Western US Routes

[MtnGuy]

Hi, my wife and I are planning a trip to the northern western states (South Dakota, Wyoming, Montana, maybe Idaho) I think I have my routes figured out except for the Yellowstone to Teton roads, maybe into Idaho.

What are the routes like for the southern Yellowstone area to the Tetons, and then to southeastern Idaho ?? We are looking at Rt 89/191 to Jackson WY, then Rt 22 and Rt 33 to Victor, ID.

The Western Mountain Directory indicates some 10% grades on Teton Pass, but nothing else on those routes. My truckers atlas shows Rt 89/191 as STAA compliant, but not Rt. 22 and Rt. 33.

FWIW, we will be traveling in an F350 with the 6.7 and engine brake pulling a 40' Grand Design 5th wheel. I am familiar with the grades in the Appalachians, having done 10% grades in my older F150 with 5.4 with a bumper pull trailer with no problems...........slow and easy does it. I regularly do 7-8% grades with the new setup, and again slow and easy does it.

Thanks in advance.

[TonyMac]

22 from Jackson to Victor -- for me, not worth it. That is one steep, 1st gear, foot-on-the-floor, up followed by one steep, 1st gear, Jake brake down, all the time with an annoying screeching noise coming from the copilot/navigator seat, and I have 2000 hours in the Phantom and live in the mountain west so I know what I'm talking about. But is you have lots of excess power and really, really good brakes, and you trust your sphincter, go right ahead, you'll love it. It may take a while to get your butt cheeks to let go of the driver seat, however, the view is wonderful.


Some roads are not made for us big boys, IMHO, 22 from Jackson to Victor is one of them. BTW, the Appalachians are hills, comparatively.

[twogypsies]

Look at a map. The route from southern Yellowstone into the Tetons is right through Yellowstone Nat'l Park. No need to go through Idaho and definitely don't go over Teton Pass.

I'd recommend that you get the 'Mountain Directory for Truckers and RVers' since you're going to be in the mountains. It's very valuable and describes fully what's ahead. Don't avoid mountain roads.... some are great and that's where the scenery is, but there are some that aren't recommended and Teton Pass is one.

Each national park has an awesome web site giving lots of good information on camping, things to do, maps, road information, special alerts, etc. Check them out. Here is Yellowstone's.

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

[MtnGuy]

OK, let me ask in another way. What is the best route from Headwaters Campground in the northern Tetons to Victor, Idaho ??

And is the John D Rockefeller Parkway RV friendly ??

We have reservations in West Yellowstone, then travel to Headwaters campground, and then want to do the southern or western Tetons. Suggestions ??

And yes, I do have a copy of the Western Mountain Directory.

[twogypsies]

From Headwaters you can easily explore all of the Tetons and do a day trip into Jackson.

Leaving Headwaters take 191/89 through Jackson (awfully crowded) and on to Hoback Junction. Then pick up 26 taking you to 31 and into Victor. I wouldn't stay in Victor to tour the southern part of the Tetons - too much congestion getting through Jackson all the time. You'd probably only do it once. Do your Teton touring from Headwaters. Without the RV you can certainly drive Teton Pass.

If you want to explore the back side of the Tetons then Victor would be good.

26 from Hoback Junction to Idaho Falls is a very easy drive.

From Headwaters if you want to get to southern Tetons and be closer to Jackson for some town life then go to Gros Ventre campground in Teton Nat'l Park. They don't accept reservations but have 300 sites and we've always gotten a site with our 40' motorhome in all seasons. Also, you'd be able to leave Headwaters early morning which is more of a guarantee. We love that campground!! They do have a few electric sites so ask if one is available. Otherwise, dry camping with a dump station and water fill. It's extremely convenient.

[born2travel]

Go right through Yellowstone Park. There are RVs and even semis on those roads throughout the season. The biggest problem you will have is people that don't understand the concept of "don't stop in roadway, use pullouts."

[twogypsies]

Originally Posted by born2travel

Go right through Yellowstone Park. There are RVs and even semis on those roads throughout the season. The biggest problem you will have is people that don't understand the concept of "don't stop in roadway, use pullouts."

I don't believe you'll see semis going through the parks. Tour buses, yes.

https://www.nps.gov/yell/planyourvis...cialtravel.htm

[born2travel]

Originally Posted by twogypsies

I don't believe you'll see semis going through the parks. Tour buses, yes.

https://www.nps.gov/yell/planyourvis...cialtravel.htm

Coremark and Sysco, et al, have semis on the park every day. While it isn't a legal thoroughfare for OTR trucking, they have to get supplies onto the park.

My point was an RV will be fine.

[MtnGuy]

Originally Posted by twogypsies

From Headwaters you can easily explore all of the Tetons and do a day trip into Jackson.

