Yellowstone - 1 week visit

[Tdccmc]

I'm driving a 2008 Monaco Diplomat 40' PDQ with Jeep Grand Cherokee in tow. Coming from Cody to Yellowstone in September 2017. Plan A is Cody to Fishing Bridge (no spaces available), Canyon Village, Tower Junction and base in Gardiner (split week). Would it be advisable to split the week 3 days in Gardiner and 4 days in West Yellowstone? Or set up base in West Yellowstone for the entire week (plan B) and drive toad.

First trip through mountains and National Parks. Trip duration is three months.

Thanks for your advice.

Tony

[Rambeau]

Both plans would work... the split plan will cost one day moving between the two. As a side note try to find a free day to travel to Red Lodge Montana and back...would not recommend taking the RV. This is the Bear Tooth Highway Rated as the USA's number one scenic highway by some. You might think of doing this from Cody or Cook which is the NE entrance to the park.

[TonyDi]

It's personal preference, but once I set up I like to stay put for a few days. There is so much to see in Yellowstone that setting up a base camp and driving is well worth it. Some of the most fascinating things are found when "exploring".

[CharlesinGA]

Be aware of closing dates for campgrounds and such. Here is a list. I cannot get the links to carry over and much of this contained links to each campground, etc, but it can be found on the NPS web site. note that by Sept 25 virtually everything is closed.

Here is a brand new list of all the openings and closings in Yellowstone this summer.





GATEWAY COMMUNITIES
Cody, Wyoming (east entrance)
Cooke City, Montana (northeast entrance)
Gardiner, Montana (north entrance)
Jackson Hole, Wyoming (via Grand Teton National Park) (south entrance)
West Yellowstone, Montana (west entrance)

YELLOWSTONE NATIONAL PARK
Facilities in Yellowstone open and close on a staggered basis. The dates listed are always subject to change due to weather conditions. Links are provided whenever possible to give you more information and to double check on the opening or closing date.
Lodging inside Yellowstone is handled by Xanterra. Many find it cheapest to make reservations directly with them, through their website or by calling directly (307-344-3711).

OPEN YEAR ROUND
Albright Visitor Center in Mammoth – this link also takes you to information on the other visitor centers in Yellowstone.
Mammoth Campground – First come, first served – no reservations – Live view of what’s available.
The road from the North Entrance at Gardiner, Montana, through the park to Cooke City, Montana, via Tower Junction is open twenty-four hours a day, all year to auto travel, but is closed to the east of Cooke City.




SUMMER 2017
OPENING DAY April 21:
ROADS – Mammoth to Old Faithful; Madison to West Entrance; Norris to Canyon.
Geyser Grill (in the Old Faithful Snow Lodge) opens at 11 am.
Bear Den Gift Store (in the Old Faithful Snow Lodge) opens at 11 am.
APRIL 28:
Mammoth Hot Springs Hotel and cabins opens at 11 am.
Terrace Grill (in Mammoth) opens at 11 am.
Old Faithful Snow Lodge opens at 11 am.
Madison Campground opens.
MAY 5:
ROADS – Canyon Junction to Lake; Lake to East Entrance (Sylvan Pass).
Old Faithful Inn opens at 11 am.
Fishing Bridge RV Park estimated opening day. Takes reservations.
MAY 12:
ROADS – Lake to South Entrance; Tower Junction to Tower Fall.
Lake Yellowstone Hotel and Cabins open at 11 am.
Lake Hotel Deli opens at 11 am.
May 19:
Norris Campground opens. First come, first served – no reservations. Live view of openings.
Tower Fall Campground opens. First come, first served – no reservations. Live view of openings.
Bridge Bay Campground estimated opening day. Takes reservations.
Old Faithful Lodge opens at 11 am.
Bake Shop & Gift Store (in the Old Faithful Lodge) opens at 11 am.
Grant Village opens at 11 am.
MAY 26:
ROADS – Tower Fall to Canyon Junction (Dunraven Pass); Beartooth Highway.
Lake House restaurant (at Grant) opens at 11 am.
Canyon Campground estimated opening day. Takes reservations.
JUNE 2:
Canyon Lodge and Cabins open at 11 am.
Canyon Cafeteria, Dining Room and Gift Store open at 11 am.
JUNE 9:
Roosevelt Lodge and Cabins open at 11 am.
Indian Creek Campground opens. First come, first served – no reservations. Live view of openings.
Grant Village Campground estimated opening day. Takes reservations.
JUNE 10:
Lake Lodge and Cabins open at 11 am.
Lake Lodge Cafeteria opens at 11 am.
JUNE 15:
Pebble Creek Campground opens. First come, first served – no reservations. Live view of openings.
Slough Creek Campground opens. First come, first served – no reservations. Live view of openings.
Lewis Lake Campground opens. First come, first served – no reservations. Live view of openings.

