Yellowstone/BLM/boondocking, RV day storing questions

[US1]

Another couple and ourselves are in the planning stages of a 2 week trip next Sep out to Badlands and Yellowstone. At the moment, we are looking around outside of YS for RV sites for several days, and driving the toad into YS. And then head towards CO. for some BLM stays. We also are wanting to take the Jeeps loaded up with campgear a couple nights and hitting the trails, but not sure what to do with the 2 RVs while we are away. Thinking might not be the wisest to leave them in our sites in BLM land (if thats even allowed) for those days/nights. Also considering finding a storeage place that will secure them of those days, and if all else find an RV park and just get a couple of spots. The latter being the best idea we agree from a most safe standpoint, providing we can find some sites. We have found many are booked up, some have some spots so trying to narrow down our options before we start making more reservations, as planning for a yr away is difficult. We usually just wing it, but believe that will need to be more planned this trip.

Anyone have any advise or thoughts about leaving the RVs for a few days, and where you did (if you did) and was it secure?

Afraid since still in the early planning stages and this will be our 1st time there, I can't offer much more info. Having some advise from those that have been there done that, it will help us in our planning. Thanks

[twogypsies]

You need to be more specific on where you want to take the Jeep and tent. You mention Yellowstone but later you mention Colorado and BLM land.

What town do you want to be near to take off tenting? Where do you want to do your 4-wheeling?

[Persistent]

“but not sure what to do with the 2 RVs while we are away. Thinking might not be the wisest to leave them in our sites in BLM land (if thats even allowed) for those days/nights. Also considering finding a storeage place that will secure them of those days, and if all else find an RV park and just get a couple of spots. The latter being the best idea we agree from a most safe standpoint, providing we can find some sites.”

We find that camping in remote areas, and places with low population density are safe to camp and safe to leave an RV unattended for a while. Many people leave them unoccupied for long periods.

Every place is a little different. Generally avoid big cities and super attractions like Yellowstone for unattended storage. In general RV’ers everywhere are responsible people who will help if you ask. Share your intentions with your neighbors and they will help.

Ask about specific sites on iRV2 for specific information.

“We have found many are booked up, some have some spots so trying to narrow down our options before we start making more reservations, as planning for a yr away is difficult. We usually just wing it, but believe that will need to be more planned this trip.”

I have been monitoring campsite availability in State and Federal Parks and Forest Service Campgrounds for a while. Since the summer of 2020, all Saturday and most Friday nights are booked soon after reservations are opened. My monitoring includes Wisconsin, New York State, Texas, Oklahoma, Arkansas, Missouri, and Illinois.

In peak season, all reservable electric sites may be booked months in advance for both weekend and week days.

For Forest Service Campgrounds, many sites are “first come, first serve”. So take your chances, “drop in and stay” for a while is possible. These are usually dry camping sites and sometimes remote camping sites.

I wish you good luck and happy trails ahead!

[US1]

Originally Posted by twogypsies

You need to be more specific on where you want to take the Jeep and tent. You mention Yellowstone but later you mention Colorado and BLM land.

What town do you want to be near to take off tenting? Where do you want to do your 4-wheeling?

Yes, sorry for the lack of details. Beings its just the start of the planning stages, nothing is set in stone, we are flexible and can adjust from the info we learn.

Our 1st thoughts are to hit the badlands for a few days, then on to around Bozeman, just N of YS for RV sites. From there we would tour YS and the area by Jeep. Then on down S of YS into CO. This point we haven't determined where the 4 wheeling/tent camping will happen... again, no set plans, just a hit list to aim for. Got to have a starting point and add/alter plans as we go along the planning stages. I guess our main concern right now is what to do with the RVs while we are off a few days in the Jeeps that others may have advise from doing the same. We seen the extreme off roading videos such as Black Bear pass near Telluride, but we are thinking more along the lines of sightseeing trails, not the extreme stuff. Open for suggestions of off road trails that based on scenery.
Thanks

[US1]

Originally Posted by Persistent

“but not sure what to do with the 2 RVs while we are away. Thinking might not be the wisest to leave them in our sites in BLM land (if thats even allowed) for those days/nights. Also considering finding a storeage place that will secure them of those days, and if all else find an RV park and just get a couple of spots. The latter being the best idea we agree from a most safe standpoint, providing we can find some sites.”

