Colter Bay to Yellowstone Grizzly Park- Steep grades?

dmdomokos · 06-09-2016, 05:58 PM

We are staying at Colter Bay for a few days but then driving to Yellowstone Grizzly Park. We are towing a 32'TT with a Suburban and would like some advise on which route to take that has the least amount of steep grades. Is going straight through Yellowstone ok? or should we look at going around using route 20?

Blackrock · 06-09-2016, 07:08 PM

It's all about the same no matter which route you choose. You are now in mountain country.

Oakman · 06-09-2016, 09:02 PM

Either way you will encounter mountain grades. In my opinion the best route and also the shortest is through Yellowstone NP.

dmdomokos · 06-09-2016, 10:42 PM

Is the route through Yellowstone going to have more traffic? are they better times than others to drive through it?

northstar1960 · 06-09-2016, 11:17 PM

Hwy 20 for the easy route . the park is a traffic nightmare . you really only have 2 steepish grades maybe 4% on hwy20 none an issue and much better flow into west yellowstone .There are some rough stretches on the road so be mindful
Grizzly park is very nice , right in town .

northstar1960 · 06-09-2016, 11:21 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by dmdomokos

Is the route through Yellowstone going to have more traffic? are they better times than others to drive through it?

The best time is at night or early 4 or 5 Am then you really need to watch out for animals , bison sleeping in the road . Went through a herd today outside of the park by rainbow point campground on Hebgen lake

Oakman · 06-10-2016, 07:08 AM

The best time to drive through Yellowstone NP is in the morning. The times we have been in the park, traffic didn’t get bad until after 9 AM. Since you will be leaving from Colter Bay getting an early start shouldn’t be a problem. There is only one serious mountain grade you will encounter from Colter Bay to West Yellowstone and that’s the Craig Pass area. The area from West Thumb to Old Faithful is rolling hills and yes some short sections have 5 – 6% grades.

The driving distance from Colter Bay to West Yellowstone is 88 miles. What’s the driving distance using hwy 20 to W. Yellowstone?

dmdomokos · 06-10-2016, 10:02 AM

Going around using 33 and 20 is like 190 miles. So an extra 100 miles to avoid traffic. If we leave early, sounds like we should go through the park.

What about pulling out of Las Vegas. I15 to 26 or go 80/16/89 out of SLC?

lbrjet · 06-10-2016, 12:03 PM

WY 22 to ID 33 is not a route to even consider. Teton pass is brutal. Through the park is an easy drive. If I remember right you cross the continental divide 3 times, but the passes are more high country than anything else.

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Jakieboy · 06-10-2016, 02:13 PM

We absolutely love Colter Bay and plan to stay there whenever we can. Agree with most comments about leaving early morning straight through Yellowstone. Be ware of wildlife, but mostly beware of idiotic drivers who insist on parking right in the middle of the highway to observe/photograph wildlife!!

RudysWorld · 06-10-2016, 04:56 PM

We made the trip from Grizzly to Colter bay last September, there were some grades but don't remember a problem. I was in a 36' motorhome pulling a toad. Great Trip! Enjoy!!

spock123 · 06-21-2016, 08:58 AM

Is it pretty easy to get a spot in Colter Bay campground for a 35ft fifth wheel?

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Oakman · 06-21-2016, 12:09 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by spock123

Is it pretty easy to get a spot in Colter Bay campground for a 35ft fifth wheel?

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If you’re talking about the Colter Bay Campground with 335 basic sites and operated by the NPS you probably won’t have too much trouble getting a campsite.

If you’re talking about the Colter Bay RV Park with full hookups (112 sites) and operated by the Grand Teton Lodge Company then yes, you will need to make reservations. This campground has a laundry and camp store.

Those two campgrounds are right next to each other and both have sites big enough for your rig.

stevejd235 · 06-23-2016, 01:32 PM

Because of the time of day we need to travel, we were are going from Grizzy to Colter Bay via 20->32->33->191. I have read about some "grades" on this route but not too bad.

lbrjet · 06-24-2016, 08:09 AM

Let us know how that works out for you.

2010 F250 5.4L 3.73
2011 Flagstaff 831FKBSS
Equal-i-zer 4pt 12K

stevejd235 · 06-25-2016, 06:23 PM

Lbjet,
You win...

After finally getting to Yellowstone and only seeing some 6% (which were fine...), I'm not sure I would be fine with 10% grades. We are adjusting our times to leave early in the morning to go threw yellowstone when we go down to colter bay.
Safe camping...:thumbup:

lbrjet · 06-25-2016, 09:01 PM

We made the same drive last July and didn't even have to stop. Luck of the draw on whether you hit a Buffalo jam or two. Enjoy your time in Yellowstone.

2010 F250 5.4L 3.73
2011 Flagstaff 831FKBSS
Equal-i-zer 4pt 12K

stevejd235 · 06-25-2016, 09:20 PM

Lbjet
Just curios, what time did you go thru? I know it's subject to change.

lbrjet · 06-26-2016, 08:02 AM

We left at 8:30 and were in Colter Bay by 11:00.

2010 F250 5.4L 3.73
2011 Flagstaff 831FKBSS
Equal-i-zer 4pt 12K

AquaMan · 06-26-2016, 08:14 AM

Although we didn't come from Grizzly, we just came through East entrance, went to old faithful, and traveled down through the Tetons on our way to Bear Lake. Had 2 Georgetowns with toads, and a 1/2 ton gasser pulling a 24' TT. Didn't have any problems. The biggest thing to watch for, are the class C's from RentRV.

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