Western US Trip

[rkprater]

Hi to all, just need some information if you can help. Linda and I are beginning a western trip around June 10, heading from Nashville, TN to Monument, CO, then to Yellowstone, then to Glacier Nat Park and returning home by way of Mt Rushmore. We are pulling a 32' Forest River Surveyor with a Toyota Tundra truck. My main concern are the mountain passes and roads to avoid. I have ordered the book on mountain passes but any help would be appreciated. We will be on interstates mostly until we get to Casper, WY where we will follow Rt 20 to Cody and into Yellowstone. From there the plan is to exit at W. Yellowstone and follow Rt 287 up to I-90. Exit on Rt 93 to go up to Hungry Horse, MT. From Hungry Horse, follow Rt 2 east back across the park and work my way down to I-90 again. Does anyone see any problems with these routes and any I should avoid?

Thanks for your help.

Ron Prater

[NO3putt]

Going up I-25 from Colorado Springs to WY there isn't really any steep climbs. Would recommend that stay out of Denver during rush hour, we try to go thru Denver on weekends or try to time it after 10am. How are you getting to CO? Guessing I-70?

[bakken]

We have travelled all of those roads, and the only steep roads would in the parks themselves, and you wouldn't be the only one driving cautiously there.
Second the comment on Denver. The last time we went through on I-25 south of town, the lanes were really narrow. It seemed like they were trying to cram three lanes into the space meant for two!
Hopefully, that has been fixed.
You have a great trip planned. Enjoy!

[Iggy]

Ron I wish I can follow you. I did most of that trip last year.
Coming into Yellowstone from Cody is a nice ride to West Yellowstone. We stayed at the Grizzly RV Campground there in W Yellowstone and used it as our base camp back into the park.
Enjoy your trip and slow down and make sure you have a clean windshield so you can see everything.

[rkprater]

We will be taking I-70 west and will make a side trip to Monument, CO to visit my wife's sister. I guess my biggest concern is Rt 2 around the southern border of Glacier Nat Park. That will be our exit route from Hungry Horse, MT heading back east.

Thanks, Ron

[rkprater]

Iggy, we are staying at Fishing Bridge RV Park in Yellowstone but looked at Grizzly in W Yellowstone. I hope that being near the center of the park will be very convenient.

Ron

[Iggy]

Originally Posted by rkprater

Iggy, we are staying at Fishing Bridge RV Park in Yellowstone but looked at Grizzly in W Yellowstone. I hope that being near the center of the park will be very convenient.

Ron

Yes Fishing Bridge is in the SE section of the park and you can drive the figure 8 route easily. Fishing Bridge is nothing fancy and is tight but a good central spot. To my surprise the gas station there even had reasonably price gas. Hopefully you downloaded a few maps of the park so you can get some idea where you are.

[rkprater]

Already working on the maps, routes, campgrounds, etc for the whole trip. Only reservations at this point are Fishing Bridge and Mountain Meadow RV Park in Hungry Horse, MT. Where did you stay at Glacier?

Ron

[Oakman]

That sounds like a great trip you have planned Ron. Be sure to drive through Grand Teton NP which is just a couple of miles from the south entrance of Yellowstone. The scenery is spectacular. Look at the background in Iggy's first picture in post #4, those are the Tetons.

Joyce and I are headed up to the Tetons and Yellowstone mid-August into September.

[Rolling buckeye]

Originally Posted by rkprater

Iggy, we are staying at Fishing Bridge RV Park in Yellowstone but looked at Grizzly in W Yellowstone. I hope that being near the center of the park will be very convenient.

Ron

We will be at fishing bridge June 18-24, hope to see you there ! We are going the other way,Rushmore - to yellowstone
Happy camping !

[rkprater]

Originally Posted by Rolling buckeye

We will be at fishing bridge June 18-24, hope to see you there ! We are going the other way,Rushmore - to yellowstone
Happy camping !

We will be at Yellowstone from June 17 - 24 so looks like we will be there the same time. I'll look for you in the campground. We are pulling a tan colored Surveyor Select and pulling it with a Toyota Tundra tow vehicle.

Ron

[Rolling buckeye]

Originally Posted by rkprater

We will be at Yellowstone from June 17 - 24 so looks like we will be there the same time. I'll look for you in the campground. We are pulling a tan colored Surveyor Select and pulling it with a Toyota Tundra tow vehicle.