JUNE 15 – SEPTEMBER 4: ALL FACILITIES OPEN
SEPT 4:
Roosevelt Lodge and Cabins closes at 11 am.
SEPT 11:
Bridge Bay Campground closes at 11 am. Takes reservations.
Indian Creek Campground closes. First come, first served. No reservations. Live view of openings.
SEPT 17:
Grant Village Campground closes at 11 am. Takes reservations.
Fishing Bridge RV Park closes at 11 am. Takes reservations.
SEPT 24:
Canyon Campground closes at 11 am. Takes reservations.
Lake House restaurant (at Grant) closes at 11 am.
Lake Lodge and Cabins close at 11 am.
Lake Lodge Cafeteria closes at 11 am.
SEPT 25:
Norris Campground closes. First come, first served – no reservations. Live view of openings.
Tower Fall Campground closes. First come, first served – no reservations. Live view of openings.
Pebble Creek Campground closes. First come, first served – no reservations. Live view of openings.
OCT 1:
Grant Village closes at 11 am.
Old Faithful Lodge Cabins closes at 11 am.
Bake Shop & Gift Store (in the Old Faithful Lodge) close at 11 am.
OCT 8:
Lake Yellowstone Hotel and Cabins close at 11 am.
Lake Hotel Deli closes at 11 am.
Old Faithful Inn closes at 11 am.
Canyon Lodge and Cabins close at 11 am.
Canyon Deli and Gift Store closes at 11 am.
OCT 9:
Mammoth Hotel and Cabins close at 11 am.
OCT 15:
Madison Campground closes at 11 am. Takes reservations.
Terrace Grill (at Mammoth) closes at 11 am.
OCT 22:
Old Faithful Snow Lodge closes at 11 am.
NOV 5:
Lewis Lake Campground closes. First come, first served – no reservations. Live view of openings.
Geyser Grill (in the Old Faithful Snow Lodge) closes at 11 am.
Bear Den Gift Store (in the Old Faithful Snow Lodge) closes at 11 am.

[twogypsies]

Here's a good site for descriptions of every entrance into Yellowstone:

Road to Yellowstone

[stuckinOH]

We are basing out of Rocky Mountain RV Park in Gardiner, MT starting on Memorial Day weekend. We decided to not rent a dolly for my wife's Explorer because the rental was as much as just renting a mid-size SUV in Bozeman. This will be the 1st big trip with the family in our 01 Newmar DP. Hopefully we can save up enough to replace one of our vehicles this year with something that can be flat towed on our future trips.

[Tdccmc]

Thanks for all the advice. We've decided to split our time between Gardiner and West Yellowstone. Read tonight that its not advisable to take RV (40') from Canyon Junction to Tower Junction. So what are the best routes inside Yellowstone from Fishing Bridge to Gardiner? Also from Gardiner to West Yellowstone.

Thanks for assistance.

[twogypsies]

One way is Canyon to Norris to Mammoth.

[Superslif]

We have the first two weeks of June reserved at two Yellowstone campgrounds (Madison and Bridge Bay). What would be the estimated drive time to do a Bear Tooth loop?

With the record snow fall in WY. this winter, will there still be snow in the valley. We plan to get to the Teton's the last week in May. We don't have any reservations for that, just Yellowstone.

Here's a good site for descriptions of every entrance into Yellowstone:

Road to Yellowstone

Thanx. I just started reading and taking notes....

