Adventuremom

We are taking our motorhome and camping in the park. Would it be wise to camp in Yellowstone then go up and Camp at Glacier then leave and go down and camp at the Grand Tetons or should we just stay in Yellowstone and drive to Glacier and the Tetons? We'll be coming in from Cody. We'll have three weeks to see all of it. Are there nice places to camp in Glacier and the Tetons. Where is your favorite places?

utahtea

I see from your other post that you realize that Glacier is not close enough to Yellowstone to make a day trip. And Yes, Cody makes a great place to enter Yellowstone. Just be aware that there is road work being done on Sylvan Pass and this route will be closed nightly at 8 P.M.

http://www.nps.gov/yell/planvisit/or...l/roadclos.htm

I think that you could do Yellowstone, Grand Tetons, Glacier and Roosevelt in three weeks. I though you had a month....maybe you mean three weeks for the parks. Anyways you could do them all in three weeks, but 4 would be better!

There is only one campground in Yellowstone that has hookups and you have to have a hard sided RV to camp at Fishing Bridge. If you want to stay there you will need to make reservations as soon as possible. We've never stayed there. We like Bridge Bay and Madison campgrounds. If you don't mind moving campsites, I'd suggest 2 nights at Bridge Bay. Then go down to the Grand Tetons for a couple of nights. We have only camped at Colter Bay campground at the Grand Tetons and liked it. Then I would go back up into Yellowstone to Madison for at least 2 nights. If you find you have the time, then I'd spend one night at Mammoth and exit the park for Glacier.

The year we went from Yellowstone to Glacier we exited at West Yellowtone and took Hwy 20 and Hwy 191 to Interstate 90 and headed north to Hwy 93. We spent one night on the road before reaching Glacier. The west side of Glacier is more lush than the east side. We liked Aspar campground on the west side. I'd spend a couple nights here.

If your motorhome is longer than 21 feet (including bumpers) and wider than 8 feet (including mirrors), you are prohibited from driving over the "Going to the Sun" road in Glacier. You can drive Hwy 2 around the southern border of the park. If you have the time, spend one night at St. Mary's on the east side of the park and make it up to Many Glaciers.

I wouldn't know the best route to get to North Dakota, but I'd take that route home and stop a night or two at Roosevelt. We stayed at the Cottonwood Campground and really enjoyed it there. I wonder if the resident bison is still roaming the campground!

Utahtea

Adventuremom

Thanks so much for your answer. I've been excited to hear. I've been reading other peoples messages and it looks like people advise to go up to Glacier from Yellowstone thru Gallatin, Bozeman, Helena (Not sure the next step to Glacier) then back down thru Flathead Lake, Missoula, Big Hole, Bannack, Dillon, Virginia City, then head back home. Would that be a bad idea for us going back to Iowa. I noticed you mentioned going back thru North Dakota, but I would hate to miss all these other areas people seem to like in Montata. Do you think it would be worth while and doable to do Tetons, Yellowstone, and both routes to and from Glacier? Which route should we do up and which back? Up Helena and back Missoula or vice versa? If we go up thru Helena..where do you go from there?

Adventuremom

Thanks for the info about Sylvan Pass. I can't find it on my Atlas. Should we go up north from Cody and go thru Bear Tooth Pass instead. I hear neat things about it.
We actually have 5 wks vacation, but wanted to get home for at least a week when we are done.
We do not need full hookups we just bought a generator. We have a small motorhome 21ft but are pulling a car behind to unhook and go site seeing. What did you like about Bridge Bay? We were thinking of Grant Village- is that too busy? In Tetons I've read about Jenny Lake..you like Colter better?...what do you like about it? Thanks for the advice on Madison..is it because it is by the Falls? What did you like about Mammoth? I like the route you picked to go up to Glacier. It looks great. I didn't know about Roosevelt. Thanks for another idea. Your advice has really helped thanks so much!

