Yellowstone/glacier/teton road trip

[nevadatear]

We are planning a teardrop road trip from our home in Reno, nv in early September. We have reservations at Canyon in Yellowstone, but no others at this time. Any recommendations for campgrounds, sights to see along the way, we are birders, so wildlife hikes and possibilities near campsites are important. Hook ups not important but May need to recharge battery for cpap once on the two week trip. Any suggestions for hidden gems welcome.

[tony.latham]

we are birders, so wildlife hikes and possibilities near campsites are important.

Slough Creek Campground. in Jellystone. Our favorite. It's tiny and off the beaten path. They've just enabled a reservation system for it. Prior seasons, it was first-come and you had to be there by 10:00 am.

No hookups. A good trail that goes up and down the creek. There are other good trails up the Lamar Valley from there.

Bring your bear spray.

Tony

[western traveler]

Many Glaciers campground in Glacier. It is the East entrance. Near the Swiftcurrent Lodge. Many worthwhile trails close by. Hike to Iceberg lake from the campground. IMHO a must see if doing day hikes.
It’s just up the road so I try to camp there each summer.

Don’t tell anyone....wink

https://www.recreation.gov/camping/campgrounds/251869

https://www.google.com/search?gs_ssp=eJ ... a2kSi9YJhM

If you have the opportunity to travel through the East entrance of Yellowstone don’t miss the Buffalo Bill Historic Center in Cody WY. It takes most of a day to enjoy. Take a lunch break out on their lawn...

[skyl4rk]

Yellowstone was like being in a city, it was so busy while we were there. I was very happy to escape to some real wilderness. From the South Entrance of Yellowstone, head south, then turn toward Dubois on 26. This goes through National Forest and there are a number of campgrounds along the way. Driving down 26 is impressive, get off the main road and climb some of the side roads up into the mountains. The Wind River Range is past Dubois and it is spectacular. It does add some drive time to your trip.

[tony.latham]

The Lamar Valley is my favorite in Jelly.

I took this video in the Lamar a few years ago while glassing for wolves and grizzlies.



Turn your speakers on.

Tony

[western traveler]

Great video Tony. Looks like he’s hunting gophers...

Yellowstone is a different place in September compared to July and August. Good chance of hearing the bull elk bugling too..
June and September are good months to visit and get around.

[tony.latham]

A little (one-day) jog over the Beartooth Plateau from Cooke City on the NE side is well worth it. Several USFS campgrounds.

Tony

[Juneaudave]

Lot's of really nice places, how about...

From Yellowstone, drive through Quake Lake and the Earthquake Interpretive Center https://www.fs.usda.gov/detail/custergallatin/specialplaces/?cid=stelprdb5127785, through Virginia City, and camp at Bannack State Park https://fwp.mt.gov/stateparks/bannack-state-park. Spend the day and tour the ghost town, do some hiking and bird watching and rest up from Yellowstone.

From Bannack State Park, cut up to Wise River along the Pioneer Mountains Scenic Byway https://www.fs.usda.gov/Internet/FSE_DOCUMENTS/stelprdb5052331.pdf and camp along the Big Hole River. Along the way, stop at Crystal Park National Recreation Area https://www.silverbowclub.com/dig-for-crystals-in-crystal-park/ and dig for crystals.

From the Big Hole, I would head west, visit the Big Hole National Battlefield https://www.nps.gov/biho/index.htm, and from there...head over to Lost Trail Pass and camp on the Bitterroot River between Sula and Darby.

Leaving North up the Bitterroot will take you up through Missoula...From there I would head up US 200 along the Clark Fork River towards Noxon and camp at one of the place near there. The goal would be to set your self up to visit the Ross Creek Scenic Grove Giant Cedars http://www.libbymt.com/areaattractions/rosscreekcedars.htm, walk the Kootenai Falls Suspension Bridge https://www.themandagies.com/kootenai-falls-swinging-bridge/by Troy Mt. and head for Glacier National Park.

