Mt. Rushmore, Yellowstone and Tetons

[txhood]

As usual, we are putting together a last minute trip to the listed places for the first part of Sept. Having never been to any of them and not having any reservations, any advice about campgrounds and itinerary would be appreciated.


1. We will be arriving in SD on the day after Labor Day. Thinking of staying in Rapid City and seeing the sites for 2 or 3 days and then:


2. West to Yellowstone. No clue where would be best place to stay coming from the east. I know Yellowstone is huge and there will be much driving to do wherever we stay.


3. From there, I thinking somewhere near Jackson Hole.


Thanks,
Ron

[Daniel3359]

Rapid City is a great stop to see Rushmore, Crazy Horse, and the Badlands. It may be out of the way for you, but I would suggest that you book a stay in Gardiner, MT, near the north entrance into Yellowstone. You can go through the Roosevelt Arch and explore the park each day from there and then head straight south into Teton National Park

[Vicr]

Yellowstone:
Grizzley RV Park or the West Yellowstone KOA

[travelingjw]

X@ on Grizzly RV Park. We are doing the same trip later this year.

[Flyrotor]

There are a few campgrounds between Cody and the East entrance you could find too, such as Yellowstone Valley Inn & RV Park, Wapiti Campground, Clear Water Campground, Rex Hale Campground, Newton Creek Campground, Eagle Creek Campground, Three Mile Campground, all on the Highway 14 east of Cody.

[Jdbuck]

I’ve stayed at Mt Rushmore koa which is a short hop to Rushmore and other surrounding towns. Outside of Yellowstone in Livingston Mt is Yellowstones edge rv park. Right on the Yellowstone River. Nice place and great people. Would suggest you call for reservations as cgs are booked this year. COVID has put a lot of people on the roads. Good luck, both areas are a blast!

[RFactor1]

If you stay in the Grand Teton Natl. Park, we enjoy Coulter Bay. It's right on the Jackson lake, and provides a great view of the Tetons. Jackson is an easy drive from day excursion from Coulter Bay. I would also recommend calling for reservations. September may work in your favor for availability. Also, know that camp sites in and around Yellowstone/Teton are a bit more expensive then most others.
Wherever you go, enjoy! It is all beautiful country, and you are sure to see some spectacular sights.

[Sully54]

We are headed out, coming from NYS. Custer State Park August 31-September 4. Glacier NP September 5-8, Moose Creek RV. Yellowstone 9th-14th, Grizzly RV. Tetons, Coulter Bay, 15th-19th. RMNP, with relatives 20th-22nd. Home by the 26th. We had planned on hitting 4 NPs in Utah and the Grand Canyon but cut it short due to the pandemic, maybe next year.

[txhood]

Does anyone have any first hand experience with the gros ventre campground around Jackson?

[jasonmiddlebrooks]

Originally Posted by txhood

Does anyone have any first hand experience with the gros ventre campground around Jackson?

Stayed there one night in June this year. Do not think they do reservations. We got there around 3 or 4 in the afternoon and was able to get a spot. Did not spend hardly any time in the campground since we were passing thru. Basically boarders the National elk refuge and is close to downtown Jackson and several areas to get great views of the Tetons while the sun set. Good area to see wildlife. I have seen several Moose in that area. Was a nice campground but was a little high considering it was not a full hookup. No views of the Tetons from the campground though.

[RSerendipity]

Originally Posted by Flyrotor

There are a few campgrounds between Cody and the East entrance you could find too, such as Yellowstone Valley Inn & RV Park, Wapiti Campground, Clear Water Campground, Rex Hale Campground, Newton Creek Campground, Eagle Creek Campground, Three Mile Campground, all on the Highway 14 east of Cody.

Flyrotor, thanks for the suggestions.
We are looking at these stopping @ 1 of these Campgrounds for next year as we are coming in from Cody. We already have reservations at Headwaters CG. Our question is how is the drive from Highway 14 thru Yellowstone & down to Headwaters with a 5 wheel?
Thanks.

[jasonmiddlebrooks]

Originally Posted by RSerendipity

Flyrotor, thanks for the suggestions.
We are looking at these stopping @ 1 of these Campgrounds for next year as we are coming in from Cody. We already have reservations at Headwaters CG. Our question is how is the drive from Highway 14 thru Yellowstone & down to Headwaters with a 5 wheel?
Thanks.

The drive from Cody, into Yellowstone, and out the south entrance is no problem with a 5th wheel. Did it this June with my 53’ 5th wheel. We went from Cody (Wapiti Yellowstone valley RV park actually), to old Faithful (parked for a few hours), Grand Prismatic spring parking lot (which was very busy but did manage to get a parking spot since no busses were being allowed in the park), and out the south entrance into Jackson. The roads are fine. We had no issues at all. Think it took about 8-9 hours but that was with 4 hours of stopping time at old faithful and grand prismatic.

[CAG]

You do understand that winter comes early to that part of the world. This is forecast to be a bad winter. Whether it happens or not, some are reporting geese going south now, so who knows. Even without that August in the northern states is the onset of winter.

[RSerendipity]

Jason, Thanks for the quick reply. I'll take a look @ Wapiti Yellowstone RV park.

[Flyrotor]

Originally Posted by RSerendipity

Flyrotor, thanks for the suggestions.
We are looking at these stopping @ 1 of these Campgrounds for next year as we are coming in from Cody. We already have reservations at Headwaters CG. Our question is how is the drive from Highway 14 thru Yellowstone & down to Headwaters with a 5 wheel?
Thanks.

I don’t have a 5th wheel, but haven driven that route several times I wouldn’t expect it to be a problem for you. In fact all the roads in Yellowstone should be easily passable with a 5th wheel, the only road that would be a challenge is the highway out of Jackson Hole into Idaho, but with the right tow vehicle even that road is just a challenge.

Enjoy your trip!

[RFactor1]

We live in in Wyoming, and enjoy all of the sites you are planning on seeing. As mentioned earlier, winter comes early here. In fact, Teton pass had snow this weekend. That said, it is suppose to be nice again by next weekend. Just know that the nights are getting cold, and snow is never out of the question this time of year. There have been several sites already mentioned, so I would choose your route, and make reservations accordingly. Personally, I would hit the hills, then I90 to Buffalo, over the Big Horns, to Yellowstone, up through Cody, circle Yellowstone, and exit into Grand Teton Natl. Park. Coulter Bay in the Tetons is another great spot on Jackson Lake to consider.

[madmaxmutt]

+1 on this route. Fantastic drive! But, make sure you have an adequate tow vehicle and brakes

[SloPoke]

Originally Posted by CAG

You do understand that winter comes early to that part of the world. This is forecast to be a bad winter. Whether it happens or not, some are reporting geese going south now, so who knows. Even without that August in the northern states is the onset of winter.

Yep... it has already started!!!

[madmaxmutt]

Originally Posted by SloPoke

Yep... it has already started!!!

Winter hasn't set in, yet. Just an early cold front.

[RSerendipity]

Originally Posted by Flyrotor

I don’t have a 5th wheel, but haven driven that route several times I wouldn’t expect it to be a problem for you. In fact all the roads in Yellowstone should be easily passable with a 5th wheel, the only road that would be a challenge is the highway out of Jackson Hole into Idaho, but with the right tow vehicle even that road is just a challenge.

Enjoy your trip!

Fly, Thanks for the info. We are looking at staying @ Buffalo Bill SP or Wapiti (or Rex Hale), all 3 are more our kind of campground. Will have a new F-350 diesel next year so Teton Pass should only be a minor challenge