I've stayed at Grzzley (good, but not YNP), Fishing Bridge, Madison and Bridge Bay. We've always had teen-agers and younger GKs with us. The drive into the park each day from West Yellowstone is always fun, but usually we just want to be in the middle of the action. FB and BB are located on the lake and centrally located, just a few miles south of Hayden Valley and its buffalo (uh make that bison) herds. It seems that BB always has a resident bull buffalo to put on a show early in the morning.
Madison is close to the geysers to the south or north to Norris and Mammoth. That makes it centrally located as well.
You may see bears anywhere, but best bets are around tower jct. and along Mt. Washburn slopes. Wolves may be anywhere as well, but best bet is probably the Lamar Valley.
As others say, you'll leave early in the morning and get back after sunset. Lots of hikes and and activity so you won't need campfires. If you can arrange time, attend the rangers' talks. BB always allowed campfires, but we only take advantage of that maybe one night in five. There are lots of places to fish, but we've never found time to. Check out the fishing regs on the YNP website.
YNP is big and even if you spend 10 very full days there you won't see it all. I've been going there for more than 60 years and still find something new every time.
Temporarily afoot, but lookin' to get back into the game
I don't want to steal the original post, but I'll be doing the same trip in July, last time I went to Yellowstone was '92 so i don't remember much, from Salt Lake City to West Yellowstone, I've been following this Topic to get an idea where to go, so far for staying inside the park my choice would be Madison CG (I will enter the park from there), if we decide to stay outside of the park Grizzly would be my choice, my question is for all of you with experience at Madison what are some of the best sites to reserve, I have a 31' Class C MH, I can't find a good map so I used Google Earth GPS Coordinates to Madison Campground check in: N 44 38.725 W 110 51.687 that gives a really good layout of the Campground, but no street view so its hard to find a site that is level. thanks
If you are going to a National Park, why stay outside for more money? There are plenty of places to stay inside the park. With the size of Yellowstone, you will spend most of your time away form your campsite. So, what good are all those amenities at the expensive RV parks? By the time you get back, you'll be worn out from the days adventures. Top that with all the additional driving each day in and out of the park. Plus, you will most likely miss the beat part of the day, sunset, and all the animal activity that goes along with it.
It sure seems to me a waste of time to stay outside Yellowstone.
Keith
Wrong my boy. We've done it twice and it's not that expensive plus it's more convenient to everything else; especially if you intend to visit the Tetons, Idaho or Jackson Hole or other places. So you see there are definite advantages to staying outside the park camp areas.
If you are going to a National Park, why stay outside for more money? There are plenty of places to stay inside the park. With the size of Yellowstone, you will spend most of your time away form your campsite. So, what good are all those amenities at the expensive RV parks? By the time you get back, you'll be worn out from the days adventures. Top that with all the additional driving each day in and out of the park. Plus, you will most likely miss the beat part of the day, sunset, and all the animal activity that goes along with it.
It sure seems to me a waste of time to stay outside Yellowstone.
Keith
Wrong my boy. We've done it twice and it's not that expensive plus it's more convenient to everything else; especially if you intend to visit the Tetons, Idaho or Jackson Hole or other places. So you see there are definite advantages to staying outside the park camp areas.
My point is, if you're going to Yellowstone, stay in Yellowstone. If you are going to the Tetons, stay in the Tetons. Why camp at a more expensive "resort" and spend all your time away, not to mention all the extra fuel and time wasted commuting. The National Park experience is what you go there for in the first place. Try it, you just might like it!
Keith
Keith, Gloria & Charlie(Spoiled Rotten Boston Terrier)
2010 Damon Astoria 3470
2012 Jeep Grand Cherokee Overland
USAF 1968-1976 Viet Nam Veteran
I am with you 100% Keith, but others don't agree, so let them stay where they want. For us, it is best inside the park!
2007 Jayco 23B
2009 E350 Ford Club Wagon 5.4 w/ tow pkg
Equalizer hitch, Prodigy P3 brake controller
Buddy 125 Scooter-FUN!
1997 Coleman Sunridge- Served us well for 11 years!
kedanie wrote: My point is, if you're going to Yellowstone, stay in Yellowstone. If you are going to the Tetons, stay in the Tetons. Why camp at a more expensive "resort" and spend all your time away, not to mention all the extra fuel and time wasted commuting. The National Park experience is what you go there for in the first place. Try it, you just might like it!
We need to be aware that there are many, many different "camping" styles. Some feel the need to have hot showers twice a day and being able to get go out for 3 meals. Others are fine with a shower every two days and eat at their RV. And backpackers think both groups are a bunch of couch potatoes. IOW, there is quite a bit of grey.
And for this particular region, there is "stuff" outside of the NP that are attractive, Rodeos, museums, native American sites, boating, fishing, etc.
So, while someone might say they are visiting "Yellowstone" or "Grand Teton", it does not necessarily mean they hope to be exclusive to those two parks.
We had a great three state day trip drive outside of West Yellowstone recommended by a local. We also drove EVERY road in Yellowstone. And did lots of photo work. (All in a week)
We would not have known about the three state venture staying in the Park.
There is no right or wrong to this IMHO - just what fits your lifestyle whether it is out doing and seeing (like us - that is why we travel) or sitting around eating, drinking and gabbing.
The bottom line is some like chocolate, some like vanilla and some like strawberry as we used to say (now there is lots more to choose from!).
49 Year DW, Barbara
Best Friend, "Aussie" Terrier, Sadie
2006 Mobile Suites 32TK3
2006.5 Chev 3500 3LT XCab 4x4 Dmax Allie
Because of the size of our rig, and DW's love of showers and clean clothes, we are pretty tied to full hookups. We spent several nights in Jackson, several in Coulter Bay, and several in West Yellowstone at Grizzly. The nicest was Grizzly, the most expensive was Jackson and the prettiest was Coulter Bay. All had advantages, and all had disadvantages. Grizzly is perfect for the West and North Sections of Yellowstone, Coulter Bay is great for the Tetons, but a bit of a drive for Yellowstone. All were fun. BTW, we found the best fly fishing was on the Madison River, and we were there during the rut and could watch and listen to the elk bugling and fighting.
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