[Tooth Doc]

Norris to Mammoth road will be under construction in 2017. Expect 30 minute delays daytime and closed at nite and closed completely after Sept.10. Whether this will negatively affect traffic from W.Yellowstone I don't know. Canyon to Tower is not bad with my 35' fifth wheel. If you can do with out hook-ups you might try Bridge Bay for the lower loop. This would also put you close enough to do a day trip to Grand Tetons and Jackson which I think you might really like. I would try to do 2-3 days in GTNP if you could fit in the time. Gros Ventre CG 9 miles north of Jackson with moose neighbors a lot. Also near Mormon Row - photos. Some sites with electric in Gros Ventre. If you need FHU try Colter Bay RV Park toward north end of GTNP. Back to YNP don't miss Lamar Valley and Beartooth HWY.

[richardcoxid]

Some general information about YNP (some general items apply to GTNP also)

YNP is about 45 miles E/W and about 65 miles N/S (2.2 mil. Acres total). The figure 8 loop road inside the park is about 140 miles around. The lower loop is 96 miles and the upper loop is 70 miles around and yes, it is bigger than the states of Rhode Island and Delaware combined.

Whatever time that you think you will need to see YNP you better double it, or to say it another way is that you will see one half as much in the allotted time. The Bison think that they own the road (they do!) and will slow down the traffic to walking speed or all stop for 1/4 mile or more blocking both directions of travel, the thermal attractions also tie up traffic and with a 5 month long summer tourist season that coincides with a 5 month long road construction season and a 45 mph radar controlled speed limit it will take about a full day to see each loop and then you will only see the main attractions. In addition to the occasional construction delays they will also sometimes close whole sections of road (for uninterrupted night construction) between 10 PM and 8 AM in the morning, if you are running late and get caught at night in the wrong area it CAN be a LONG way around to your CG! (The entrance stations will have current construction information or go on line to check it out)

Note- I have seen on this blog and others about somebody "day tripping" from YNP to GTNP. It is done all the time however, remember this is BIG country, you will be doing a LOT of driving. From the Grant Village visitor center (extreme S/E corner of the lower loop road) to Jackson, WY is about 80 miles with Coulter Bay being about 1/2 way or 40 miles. Then from Grant Village add the distance to your CG it will be a LONG days trip.

Then there is the elevation- YNP ranges from a low at Mammoth- 6239 ft to 7784 ft at Fishing Bridge or higher if you go hiking! Drink plenty of liquids and pace yourself when walking.

I recommend that you get up EARLY, leave the CG and be back by 4 or 6 PM have dinner and be sitting in your recliner drinking a cool one when your neighbor drags himself back to the CG at 8-10 PM. Remember that from mid May to mid July in YNP the sun doesn't set until shortly before 10 PM then there is a long twilight.

Cell Phone Service- Only at the major visitor centers, otherwise spotty.

Clothing- Especially in the early or late season it is not unusual to have a 30 or even the occasional 40 degree temperature change throughout the day. Dress with easily shed layers of clothing. Also dress in bright easily seen clothing. I am sure that we all have been to a sporting event, parade or Disney World etc. and we blink our eyes and our partner/child has disappeared. My DIL was born and raised in HI, you guessed it, every Xmas, b-day or Father's Day I receive a Hawaiian shirt. One of them is black with 4-5 inch dia. bright flowers. Not many of them in Wyoming and in YSNP, that is what I wear. If your partner has on a Violet blouse and a Orange scarf with a Pink hat I guarantee that she will be the only one within the boundaries of either NP. It can save you a few anxious moments.

Water- Now I will have to contradict myself, at the altitude of YNP yes, drink lots of water!HOWEVER, be aware that the flush toilet restrooms are are in the major tourist areas- Mammoth, Canyon, Fishing Bridge, Lake Hotel, Bridge Bay, Grant Village, Old Faithful, Madison Junction etc. The geyser basins and other thermal attractions areas have only pit toilets. I have seen the pit toilet line at the lower Geyser Basin 25 or more feet long (bless the tour buses) So be smart about drinking your water and use the major tourist area R/Rs before leaving the area!

