the park reservation system and tell them the dates you are coming and what you have - they can tell you what is available and reserve for you if available. Otherwise, if on the west entrance, plan on spending $80+ a night for a gravel strip and patch of grass. Just an opinion, as nothing worse than getting there and no place to stay. This year the park systems are being beat to death due to covid on availability of sites.

Thanks for the response. I don’t think I want to stay in the park. I’m hoping for maybe a state park or a less expensive private park farther away.

[AudiDudi]

You don't say what part of May - West Yellowstone/Yellowstone area can still have nights below freezing in May.

There is a nice State Park south of Big Sky that has power. I think they are open in May.

[Alan_Hepburn]

When we visited Yellowstone a couple of years ago we stayed at Yellowstone RV Park at Mack's Inn in Island Park - it's about 20 miles south of West Yellowstone on Hwy 20. Their prices seem to have gone up a bit since we stayed there, but they were a pretty nice, rustic park.

Rather than driving into Yellowstone on our own we decided to go with a tour company: Yellowstone Vacation Tours runs small busses into the park for an all-day excursion. We saw all the attractions, had a great tour guide, and never had to worry about the traffic, finding parking, when to be at each area for the best experience, etc.

[Busskipper]

Originally Posted by Alan_Hepburn

When we visited Yellowstone a couple of years ago we stayed at Yellowstone RV Park at Mack's Inn in Island Park - it's about 20 miles south of West Yellowstone on Hwy 20. Their prices seem to have gone up a bit since we stayed there, but they were a pretty nice, rustic park.

Rather than driving into Yellowstone on our own we decided to go with a tour company: Yellowstone Vacation Tours runs small busses into the park for an all-day excursion. We saw all the attractions, had a great tour guide, and never had to worry about the traffic, finding parking, when to be at each area for the best experience, etc.

We also stayed there a few days - nice place - good people - as said the prices have elevated significantly - after three days it was Full again - so we had to leave - moved across the street to Flat Rock NFS Camp Ground - think it was $15.00 so we were happy to stay for a good while - great area.

The Water options were everywhere and we thoroughly enjoyed the Sunset drive to the top of the Sawtelle's Special - Beautiful area, the kids spent more time there than in YNP.

The 22 mile drive was easy compared to the drive from the Gate in West Yellowstone to Madison every day with all the traffic.

Many options out there.

Best of Luck,

[profdan]

Yellowstone is worth doing -- don't get me wrong -- but it involves a lot of driving time every day, especially if you are not inside the park. The park is not laid out in a convenient way due to the nature of the terrain -- very spread out.

Worse yet, the driving is very slow because of the "animal jams," where the cars all stop because someone sees an animal. You inch along, and by the time you get to the front of the line, the animal is gone.

Again, don't let me discourage you. You just have to accept that traffic and driving are part of the deal.

We were there in early October, by the way -- less crowded than the summer. This blog post may be of interest -- lots of photos:

Look, Mom, We're Camping!: Yellowstone, Tetons, Utah & Arizona: October 2010

[twogypsies]

Here are parks in West Yellowstone. None are really thrifty... you're in a prime tourist area. Henry's Lake State Park is nice and we love Baker's Hole national forest campground but they don't accept reservations. You almost have to be there early morning when folks are leaving. We like the dry campsites on the Madison River but up front are some electric campsites. Come with a full tank of water.

https://www.campgroundreviews.com/re...st-yellowstone

[SirScottAlot]

Originally Posted by AudiDudi

You don't say what part of May - West Yellowstone/Yellowstone area can still have nights below freezing in May.



There is a nice State Park south of Big Sky that has power. I think they are open in May.

Thanks I’ll look into that.