Destination: Yellowstone Park

[SPMAJohnson]

We are taking 2 weeks in the summer to head to Yellowstone Park. Stopping to see the Badlands, Mt Rushmore, Cody Wyoming. We begin the trip in PA.

Any suggestions on roads to use and roads to stay away from and campgrounds to use.

Have a 40' Phaeton with a tow vehicle. This will be first big trip.

Thanks in advance for any help.

[rickp]

Took a similar trip this summer, approaching from the south through Salt Lake City.

For Yellowstone NP, we stayed in Grizzly RV Park in West Yellowstone.

For Mount Rushmore, we stayed in Elkhorn Ridge RV Park near Spearfish SD.

Both were very nice parks and we'd stay there again.

Have fun, rick p

[RVerOnTheMove]

2 weeks is not much time. It's nearly a 4000 mile round trip which would take 8 days if you could pull 500 miles per day (Yikes!) just to get there and get back. That only leaves 6 days to explore. Grizzly in W. Yellowstone is a good choice if you need full hook-ups but Fishing Bridge inside the park is a much better location and there are several others that are even better if you can dry camp.

For Mt. Rushmore, the KOA is likely the closest and most convenient not only for exploring the Mt. but also Crazy Horse, Custer and the scenic drives in the area. If you can find the time you will pass by Devil's Tower and it a worthwhile stop. The trip to Cody will require some back road driving but the roads are very good, just take your time. That will bring you into the East entrance of Yellowstone making most any park other than Grizzly the most convenient.

[lmsooter]

We stayed at Fishing Bridge campground inside Yellowstone this past summer on the way to Canada and Alaska. We were there 4 days and really wish we had planned more time there. Four days was really not enough to enjoy all Yellowstone, and the nearby Grand Tetons, has to offer.

After returning to the lower 48 we decided to visit Mount Rushmore on the way home to Texas. We stayed at Stockade Lake North campground in Custer State Park just outside Custer, SD. It is a very scenic area.

[hermanmullins]

2 weeks is not much time. It's nearly a 4000 mile round trip which would take 8 days if you could pull 500 miles per day (Yikes!) just to get there and get back. That only leaves 6 days to explore. Grizzly in W. Yellowstone is a good choice if you need full hook-ups but Fishing Bridge inside the park is a much better location and there are several others that are even better if you can dry camp.

For Mt. Rushmore, the KOA is likely the closest and most convenient not only for exploring the Mt. but also Crazy Horse, Custer and the scenic drives in the area. If you can find the time you will pass by Devil's Tower and it a worthwhile stop. The trip to Cody will require some back road driving but the roads are very good, just take your time. That will bring you into the East entrance of Yellowstone making most any park other than Grizzly the most convenient.

Bill, we were there at Fishing Bridge about 7 years ago. We had a 32 foot Windsor. I saw them turn away 40 foot coaches. Do they have any larger spaces now?

Herman

[lmsooter]

Herman,

When we were at Fishing Bridge this past summer we were in our 40 foot Alfa. They have a few sites that will handle 40 feet but nothing larger.

[RVerOnTheMove]

I stayed there in a 40' Prevost coach. They did not have a lot of large sites, but they do exist.

[rickh]

We traveled to Yellowstone in September. On the way we stayed at Custer State Park, Game Lodge campground. They have sites large enough for a 40' motorhome. They have 50 ampere service, but no other utilities on site. The first morning, there was a herd of bison passing by the campground. We used this as our base for Mount Rushmore and Crazy Horse. The State Game Lodge is adjacent to the campground and has a good dining room. Custer State Park itself is well worth exploring. Many of the roads through the state park are not suitable for a large RV because of the tunnels.

While visiting Yellowstone, we stayed at Yellowstone Grizzly RV Park which is located in West Yellowstone, Montana.

Don't miss the Grand Teton National Park, which is just South of Yellowstone. While there we stayed at Colter Bay Village RV Park. We took a Jackson Lake Cruise, which was outstanding.

[aztec7fan]

We stayed at Fishing Bridge campground inside Yellowstone this past summer on the way to Canada and Alaska. We were there 4 days and really wish we had planned more time there. Four days was really not enough to enjoy all Yellowstone, and the nearby Grand Tetons, has to offer.

After returning to the lower 48 we decided to visit Mount Rushmore on the way home to Texas. We stayed at Stockade Lake North campground in Custer State Park just outside Custer, SD. It is a very scenic area.

Fishing Bridge is a good campground if you are looking for hookups, but it has more of a "parking lot" feel. A couple of years ago we stayed at Bridge Bay campground which is also in Yellowstone. No hookups and some of the sites are not level, but I believe it is more scenic. Also, you have a picnic table and fire ring for evening cookouts which Fishing Bridge does not. Also check out one of the caves in the Mount Rushmore area, Wind Cave or Jewel Cave.

I would second the vote for staying in Stockade Lake North campground in Custer State Park when you go to Mount Rushmore. The park is great and the drives around the area are not to be missed.