David and Deb
Oklahoma
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Some background...We're leaving on an extended trip to Yellowstone and surrounding areas around the first week in September. Our rig is a 32" motorhome and we tow a Jeep with bicycles on the back rack. Since we don't know the exact dates of our arrival and can't make reservations, we'll be staying in a first come first serve campground on the east side then move to another on the west side for driving convenience.
1. Where can we dump? Fill our water tanks?
2. Are there propane refill places within the park?
3. Which east and west side non- reservable campgrounds would you recommend? As I mentioned, our main concern with choosing the right campgrounds is to make drive times to various sites shorter.
4. Any other strategies for seeing this huge and amazing national treasure you'd care to share in case I've got it all wrong.
David and Deb, plus our border collie, Sadie.
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kknowlton
southeast Idaho, formerly IL/WI border
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I'm quite sure there are dump stations, and I know there are water stations in most of the park CGs - you might find out via nps.gov (follow links to Yellowstone). I think they'll have more details on the park campgrounds.
CGs in Yellowstone I would divide more by North loop and South loop (the main road is a big figure 8), rather than east/west. Canyon, Bridge Bay and Norris are all centrally located - i.e. convenient to both loops. Grant Village is on the eastern side of the south loop, and Madison is on the western side of it. Mammoth is at the north end of the north loop. The first-come-only CGs are the smaller ones, and many don't allow generator use.
There are also some no-hookup NFS CGs outside the east entrance of Yellowstone; they'll be some distance from the main attractions, though.
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JFG
TN
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Propane is available at Fishing Bridge and Grant Village CG in the Park. Outside it's available in west Yellowstone and Gardner and Cody.
Five of the CG's in the park have dump stations..see below
dump
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Ivylog
Blairsville, Ga. USA
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We are on a three month trip without any reservations and are currently at Glacier that I thought we would do in Sept. I would include the Tetons in you trip comming in on 26 from Dubois. Colter Bay CG was not filling up until the afternoon 10 days ago. The best deal on the west side is Baker's Hole (3 miles N on 191) but they do not have a dump station so you need to dump at Grizzly for $6 first. With the Old Farts Pass electic sites are $16 or $22 without it. There sites are in the trees and 100' apart, not 40' like Grizzly and cell coverage was OK.
This is a good sitefor CGs around Yellowstone. Pm me for boondocking site at the Tetons.
This post is my opinion (free advice). It is not intended to influence anyone's judgment nor do I advocate anyone do what I propose.
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wcbass
Somewhere between the Atlantic & Pacific
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David and Deb wrote:I can help with some info.
1. Where can we dump? Fill our water tanks?
Most campgrounds in Yellowstone have dump stations where you can dump & fill water tanks at no charge.
2. Are there propane refill places within the park?
There are Yellowstone Park Service Stations throughout the park. You can buy gas & diesel here. Some of these stations sell propane as well.
3. Which east and west side non- reservable campgrounds would you recommend? As I mentioned, our main concern with choosing the right campgrounds is to make drive times to various sites shorter.
Some of the non-reservable campgrounds can not accommodate big rigs. You can always check with campgrounds that take reservations to see if they have openings: Fishing Bridge, Canyon (this one closes early Sept), Bridge Bay, Grant & Madison. These campgrounds are the largest in the park & most have sites for bigger rigs. Fishing Bridge is not a pretty campground, but it is in a great location. If you want campfires & a more "camping" experience, try the others. Bridge Bay, Madison & Grant are all nice.
4. Any other strategies for seeing this huge and amazing national treasure you'd care to share in case I've got it all wrong.
When you enter Yellowstone, you will receive a newspaper. READ it! There is a TON of info, including campground information. Stop at visitor centers & talk with the rangers. They are a great source of info.
Most of all...enjoy your trip! Sept is a great time out here.
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Dick_B
Palos Heights, IL USA
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You may be surprised to know that Grizzly is closer to Old Faithful than is Fishing Bridge!
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narcodog
Georgia
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For LP I bought mine in West at a LP dealer much cheaper. I don't remember the name but it is on a side street as you come from the Park toward the Ace store.Water is really no problem most folks will allow you to get "some" water if you just ask. I offer to pay for and haven't paid yet.
Get a water thief just in case there are no threads in the spigot.
I just looked at your profile, you have a gigantic rig. Some of the CG's aren't big enough for your rig or have few spots so do some good planning. Plan to get to your new CG early in the morning.
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Not a Clue
Southern Ca
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This might help you out.
Yellowstone campgrounds
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David and Deb
Oklahoma
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WOW!!!! Thanks for all the replies!
I'm confused so please be patient with me. The website link took me to the company to make reservations. What I'm looking for are names of campgrounds you would recommend, on opposite sides (east and west or north and south) that are non-reservation, have dump stations and water, will allow our 32" motorhome and Jeep, and most importantly, the most convenient for driving our toad from to see the sites in that area. We'll them move to the next campground for the other half of our trip. Never having been there and not having a clue, by looking at the map, whether it meets all our needs, I'm needing help.
I don't want to wait until I arrive and talk to the rangers to make these decisions if I can do it ahead. Hubby is retiring tomorrow and this is our first open-ended trip so I'm definitely trying to get comfortable with this "new" way of travel for us. My normal way of planning is to research campgrounds to death, make reservations, have a route mapped out and have time limits on everything...so I'm out of my comfort zone for this trip. Thanks for any help you could give.
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David and Deb
Oklahoma
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Also, thanks for all the info on the propane. I was sure someone would be selling it somewhere nearby. We do plan on using our generator some, so campgrounds that allow gen use would be a plus.
We are going to the Tetons first, then to Yellowstone, and depending on the weather, a few other places, ending up in either Oregon or Washington.
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