Ron

Excellent ! We have a work and play,pulled by a f350,that whistles almost like a small jet,I will try very hard not to offend other campers with it, won't leave late at night,and will try to wait till,at least,7 am before starting it.
I am curious as to the turbos effect on the wildlife at Custer state park,may make the bison stay away,or they may be angered by it. Bison head print in side of truck would be......ah,bad,but also,one heck of a conversation picture ! Lol

[TTNewbees]

Black hills/Yellowstone/Tetons last summer last 2 weeks in June.

[Iggy]

Originally Posted by rkprater

Iggy, we are staying at Fishing Bridge RV Park in Yellowstone but looked at Grizzly in W Yellowstone. I hope that being near the center of the park will be very convenient.

Ron

Grizzly Campground has plenty to do and the kids all get together on the large grassy field and play. Playground and secure.
Here is a few pics of the campground

[rkprater]

Originally Posted by Iggy

Grizzly Campground has plenty to do and the kids all get together on the large grassy field and play. Playground and secure.
Here is a few pics of the campground

Iggy, looks like a very nice and well kept campground. Maybe I should have stayed there for a little extra money.

Thanks, Ron

[rkprater]

Originally Posted by TTNewbees

Black hills/Yellowstone/Tetons last summer last 2 weeks in June.

Attachment 30130



Attachment 30131



Attachment 30132

Mike, great pictures, looking forward to the trip.

Ron

[Rolling buckeye]

Mike

If it's not out of line, fishing, is this pic from a charter ? If so,how much $ was it ? Really want to catch n cook some fish while on trip. I imagine we stand a better chance of catching some,with a charter capt.

Great pics !

Ty

[Steve38]

There is a turnpike (toll) around Denver. Not cheap but worth avoiding Denver traffic. We laugh about it now, when we hit the toll gate and it was a couple dollars..... wow what a great deal! Then another toll and another..... still a good deal.
If you spend anytime in the Black Hills, go to Hill City and have steak at the Alpine Inn...... go early .... supper only... no reservations. bread pudding ... to die for. Filet Mignon Steak only large or small .... used to be under $10 for the large.
If you don't mind boondocking a night or two.... Lake Pactola (June 75-80 degrees in the day) has a great park... federal I believe. The marina is run by great people and they have a small store with fantastic fried chicken.
Go to Deadwood and visit the Midnight Star Casino. Owned by Kevin Costner. He fell in love with the Black Hills when he made Dances with Wolves. The sports bar upstairs has good food and all the outfits he wore in all the movies he made are displayed on the walls. Lots to see in Black Hills do your homework.
Get some Black Hills Gold .... very unique. We first went there 20 years ago and have gone back many times. The area is rich in early American History. Don't miss Crazy Horse monument. We finally went into the park 2-3 years ago in June. They do rock blasting 2 times a year. We were lucky to be there for a night time demolition. It was worth the time.
I could go on....

[TTNewbees]

Originally Posted by Rolling buckeye

Mike

If it's not out of line, fishing, is this pic from a charter ? If so,how much $ was it ? Really want to catch n cook some fish while on trip. I imagine we stand a better chance of catching some,with a charter capt.

Great pics !

Ty

Yes, charter boat, think it was about $200 half day, caught a limit out of colter bay village, Jackson lake. Awesome campground!

[rkprater]

Originally Posted by Steve38

There is a turnpike (toll) around Denver. Not cheap but worth avoiding Denver traffic. We laugh about it now, when we hit the toll gate and it was a couple dollars..... wow what a great deal! Then another toll and another..... still a good deal.
If you spend anytime in the Black Hills, go to Hill City and have steak at the Alpine Inn...... go early .... supper only... no reservations. bread pudding ... to die for. Filet Mignon Steak only large or small .... used to be under $10 for the large.
If you don't mind boondocking a night or two.... Lake Pactola (June 75-80 degrees in the day) has a great park... federal I believe. The marina is run by great people and they have a small store with fantastic fried chicken.
Go to Deadwood and visit the Midnight Star Casino. Owned by Kevin Costner. He fell in love with the Black Hills when he made Dances with Wolves. The sports bar upstairs has good food and all the outfits he wore in all the movies he made are displayed on the walls. Lots to see in Black Hills do your homework.
Get some Black Hills Gold .... very unique. We first went there 20 years ago and have gone back many times. The area is rich in early American History. Don't miss Crazy Horse monument. We finally went into the park 2-3 years ago in June. They do rock blasting 2 times a year. We were lucky to be there for a night time demolition. It was worth the time.
I could go on....

So many things to do but I will put them on my list and will do as many as I can. Have already done a couple like Crazy Horse and Deadwood.

Thanks, Ron