Yellowstone NP/ Xanterra

[oobedoob]

We have our big trip plans in place for Yellowstone this September and we are meeting my parents in Yellowstone for 5 nights before they head off on the rest of their trip. Knowing how crazy it can get we called and reserved campsites for both of us at the same time even though we are about 9 months away from the actual trip.

Question: Why can't Xanterra (the operating company for the park) give me site #'s or even guarantee we will have 2 sites side by side? it was the most bizarre reservation I have ever made! First they needed EXACT measurement of truck and trailer (not including tongue) which was odd but they also told me "they made a note in our file that we would like sites close together but couldn't guarantee it would happen".

It's just so different than any other state or provincial park I have ever gone to. Are they shoehorning people in at the last minute constantly so they need to make those decisions the morning I show up? Not complaining, just baffled.

[Jagiven]

We were at Yellowstone last year. We stayed at one of the CG that you cannot reserve. We drove through a couple of the Xantrra run CGs. Not my type of CG. The rigs are parked right on top of each other. You cannot open your awnings, I saw some picnic tables but no fire rings. Some people had the table under the nose of their 5ver as there was no room for them. There is just no room, they seem to stagger them in so they all just fit like a puzzle.

I do strongly recommend staying near the center of the park. We stayed near the northeast corner of the park, and we had a lot of driving every day. My DW did not like all the traffic. We cut our stay a few days short due to the traffic, and crazy people doing crazy things.

[oobedoob]

We tented in Yellowstone about 4 years ago so I know what you mean about traffic. Will be interesting with a TT this time. 5 nights at Grant Village then moving to Fishing Bridge for 4 more nights.

[tslarson]

I just made reservations at Bridge Bay for the end of July this summer. By looking at thier length limits it would seem that only very short trailers could ever be accomodated at most of their campgrounds, especially if you reserve a site using thier online registration system. We don't have a big camper, but being a hybrid it is about 30' long when set up and the truck is 18' long. This would be too long for just about any of the sites still available (anything longer was already taken). I called in person and they have some double wide sites so you can park the vehicle along side the trailer. I reserved one of those, maybe that will give me a bit more room so we won't be so close to other sites. I have put myself in the frame of mind that the whole Yellowstone trip will be a lot more like going to Disney with a wilderness twist, rather than camping in a nice state park.

[Seann45]

Exactly what I hate about campgrounds dont think you will see me camping there.