Lot's of things to do in Glacier....take your pick but be aware that Many Glacier Road may be under construction and you might consider a jaunt into Canada to hit Waterton Lakes National Park https://www.pc.gc.ca/en/pn-np/ab/waterton/.

Finally, after visiting Glacier, I would head down the Sealy Swan Hwy http://enjoyyourparks.com/Seeley-Swan-Valley-Montana.html and camp at Clearwater Junction. From there, I would spend the next day going up the Garnet Range Backcountry Byway and visit the ghost town of Garnethttps://crownofthecontinent.net/entries/garnet-range-back-country-byway-montana/6a76d698-5f71-4405-8066-f242f4870bcf.

[capnTelescope]

Here's what I learned about seeing Yellowstone from 2 summers ago:

Plan on more than a one-night stay. Yellowstone is huge, and it will take a whole day, preferably more, for just a quickie sightseeing tour. Trying to actually see the geysers, mud pots and hot springs is virtually impossible while towing a trailer. Parking lots are fairly small and trailers are not permitted except at Old Faithful. So unhitch, lock up and see it all.

The park is fairly remote, especially to us flatlanders. Depending on where you spent the night before, you'll spend the better part of a day just getting there. Have a nice night in camp, and get an early start the next day. I think 2 days to see things is a minimum. 2 more nights in camp. Leaving going east to Cody, WY, you'll pass numerous first come, first serve campgrounds. Cody has food and lodging, but I recommend making reservations.

I plan on following my own advice this year, after WTW.

Have a great trip[!

[S. Heisley]

Be aware that camping reservations may be needed where they weren't needed before:

Yellowstone National Park Advanced Camping Reservations Coming Soon

Mark your calendars! Yellowstone National Park will be offering advanced reservations for select campgrounds through Recreation.gov beginning on March 24, 2021

On March 1, 1872, Yellowstone became the first national park for public enjoyment and recreation. From geysers and waterfalls to petrified trees, lava formations, and much more, millions of people visit each year to camp, hike, and enjoy the majesty of the park.

To help visitors plan ahead for their trips, reduce congestion at campgrounds, improve safety, and eliminate the uncertainty and frustration of securing campgrounds at the park, advanced reservations will be available through Recreation.gov.

Campgrounds that will change from first-come, first-served to the advance reservation system at Yellowstone are Mammoth, Slough Creek and a portion of Pebble Creek.

Visitors will be able to book campsites up to six months in advance, and campgrounds are expected to fill quickly once sites are made available.

Check out our helpful tips to keep in mind when trying to make a reservation at Yellowstone:

Ensure that you are signed in to your Recreation.gov account before the 8:00 a.m. MST reservation release on March 24, 2021.
Visit Recreation.gov in advance to review available campsites and choose your top picks; have a list of backup options as well in case your top choice books up
Book online through our site, rather than the Contact Center to avoid delays

Learn more about making advanced reservations from the National Park Service and #BringHomeaStory from Yellowstone National Park with Recreation.gov!
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[Juneaudave]

If we are going into Yellowstone by the West entrance, Marcia and I like to camp just outside of the park at Rainbow Point Campground on Hebgen Lake https://www.recreation.gov/camping/campgrounds/233131. It's about 10 miles from the entrance. The camp spots are really nice, you can have electricity if you want, and it has beach area right on the lake. Best part is that this campground should not be crowded at all in September.

[Wolffarmer]

Idaho City of Rocks at Almo. Not the camp ground right next to Almo but go up to the park and get a camp site there. No camp ground in the park but sites scattered all over and most are not very close to others. No power. vault toilets. Water at several places if it has not been turned off. Rocks, high desert mountains, rocks galore

https://www.nps.gov/ciro/index.htm

One of my favourite places to camp

[wysedav]

Going there in a few weeks, can't wait. Thanks for all the recommendations.

[nevadatear]

Let me know how it goes and your recommendations!