Yellowstone / Teton Recommendations

[The Free Five]

Hi all,

We've decided to try to hit Teton and Yellowstone in late May/Early June.  Our late planning is obviously not ideal, but we are hoping for some advice on decent places to stay for a 40ft Motorhome that will have some cellular access (We carry Verizon, AT&T, and T-Mobile).  We are willing to boondock and drive to see sights.  The reservable park campground are already booked up, naturally.  

Looking at Campendium, there are so many options, but it's not clear from the reviews where we would fit - many reviews are old or incomplete.

Any suggestions for further research are greatly appreciated!

[SWharton]

Go to rvparkreviews.com and see what that says. Google the location and see what is there in the Google view. Give them a call or just wing it. Last time there we stayed in West Yellowstone at Grizzly RV Park, had an MDT and 38' 5th. No problem getting space.

[2gypsies]

With your 40' you would fit in Mammoth campground in Yellowstone (no reservations accepted but you're early in the season & get there early morning for best choice). You'd also fit in Madison & Fishing Bridge in the park.

For Grand Teton you'd fit in Colter Bay & Gros Ventre (our favorite) campgrounds & Colter Bay RV (next to the same-named campground)

You'll be there at a perfect time - less crowds, snow on the mountain tops and lots of young animals. Have fun!

[chiefneon]

Howdy!

We are at West Yellowstone now staying a Buffalo Crossing RV Resort. We have a 44’ Toy Hauler towed by a MDT so you”ll fit in here. Also have good AT&T LTE Service here in West Yellowstone.

”Happy Trails”

Chiefneon

[TreyandSusan]

Valley View in Island Park, ID. Stayed there 3 months last summer. Campground Wifi is good. We have the same 3 cellular data services and never had an issue with internet access. We were able to use Campground wifi mostly. 15 minutes to West Entrance of Yellowstone. RV is in Signature. Lots of room for a 40' MH. 

[The Free Five]

Thanks for the replies all, very helpful!

[Kirk W]

If you choose to stay out as far as Island Park, ID it will add about 1/2 hour of drive time to your day each way. We spent several months there also and enjoyed it but there are more convenient places to base while visiting Yellowstone/Grand Teton. The parks are very large and even when staying inside of the park you will drive a lot in order to get between major attractions. You will be there early enough that crowds will not be at their peak yet so that will help. May/June is one of my favorite times to visit the park as what you experience there changes greatly from season to season. Spring and fall are our favorite times to visit. 

Weather can be very fickle at that time of year and nights will be very chilly if not cold. While it won't last long if it happens, you could experience snow while there as late as June. That is the best time to see some of the wildlife as the young are still small and warm weather has not yet pushed animals to higher altitudes to avoid heat and find forage. 

[2gypsies]

If you don't want to stay IN the park itself (highly recommended) an awesome forest service campground is a couple miles from W. Yellowstone right off the highway.  It doesn't accept reservations but we get there early morning when folks are leaving and have always gotten a site.  Some sites have electric and they go fast.  We were never interested in those sites.  Many sites  throughout the campground can take a 40' motorhome. The rear dry sites are on the Madison River and it's an awesome place to stay. Those are our favorites. We've been to Yellowstone so many times that sometimes we want to visit certain places in Yellowstone but also want to do some things outside the park and this campground would be our 'go to' place at those times.

https://www.fs.usda.gov/recarea/custergallatin/recarea/?recid=5573

Keep in mind that when folks say such and such is only *** miles from the park gate.  That doesn't take into account that there can be long lines at that park gate to enter and then you have miles and miles of driving to do once you begin exploring the park.  That park is huge.  You're going early in the season so lines won't be as bad as July/August.  Also, the earlier you can get to the park gates the less time you'll have to wait.

We've also moved to a couple different campgrounds within the park just to save on driving and to explore more in-depth certain areas.  For instance, we've stayed at Bridge Bay and then moved up to Mammoth... or we've stayed at Madison and moved to Mammoth.  By the way, we didn't have reservations for either Bridge Bay or Madison. We just pulled in early and got a cancelled site.  Mammoth doesn't even accept reservations so again, you need to be there early. Stay nearby the previous night so you can do so.

[bobsallyh]

Trey and Susan, we usually spend the month of June and past July 4th in Valley View and have for a number of years. By looking at their website, it looks like there have been numerous changes there for this season. Probably the kids took it over.

[Kirk W]

Another park in that area which we like is Henry's Lake State Park. 

[Cowdog353]

Although I have not been yet, I have seen pictures of the spring creek campground on Hebgen Lake. It's about 18 mi to the west gate. 

I will be camp host there starting around June 1.. 

I have been told there are other dry camping site on the way to spring creek.

if you or anyone else makes it up that way stop by and say hello.

jim

[The Free Five]

Wow, thanks again for the great responses!