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#1 Posted: Sun Nov 16th, 2008 18:24 |
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We are considering taking a trip to Yellowstone National Park June 20-24, 2009. We would like suggestions about which campground within the park is best. We are ok with dry camping. We don't like a parking lot atmosphere where the trailers are stacked close together. We like wooded areas that offer some privacy. Also, if you know which side of the park the campground is on and what park attractions are nearby. We like hiking as well as interpretive talks and wildlife viewing. It would be helpful if we know more about weather/temperature expectations for that time of year. Any tips or ideas would be much appreciated. For other trips we have taken over the past couple of years, we have followed some really good suggestions from folks on this site.
We may also be driving from Yellowstone to Portland. We are wondering what the roads are like along the way. If anyone knows of a good campground outside of Portland, that would be helpful as well.
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ArcticFoxCats
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#2 Posted: Sun Nov 16th, 2008 19:55 |
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Hi G:
Someone who has a better memory than I do will hop on here shortly, I am sure. - We camped at a State/Forest Service campground just West of West Yellowstone (outside the park entrance) - a few miles west, straight out from the Pak Entrance, that was REALLY nice. We were told about it, and actually followed our senses to find it. Saw another fellow Arctic Fox 22H couple there. Not forum members.
It was next to a river, the spots were not crowded together, trees...and it was like $7 for us seniors! (If a picture is worth a thousands words....I can distinctly SEE it in my memory bank!!! It is one of the few things left in that bank!! ) 
SOME one will know and even be able to give you a name!!!
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Nash5r
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#3 Posted: Sun Nov 16th, 2008 21:01 |
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G wrote:
... If anyone knows of a good campground outside of Portland, that would be helpful as well.
Oregon State Parks are outstanding and Champoeg just south of Portland is one of the better ones.
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dahlgren
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#4 Posted: Sun Nov 16th, 2008 21:09 |
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Have fun in Yellowstone! The park is fantastic - however the campgrounds are like parking lots. A couple years ago we stayed at the Fishing Bridge Campground and there was barely enough room to put your awning out.  I would suggest staying somewhere outside the park.
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Gary and Cathy Dahlgren
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foxyrvlady
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#5 Posted: Sun Nov 16th, 2008 23:00 |
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| Camping in Portland is terrible--freeways/railroad tracks on the one to the east of town, etc. Adam may chime in--he went through this last year. There are private parks, but south of Portland. What part of town would you be in? My campground guide is in the trailer in storage so I can't be of help there.
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Linda & husband Dave (retired US Army) W7DDW
Jake, the 83# Black Lab "kid"
2002 Arctic Fox 25R, Honda 2000i, Trojan T-125's
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AVATAR: Mt. Jefferson, Cascade Mtns., OR
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coyote
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#6 Posted: Sun Nov 16th, 2008 23:56 |
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G Member,
The campground Arctic FoxCats mentioned is a really good place to stay. I was there in September and it looks good. You can explore the Yellowstone area and return back to this area at night and have a little space to really camp. I believe it's a Gallatin National Forest Campground on the east side of Highway 287 north of West Yellowstone.
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Coyote
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csaunders
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#7 Posted: Mon Nov 17th, 2008 04:56 |
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Baker's Hole Campground is north of West Yellowstone about 5 miles and is a good campground. It is National Forest and for senior citizens, the price is right. We spent 6 weeks there in 2006. It is right on the Madison river. Yes, most of the campgrounds inside the park are crowded, although June is better than early August. The weather will be cool, especially at night but the middle of the day will be very pleasant. The elevation is around 7,000 ft. so give yourself time to adjust. If you are eligible, be sure to get your Golden Age pass so you can enter the park for free.
Caryln & Dan
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Dan and Caryln Johnston
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foxyrvlady
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#8 Posted: Mon Nov 17th, 2008 06:22 |
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| We camped inside the park in 1971--even then you were packed in the campgrounds--and that was before wider trailers and slideouts--and even good awnings! We were there in July and it snowed one night.
