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pros and cons of camping inside Yellowstone vs lodging in cabins

pros and cons of camping inside Yellowstone vs lodging in cabins

Old May 18th, 2011, 05:29 PM
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pros and cons of camping inside Yellowstone vs lodging in cabins

I have reservations for 4 days the first week of June at cabins, split between Lake Hotel and Old Faithful. Today I called and I could still get a camp spot in Fishing Bridge RV park. I have a really nice RV which I could travel with all my "stuff", plus take my dog, which I was going to take but have decided to kennel. With the cost of kenneling my dog at home, and the high rates for lodging, it looks like it still would be cheaper to RV it even with the gas prices consideration. Any thoughts?
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Old May 18th, 2011, 06:53 PM
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Fishing Bridge RV Park is hard sided vehicles only. Some of the newer trailers have tent like pullouts so that's why I mentioned this. The sites are on top of each other but hopefully you won't be spending that much time at the campground. We camped there three nights a couple of years ago and they had electricity problems but I hear that is now fixed.

You don't mention what kind of RV. If you are just going in a motor home it is harder finding places to park as you drive around the park. The first year we had our 30 foot motor home and didn't have a tow vehicle we couldn't stop at Tower Junction. There was not a site to be had and we circled for a while. It's also slower driving a motor home especially over mountain passes. There are a couple out of the way roads in Yellowstone that do not allow RV's like to the Petrified Tree stump. The plus is you always have your bathroom and it's easy to find a beautiful location to have a meal. If you will be bringing a tow vehicle or if you are pulling a trailer and will have another vehicle, parking won't be an issue.

Staying at Old Faithful makes it very nice to be able to get to all the geysers whenever you want. There are no campgrounds at Old Faithful. Fishing Bridge requires a mountain pass to get to Old Faithful so it's not something you do a couple of times a day. Our favorite campground is Madison on the west side of the park because we like being able to get to the geyser areas the most and it's also a great location for making the upper and lower loop. They don't have electrical hook ups but there is a dump station with water.

Utahtea
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Old May 18th, 2011, 07:40 PM
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I agree with Utahea, it depends on if you have a car to drive around the park to see the sights. Most of Yellowstone is 2 lane and traffic can get backed up, it's hard to drive a RV all around. We stated at Old Faithful Lodge, it was nice, but if you want a TV or a cheaper place to eat, you are probably better off in your RV. The weather will still be cool enough for your dog to stay in the RV for a few hours, too.

DOn't be surprised if you see snow that week either. If driving an RV in the snow makes you uncomfortable, that might be an issue too. It won't be like blackice roads, etc but it will be cool and all.

I think no matter what you do, you will have a great time. Take a good camera, the scenery is unbelievable.

Have a wonderful trip!
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Old May 19th, 2011, 03:43 AM
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The sites at Fishing Bridge are tight and close. I was able to squeeze a 37 foot 5th wheel into one last September though. They were updating the electricity in all the loops and you had to use generators if you wanted electricity. Quiet hours were enforced from 8 pm to 8 am.

I'm not sure how far they got in updating the electric, but it seemed like a big task and I would imagine it's still going on. I'd call to check
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Old May 19th, 2011, 04:28 AM
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Thanks very much for your input! We have a 30' fifth wheel, so we have the truck to drive around in. The site that was available did not have electricity hook up but we do have a generator. We are taking the grand kids and they would love to have my little dog with us, but then we will have to walk the dog and clean up after the dog. He hasn't been left in a kennel in over 7 yrs! My husband likes the idea of getting to camp but I told him that we really wouldn't be at the RV that much. I'm also nervous about driving in snow. Can't decide but I need to make up my mind!
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Old May 19th, 2011, 06:36 AM
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I would keep the cabins. Staying at Fishing Bridge the entire time could make for some very long drives in the first week of June if Dunraven Pass does not open on schedule. Given the massive amount of snow that still shows up, I'd say there's a high chance that it won't open up. Also, the East Entrance road is having some problems staying open as well.

Also, Fishing Bridge in general is a long drive from many park attractions. I'd stay at the two locations.

Also, your dog wouldn't be able to go on any trails, and I wouldn't take one and risk it getting off leash in thermal areas or in areas where there are big predators.
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Old May 19th, 2011, 02:21 PM
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Casi, http://e-edition.jhnewsandguide.com/...18/index.shtml Which roads are you driving on to get to Yellowstone? The road leading into Jackson is closed because of a mudslide. The detour has restrictions on the size of your camper. The road between Cody and the east entrance is limited due to a snow avalanche, Sylvan Pass is only one lane traffic, from 6:00 am to 10:00 am., then closed for the rest of the day. There are threads going on these subjects on T.A. forums/wyoming
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Old May 19th, 2011, 02:29 PM
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check this out http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mC6p87NhSMM
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Old May 19th, 2011, 04:52 PM
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Why don't you try to camp in different sites, so less back tracking, as the park is huge. Last year when we went for the first time, we ended up camping for the whole week, because all lodgings were sold out. It turned out to be the most memorable part of the trip!
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Old May 19th, 2011, 06:13 PM
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Just so you know, Fishing Bridge is side by side RV camping--not typical "campground" camping. There are several good campgrounds in Yellowstone that give you more of a campsite. Canyon is the most centrally located and has showers and laundry facilities plus a village of stores and restaurants. Grant Village does as well. A lot of people like Madison for it's central location on the west side but there is no village or showers/laundry.

I think it depends on how you like to travel. We love camping.
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Old May 20th, 2011, 03:33 PM
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JC, we love to camp, and Connie,moving at this point is not an option....it will be based on cancellations. Ziggy, we will be coming the East entrance as we are coming from Mt. Rushmore.
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Old May 20th, 2011, 04:31 PM
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casi, yellowstone.net forums has the latest on Sylvan Pass opening or closing.
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Old May 22nd, 2011, 06:52 PM
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Ziggy, I went to that link, but I didn't see where I need to go?
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Old May 22nd, 2011, 07:44 PM
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Casi, Try this link: http://www.nps.gov/yell/parknews/11042.htm

Utahtea
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Old May 23rd, 2011, 11:37 AM
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Got it! Thanks Utah!
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Old May 23rd, 2011, 01:47 PM
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Casi, www.yellowstone.net, then in the middle of the page click on forums, scroll down to Sylvan Pass thread, or ask someone on the forums. If you are still thinking of pulling your camper, this guy has route advise that can't be beat www.rvcruzer.com, you will have to scroll down to the correct page.
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Old May 23rd, 2011, 07:37 PM
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Wow! Thanks Ziggy! That is a great site. I'm not going to do the RV thing but I was wondering about the different routes.
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Old May 23rd, 2011, 07:37 PM
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Wow! Thanks Ziggy! That is a great site. I'm not going to do the RV thing but I was wondering about the different routes.
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