We find that camping in remote areas, and places with low population density are safe to camp and safe to leave an RV unattended for a while. Many people leave them unoccupied for long periods.

Every place is a little different. Generally avoid big cities and super attractions like Yellowstone for unattended storage. In general RV’ers everywhere are responsible people who will help if you ask. Share your intentions with your neighbors and they will help.

Ask about specific sites on iRV2 for specific information.

“We have found many are booked up, some have some spots so trying to narrow down our options before we start making more reservations, as planning for a yr away is difficult. We usually just wing it, but believe that will need to be more planned this trip.”

I have been monitoring campsite availability in State and Federal Parks and Forest Service Campgrounds for a while. Since the summer of 2020, all Saturday and most Friday nights are booked soon after reservations are opened. My monitoring includes Wisconsin, New York State, Texas, Oklahoma, Arkansas, Missouri, and Illinois.

In peak season, all reservable electric sites may be booked months in advance for both weekend and week days.

For Forest Service Campgrounds, many sites are “first come, first serve”. So take your chances, “drop in and stay” for a while is possible. These are usually dry camping sites and sometimes remote camping sites.

I wish you good luck and happy trails ahead!

Good info! Yes, the reservations we are learning will be our biggest hurdle. Hard to make these type of commitments so far in advance when we dont have a clear plan yet, just a bunch of ideas we want to do and figuring out how to make as many happen as possible.
Thanks

[twogypsies]

Originally Posted by US1

We seen the extreme off roading videos such as Black Bear pass near Telluride, but we are thinking more along the lines of sightseeing trails, not the extreme stuff. Open for suggestions of off road trails that based on scenery.
Thanks

You might want to consider after Yellowstone to head to Ouray, CO and stay in that vicinity. Then you can easily drive your Jeep to Silverton and do some of the trails out of there. Black Bear Pass is nearby but there are many very scenic easier trails out of Silverton. You wouldn't need your tent. It's day drives for many trails. The Ouray or Silverton Visitor Centers are very helpful with trail information and maps. I think we've done nearly all the Jeeping trails in the area. We always stay in Silverton itself at a BLM camp spot right on South Mineral Creek... pull the MH in head first at the creek and the mountains are in the background. Absolutely beautiful. There are a couple other BLM places to stay out of Silverton. However, that necessitates driving the MH south from Ouray on 550. Look it up. You may not want to do that and that's why I suggest you stay in Ouray/Montrose area. There's also a very nice state park at Ridgeway - Ridgeway State Park. There's just so much trail riding to do in that area for day trips... no tent needed. There's Black Canyon Nat'l Park and all along Hwy 50 to explore. It's a very favorite area of ours.... been there often.

If you happen to be there on July 4, Silverton has an fun and beautiful parade and fireworks display. That's a very busy time though so need to get there days earlier to find good campsites on BLM.

Look for trails rated up to #3 or easy to moderate. Plenty to choose from. You don't want to go any more difficult if you don't have the experience on technical trails. There are some doozys. For a hard one you might want to consider a Jeep tour and have someone else drive you. Pricey though.

.... Just a sample: https://www.ourayriversideresort.com...-ouray-co.html

https://cpw.state.co.us/placestogo/parks/Ridgway

https://www.alltrails.com/us/colorad...f-road-driving

[Tightwadted]

What TwoGypsies said about Silverton area is great advice, lots of jeep trails that you can ride all day and still get back to camp at night, another area that has lots of USFS land is the Taylor Park area, again, ride all day and return to camp.

[High Road Travelers]

Twogypsies advice is good. I followed his advice two years ago in that area and had a great trip.
I stayed in Ridgway State Park and it is very good.
Plenty of Jeep trails around Ouray and Silverton, but I wouldn't take my MH south of Ouray on Hwy 550, but a good many people do it.
Thanks,