Yellowstone for a week or month; best value? - Montana Owners Club

HelloFreedom.us · 01-31-2016, 03:18 PM

Hi Fellow Montanans,

This year we are finally making it to Yellowstone, probably first week of June approx. Can anyone recommend a good park we can get a good value on a weekly or perhaps monthly stay?

We saw some Passport America places that were over 50 miles away and I was hoping for something much closer that could accommodate our 37' Montana.

Thank you for your input.

Brett

twindman · 01-31-2016, 03:55 PM

Grizzly RV Park in West Yellowstone is very nice. But I think around $50 a night. Not going to find anything cheap in the area!!
Cody is too far away (80 miles or so to the entrance)
Good luck.

padredw · 02-01-2016, 01:38 AM

I followed the example of the Montana Owners Club super-hero, Steve Reigle, and stayed out a few miles at Red Rock RV Park in Island Park, Idaho. Sure, you have to drive a few miles at the start of the day, but it is a delightful drive in itself and a delightful area in Idaho. So if I were going back I think I would stay there again. At least we all have choices to make.

Joe in Texas · 02-01-2016, 05:46 AM

Following this discussion -
planning first trip to that area for spring 2017.

looking at 4 or 5 days in Grand Tetons - Colter Bay Village
and then 7 or 8 days in Yellowstone NP - Fishing Bridge RV.

Wide open for input - have never towed in the mountains before.
Thanks

jimcol · 02-01-2016, 12:33 PM

Joe, You are going to a great scenic area. We have never had a problem towing in the mountains. We towed all the way through Yellowstone from all 4 directions. Colter Bay is great. It has been 12 years or so since we were at Fishing Bridge. While we love the location of fishing bridge it was pretty tight with our travel trailer. Can't imagine what it would be like with our 5'er. For that reason the last two times at YNP we stayed in West Yellowstone. Jim

mlh · 02-01-2016, 01:21 PM

We stayed in Grizzly in West Yellowstone. It is a very nice CG. Too city like so I didn't like it but that is just me. My favorite is Madison CG. It's on the Madison River centered in the park and the thing I like best is you get the full park experience. You go to bed and wake up in the park.
Lynwood

PackerFan · 02-01-2016, 01:32 PM

This is great info. We are going there this summer and need some ideas also. Should be there sometime in July.

mlh · 02-01-2016, 01:39 PM

If you are going to stay in the park make reservations NOW. The park CG book up early.
Lynwood

Dmcgrew · 02-01-2016, 01:50 PM

Fishing Bridge has a few larger sites but you need to reserve now or you will be out of luck. Grizzly in West Yellowstone is great but also fills up fast.. Plan on doing a lot of driving to see the park, slow down and make all of the stops and enjoy the trip. Bad part is people stop in the middle of the road to look at sparrows, really slows the travel down!! Coulter Bay is great and is also close to the south entrance of the park so you can make that your base camp and travel from there.

Have a Great Trip!

twindman · 02-01-2016, 02:20 PM

We stayed at Fishing Bridge in 2014 with our 2980 which was 34 feet long. I BARELY got in to my spot. I had to pull forward into the forest about 5 feet and back up again (and again) to finally get it parked. I do admit I am not the best at backing in to a spot, tho.

If I recall, I booked it around now for July 7 or so. And I think it was one of the last left. I stayed 3 nights. I don't think you can stay in the campground for over 2 weeks either???????
We stayed in W. Yellowstone for 4 nights and 3 in the park. Made it easy to see the west side from West Y. and the south and east from Fishing Bridge.
Oh, they are hard to find, but the wolf pack in the north on the way out (northeast) is fun to hunt for. And there were like 3 buffalo herds up there - each with 100 or more in them.

Fire5er · 02-01-2016, 02:41 PM

We loved Grizzly RV Park in West Yellowstone. Very good access to the park and to services in town when needed. https://grizzlyrv.com/ We have friends that park their MH there for weeks to months at a time and travel back and forth to their home in Vegas for buiness, so I know they will do long term (months) stays. Very nice park.

onekla · 02-01-2016, 02:50 PM

Grizzly x 2 and KOA x 2, both at West Yellowstone. We choose Grizzly as our favorite. It is a short drive to get into the park but the sunrise on the way in is gorgeous and we always see neat wildlife. We will not stay in Fishing Bridge. That place is too close for comfort for us!

tooth ferry · 02-01-2016, 03:48 PM

Fishing Bridge is tight but the location is the best for giving you more time in the park. We stayed there to see the park, not for the camping experience. Out at dawn back at dark. Would be my first choice always.

jon Mccausland · 02-01-2016, 04:12 PM

There are several nice forest service campgrounds in the west Yellowstone area. Rainbow point, and bakers hole are very close and a lot cheaper than the parks campgrounds.

jsmitfl · 02-02-2016, 08:41 AM

We have stayed 3 summers at RedRock RV and loved it. I think it's 20 mile to West and it goes fast. You'll see moose,elk, maybe bear along the way. If your going to stay in July you better hurry and get reservations. I know they turned away alot of people last year.

Joe in Texas · 02-02-2016, 09:23 AM

Yellowstone NP campground reservations for May -September 2017 - open up May 1, 2016 at 8:00AM mountain time. Park bus tours can be reserved at that time also.

I was told since there are only 15 or 18 camp sites for 40 foot units with full service in the whole park - BE ON THE LINE AT 8AM -
by noon - they will be picked over and not many 7 nights stays available.

Justme44 · 02-02-2016, 10:40 AM

The first of June is very early and the park may not be open yet as it all depends on the snow. I live in Montana and this is the most snow I have seen in the ten years We have lived here. Bring a good camera with a UV filter. If you are coming from the 'low lands' remember it is high in Yellowstone so take it easy for the first few days. Yes, you will find people stopping in the middle of the road, as the roads are not wide, to get a look at what ever. Don't be in a rush, spend an extra day. Just my two.

mlh · 02-02-2016, 10:48 AM

When we were in Yellowstone 2 years ago there were no sites at any of the CG in the park the week we were there in September. Make reservations early!!
Lynwood

scattershot · 02-03-2016, 06:37 AM

I'll second (or third) Grizzly in West Yellowstone. We stayed in Fishing Bridge once, and once was enough. picture a WalMart parking lot with smaller spaces. We actually had to pull in our slide so our neighbor could unhook. It's worth the drive to stay somewhere else.

As far as mountain driving goes, just take your time and watch your downhill speed. Teton Pass is brutal, but I doubt you'll be going that way.

It's beautiful, and BIG, so be sure to allow plenty of time to see it all.

Kimo · 02-03-2016, 01:51 PM

Grizzly in West is a very nice park right in town but not cheap. If you are looking for a full service bargain, you might look at Macks Inn in Island Park Idaho. Wifi is a bit iffy or not at all but you are in the trees with lots to do and see in a short distance. It's about 15 miles from West Yellowstone. Other parks are KOA West Yellowstone, Sawtell Peak Resort, and Madison Arm Resort. All close to West. Happy trails#128512;

You may also like: