Who's been to Yellowstone?

[JMBD2112]

Trying to plan a trip for this summer and fly my parents out from TN to go with us. I'm going to pull a pop up to Cody and head in from there, is there any campgrounds you guys would recommend? It'll be a short trip since my dad isn't in that great of health, so maybe 4-5 days tops.

[Great-Kazoo]

When during the summer, is the key to visiting.

[JMBD2112]

His Birthday is August 5th, I'm thinking around there.

[KestrelBike]

I went car-camping for a week in MT/WY a couple years back, and the last part of my trip was yellowstone. Honestly, I found it to be the ugliest part of the trip. The geysers/thermo-features are cool and you don't get to see such concentrations outside the park, but the greenery in the park was quite underwhelming. If I had to do it all over again, I'd have just stayed in Custer and North-central WY (Bighorn Park).

[EvilRhino]

Looking at a map of the park and remembering back to 2006; Actual camping, we stayed at Canyon Village in the middle. The visitor center being close by saved my butt by having the things I didn't check for like tent stakes, foam mats when the airbed kept going flat, etc. I think there's cabins at the fishing bridge, but very few. IIRC there is a decent size hotel by old faithful.

I liked our spot for being central since I didn't plan on moving camp. Each day just picked a new direction and saw the things along that way. I think it's more geothermal stuff on the West side, more waterfalls and wild life to the East.

When we checked in at the camp, they noted the sites that a Grizzly had just walked through, so that was something to think about.

[JMBD2112]

I went car-camping for a week in MT/WY a couple years back, and the last part of my trip was yellowstone. Honestly, I found it to be the ugliest part of the trip. The geysers/thermo-features are cool and you don't get to see such concentrations outside the park, but the greenery in the park was quite underwhelming. If I had to do it all over again, I'd have just stayed in Custer and North-central WY (Bighorn Park).

I've never been to either one, I'll look into Bighorn. Thanks man

[fly boy]

been there twice.... plan for a ton of time spent in the car. Certain parts are 50+ miles apart, and there are TONS of people/traffic/idiots/asians etc.

It is very beautiful - I would suggest making sure you hit everything else besides old faithful. There are geysers all over the park, old faithful is the same, just a little higher and more regular.

Also, what is your route of travel? We went on a motorcycle trip out through the flaming gorge in UT, then up through the Tetons into Yellowstone and it was great.

[wctriumph]

If you want to camp there is the park, also Grand Tetons park is right there as well. If worried about health issues, stay in Cody or Jackson in a hotel and just drive in each day.

[twitchyfinger]

The one time I went through years ago one thing I distinctly remember is most campgrounds within the park do not allow tent camping including pop up campers due to the bears. Something you might want to look into.

[newracer]

The one time I went through years ago one thing I distinctly remember is most campgrounds within the park do not allow tent camping including pop up campers due to the bears. Something you might want to look into.

Correct, many campgrounds only allow hard sided campers.

[twitchyfinger]

Correct, many campgrounds only allow hard sided campers.

Never made much sense to me. Seen pics of bears opening up the sides of rv's like a tin can!

[jerrymrc]

Never made much sense to me. Seen pics of bears opening up the sides of rv's like a tin can!

Just makes it that much easier to shoot through.[Flower]

[wyome]

Last summer Wapiti Campground, and the one across the road from it were the last places you could tent, or soft side, before u got any closer to Yellowstone.

https://www.google.com/maps/place/Wapiti+Campground/@44.465717,-109.623882,15z/data=!4m2!3m1!1s0x0:0x8b66faf7e1e20811?sa=X&ei=0LSpVJnUI8mcygSvooKgAw&ved=0CKIBEPwSMAs

This campground is divided up into a side with electricity, and a side without. Camp host mentioned that this site might be closed to soft sided,tents, in the coming future.

We always camped here, or in the Big Horn mountains...

[XC700116]

Been there quite a few times, if you can shift your trip to after labor day and you'll have a lot better time as the crowds are much smaller.

[StagLefty]

Tent camped for a week there a long time ago. Had such a great week I went back for 5 days the day after Christmas. Took the snowmobile trips and saw the elk on the preserve wagon ride.
Great trips but I don't know if it's the same now.

[Firehaus]

Just remember, Yellowstone NP is mainly for thermal features and wild life viewing. Took my kids end of July and even managed to see a pack of wolves trying to hunt a huge bull elk.

Teton NP is for grand vistas with a little wildlife viewing depending on the time of year.

Are you going to visit Glacier NP too? It's one of my favorites.

Some photos from past trips to the Yellowstone area.

http://tapatalk.imageshack.com/v2/15/01/04/fb1fad22cd527bba42a06880248a96bd.jpghttp://tapatalk.imageshack.com/v2/15/01/04/7cc9ff3d9718264b19b0a16efcfb0296.jpghttp://tapatalk.imageshack.com/v2/15/01/04/459439bd2ef977e48ad8558d3e6bf4d9.jpg

[Trout Hunter]

Been there too many times to count. Couple things have already been shared but ill chip in my 2 cents.
If you can push it after labor day, theres a 1/10 of the people and all the animals have come out of the high country sinces its cooling off. August you will be lucky to see much in the way of wild life. If health is an issue hit a hotel in jackson and travel to spots each day. Or do west yellowstone in. If youre having people fly in jackson is the better bet. I can recommend a couple spots in each of them to stay.