Leaving Headwaters take 191/89 through Jackson (awfully crowded) and on to Hoback Junction. Then pick up 26 taking you to 31 and into Victor. I wouldn't stay in Victor to tour the southern part of the Tetons - too much congestion getting through Jackson all the time. You'd probably only do it once. Do your Teton touring from Headwaters. Without the RV you can certainly drive Teton Pass.

If you want to explore the back side of the Tetons then Victor would be good.

26 from Hoback Junction to Idaho Falls is a very easy drive.

From Headwaters if you want to get to southern Tetons and be closer to Jackson for some town life then go to Gros Ventre campground in Teton Nat'l Park. They don't accept reservations but have 300 sites and we've always gotten a site with our 40' motorhome in all seasons. Also, you'd be able to leave Headwaters early morning which is more of a guarantee. We love that campground!! They do have a few electric sites so ask if one is available. Otherwise, dry camping with a dump station and water fill. It's extremely convenient.

Great information. Thanks, twogypsies !!

[richardcoxid]

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

YNP is BIG!, about 45 miles E/W and about 65 miles N/S (2.2 mil. Acres total). The “figure 8 grand 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 as you planned on in the allotted time. The Bison think that they own the road (they do!) and will slow down the traffic to walking speed or stop all traffic 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)

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 and there are passes on the grand loop road that are close to 8000 ft or so! 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 about 9:30- 9:45 PM then there is a long twilight.

Cell Phone Service- Only at the major visitor centers, otherwise non-existent!

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 shiny 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 only have pit toilets. I have seen the pit toilet line at the lower Geyser Basin (2 R/Rs) 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! I.e. “Never pass up a flush toilet!”

Sun- At YSNP altitude the Sun is intense (uv)have and apply sunscreen, wear that old floppy wide brim sun hat, wear Sunglasses!

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 to 15 minutes wait for the next one. Tour tour the O/F Geyser basin while waiting. O/F INN is a must see, reportedly the largest LOG building in the U.S. (Meals in the O/F Inn dinning room are “A OK” also.

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

I honestly 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! As far as I know we didn’t lose one of them. Except those who by their own stupidity step off the board walks into BOILING HOT water and ignoring the warnings about the WILD ANIMALS! That is called purifying the gene pool!

Note I have seen on this blog and others about folks “day tripping” from YSNP to GTNP, it is done all the time (myself included) however remember this is BIG country and with the speed limits, animals and thermal attractions you will be doing a LOT of driving. From 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 then from Grant Village you have to add the distance to your CG it will be a Long days trip!

A point of Coulter Bay (GTNP) clarification- there are two (2) CG’s at Coulter Bay, One the “Coulter Bay RV Park” a full service “RV Park” with FHU’S that takes reservations. The other is the “Coulter Bay Campground “ has no hookups and doesn’t take reservations. Both have about 300 sites and are basically across the road from each other.

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/ TABLE SEATING 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/pads 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 on your trip! Check out their website.

Bar J Chuckwagon

Also in Jackson check out the “COWBOY” bar, the bar stools are saddles and the # of Silver Dollars in the bar. The Wort Hotel Bar (just around the corner from the Cowboy Bar) also has Silver Dollars imbedded in the Bar

[ByeTheWay]

In unfamiliar areas, I always refer to Mountain Directory
http://www.mountaindirectory.com/ There is a West and East coast version. Both available in Paper Back or downloadable. Listing paved roads with 4% or steeper grades, and details for both directions. About $25 I have been using them for 15 years.

[richardcoxid]

The route from Jackson, WY to Victor, ID is about 5 miles of 10% grade both sides along with a few 25MPH curves of about 180 degrees thrown in just for thrills. OK for solo driving, we do it 3-4 times every year. Road is limited to 60,000# commercial. See RVs almost every time on it, with smoking brakes and drivers white knuckles going down or going up @ 10-20MPH and the engine screaming @ 4,000RPM!

[MtnGuy]

richardcoxid, thanks for the great info.

We are planning on staying near the north entrance and west entrance for 6 days each place. We are also staying near Cody for 7 days, and hope to get into the eastern side at least 2 days, although it is a bit of drive to just get to the entrance station. We will also be staying at Headwaters Campground near the southern entrance.

[MtnGuy]

Originally Posted by ByeTheWay

In unfamiliar areas, I always refer to Mountain Directory
http://www.mountaindirectory.com/ There is a West and East coast version. Both available in Paper Back or downloadable. Listing paved roads with 4% or steeper grades, and details for both directions. About $25 I have been using them for 15 years.

I have both copies of the Mountain Directories. I also use a Rand McNally Motor Carriers' Road Atlas with designated STAA routes...........I figure if big trucks are OK on those routes, than my 40' long, 12'10" tall camper should be good to go.

Although I encountered this little jewel on a STAA designated route: