Pulling a trailer through Yellowstone

[Castaway]

Has anyone pulled an Airstream from Gardiner Mt to Jackson Wy? Did you go through the park or around it? We will be pulling a 25' FC with a Dodge Ram pickup. I am not worried about having enough power , my only concern is what the roads are like, we will be doing this in late September so the crowds should be gone.


Gary

[moosetags]

We have done it several times, as recently as last year. We have come all the way through Yellowstone, through Grand Teton, and into Jackson. We are pulling a 25FB with a truck camper rig. We are about 49' long.

The roads are good. The only issue may be traffic. Two years ago we got held up for about 2 hours when a vehicle struck a bison on US 191 in Grand Teton.

Brian

[n2916s]

The only section of road in the park that is the least bit challenging is between Tower and Canyon. Doable but twisty, curvy. Easier , and just as pretty to run Mammoth Hot Springs to Norris. Then it is your option to go over to Canyon, down to Fishing Bridge, Grant and out the south gate OR keep headed south to Madison and then Old Faithful, Grant and the south gate.

easy peasy.

Traffic can be tiresome, especially in July and during the bison rut in August.

Worse places to be stuck in traffic...

Mike

[paiceman]

Did all of it last year in a 38' MoHo gasoline powered pulling a 4,000 pound Jeep. No issues aside from under powered and poor braking on the MoHo. For AS with truck I don't see any issues. Roads are fine, little tight in places, up and down, but in good shape. ENJOY

[Landshark]

We did it last year with an F250 crew cab and a 34' Ltd--no problems, other than a short traffic delay while the tourists gawked at bison. If that happens, just become a tourist and gawk along with everyone else.

Vivian

[Bill M.]

We did it several times last summer. No problems with a 25'. You will see all kinds of rigs. The roads are good. I have never "gone around" so I do not know how that is. But there are some passes that way too I think. I would go through Yellowstone even if it was harder and took longer, neither of which I think is true. You will be going fairly slow so power is not a real problem. Brakes need to be good though because people and Bison will stop in front of you. If you can pull up to Gardiner and the park entrance there you can pull the rest of the route with no problem. I prefer the Tower to Canyon route unless there is a chance of snow at the high pass which is a consideration in late Sept. What a wonderful time to be in the park and in Jackson!!

[Tincampers]

I would check ahead for any road construction before taking a particular route. We had some hairy moments on the Goldwing traveling on muddy downhill roads where they were being replaced. But, overall the roads in the park are fine with lots of pull outs and of course great scenery. Can't wait to get back there with the AS.

[Wayne&Sam]

Just do it. You'll love it.

[lealea75]

We did it last year with our large box pop-up. though there were lots of rigs much larger than ours. We had no trouble other than length restrictions in some camp sites. Highly recommend reservations if possible. We had trouble making reservations because we went in late May and due to snowfall, there was uncertainty about which sites would be open. We decided to opt out of the Xantera sites and took our chances with the park operated ones.

TIP: If you go without reservations, just go to a campsite early and wait for a rig to pull out. Just because the board says FULL, does not mean it's actually FULL. Our ranger at Mammonth CG said they often don't flip them around in the early morning, but check them around noon and make the FULL determination. We were able to move from Mammoth to Norris but breaking camp in the early AM and arriving at Norris super early.

During the summer, there is always road work, but they handle it well. I agree about breaks as animal jams happen frequently.

Also, if you have not done so, entering the park in the Northwest gate is great! We drove the Chief Joseph highway and the views were incredible!
Happy Camping!

[HoffmanP]

Be aware that is does often snow in Yellowstone in September. It usually melts off pretty fast, but it definitely happens.

[Irishcookie]

Originally Posted by Castaway

Has anyone pulled an Airstream from Gardiner Mt to Jackson Wy? Did you go through the park or around it? We will be pulling a 25' FC with a Dodge Ram pickup. I am not worried about having enough power , my only concern is what the roads are like, we will be doing this in late September so the crowds should be gone.

By all means drive thru the Park you will never regret it. I have been thru that park so many times thru the years in Airstreams and a Newell Motor coach
Gary

,31 & 34 and 45 ft.Some sites are designed for the smaller travel such as your.It has been so much enjoyment summer and yes winter time on snowmobiles.We always made reservations!!! That is a busy place.Great boating and fishing.Go thru the park then go down and head west to the Tetons or go east and go thru Cody Wyoming and visit one of the most memorable museums ,Wild Bill Cody.It is an awesome destination.You cannot go wrong in any direction!
Oh yes, there are hills all over the place but that is part of the beauty.

[flyingcloud]

Looks like you'll have some traffic delays:

Norris to Golden Gate
April 17 to October 1, expect traffic delays up to 30 minutes

Isa Lake Bridge Replacement Bridge
June 11 through September 10: expect traffic delays up to 30 minutes.

Road Construction and Delays - Yellowstone National Park (U.S. National Park Service)

[Castaway]

Thanks for all of the replies, sounds like a GO


Gary

[larryglarson]

Yes, go threw the park. You will love it. You will find the Tetons wonderful. Enjoy.

[Bill M.]

I do not know if you are looking for a place to camp, but Gross Ventre campground just out of Jackson that time of year is wonderful.

[herkvet]

Hey Castaway, look for us and we will look for you! We will be in Yellowstone and Teton NP in late September also. Pulling a 2014 25' FC with a Dodge. As my Mom used to say, "Keep your eyes peeled". Jim n Jen

[Castaway]

Originally Posted by herkvet

Hey Castaway, look for us and we will look for you! We will be in Yellowstone and Teton NP in late September also. Pulling a 2014 25' FC with a Dodge. As my Mom used to say, "Keep your eyes peeled". Jim n Jen

We will be in Gardiner Sep 11-15, then off to West Yellowstone 15-18 and Gros Ventre 15-21.

We will be looking for you

Gary and Edna