Yellowstone

[kelpie]

Hey everybody, I haven't been on here in months and I apologize for that.No excuse really, just haven't been able to RV much and I guess I just haven't been as motivated. I have followed several of you on FB tho. I am really hoping to make my long awaited trip this summer to Yellowstone and several other national parks in Wyoming, Montana and Colorado. Since I will have to go during peak tourist season due to weather/geography of the area I Assume I will need to make reservations, something I don't often do.Okay, here's the question. For those of you who have been there - how far in advance do you think I will need to make those reservations? At yellowstone, grand teton and mesa verde I plan to stay at the NPS campgrounds. Glacier and Rocky Mtn National I think I can do well at private parks. Since I went to the Dakotas last year, I will be taking the southern route through Kansas to Colorado then up thru Wyoming to Glacier and back down to Yellowstone, Grand Teton and over the border to Craters of the Moon in Idaho.Any input would be helpful.

[Bethers]

Oh, you can do private at Glacier, but they have awesome cg's. As to the others - the only one I think you really need to worry about is Yellowstone - if you want to stay inside the park.

[AlmostThere]

What Beth said. We did Glacier in July and stayed at a small private CG near the entrance. No res. needed. Yellowstone is always a zoo so yes, plan on something there.

[Liz]

Didn't have reservations 2 years ago and Yellowstone cgs were full. Went out the north entrance and boondocked on NF land, then returned the next day. So, yes get reservations for Yellowstone.

[Sprinter]

Hi Kelly!

Great to hear from you I'm like you come summer. I like the jello lifestyle and don't want to have to make reservations. However, I agree with Beth and Lenora. It would be in your best interest to make reservations for Yellowstone. I was there the year before last and didn't. The Grizzly RV Park was my first choice, but they were full. I ended up 5 days in the National Park without full hookups, but only one of the areas had any sites left. So I got lucky. Also, Sheila and Larry are workamping not far from West Yellowstone at the Upper Coffee Pot. You could also stay there. It's a beautiful place and they are awesome! Not to mention, I was there the year bears were eating people and were closing down cgs and there were convicts loose in the park! hahaha!!! Luckily, I escapes all of that!

I had no trouble getting a spot at Mesa Verde, but be forwarned...there is no cell signal there at all. I didn't get to the Grand Tetons, because Kerry came to visit us at Larry and Sheila's site. That'll be for another trip back.

Please stay in touch. We'll be crossing the same paths this summer. I'll be coming up thru CO to a rally in Gillette, WY, then onto Glacier and up to Alaska. Maybe we can meet up again

Love,
Sharon

[snowball]

If you truly want to stay in the park to us locals (was born in Jackson WY that would be Jackson Hole) the park means either Grand Teton or Yellowstone...yes you will need reservations...how ever you can get into a camp ground outside of the parks and drive into the park West Yellowstone has private campgrounds as well as NFS (Forest Service) campgrounds near by at west yellowstone there is one just 5 miles from the park we have stayed there in Grand Teton if you stay at Gro Ventre Campground it would give you a good base for going into the park (GTNP) or into Jackson and very rarely fills up! Upper Coffee Pot you need reservations Sharon lucked out ...my dd called the other day and I asked how she was she said frustrated I said why? Because I live in ID and can't get into the stupid campground oops...so I grinned and said where you at 6 months?? she said 6 months and 2 days I said oh that is the problem so 6 months before your expected arrival at upper coffee pot is necessary. for most of the season...but that said although we would love to have you at the best after all only the best for our friends there are campgrounds close by that don't fill up...and remember in the national forest most of them don't have electricity or sewage we have electricity for part of the campground but not all of them
We hope to be there this year but DH's health isn't that great the Dr says no we intend to argue with him so we will see if we will be the host at the best this year
sheila

[kelpie]

Thanks everybody. Yellowstone and Teton are where I really want to stay at NPS cgs, Mesa Verde possibly, but not imperative.tow so those 2 seem like most necessary to stay there. Don't always need FHU, but do like to have electricity at least. Boondocking is fine for some, but I didn't buy MH with all the amenities NOT to use them. I am planning trip for July so probably should make reservations ASAP, huh? Guess I need to sit down with calendar and itinerary. Sharon, when will you be in the area - I'd love to see you again. Oh yeah, a couple more questions. Am I going to have problems driving the rig to and or around those places? I was a little freaked out about going to the sun road at Glacier but read that I can use the park shuttle for that. What about Mesa Verde? Web site says the entrance is quite a bit inside park on curvy mountain road - white knuckle time?

[Bethers]

Your problem at Mesa Verde is going to be parking the rig at any of the locations to see things. You'll be there in prime season, and there won't be as much space. I've driven all of Mesa Verde in my rig, so, yes, you can do that. I happened to go off season - so not a problem with any of the scenic stops. I love Mesa Verde - but because of people ruining things - so much is fenced in now. Necessary, but sad. As to saying outside of Mesa Verde - you'll have a bit of a drive back if you do that. The cg within is so convenient. Just sayin'.

[kelpie]

Thanks Beth. I hope to stay there in the park also. I may rent a car for that one also.

[Sprinter]

Yeah Kellie,

Beth is right. You can drive your rig thru Mesa Verde, but the pull offs will be full when you want to stop to see the sights. I stayed in the cg and rode my scooter. I could make my own spots that way. Also the road was pretty torn up with construction. Wouldn't want to take my rig over it. But that should be fixed by now I would hope!

Love,
Sharon

[Sprinter]

PS: You can't take your rig thru Glacier. Do the shuttle

[kelpie]

Whoo Hoo! I did it - haVE reservation at Yellowstone, Fishing Bridge campground for 4 nights in July. Has anybody stayed In Estes Park CO? Was thinking of St Mary's Lake - it's on shuttle route and is some govt. entity. Only parks in area that get great reviews are out of my price range. Other possible is Elk Meadow so anyone who has pros and cons of each, please chime it.

[Sprinter]

Great for you Kellie! Glad you got those res

I stayed in Loveland, CO outside of Estes at a Passport America Park called Riverview RV Park and toured Estes Park from there. Just beautiful! You are going to have an awesome summer! Saw my first cottonwood trees there

[kelpie]

I want to stay in Estes Park so I can use the NP shuttle.

[Bethers]

I want to stay in Estes Park so I can use the NP shuttle.

Where you stay won't matter - the one you selected should be fine. The park itself is magnificent ... and that's what you're there for.