Yellowstone Trip -- Tip needed

Texas Camper

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Holly Lake Ranch
First of June we will be at Mt Rushmore. Since we are there we might as well travel to Yellowstone. Can some one give me some tips on best roads to travel. Will be towing a TT with a F250 (gas). Also where to stay best spots and any other tips you have or can pass along...

Map shows hwy 16 in to Wyoming to Moorecroft, to I 90 and on west. Suggestions Please.....

Thx !!!
 
A local bud and I toured Yellowstone while on a motorcycle trip out west in 2010. The Chief Joseph Scenic Highway is worth the ride.

It's been a while, but if I recall correctly, you can get from Rushmore to Cody fairly quickly, and then from Cody take the Chief Joseph up to the northeast gate of Yellowstone. The NE gate is at a small town called Silver Gate.

Likewise, the Beartooth Highway is a worthwhile trip, but I'd do it while set up someplace so you can do it without a tow. Lunch at Red Cloud, MT, and back over the mountain to retrieve the TT.
 
We've gone just about everyway from Texas to Yellowstone and fortunately you really can't go wrong.

I agree with wordsmyth especially the Beartooth without a trailer. Also plan on lots of scenery stops. I know it's practically unAmerican to say, but I was underwhelmed at Rushmore.

The drive to Grant Teton is worth it.
 
If you don’t have reservations in YNP or around the area you will have a tough time finding anything

We go twice a year to YNP and have for over 25 years
 
We've gone just about everyway from Texas to Yellowstone and fortunately you really can't go wrong.

I agree with wordsmyth especially the Beartooth without a trailer. Also plan on lots of scenery stops. I know it's practically unAmerican to say, but I was underwhelmed at Rushmore.

The drive to Grant Teton is worth it.

I hear Crazy Horse is more impressive!
 
I hear Crazy Horse is more impressive!

Crazy House has the opportunity to make a first impression, which is wow. Rushmore is so iconic you already have a better, more impressive image in your mind.
 
I know it's practically unAmerican to say, but I was underwhelmed at Rushmore.

You aren't alone. I was there before I learned of how we took over sacred native land, and even without that knowledge I wasn't impressed. I mean it's cool to think about how masons and stone carvers did it... but other than it it wasn't worth the walk from the parking lot.
 
Likewise, the Beartooth Highway is a worthwhile trip, but I'd do it while set up someplace so you can do it without a tow. Lunch at Red Cloud, MT, and back over the mountain to retrieve the TT.

DO NOT ATTEMPT Beartooth Pass while towing! We did it in a Tundra without the trailer and when we got to the Yellowstone gate, my question to the ranger was, "How else can we get back to Billings, MT?" It's a beautiful ride. But I was not about to do it a second time in one day.
 
You aren't alone. I was there before I learned of how we took over sacred native land, and even without that knowledge I wasn't impressed. I mean it's cool to think about how masons and stone carvers did it... but other than it it wasn't worth the walk from the parking lot.

I couldn't disagree more with you (on all counts) but I'll let you off without an argument, it's simply not worth it.

I've seen Mount Rushmore 30+ times and it impresses me as much now as it did years ago.
 
Welcome to Wyoming, Take some time to visit Sheridan. The Kendrick Mansion, King ropes Museum ( private museum in back ally). Britton Art Gallery, and in Buffalo the Johnson Museum on Johnson County War. Burgess Pass over the Bighorns if your trailer breaks are functional. Most definitely Beartooth Mountains. but not with a trailer. Your bumpers will meet each other to avoid the guardrails in a pickup.
 
I couldn't disagree more with you (on all counts) but I'll let you off without an argument, it's simply not worth it.

I've seen Mount Rushmore 30+ times and it impresses me as much now as it did years ago.

It's interesting that an art object would be something you even consider arguing about. My tastes run more to wild and primitive over man made and artificial so I'm going to disagree that a mountainside can me improved by man. I also appreciate the prose of Jack Kerouac, I think Werner Herzog was a brilliant filmmaker, and prefer nature sounds to the music any neighbor might have bumping through their outdoor speakers.

So I can't disagree more with you, but I will let you off without an argument.
 
All depends on where you are staying and what you want to see. Have done it many times entering at East, N East and north entrances. There are still 3 closed campgrounds in Park making sites a premium so start fishing for cancelations. If you need hookups, good luck. Fishing Bridge only choice in Park. Lots of Natl Forest campgrounds near entrance; some which take reservations, some first come first served. State campground outside Cody.
 
Whatever you do at Yellowstone or Rushmore, go really and I mean really early in the day! Traffic gets positively horrible as the day gets longer!

When we did Rushmore, we got there shortly after it opened. I scratched my head trying to figure out why they had so many pay gates for parking! When we left, I saw why. Every gate was busy and the traffic was backed up for a mile!

Same for Yellowstone! As the day progresses, the traffic gets worse. Old Faithful must have a 10000 (ten thousand) space parking lot. It was full at noon! One must contend with the inconsiderate << (kind word for the stupid) people that stop traffic, who get out of their vehicles and take pictures of the wild life.

Pack some food, restrict liquids and use the restroom when you find one!

Murff
 
I used to drive a 14 passenger bus in the Park for educational programs and I'm familiar with the traffic but can't think of a better spot to be caught in a backup if you have to be in one. Enjoy the view!
 

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If you don’t have reservations in YNP or around the area you will have a tough time finding anything

We go twice a year to YNP and have for over 25 years

Ditto. You usually have to book campsites waaaaay ahead of time.
 
First of June we will be at Mt Rushmore. Since we are there we might as well travel to Yellowstone. Can some one give me some tips on best roads to travel. Will be towing a TT with a F250 (gas). Also where to stay best spots and any other tips you have or can pass along...

Map shows hwy 16 in to Wyoming to Moorecroft, to I 90 and on west. Suggestions Please.....

Thx !!!

So….did Google maps mention a 9-10hr drive, pulling a TT?
 
If you don’t have reservations in YNP or around the area you will have a tough time finding anything

We go twice a year to YNP and have for over 25 years

I concur. You might find a motel in west ys but definitely not a campsite in the park.
 

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