Grand Circle + Yellowstone + Badlands

[sbrianericks]

I hardly ever post on here, but thought I would share some pics from our family's trip out west this summer. We threw it together when our summer plans were disrupted by COVID, and it was the best thing we've ever done, even though when we left Alabama, we only had 3 nights reserved for a 21 day trip.

Tow vehicle is a 4WD Tundra, equipped with Firestone airbags, and the trailer is our 2nd Airstream, a 1990 Excella 29 with a Hensley hitch.

We purchased the trailer three weeks before the trip, and rapidly replaced wheel bearings, tires, floor, the gaucho, batteries, and some plumbing. I also added a "bunk" in the back to accommodate all three kids. Since the trip, we've started polishing and replaced the control board on the heater (didn't test it before we left, since it was summer, but Yellowstone was COLD at night!).

We left Alabama and day 1 made it to Oklahoma, then spent night 2 in Palo Dura, which was incredible. From there we hit:
Santa Fe
Mesa Verde
Moab (Arches and Canyonlands)
Bryce Canyon
Zion
Grand Canyon (north)
Yellowstone
Grand Tetons
Devil's Tower
Badlands

And then back through Nebraska and Missouri to home. This was by far the longest we've ever towed a camper or lived in one. In our previous 1960 Tradewind, we did a few weeklong excursions to Chicago and DC, but this was obviously much more ambitious. Even our three kids (two of them teenagers) would drop everything to do it again right now.

If you're toying with the idea of making a trip like this, do it.

[drmox]

Where did you stay in the Grand Tetons/Yellowstone? We're going there this summer; always looking for tips and insight.

[Silverbee]

Thanks for sharing the pictures. It looks like it was a great trip.

It was our longest and best trip too. We went back in 2015. We went a northerly route out there and a more southern route back.

Nice work on the trailer too!

[sbrianericks]

Originally Posted by drmox

Where did you stay in the Grand Tetons/Yellowstone? We're going there this summer; always looking for tips and insight.

Since we didn't have any reservations (we actually were only planning on the Grand Circle and decided the day before to head north!), we had to piecemeal our reservations. We stayed one night apiece at each of the KOAs in West Yellowstone, which were both great, one night in Yellowstone at the Grant campground (tight but doable for our 29'), and then we stayed one night in Grand Tetons at Colter Bay.

We had heard (and read on here) about how big Yellowstone is, but my goodness. Being able to stay inside the park was a game changer for that one night. On the days we were in West Yellowstone, we woke up super early to beat the traffic, the kids sleeping in the car til we got to what we wanted to see. By 10am the traffic was a little ridiculous, and this was during COVID's "height," so I imagine it's much worse during a regular summer.

[sandollars]

Beautiful shots and quite a trip. You darn near hit all the Majors in one trip! Pace yourself! LOL!

[gypsydad]

Originally Posted by drmox

Where did you stay in the Grand Tetons/Yellowstone? We're going there this summer; always looking for tips and insight.

Tetons has several "first come" campgrounds. Colter Bay mentioned is expensive for hookups, but they have "boondocking" nice pull side park type sites in rear of the full hookup sites. Depending on size, we also have stayed at Lizard Creek, and Signal Mountain in Tetons. Gros Venture between Tetons and Jackson is large, has hookups, but is always pretty crowded...need to get to their gates by 7am if you want to stay there. There are also some nice State Campgrounds around the area, which can be a challenge with the roads for a bit, but usually can get a spot.