Where to stay in Yellowstone NP?

[jftompkins]

I agree with all.... have been to YNP probably 25 times over the last 25 years different reasons...with family and students. YNP is having record crowds each year now..... suggest having a plan to cross into the park by 7 AM; with a destination first come first serve campground. At the entrance sign will let you know which ones are full.... or call the Rangers office the day before for a strategy in regard to day of the week and arrival time. Goal find a spot by 9:00 AM... and don't be too picky. I would add Lewis Lake to the list; A bit far south but quiet. Don't want to discourage - as it is one of the most amazing places on the planet.

[KJRitchie]

There are cancelations every day for the reserved campgrounds. We initially wanted to go to Yellowstone in July and booked successfully 4 days at Colter Bay RV Park and 7 in Grant but then had to switch to June. I was able to rebook at Grant but Colter Bay RV park we only could get two days. The plan was to move the the adjacent Colter Bay Campground. My wife called back every couple of days and a couple of weeks ago the remaining two days opened up due to a cancellation.

The people who take the calls at Colter Bay are great and you can get through easily. My wife has been trying to get through to Xanterra to ask a question and you're on hold for a long time and had to give up.

Kelvin

[Len n Jeanne]

Originally Posted by jftompkins

I agree with all.... have been to YNP probably 25 times over the last 25 years different reasons...with family and students. YNP is having record crowds each year now..... suggest having a plan to cross into the park by 7 AM; with a destination first come first serve campground. At the entrance sign will let you know which ones are full.... or call the Rangers office the day before for a strategy in regard to day of the week and arrival time. Goal find a spot by 9:00 AM... and don't be too picky. I would add Lewis Lake to the list; A bit far south but quiet. Don't want to discourage - as it is one of the most amazing places on the planet.

We agree-- and it is a good idea to start sight-seeing early, as well, once you're settled. Parking at the major thermal features and overlooks gets very crowded.

[KJRitchie]

We are currently at Grant Village campground. Site C87 is large enough to hold our Ram 2500, Classic 25fb and our dauhter's Honda Element. We are across from the flush toilets and water. Site is open enough with good solar. Today is the first day Grant Campground opened for the season. We arrived early, about 10am and the check in lines were short. The check in staff are new and it took longer to go through the process. When we had finished setting up we checked out the visitor center. Walking by the campground checkin was a zoo. Lots of RVS and cars lined up. Flush toilets are heated. It's raining now and just turned to snow and the snow is starting to stick to our vehicles.

We took a drive up to West Thumb Geyser Basin and then up to Bridge Bay. The campground at Bridge Bay is not very desirable compared to Grant. Grant has more spaces for RVs and is more level. I didn't have to use any leveling blocks at our site.

We spent the last 4 evenings at Colter Bay RV Park. Full hookups. The sites are not as close as your typical RV park and are angled so you don't see you neighbor's sewer connection there are trees all around the sites to provide shade. It's a short walk to Jackson Lake and the awesome view of the Tetons. Quite a few Airstreams in this park. We've seen quite a few Airstreams on this trip so far.

Yellowstone has received an above average snow fall this past winter. There is still a lot of snow showing driving from th the south entrance. The Snake River is roily. The Gros Ventre campground in Grand Teton is closed due to flooding. The road is closed. We took a peak at Jackson Hole. Too crowded so we just drove around a bit and headed back to GTNP.

Got a couple of bars of Verizon LTE here in Grant.

Kelvin