Adventuremom

Where do you recommend staying a night on that route you gave to Glacier?Is Lake Flathead to far?

Adventuremom

Ok this is just our idea for a trip: Would you mind looking at it and letting me know if anything is crazy, or of any changes that I should make?
7-10,7-11 We're gonna stay at Lake Manawa S. P. and go to Omaha Zoo with the kids.
7-12 Sioux Falls Best Western Ramkota Inn with indoor waterpark
7-13 Chamberlain Oasis Campground
7-14 Paktola Lake Campground - see crazy horse and Old McDonald's farm with kids. Already have seen Mt. Rushmore and everything else twice.
7-15 Spearfish, Chris' campground, see fish hatchery, Eagle Aviation
7-16 Ten Sleep Ten Broek RV Park
7-17 Thermopolis Fountain of Youth Rv - visit Hot Springs
7-18 Cody Koa, visit Buffalo Bill Historical Center
7-19 - 7-23 Grant Village or Bridge Bay Campground in Yellowstone
7-24, 7-25 Jenny Lake or Colter Bay Campground in Grand Tetons
7-26,7-27 Madison Campground in Yellowstone
7-28 Mammoth Hot Springs Campground, Yellowstone
7-29 Gallatin to Boseman, eat at Pickle Barrel Deli, Camp Bear Canyon Campground
7-30-05 travel thru Virginia City ( Alder Gulch Shortline Railroad ), Bannack (Ghost Town), Hot Springs in Wisdom, Big Hole Battlefield, camp at Sula; Crazy Creek (free) or other campground.
7-31-05 Leave mid morning visit St. Ignatious Mission, Bison Range, and Camp at Flathead Lake. Yellow Bay S. P or Eagles Nest RV Resort
8-1 - 8-5 Leave early and try to get in Apgar; West Clacier Nat. Park. Explore Glacier:
8-6-05 Leave Glacier travel out Hwy 2 scenic route to Fort Peck Lake The Pines(free) or Downstream.
8-7 8-8 Leave early travel down 24 to 94 to Theodore Roosevelt Nt. Park. Stay at at Cottonwood; Explore Theodore Roosevelt Nat. Park.
8-9 Leave in the evening travel to Valley City, camp in Wagon Wheel Inn and Rv Park. heated indoor pool.
8-10 Leave aprox. 8 in the morning for Watertown SD Holiday Inn Express. Try to get an early check in after lunch. Play in the indoor water park.
8-11 Leave and head for home (Des Moines Ia)maybe stay at Stones State Park in Sioux City if tired. There is a Sergeant Floyd Riverboat Museum.

utahtea

Not sure where all these places are, but it looks like you are giving yourself plenty of time to get places and at Yellowstone, Tetons & Glacier.

We've never stayed at Canyon campground in Yellowstone so I can't say. Same for Jenny Lake. I'd choose the campgrounds you want because there probably very similar.

The Beartooth Highway is closed this year because of mudslides. I've never taken the Chief Joseph Highway, but they say that is the alternate route this year.

Sylvan Pass is in Yellowstone National Park on Hwy 14 west of Cody, WY.

Utahtea

Dayle

Hi adventure,

What a wonderful trip you have planned. I live in Utah and go to Yellowstone and Tetons all the time - and I'm jealous!

Be sure to take the Jammer Bus tour on the Going to the Sun Road in Glacier! Otherwise, the driver will not be able to enjoy the incredible scenery. Worth every penny. Apgar campground is quite nice.

Jenny Lake campground in Tetons is tents only and very small. Nearly impossible to get a spot there.

Coulter Bay campground is where I always stay. Hundreds of sites and most loops are very nice. You can also rent boats and canoes at their little marina. Great hiking out of Coulter Bay too. Be sure to go out to Swan Lake.

Have fun!