[JMBD2112]

Man thanks for all the input, I was pretty set on going to Cody, but I might change that now. Also I looked at some camp spots and some of them were $500 a week?!? I'm thinking we might change that now, I was hoping to cut costs by pulling the camper up there thinking that a camping spot might be $100 or so, but that's a game changer.

Firehaus those are some amazing pictures. As far as seeing multiple parks, I'm going to have to stick to one as I'm afraid too much time in the car would be too much for my pops.

From everyone's past experiences, what's the weather like after Labor Day?

[daknee_k]

Last time I was up there, I spent an entire day in the museum at Cody. The firearms exhibit took my breath away. Pure win.

[Zach O]

Can't speak for the camp grounds. But it's pretty much the coolest place I've ever been. You'll need several days to explore!!

Have fun!!

[wyome]

The Wapiti Campground...not to be confused with the Wapiti Lodge - which has really good food BTW ... is a USDA/Natl Park campsite...$15 a day no electricity, $20 a day with electric hook ups. No water/sewer at the campsites.

Anytime after 1 Aug in Wyoming in the Yellowstone area make sure you have some rain gear, some cold gear, and some thing in between. We camp outside Yellowstone and get a pass for a few days and explore Yellowstone at our leisure.
A little off the beaten path is the Sunlight Basin north of Cody and extending west to Yellowstone's north side....we love this area more...no cool geysers n stuff, but it is a lot more relaxed.

[Dryfli]

Last year we stayed at Mack's inn out side of yellow stone they have a bunch of cabins at reasonable prices and aren't to far from west Yellowstone we really enjoyed it. Jackson hole is nice but has a noticeable "Californian on vacation" thing going. I would suggest bringing swim shorts and water shoes and going to the fire he in the park. The water is warm and you can float down the river or just relax I think my family enjoyed it the most while we were there and I've been going there for over 30 years.

[CO Hugh]

Check out Cooke city and the Beartooth Pass. It is claimed to be the most scenic drive in America.

[XC700116]

Weather could go any direction after labor day, but generally its much like Colorado at or above 7k ft. If you're looking for a nice clean economical place to stay, I highly recommend pine shadows in west Yellowstone. Everything from standard hotel rooms to condos that sleep 8-10. If you need contact info, pm me and I can get it to you, I've been staying there every year for quite a few years on snowmobile trips in the winter.

[Dave_L]

The wife and I are planning to go to Yellowstone this year hopefully. Some good info here. Thanks fellas!

[Sawin]

Subscribed... We are going this summer, assuming it doesn't blow first. ;)

[Firehaus]

I've gone in October before and the weather was great and even better was the lack of people and traffic. Which makes driving 50+ miles from main point to main point that much easier.


Sent from my iPhone

[CO Hugh]

Yellowstone Launches Geyser Prediction App



http://www.outsideonline.com/news-from-the-field/Yellowstone-Launches-Geyser-Prediction-App.html?utm_source=nftf&utm_medium=newsletter&utm_campaign=12182014&

[meatman]

We went Labor Day weekend 3 years ago. It got down into the 20's at night but was great during the daytime. My 20 degree bag didn't cut it, so we got a motel in Teton for the last night of our anniversary weekend. I didn't feel like telling the wife happy anniversary through a small hole in my sleeping bag!

[Mtn.man]

ME... ME... I BEEN THERE... PICK ME!!!!!

[Trout Hunter]

Weather wise there is usually 1 early cold snap for 3 days that pushes through usually between the 5-11th. Happens almost every year and it will snow. Before or after is usually fantastic weather. 50-60 in the afternoon low 30s to upper 20s at night. The spot xc recommended is really nice. Macs inn is nice but you're 30 ish miles from west Yellowstone. If you decide on Jackson the painted buffalo is nice and not going to break the bank.

[fly boy]

Check out Cooke city and the Beartooth Pass. It is claimed to be the most scenic drive in America.

Beartooth was stellar!!!

Motorcycle trip was almost 3,000 miles in 6 days....
Flaming Gorge
Tetons/Yellowstone
Beartooth
Glacier NP
Idaho/MT/WY mountains dropping down west side of Yellowstone
Through Tetons to Green river WY Then is was the boring shot home.

[JMBD2112]

Well I may have to postpone the trip a little bit, just found out today I have a torn meniscus and have to get my knee scoped. Don't know how long I'll be down.

[Great-Kazoo]

Well I may have to postpone the trip a little bit, just found out today I have a torn meniscus and have to get my knee scoped. Don't know how long I'll be down.

Be careful, you have a specialist picked out?

[JMBD2112]

Dr. Oster with Denver-Vail orthopedics

[Great-Kazoo]

Dr. Oster with Denver-Vail orthopedics

The Sports guys?

[Marlin]

And, just hope they aren't trying to burn it down.

[Limited GM]

I camped all through there In a tent 6-7 yrs ago. I dint know things had changed?

imo, you got there to see wildlife. There's much prettier places to camp and see other "nature."

[Trout Hunter]

I camped all through there In a tent 6-7 yrs ago. I dint know things had changed?

imo, you got there to see wildlife. There's much prettier places to camp and see other "nature."
Not sure on the tent deal. A few years back we did a trip from bechlor up over the top to old faithfull and it was all tent camping.

The geysers are pretty cool the first time, paint pots, and the grand canyon of the yellowstone are must sees.