Booking accommodation in national parks ahead of time

[DonnaR57]

Last month, my husband and I decided to hit the most crowded area of Yellowstone -- Old Faithful and the Upper Geyser Basin -- early in the morning. We got there before 7 am and were rewarded by O.F.'s eruption shortly after we got there. There were only 3-4 dozen people on the Boardwalk surrounding O.F. No tour buses had gotten on the road yet.

On our second day, we were at Gibbon Falls, and then Tower Falls, before 9 in the morning. Those are two other crowded areas.


Donna

[Lifemagician]

Terry, if it will help you. A couple of days ago I was in Yellowstone. I did not plan to stay in the park, in fact, I had no idea where I was going to stay. Same for the Tetons.

At the Visitor Centres in Jackson and West Yellowstone (on different days) I asked the ladies behind the desk what my options were for camping. Told them to start with BLM, then State Forests, State Parks, National Forests and as a last resort RV Park.

In both cases I got onto fantastic campgrounds and had the option of electricity as well. (Didn't take it.) Both offices told me of lots of options of campgrounds which they knew were not full. The campgrounds call in with how many spots they have left. All were within 6 or 8 miles of the park entrances.

In the Tetons it was actually in the NP, but not after you have paid your entry. Six miles south of Moose Jnctn, and 12 miles out of Jackson.

For Yellowstone I was a mere two miles north of West Yellowstone, and a simple and quick drive into the park.

Lifey

[TerryTreks]

I like the idea of going with the flow in Yellowstone, and leaving my four days open. Going late, or early to big sites is a good idea. That is an impressive report, Dave.

Thanks for tip on asking about camping at visitor centers, Lifey. I think I'll try that in the Tetons, since I don't have a plan for my first night there. I though Jenny Lake, but I heard it's too crowded. For Yellowstone, I'll stick to my plan of Canyon on the first night, then get to Norris early the next day.

Now I can do some more detailed planning on the Utah part of my trip. So, much planning, I can't wait until I can just go!

Terry

[Lifemagician]

Don't go to the Tetons NP Visitor Centre. Go to Yellowstone Visitor Centre in Jackson, northern end of town, on the main drag.

[Keep all your empty drinking water bottles. You can fill them there.]

Lifey

[Midwest Michael]

FWIW, None of the campgrounds inside Grand Teton NP accept reservations, so as long as you show up relatively early in the day, it's usually not hard to find a site within the park. There are signs up posting which campgrounds are filled/open along the main road between Yellowstone and Jackson. Worst case, within the park, is Gros Ventre, which is the farthest removed from the park's main features, but rarely fills up. There are also lots of National Forest service campsites along the Snake River just south of Jackson.

We stayed at Colter Bay and it worked well. Found a spot around 3-4 in the afternoon, had to wait for a Moose to walk through the campground before we could set up!

[Lifemagician]

Worst case, within the park, is Gros Ventre, which is the farthest removed from the park's main features, but rarely fills up.

And what a great place that is.... complete with water and the luxury of flushing toilets. Ended up staying multiple nights. What with Kelly's up the road with excellent wifi - and great sandwiches. With almost 400 lovely bushy sites, no wonder it rarely fills up. Clean with lovely bushland setting and the river bubbling along behind.

Life's good.

Lifey

[TerryTreks]

So much good information. I've only got two weeks to go! I have all my gear, but I'm also moving, so am selling stuff and mailing stuff home. So much going on! I'm taking a mini road trip from Boston to Acadia National Park next week as practice for my big two-month trip.

-Terry

[TerryTreks]

2014-08-17 18.36.51.jpg

Here's a snapshot of the pile of gear taking over my apartment. This is just the stuff I bought for camping/backpacking. There's more stuff I'm shipping home that I'll throw in the car when I leave from Indiana, like pots/pans, chair, hammock, and a bunch of odds and ends.

Terry

[TerryTreks]

I came across this information on roads that will be closed in Yellowstone after Labor Day:

http://www.nps.gov/yell/planyourvisit/roadclosures.htm

[TerryTreks]

My mini-road trip to Acadia National Park was successful, where I camped and hiked some crazy trails.

Now I'm focussed on my big trip. I'm just not happy with the South Dakota part. I want to spend more time in Badlands and Wind Cave, but I don't have enough time. I'm considering cutting out Mt. Rushmore and Devil's Tower, and maybe even a couple days of Yellowstone. I already cut the Minuteman Missile site. My schedule is tight because of the Colorado River rafting.

Anyway, thanks again for the help. I likely won't have time to check in here, but I keep a journal. I hope to post about it here when the trip is done in a couple months.

Terry