Yellowstone/Grand Tetons

[dmac]

I'm taking the family from Mpls to the Black Hills and on to Yellowstone and Grand Tetons - leaving 7/3. These parks must be very busy this time of year, so I reserved campsites thru 7/8. Most CG in Grand Teton are first-come/first served - anyone have thoughts on my chances of getting a site in Colter Bay for 7/9-7/11?

[InsideOut]

Should be easier being that it's mid-week instead of a Friday arrival...

Good luck ~ post pictures when you get back!

Shari

[COArgosy78]

You might get a Woodalls Camp Directory 2003 before you leave. It lists CG in all the states both private and some public (state/nat'l parks). Then you will have an idea of some alternate places just in case. You could also check an Atlas/Gazatteer(some libraries carry them) for that area to see what other CGs there might be. Also, the internet can give you some info for CG's in the area. Knowing that Nat'l Parks are very busy places (and more so with people traveling by car now) it is alway good to have an alternative plan. Just some thoughts. Leigh

[thenewkid64]

We carry both a woodalls and a trailer life campground guide. One of them is always 2 years old. We only buy one per year. On our stalled trip form Vancouver to Tampa we had one reservation, in Vancouver for Edie to get the work done on the MH. The rest of the trip we just figured out how far we wanted to go that day and looked to be sure there would be a spot to stay.

Works for us, but in the height of the season it may not work so well.

[pinehurst]

Just returned from Tetons and Yellowstone, I was there 5/27/03 and Colter Bay was about half filled each day,but, I was told that by July they would be jamed. Based on the flow of RV's headed west they are filling quickly.. We had a great time, was still cold at night and snow was still on ground in higher elivations. Yellowstome is really showing the wear and tear of use,and the forest fire didn't help any. See it now before it gets any worse. Just a quick note towed a 78 A/S 7,798 miles in 8 weeks and did not have one problem!! The Silver Queen just keeps on rolling..

Pinhurst

[BruceACampbell]

In all the nat'l parks, arrive early in the day - 9,10 or 11 at the latest. I've had real good luck doing that. By noon most CG's are full. I try to be within 60-100 miles the night before and rush right in to get a spot as the SOP's leave. You'll find the commercial CG's at Jackson spendy - $40-50 a night. But there are lots of Forest Service CG's in the mountains east of the Tetons. BTW, don't miss sunset from the Snake River overlook, it'll be on your map. A postcard photo op

[Kistler]

dmac, Here is the phone number of Colter Bay Village RV Park-- (800) 628-9988 If I were you, would give them a jingle.

[dmac]

Thanks everyone for all the advice. I have a current Trailer Life guide. Since we have reservations for 3 nights in Yellowstone, on the 4rth day we will just get going relatively early to try for a campsite in Grand Tetons.