Yellowstone Camping and Rig Length

[dmdomokos]

And the plot thickens. From the NPS website:


RV length and trailer length are not the same! Please note that many campsites have different maximum lengths for RVs and trailers. This is because many of the campsites are back-in sites with limited turning radius. We do not enforce the length limits as long as the RV or trailer can fit on the parking pad in the site. However, if you reserve a site for equipment other than what you bring, and the site can't accommodate your RV or trailer, we will not be able to find a different campsite for you.

[Justice12t]

...Yes is does...

[EDABEUT]

We did Yellowstone in 2013 and stay at Buffalo Bill State Park in Cody WY. The drive into the east entrance from Cody is worth the time. Probably more scenic than when inside the park and it looks like you are coming from NY anyway. We did this drive 3 days in a row and drove around the whole park and saw most everything. The only thing we missed was the Tetons on the south side. Here's a pic from out campsite.

[EDABEUT]

For those paying attention that is our old TT in the pic

[Justice12t]

So you pulled in are were facing the wrong direction?? or am I missing something??

Great view either way though!

[EDABEUT]

Yes that was the right way. Only place I ever stayed that the site was on the other side of the campsite. I thought I was wrong but it was a one way street. We really never were at the site except to sleep. Here's another pic of our truck at Lake Yellowstone .

[Jestercyco]

If you decide to stay at the KOA in West Yellowstone, it was quite noisy and a lot of young kids. It is a great KOA with great amenities and they sale beer cheaper than going to town to the store. Store was 10 minutes away.
Jester

[Bob Montgomery]

If you decide to stay in Cody,WY there are several RV Parks...they all have good reviews. In no particular order they are the Ponderosa, Absaroka Bay, KOA, Buffalo Bill State Park, and the Yellowstone Valley Inn & RV Park. All are in Cody except the Yellowstone Valley Inn which is much closer to the East Gate of Yellowstone Park. All have good reviews. If you have not been to Cody WY you are missing out on one of the best places to visit during the RV season. The Buffalo Bill Museum is world class and takes two days to go through it (they give you a two day pass.) The Irma Hotel is a place you don't want to miss, they have good food and Buffalo Bill built it over 100 years ago. They have an old west gun fight every night during the season and most visitors love it. They also have a rodeo every night at 8pm 7 days a week. And a whole lot more to see and do. Also, don't miss the free tour of the Buffalo Bill Dam, just a few miles west of Cody on the way to the park. When it was built, it was the highest concrete dam in the U.S. When you walk out on it and look over the side you will see what I am talking about. Hiking, fishing, the drive from Cody to the park is very scenic and enjoyable. We have seen buffalo, big horn sheep, elk, deer and prong horns on our way to the park many times. And yes, we have seen Grizzly Bears too. Go to Google and type in Cody WY and see what comes up If you haven't been here, give it a try. I think you will enjoy it.

[Oakman]

I think Cody, WY is a great place to visit but that would be my last choice as a base for visiting Yellowstone NP. It is 50 miles from Cody to the east entrance and then another 26 miles to the Grand Loop Road. That would be three hours of driving (coming and going) that could have been better used visiting the features of Yellowstone.

My choices for a base outside Yellowstone NP would be Yellowstone Grizzly RV Park or even Buffalo Crossing RV Park in West Yellowstone, MT. Both parks are within walking distance to the west entrance. BTW, Buffalo Crossing RV Park is a gravel parking lot with full hookups behind the IMAX Theater.

Just outside the north entrance of Yellowstone is Gardiner, MT with two RV parks, the previously mentioned Rocky Mountain RV Park and also Yellowstone RV Park. Both are less than a mile drive to the north entrance of the park.

Three miles from the south entrance of Yellowstone NP is Flagg Ranch. This RV park will give you the feel of a "camping" campground. Back when we stayed here we had full hookups but only 20 amp electrical service. I understand that since then the electric has been upgraded.

Another option would be to stay at Colter Bay Village RV Park in Grand Teton NP as a base for visiting both parks. Colter Bay RV Park is a 20 mile drive to the south entrance of Yellowstone NP.

All of the parks I’ve mentioned have full hookup sites.

[mikel68]

We fit in Fishing Bridge fine. Back when we had a 5th wheel it was 35' long with my Dodge Mega-Cab. It is tight, but if you can back up it won't be a problem. Don't get tangled up in posts about not fitting. We were small there. There were all kinds of rigs pulled in. Fishing Bridge upgraded electric when were there a few years ago.

I believe Fishing Bridge was constructed around the the 1960s. RVs have changed in size the land has not. Don't worry about it though. If you're going to YS to sit in your RV all day just go to a KOA and watch a YS video instead. We were just in or RV at night. We pretty much stayed out all day.


Have fun.

[Justice12t]

Great point...

Thanks for the info!