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camping yellowstone

I am planning a trip to Yellowstone with my adult children and 3 grandchildren ages 7 and 10. We are camping with a new hardside trailer with pop out beds...I am interested in any suggestions of where to start our adventure. Should we stay in the same campsite all 7 days we plan to be there or move. Also, should we include the Tetons and what would be the "not to miss" sights there. We are coming from Oregon. Thanks...I've never planned a trip like this before. elaine

Elaine, I stayed at Canyon campground two years ago. Pleasant sites in a pine forest, plenty of facilities nearby (showers and laundry at the campground, as well as gas, groceries and restaurants at Canyon Village). I would avoid camping near Yellowstone Lake. The altitude in Yellowstone is low enough that mosquitoes can be a problem. They weren't too bad at the Canyon but mornings around the lake they really swarmed. With seven days, I'd say you will definitely have time to spend at least one day in the Tetons. Camping there for a night or two would give you the chance to see the Tetons at sunrise. I would suggest making reservations for camping in Yellowstone, just to be safe. I don't think any of the Teton campgrounds accept reservations, but driving down from Yellowstone you should get there in time to get a decent spot. Dave

Yellowstone's camp grounds are crowded in the summer. I suggest making a reservation and staying put at two places. Call(307)344-7311 for reservations. My suggestion is this: camp in two places Madison Junction and Canyon. These two are on opposite sides of the park -- well almost. The campground near Madison Junction on the west side towards West Yellowstone is convenient to most of the geyser basins. It is a short, but non trivial drive over to Canyon. The lake is farther away. Do not camp at Lewis Lake unless you like mosquitoes. I pulled in there once and soon found out why there was space available when everything else was full. The smaller campgrounds at Slough and Pebble Creek are farther away from the main sites to see. They are smaller in size, too. That may be a plus or a minus depending on what you want. The campground in the Tetons tend to fill quickly in summer, too. Jenny Lake, which is almost impossible to get into anyhow, is for tents only. The other 4 are non reservable, first come first serve. The non reservable campgrounds in Yellowstone tend to be in the northern sections and well away from the geyser basins and the lake itself. There are no campgrounds close to Old Faithful as I recall. Another advantage of the Madison Junction campground is that West Yellowstone is not far in case you need food and other supplies. There are general stores in the park at Old Faithful, and they carry a reasonable line of products. You of course pay for time and place of convenience. Here is another idea you might consider. I have no opinion on it plus or minus, good or bad. Flagg Ranch offers RV type of parking. It is between Yellowstone and the Tetons. One stop does it all, maybe.

We always stay in Canyon. It is centrally located, has good facilities and you are in the woods. I would stay there all the time you are in Yellowstone. Do make reservations. There is only one campground in Yellowstone with hook ups--Fishing Bridge. It is out in the open and they are literally side by side. Not like camping at all. By all means take time to go down to the Tetons. We always stay in Gros Ventre campground. We have never had trouble getting a site there without reservations. I suggest taking a float trip down the Snake River at dusk. This is a good time to see wildlife. The guide is very informative and you just get to relax and take it all in. You can meet them at Moose. I'm sure the Jackson web site would have some names of companies.

I can talk about both parks for a long time. Why not email me directly and we can discuss what to see. For starters: the geyser basins mud pots the Grand Canyon of the Yellowstone The lake Mammoth Hot springs And of course the wild life. In the Tetons, the mountains from Signal Mountain view point and perhaps the lakes. Perhaps a float trip on the Snake, if 7 is not too young to do it.

Whoops--don't know how that happened.

The closest camping to the Old Faithful Geyser basin is Grant Village. There are hundreds of nice camp spots, showers, store with groceries, lodge with rooms, amphitheater for ranger programs at evening.