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Old 02-04-2025, 11:47 AM   #1
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Yellowstone Campground parking

I have 5 days booked at Fishing Bridge this coming September and possibly two extra days at Mammoth, but can't book this out this far at Mammoth.

Question: My daughter asked my thoughts on her flying out to Bozeman, renting a car and spending a few days with us with our two grandsons. I immediately said sure and look forward to it. Then after sleeping on it, the thoughts of parking come into my head. Fishing Bridge was beyond anal about our vehicle and trailer length in the booking. Is there a place I could leave her rental car if she comes out? I know my spot in FB specifically stated only 1 extra vehicle and that is my towing vehicle.
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Old 02-04-2025, 12:25 PM   #2
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I have 5 days booked at Fishing Bridge this coming September and possibly two extra days at Mammoth, but can't book this out this far at Mammoth.

Question: My daughter asked my thoughts on her flying out to Bozeman, renting a car and spending a few days with us with our two grandsons. I immediately said sure and look forward to it. Then after sleeping on it, the thoughts of parking come into my head. Fishing Bridge was beyond anal about our vehicle and trailer length in the booking. Is there a place I could leave her rental car if she comes out? I know my spot in FB specifically stated only 1 extra vehicle and that is my towing vehicle.
most places have parking for guest, there has to be some place to park her car and you pick them up but why don't you call them??
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Old 02-04-2025, 12:30 PM   #3
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It's January, so there may be nobody familiar with the campground around. And there are probably many here who have camped there to know the real story, which is often different from the official line on the website.
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Old 02-04-2025, 01:30 PM   #4
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When we were there last September, there appeared to be some extra parking near the office. It may also be possible to park by the Visitor's Center about a quarter mile away.
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Old 02-04-2025, 01:43 PM   #5
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Probably not any overflow parking at the campground but there's got to be a ranger station open now if you called to ask for suggestions.

Other thought I had was leaving the car in West Yellowstone. Above mentioned the visitor center a possibility and they're probably open now if you wanted to call since the park is open year round.

If nothing else there's some motels in West Yellowstone that might allow it.

Or call the WY Chamber of.Commerce maybe they know
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Old 02-04-2025, 02:45 PM   #6
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All kinds of parking at either visitors center or the store at FB.
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Old 02-04-2025, 04:11 PM   #7
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NeedtoRetire - A couple of things for out there. One - don't leave the rental car in West Yellowstone, you are a 1 1/2 to 2 hours from West Yellowstone at Fishing Bridge. It could be longer, if you run into a bison jam. Once we got caught in a bison jam around Gibbon Falls area for about 5 miles backup, 3 hours.

The FB store gets so busy that people park in the Visitor Center to go shopping. They park in front of the gas station as well, making it difficult to get gas sometimes.

Yellowstone Lodge is close, about 5 miles, and has large parking areas. Bridge Bay is 2 miles beyond that and has a boat dock area with a large lot.

Since you are staying in FB, have her fly into Cody, the drive is closer. From West Yellowstone to Bozeman is 100 miles.

If you don't want to have her fly into Cody, why not have her rent a car in Bozeman then turn it in West Yellowstone, you pick them up there. The you will only have 1 vehicle to worry about.

Being there in September does reduce the number of families, but you will see older couples in the Park. It still will be crowded, but a little less. Also, keep in mind stores start closing right after Labor Day.

We worked out there for the summer of 2023 for the company that operates the stores. I drove a vehicle every day from West Yellowstone all the way around the Park, back to West Yellowstone.
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Old 02-04-2025, 06:34 PM   #8
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I know it's a rental car but I would not leave a vehicle overnite or a few days without being sure it won't be towed and impounded. That means getting authorized permission

Some seem to be suggesting otherwise. I wouldn't be surprised if she'd be charged a daily rate to just park which is totally understandable

Where is she flying into? Is picking her up, taking a bus near you an option?
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Old 02-04-2025, 08:16 PM   #9
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Another option is for her to get a cheap tent site at Bay Bridge campground a couple of miles from Fishing Bridge, and have her park the car there.
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Old 02-04-2025, 11:32 PM   #10
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Here you go. Multiple ways to get to Yellowstone from Bozeman

https://www.google.com/url?sa=t&sour...2ZwOIVQxqvtsJY
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Old 02-05-2025, 01:09 AM   #11
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NeedtoRetire - A couple of things for out there. One - don't leave the rental car in West Yellowstone, you are a 1 1/2 to 2 hours from West Yellowstone at Fishing Bridge. It could be longer, if you run into a bison jam. Once we got caught in a bison jam around Gibbon Falls area for about 5 miles backup, 3 hours.

The FB store gets so busy that people park in the Visitor Center to go shopping. They park in front of the gas station as well, making it difficult to get gas sometimes.

Yellowstone Lodge is close, about 5 miles, and has large parking areas. Bridge Bay is 2 miles beyond that and has a boat dock area with a large lot.

Since you are staying in FB, have her fly into Cody, the drive is closer. From West Yellowstone to Bozeman is 100 miles.

If you don't want to have her fly into Cody, why not have her rent a car in Bozeman then turn it in West Yellowstone, you pick them up there. The you will only have 1 vehicle to worry about.

Being there in September does reduce the number of families, but you will see older couples in the Park. It still will be crowded, but a little less. Also, keep in mind stores start closing right after Labor Day.

We worked out there for the summer of 2023 for the company that operates the stores. I drove a vehicle every day from West Yellowstone all the way around the Park, back to West Yellowstone.

I’d imagine the cost of flights into Cody are more expensive than to Bozeman. Or they are only for certain days coming from wherever she is flying from.

Pick up and drop off at the same rental place is cheaper than picking up and dropping off at different locations, even if it’s the same rental agency.

So for the convenience of flying into Cody or having different pickup/drop off locations it could easily add another $300, 400, 500? to their trip.
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Old 02-05-2025, 06:58 AM   #12
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Another option is for her to get a cheap tent site at Bay Bridge campground a couple of miles from Fishing Bridge, and have her park the car there.
This maybe the best option yet. I will look into. The daily rate would be less than event parking for a hockey game
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Old 02-05-2025, 08:21 AM   #13
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I have 5 days booked at Fishing Bridge this coming September and possibly two extra days at Mammoth, but can't book this out this far at Mammoth.

Question: My daughter asked my thoughts on her flying out to Bozeman, renting a car and spending a few days with us with our two grandsons. I immediately said sure and look forward to it. Then after sleeping on it, the thoughts of parking come into my head. Fishing Bridge was beyond anal about our vehicle and trailer length in the booking. Is there a place I could leave her rental car if she comes out? I know my spot in FB specifically stated only 1 extra vehicle and that is my towing vehicle.
Just so I understand, your daughter is going to spend a "few days with us" - would she be camping by herself and needing a campsite?
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Old 02-05-2025, 10:49 AM   #14
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Just so I understand, your daughter is going to spend a "few days with us" - would she be camping by herself and needing a campsite?
Staying with us, in our camper.
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