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Linda & husband Dave (retired US Army) W7DDW
Jake, the 83# Black Lab "kid"
2002 Arctic Fox 25R, Honda 2000i, Trojan T-125's
2003 DODGE 3500 SLT Quad Cab, 4x4, SRW, HO CTD, 3.73, 48RE, Jake Brake
AVATAR: Mt. Jefferson, Cascade Mtns., OR
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Flyfisher
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#9 Posted: Tue Nov 18th, 2008 01:22 |
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For a short stay like this, I would think about coming in at Gardiner/Mamoth, make reservations at one of RV parks for that night, spend at least 1/2 day doing Mammoth area and then head east to Cooke City. Try Pebble Creek, but usually fills by 10 am. Slough Creek NEVER has any openings, you have to be born there. About a mile east of Cooke City is FS Soda Butte Campground which is generally never filled. If not, 2 more campgrounds within a couple of miles. When driving out of the east gate of the park, you will pass through Silvergate and you definitely should stop and rent a Swarovski spotting scope at general store. Lamar Valley has greatest concentrations of wolves and bears in the park, not to mention hawks etc. It is called the Serengeti of North America. None of these campgrounds take reservations and Slough and Pebble Creek do NOT allow generators.
The other wildlife area is Hayden Valley. We usually stay at Pebble Creek, 3 minutes down to Lamar, go up to Mt Washborn (30 minutes) and even over to Hayden if we hear of any grizzly or wolf sightings. Remember the distances are very long and I would not recommend driving after dark in the park--between animals and narrow roads with lots of crazies. Plenty of hikes, more than you will have time. Specimen Ridge is best in my opinion. Best way to learn principle viewing areas is to talk with Ranger or spotters (the ones with good spotting scopes). There is now a website of principal viewing spots.
On way out, I would go out Cooke City and down to Cody and south. Dead Indian Pass is pretty steep, but fantastic scenery. Just noticed you are going on to Portland, so reverse this route. Weather is probably going to be sunny, but brisk--you are at 7,500+ ft. Carry day pack with shelter.
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Idaho Kid
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#10 Posted: Tue Nov 18th, 2008 04:19 |
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First, a campground on the south side of Portland. We stay at Pheasant Ridge in north Wilsonville. It is a very clean campground with indoor pool and spa. It is only about 1/4 mile off I-5 so there is some traffic hum but no trains. There is more hum in the units at the top of the slope than there is in units closer to the office. There is a tree buffer that helps. We stay there often.
We were in Yellowstone in September. We stayed in the north end at Monmouth campground. Most are nice sites that are not jammed in side by side. The downside is that it usually fills up fast. We arrived at 10:00 AM and sites were available. This campground makes for a longer trip to the southern part of the park
Sounds as if you might be coming in from the south. If so, West Yellowstone would be a good place to stay. The road access in yellowstone is like a figure 8. West Yellowstone entrance is at the middle of the 8 and has good access to the north as well as to the south.
Don't overlook Grand Teton National Park as long as you are in the area. There is only 1 RV park in Jackson Hole and they are proud of it. Their price is in the $60s per night. There is another RV park not too far west of Jackson Hole that is a lot less expensive. There is also a full service campground in the park that is nice. It has room between the sites and is next to the lake. The National Park literature describes all campgrouds in the parks.
Forgot the roads part. One can essently travel on freeways from Ashton, ID to Portland. However the state routes are all good roads and we have travled many of them pulling our 5er. Short version- Take whatever route you choose and you will be fine
Hope this helps.
Last edited on Tue Nov 18th, 2008 04:30 by Idaho Kid
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rhumphrey
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#11 Posted: Wed Nov 19th, 2008 06:10 |
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http://www.nps.gov/archive/yell/interactivemap/index.htm This link shows the roads. Put your mouse over the various areas and click for more information.
http://www.nps.gov/yell/planyourvisit/camping-in-yellowstone.htm for campground listings. I like Indian Creek south of Mammoth. No generators at any time, vault toilet, and water spigots scattered about. Near the river if you like to fish. Elk wander through in the evenings. There are a couple pull throughs.
