August Minneapolis to Yellowstone/Grand Tetons

[janlynn]

We (family of four) are planning a road trip this summer from MSP to Yellowstone/Grand Tetons/Glacier area with stops along the way. Would appreciate any recommendations regarding highlights along the way (places not to be missed), where to stay, etc. We were originally going to tent camp in Yellowstone but have read some reviews on tent camping there and it doesn't sound too inviting with all the RV's. Any comments?? We are planning a 2 wk trip. Thanks :-)

[Midwest Michael]

Welcome to the RTA Forum!

I'm curious as to what you've heard about camping at Yellowstone. I tent camped there and found it to be very nice. In fact, they've got it set up very nice, that areas are divided up based on what you'll be camping in (small tent, large tent, rv, etc). Some campgrounds are better than others - I would skip Bridge Bay, for example, as many of the sites are in an open field. Reservations are a good idea, as the sites fill up fast, and most of the "first come, first served" sites tend to be taken well before noon. If you are going to be there for several days, you might find it easier to spread your stay out over a couple campgrounds. If you decide not to camp, make reservations ASAP, as lodging within the park fills up very quickly (with the campgrounds, you have a bit more time, as there tends to be more cancellations).

Between Minneapolis and Yellowstone there are lots of options. If you go through North Dakota, Teddy Roosevelt National Park is right along the way. If you go through South Dakota, then you've got the Badlands and the many attractions of the Black Hills. You'll also have Little Bighorn Battlefield, and as you get close to Yellowstone you can go through Cody or across the very scenic Beartooth Highway.

[janlynn]

Thank you for your comments. I read on a few web sites that RV's and hard-sided campers are now the majority of campers in Yellowstone and there is no separation between tenting and hard-sided campers or RV's. Folks commented that the noise of the generators is overwhelming and the parks cater to those folks. Hmm….. Anyway, is a week a reasonable amount of time to spend in Yellowstone and the Grand Tetons? I don't want to feel rushed but we would like to spend some time there as well.

[Midwest Michael]

There are some areas where tents and RVs are together, but even there, generators have to be turned off by 8 o'clock, so I certainly never thought it was a problem at all. It certainly wouldn't keep me from camping there, but I'm not sure what you are looking for, or what you are looking at for other options.

A week is a very nice amount of time to have to explore the area.