Adventuremom

Utahtea, Thanks so much for your input and info on the Bearth Tooth Hwy. We were looking forward to seeing that though, so that is kind of a let down, but wouldn't want to go for a mudlide either. I bet the Chief Joseph will be busy then, huh?
Dayle, Thank you too for the encouragement and advice about Jenny Lake being small- and to Camp at Colter Bay and we'll be sure to check out Swan Lake and the Bus Tour to Going to the Sun, thanks so much you've been very helpful!

Adventuremom

What kind of clothes should we bring?

chester123

We're also from Iowa- did the same type of trip two years ago. We did the Black Hills, Yellowstone & up to Glacier. We had your usual mountain type weather in Yellowstone. Jackets, jeans, pants, sweatshirts a must! Then Glacier was EXTREMELY HOT, they were in the middle of some very high temps. It was in the lower 90's.....I remember the last day we packed up the camper to head home it was raining. Rain gear for this type of trip is also very important.
Are you camping in Glacier or outside the park? We had been to Glacier before and camped a few nights in and a few nights out. The KOA at West Glacier is very nice- a nice pool! We have two boys and this breaks the activities up for the day! There are great hiking trails throughout the whole trip, if you enjoy that type of thing! Avalance Lake (short hike) is a MUST see in GNP. Have a GREAT trip!
Don't forget the raingear!!!

utahtea

We've been to Yellowstone a number of times. Usually in the summer we have really nice warm weather. Nights can get a little cooler. One year it SNOWED on July 13th. I remember because that's also my brother's birthday.

I don't think you will need really heavy coats, but a medium weight jacket, a few sweaters or sweatshirts, long pants, shorts, and short sleeve tops and as mentioned rain gear. We've been to Glacier 3 times. The first time it rained everyday for a week, but the next two times it didn't rain at all.

Utahtea

Adventuremom

Chester 123, Hello fellow Iowan! We are thinking maybe of changing routes and going up through the Tetons, Yellowstone, then Glacier. Is that how you did it? Is it alright entering Yellowstone from the south? Thanks for the insight on the right clothes to bring- sounds like we need almost all types. Thanks for the advice about the KOA in West Glacier. Our kids also appreciate a nice pool.
Utahtea, snow on July 13th? That's crazy. Boy I hope it doesn't snow or rain all week, that would be kinda lousy! Are there any Walmarts or Grocery stores by the parks or around the parks? Where would be a good place to buy groceries?

chester123

We spent time in Yellowstone- came in the East entrance and then to the Tetons. We then went out West of Jackson Hole to Idaho Falls, Idaho. We took I-15 up quite a ways. We had been through the area before going North to Glacier, thought this route would be scenic- it was. I can't remember the name of a "pass" coming out of Jackson Hole, but it was a steep, pretty drive. West Glacier does not have a so called "grocery store." But, they do have a little market in town. Columbia Falls would probably be the town you'd want to stop in to stock up in. That KOA also had a nice hot tub. Pools and hot tubs are hard to find in that area of the country as the season is so short. On another note, we have a camper trailer with beds that fold out on the end, a CUB. We do have a furnace, but it was so cold in Yellowstone we slept with our winter hats on. Winter hats would be a good thing to throw in, as sometimes sittint outside at the National Park programs after dark it can be pretty chilly. All types of clothing for this trip! Have a GREAT trip! The South Entrance to Yellowstone is fine, we exited it that way this time. Personally, I like the East entrance....

Adventuremom

Thanks so much for all your help. I will keep these notes with me and it will be so useful on the trip. I'll have to check out Idaho too and see if we want to exit out that way or I've been reading about people enjoying the Gallatin Valley. So many choices!!!

utahtea

I remember getting groceries in Cody, WY.

I checked the Wal Mart site and there is also a Wal Mart in Cody, WY 82414 and one in Sheridan, WY 82801.

There are stores in the park but the prices are higher and the selection isn't as good.

Utahtea

Adventuremom

Thanks you so much for checking into the groceries and Walmart for me. Why didn't I think of that (looking Walmart up on the internet)? You have been a great help.