Yellowstone Visit

[n2916s]

In my fifthe season as a ranger in YNP.

In September, you have an excellent chance of scoring a campsite in one of the "first come, first served" campgrounds if you begin your search at 0900 or so.

Even in July, we had open sites more often than not.

There are also at least a dozen Forest Service campgrounds spread between the east, west,northeast and north entrance. Surprisingly, several of these have electric hookups.

For full hook ups, you need to go commercial. West Yellowstone and Gardiner, MT. are the closest to the Park. Always pricey.

Bison going into rut shortly so don't count on a quick transit of the park, especially on the east side. Elk rut goes next month but they generally don't block the roads.

Weather will often be below freezing in the morning after Labor Day. 36 this morning...

Mike

[ESCAPE POD]

Great info, Mike! We're looking forward to our visit!

[Sandi & Bob]

Originally Posted by Ahab

No, get to the gate before 11:00 am.

Thanks...will do. Going in today to check things out...

[Sandi & Bob]

Originally Posted by n2916s

In my fifthe season as a ranger in YNP.

In September, you have an excellent chance of scoring a campsite in one of the "first come, first served" campgrounds if you begin your search at 0900 or so.

Even in July, we had open sites more often than not.

There are also at least a dozen Forest Service campgrounds spread between the east, west,northeast and north entrance. Surprisingly, several of these have electric hookups.

For full hook ups, you need to go commercial. West Yellowstone and Gardiner, MT. are the closest to the Park. Always pricey.

Bison going into rut shortly so don't count on a quick transit of the park, especially on the east side. Elk rut goes next month but they generally don't block the roads.

Weather will often be below freezing in the morning after Labor Day. 36 this morning...

Mike

I guess it must be colder in the park (higher elevation?), this morning 30 or so miles east of the entrance it was comfortable, maybe 60's? Thats good to know. Thanks!

[Ntex]

You are really making those of us sweltering in the 104 degree Texas heat jealous.

[boondockdad]

We stayed Fishing Bridge in May, few years back. Beautiful park, CG is good for nothing more than basecamp. Several of the passes were still closed, and 6'-8' drifts in some places. On trails that were open, I don't remember seeing other hikers.

We went to Zion in June last year, and I was shocked how crowded it was. Some of the trails were like standing in line at Disney, n/k.

We'd love to return to YP, but we're leery about going during "high" season. I think part of the allure was the solitude.

[Bait guy]

I too will be in Yellowstone in either late Aug or early Sept. We are starting out from Minn, and going to the Black Hills for a few days and then work our way over to Yellowstone and the Tetons. From there will go south to the Grand Canyon area for a few weeks and then come back home hopefully along the route 66 area (at least parts of it) and I really want to see a ghost town while coming back. Our schedule is free for about a month or month and a half and really want to enjoy this time. Maybe we will cross paths.:

[Bk Yd Safari]

Originally Posted by Bait guy

I too will be in Yellowstone in either late Aug or early Sept. We are starting out from Minn, and going to the Black Hills for a few days and then work our way over to Yellowstone and the Tetons. From there will go south to the Grand Canyon area for a few weeks and then come back home hopefully along the route 66 area (at least parts of it) and I really want to see a ghost town while coming back. Our schedule is free for about a month or month and a half and really want to enjoy this time. Maybe we will cross paths.:

If you possible once headed south don't miss Arches, and Canyonland NPs just south of I-70 in Moab, UT and then on south to Monument Valley. From Monument Valley you can head south and then west to the south rim of the Grand Canyon. Located at the east end of the South Rim is Mary Coulter's Watchtower which sits on the very edge of the canyon. Of course you could also go farther west and see Zion and Bryce Canyon NPs and the north rim of the Grand Canyon.
So many places to see!! Hope you have a safe trip no matter where your journeys take you!!!

[Woosch]

We just returned from Tetons and Yellowstone. Stayed at Fishing Bridge in Yellowstone for four nights. If I were to do it again we would dry camp for a couple of days, spend one night at Fishing Bridge to dump tanks and charge batteries. Then stay somewhere else for the next night or two. They had us packed like sardines in this place. For the price of staying at Fishing Bridge this CG should be MUCH nicer! Coming from Colter Bay to this place was a real letdown.

[n2916s]

Anyone headed to Yellowstone now, be advised that the Fishing Bridge RV Park and the Bridge Bay campground will likely be evacuated before long due to the Alum fire.

Some facilities in the Fishing Bridge/Lake area are already closed so if you are coming in from Cody via the east entrance, gas up in Cody or at Wapiti.

Will be working all day up in that area so no Internet. Will further advise when I can.

Mike

[Wayne&Sam]

The Park's news release for 8/20 11:00am says:

"While area evacuations are not imminent, preparations are underway to assist residents and visitors in leaving the Fishing Bridge, Lake Village, and Bridge Bay area in the event that an evacuation is necessary in the coming days."

[garthbf]

here is a website that has info.
InciWeb the Incident Information System: Yellowstone National Park Incidents

[n2916s]

No evacuations today but the Grand Loop Road between Fishing Bridge and Canyon is closed at this time. The Park will have a team standing by again tomorrow to start and supervise the evacuations if they become necessary.

The rest of the park is open and bustling...

Mike