Trip Planning

[gypsyrose1126]

I am busy planning my next trip: Mt. Rushmore, Black Hills, Tetons, Glacier and possible Yellowstone and points in between. I don't usually make reservations, as no idea when I will get somewhere. Would love to hear from those that have been there, can you make reservations a day or two in advance and find something? I know they keep some sites, for first come etc. Also, seems to be a lot of campgrounds in all of these areas. What problems did you run into? What areas should I be sure to see? I have the areas I would like to see, the problem is that I look at the maps and figure, I am so close to this or that, I need to go there!! Pretty soon my trip is a lot bigger than when I started! I also hope to see some of the others from the forum on my trip.
This is my first summer off in 9 years- I am so excited! Thanks everyone and hope you are having a great day. Rain and chilly here

[BarbaraRose]

I, too, am interested in reading the answers to your questons and finding out more about that area since I am planning to head that way after Labor Day.

When are you going?

[Liz]

If you want to stay at one of the NP cgs inside Yellowstone this summer, I would make a reservation asap. Things get pretty crowded there in the summertime. My last time there, I had to go outside the north side of the park and boondock on National Forest land, which was not a problem, but would have stayed in one of the cgs if a site was available. Not sure how crowded the other parks get, but there are usually NF options around.

Most places I look a couple nights out, but I did learn that the popular parks (like Yosemite last year) are hard to get into with out a reservation.

[BarbaraRose]

I am hoping that by going after Labor Day that it will be less crowded and easier to get into the campgrounds without having to reserve too far ahead.

[JudyJB]

Summer is tough with so many people traveling. If you want to stay at national parks, I agree that you need to get moving fast. Even if there are a few walk-in sites available, they will disappear way before noon.

After Labor Day, you only need to worry about weekends, although the more popular parks are even full then. I was barely able to get a site midweek in October for Yosemite. Sites opened at 10 EST, but by 11:30 all were gone.

[snowball]

I grew up in Jackson Wy actually in GTNP ....it totally depends upon when you will be in the area of Yellowstone and Teton
Yellowstone I think you should have reservations if you want to stay in the park proper....if you are ok with traveling a bit to see the
sites then you can stay in the National Forest campgrounds outside of the park West Yellowstone has a private park that is really neat...
perhaps more....if you will be there after Labor day weekend probably won't need the reservations...in Teton park there is a
larger campground that rarely fills even in the summer name of it is Gros Ventre don't know if they take reservations even or if it is
first come first serve....some areas are only hard sided rv's there are lots of things to do so it depends upon what you want to do...what your interests are....so perhaps chime in and tell us what floats your boat and we can come back with more information...we are a diversified group of people...oh and I actually summer in Idaho on the west side of the Teton's so willing to meet up with those going through the area..
sheila

[Colliemom]

I made this trip two years ago in June and went a ross on I-90 after cutting across WI and picked it up near LaCrosse. The first couple nights I had no reservations but from then on I did, especially for Yellowstone. Inused KOA campgrounds along the 90 route, stayed at American RV Park right on the Missouri River in SD. No reservation for the way out, wanted to stay again on way home, but an inquiry ahead of time, showed they were booked up. Stayed at Grizzly Bear RV Park in West Yellowstone, again with advanced reservations.although it was not a cheap park price wise, it was well worth it. A mile from park entrance, could walk a couple blocks to West Yellowstone, laundry facilities, WiFi and very clean well kept bathroom/shower buildings. Was a perfect base to explore the park from. I also made rservations at Teton RV Park outside the Grand Tetons and used that as my base, but you can also reserve inside the park. I stayed a week at West Yellowstone, doing a different section of the park each day. One word of advice, do not go over Teton Pass with the trailer. There are many curves and grades of 10 to 15%. I drove it to and from the park without the trailer, but took another route around when I left back toward home. Yellowstone, even in mid June, was getting crowded, so summer woould have been way worse. There are many campgrounds in the Black Hills ara, but it doesn't hurt to check with some to just get an idea of how busy they are. Keep getting in mind, in Sept., the high pass s can start getting snow in Sept. Depending on what you are doing this summer, Eileen and I are going to try to GTG later in late July or August in the U.P. Or WI. Maybe could come join us and I can fill you in more. Or I'll be glad to GTG with you someplace. If I wind up canceling my PA trip due to slide issues on my trailer i might be tempted to head west again too. By then it should be repaired.

[gypsyrose1126]

Hi All - thanks for the information. I am slow in planning this trip, and now my friend wants to meet me at Glacier and then go up to Canada. The trip is taking on a mind of its own!

so perhaps chime in and tell us what floats your boat

I prefer camping in quiet campgrounds, as much privacy as I can get, nice to have trees around also. But sometimes that just does not work out - I enjoy going to museums, love the history of the various areas, of course nature, hiking, waterfalls, rivers, animals, plants etc. Tend to avoid cities whenever possible or areas with a lot of people (crowds) but of course sometimes that can't be avoided either.

Shelia I will let you know what I end up doing and when, maybe we can meet? Also, want to try to meet Beth at Mr. Rushmore. Sue keep me posted about GTG in the UP or WI. that would be a fun time.

[snowball]

areas with a lot of people (crowds) but of course sometimes that can't be avoided either.

Shelia I will let you know what I end up doing and when, maybe we can meet? Also, want to try to meet Beth at Mr. Rushmore. Sue keep me posted about GTG in the UP or WI. that would be a fun time.[/quote]

and you want to go to Yellowstone/Teton's in the summer????
seriously it will be busy but they do have the nature yes make sure you let me know when...Sandi is going to be in the area
during the eclipse
sheila

[Colliemom]

We are hoping you can come to the Sept/Oct. GTG at Thomson Causeway too. And if you don't get your trip west going, next June is a great time, before schools are out and people start traveling. I'm hopingvto go back too and by then, Beth, Linda and others will be someplace else

[gypsyrose1126]

Yeah I know crowds all over, oh well, it is summer. If it gets to bad, I will just skip Yellowstone and move on.

[gypsyrose1126]

Made reservations for Yellowstone at a NF campground right on the river, east side of the park starting June 21. A little farther away than I wish but at $10 per night, can't complain to much. Planning on leaving here June 11th for Mt. Rushmore. This will be my first trip with the trailer by myself. The last couple years I have camped with a friend on all my trips, so will see how it goes. Looking forward to seeing the sights! If anyone has any suggestions on what not to miss, let me know.
From Yellowstone I am planning on going to Billings to see Little Bighorn Monument, Pictograph Cave, Rimrocks and then on to Great Falls to see the C.M. Russell Museum and the Lewis and Clark Interpretive Center, then on to Glacier. From Glacier I am thinking of heading up to Banff and Jasper Park. Camp free all year in Canada!
If anyone is in the above areas, let me know and maybe we can meet.

[Birdie]

You are going to have a great summer! Have fun. Be safe. Smile a lot!