Sun- At YSNPs altitude the sun is intense (uv) have and apply sun screen, wear that old floppy wide brim sun hat, wear sun glasses!

If your luck is like mine Old Faithful will have just erupted when you get there and you will have up to a hour and 10-20 minutes wait for the next one. Tour the O/F geyser basin while waiting for the next eruption. Old Faithful INN is a must see (meals are "OK" also).

We have lived about 110 miles (4739' elevation) from W. Yellowstone, MT since 1964, go there 3-4 times a summer (normally before Memorial Day and after Labor Day) and haven't seen it all of it yet! So don't be discouraged that you didn't have the time to see all of YSNP. Just plan on coming back another time!

I don't mean to scare or discourage you but to give you a heads up as to what to expect! After all there was 4.1 Million visitors in 2015!

When in the Jackson area I highly recommend seeing the Bar J Chuckwagon dinner show! If you go, MAKE RESERVATIONS and BE THERE EARLY TO PICK UP YOUR MEAL TICKETS/SEATING TABLE ASSIGNMENTS! They seat you by when you show up to get your tickets NOT by your reservation number. Tim, their fiddle player has won the "Idaho state old time fiddle contest 7 times and the US open fiddle championship twice". If you decide to go you will sit at picnic type of bench seats/table, they get pretty hard, I recommend that you take along a blanket/pad to fold up to sit on. We day trip it there 2-4 times every summer just to see them! Disclaimer- We have no financial or other interest in the Bar J only that it will be the best $$ value for your money for your trip! Check out their website.

Bar J Chuckwagon

[Rambeau]

Originally Posted by Superslif

We have the first two weeks of June reserved at two Yellowstone campgrounds (Madison and Bridge Bay). What would be the estimated drive time to do a Bear Tooth loop?

With the record snow fall in WY. this winter, will there still be snow in the valley. We plan to get to the Teton's the last week in May. We don't have any reservations for that, just Yellowstone.



Thanx. I just started reading and taking notes....

Bear Tooth is not a loop...over to Red Lodge, MT lunch and back...all day. The road should be open as they try to keep it open in the winter as far as I know...there will be snow and still skiing on top (almost 11,000 ft). Bit strange to see a ski run and lift that goes down the hill from the highway.

[mnSteve]

The advice of doubling your drive time estimates is great advice. If you try and cover too many miles in a day you won't enjoy yourself. I am in the park 2 or three times a year fishing and sightseeing. I think the best way to really enjoy yourself is to stop at all the spots... Do the little hikes. Have a picnic. Relax on the deck at the Old Faithful Inn.

Here's some thoughts:

Since you're coming from Cody, maybe consider going to the NE entrance instead of the E entrance. Since your base is Gardiner that would keep you away from the West side road construction since you don't want to drive over Mt. Washburn (canyon .. tower). And... from the NE entrance you would drive through the Lamar River Valley which is beautiful and where the bison herds are usually found. Wolves also in very early morning, but they are hard to find.

At that time of year, the elk will likely be down and congregating in the Mammoth area which is very close to Gardiner. You can hang out in Mammoth and watch the bulls try and keep their girls all herded up, and away from the other guys.

Stuff to do suggestions:

Hike to trout lake (NE corner)
Short hike to Wraith Falls (Tower - Mammoth)
Picnic
Sit in the Gardiner River where the Mammoth hot springs comes in

West Side
------------
Sheepeater Cliff stop. Picnic, Obsidian, Hike down the trail to the falls
Ranger Museum
Firehole Canyon Drive Loop (Toad only... )
Old Faithful and the Inn (You can have lunch there but watch season closing)

South
-----------
Lake Village / great Yellowstone Lake views / little store / Ice Cream

Canyon / East
---------------------
Hike down to the viewing platform for the Lower Falls (east side of River)
Hike down to the viewing platform at the top of Lower Falls (west side)

And of course a bunch more... have a great trip.

[Superslif]

Will there be any issues getting a electric site at Gros Ventre say the Wed. or Thursday before Memorial day weekend? Maybe arriving before noon?