I drove through Tower this summer with the truck and that is a very tight area to get a trailer into. I wouldn't try it and the road was very rough.
Mammoth at the north end isn't too bad. The main visitor's center is there and a lot of activities leave from there and from the hotel.
http://www.nps.gov/yell/planyourvisit/things2do.htm
Plan on cold weather and hot. You will probably get both. Indian Creek is around 7800 feet and it may freeze any night. I usually camp there late July and you never know what the weather may be. Have good rain gear also. Most of the park is 6000 or higher and it gets cool at night no matter what the daytime temp. reached.
http://www.nps.gov/yell/photosmultimedia/webcams.htm for various webcams. There is a good hike up Mt. Washburn that takes a couple hours and you climb around 4000' from the parking lot. An old Model T road that is only open to hiking. Great views from the lookout and you may see bighorn sheep on the way.
The NPS website has a lot of good information.
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DBCooper
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#12 Posted: Thu Nov 20th, 2008 04:23 |
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Just outside the west gate, in West Yellowstone coincidently is Grizzly RV. It's a very nice park with full hook ups. A little spendy, but not as bad as others. It made a great base camp for us several years ago.
http://www.grizzlyrv.com/
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Flyfisher
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#13 Posted: Thu Nov 20th, 2008 17:08 |
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| Driving time in Yellowstone really chews up the day. We usually start at first light for animal watching and even then, it takes some time to get anywhere. They only have 4 days, so I would recommend concentrate on just one corner of park. They shouldn't need utilities in 4 days, so Madison or up towards Indian Creek is closer if they want to concentrate on geyers and thermal features. I personally think best hikes are in the NE part, and the fishing is not bad also. Also, Silvergate general store is only place in park to rent top quality spotting scopes--remember they do not take reservations, first come first served.
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bobnelson
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#14 Posted: Thu Nov 20th, 2008 17:28 |
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G from Texas.. Curious... A lot of people responded.. Was this what you were looking for?
Depending on how quick you want to make it to Portland, you could take the southern route out of W Yellowstone and across South Idaho. Fewer hills to climb that the northern I90. When in an RV, we always take the south route.
That route will also take you via La Grande and a tour of the Northwood facility.
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G
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#15 Posted: Thu Nov 20th, 2008 23:19 |
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| You folks are the best all good information Thank you... keep it coming .we are working on our plan now and saving money for gas. Factory tour is a must and are looking to see if we could swing by the rally for a couple of days in June...
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DBCooper
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#16 Posted: Fri Nov 21st, 2008 05:40 |
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| I'll also second or third Champoeg for camping around Portland. It's a bit south of town, but is very nice and well worth it. Very quiet. I still haven't nailed down the real pronunciation of it. We call it Shampooee, or Shampoe Last edited on Fri Nov 21st, 2008 05:40 by DBCooper
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2006 AF 31W Bunk, Air Safe Hitch.
2004.5 Dodge Cummins 4 door dually six speed stick. PAC brake, air bags, Smarty, 4 wheel drive, of course.
AVATAR: Fort Casey, Wa.
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foxyrvlady
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#17 Posted: Fri Nov 21st, 2008 06:28 |
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Your pronunciation is correct--at least that is what we call it here in the Willamette Valley!  For you that don't live on the left coast, Willamette is pronounced
Will-am-et with the emphasis on the middle syllable.
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Linda & husband Dave (retired US Army) W7DDW
Jake, the 83# Black Lab "kid"
2002 Arctic Fox 25R, Honda 2000i, Trojan T-125's
2003 DODGE 3500 SLT Quad Cab, 4x4, SRW, HO CTD, 3.73, 48RE, Jake Brake
AVATAR: Mt. Jefferson, Cascade Mtns., OR
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