jamiek29

Hello
I'm planning a trip for mid july and plan to spend a week between yellowstone and tetons. I would like to camp in yellowstone and was looking for somw suggestions as to good central campsights. would we stay at one or move around a bit. Also, are we missing out if we camp again at the grand tetons instead of staying in the jackson hole area? also- are therer any good routes to do a 2 night overnight backpacking trip in the teton area?
thanks
jamie

Connie

We've camped for years in both parks.

Our favorite area to camp is Canyon. You can make reservations, it's centrally located, and has good services such as showers, laundry, stores, restaurants,stores,gas station, etc.

Personally, I don't see any need to move camp.

In the Tetons, Signal Mountain has a nice campground but it is a long way from Jackson. We like to stay in Gros Ventre because it is much closer to town, has great views of the Tetons and is so large it never fills up. Only drawback is no showers.

utahtea

Hi jamiek29,

I would suggest either Madison or Norris on the west side of the park for the best central location and easy access to all of the park. It looks like the road between Canyon and Tower will be closed again this year.

If you don't mind moving your camp, then I would suggest moving to either Bay Bridge or even the West Thumb area.

The larger campgrounds will be easier to get into on the same day. Just make sure you are there early or you can make resevations. The smaller campgrounds fill up very fast. I haven't camped in all the campgrounds but Madison is pretty nice for a big campground. They even have tent only loops.

I think I would camp in the Grand Tetons and make a day trip down to Jackson. We have an RV so we tend to stay in the larger campgrounds like Colter Bay. Which has some nice sites.

Utahtea


http://www.nps.gov/yell/planvisit/services/campgrnd.htm

Michael

If they accept reservations for Yellowstone, make them. Otherwise be at the park entrance early enough so that you can get to the chosen campsite by 10 a.m. The campsites fill up very quickly and July is height of season. The campsite by the Norris Hot Springs (I am somewhat unsure of the name) area is more centrally located than the one at Mammoth Springs or the Madison area.

Connie

Just check to see which campgrounds offer services you need. Some have it all while others have NO services (not even showers). Some take reservations and others do not.

bob_brown

I would avoid Jenny Lake campground.
It is well placed, but when I was there, the climbers had taken squatters rights and occupied the tents in relays.
Tent did not move but the people did.

Like the old WPA joke, it was two coming, and two going. Only it was 6 x 2.

Also, the climbers had to get sotted the night before they left to work up courage. The returners had to get sotted to calm their nerves and relieve stress and tension.

Group singing seemed to help the beer consumption at least. Too bad the beer did not help the singing. Its quality was inversely proportional to the beer consumption.

utahtea

Even though we would make Madison our base camp, when we traveled over to the Canyon are we would use the showers there. They are open to all campers for a fee.

Utahtea

jamiek29

thanks for all the suggestions! I will try to act on them soon. So can anyone reccomend some longer hikes with some elevation gain in yellowstone? It seems like there are many that are either short, 3 miles or very little elevation.
jamie

utahtea

I know the geyser area hikes are short and pretty level BUT they are WELL worth the time. This area is so different and special. You won't find it anywhere else in the world. Please give the short ones some time!

Utahtea

Photodog

I took a spectacular three day, 2night trip through the Tetons a couple of years ago. I parked at the Lupine Meadows parking area (just past Jenny Lake)and walked around the lake (can also take a boat across the lake saving you 2 miles)down String Lake Trail which connected with Paintbrush Canyon Trail (name is very appropriate) and connected with the Lake Solitude Trail. If you want to shorten the trip you could come down Cascade Canyon back to the boat dock or trail back to Lupine Meadow. I continued up the South Fork of Cascade Canyon trail which takes you behind the major peaks for a view most visitors don't see. Picked up the Teton Crest Trail til it jct with Alaska Basin Trail. Stayed on this til it joined with Death Canyon Trail near Phelps Lake overlook and took the Valley Trail past Phelps, Taggart and Bradley Lakes back to Lupine Meadow. In late July the flowers were everywhere and only had 2 snowfields to cross. Get your permits the day before and get an early start. Good basic book is Teton Trails by Katy Duffy and Darwin Wile.
In Yellowstone might want to take the Heart Lake Trail from trailhead to the lake is 8m 1-way. Can continue on to Flagg Ranch 26.5m if you so desire. Takes you past a backcountry thermal basin on the way to the lake. I did not go further than the lake however. Basic trail information in Yellowstone Trails by Mark C. Marschall. Hope this helps.

brookwood

Walk up to the observation tower on Mount Washburn. That has some elevation gain. Take the steps down to the viewing platform on the Uncle Tom trail at the falls of the Yellowtone river.
But if you want real elevation gain, take the Amphitheater Lake trail in the Tetons. It is a good stiff climb of about 3,000 feet of gain.
Or try Death Canyon.
Or the South Fork of Cascade Canyon.
It is long with elevation change, like 4,000 feet.

Or try climbing part of the summit route to the Grand Teton summit.
This one is not marked on hiking maps.
You will need the climbing input to find the trail.