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Taking vacation to Yellowstone National Park

manley

manley

Member
I'm taking a vacation to Yellowstone National Park soon and am tent camping in the Canyon campground. I think I have everything I'll need and since I'm going by myself, I can wing it a little easier if I run into a snag.

I will be renting a car and driving from Richmond, IN. I'm planning to possibly stop in Kearney, NE at the end of the first day of driving. The second day, I am thinking about staying in Cody, WY. The following morning, I'll take a short drive to the park and check in, which is where I'll stay for the next week.

Sounds easy enough... I think it's going to be a miserable drive, though.

I'm thinking about taking a different route on the return trip. I want to leave through Montana and head through South Dakota, I think.

So, considering most of us leave hundreds of miles apart, does anyone have any suggestions? Maybe I shouldn't try to drive so long each day? This is the first time I've ever taken a trip like this aside from a short stint in the truck driving world.

Any suggestions once I get to the park or any must have item? I did buy some Bear Spray.... lol.
 
I spent 4 years driving tourists in and out of Yellowstone....PM me and I will send you my phone number and you can call me. Too much to tell you in a post!

Mel
 
My family was in Yellowstone last June 1-3 . Do not be surprised in the lake is still frozen and you have snow flurries . We had a GREAT time even with the cold weather . The kids did not pack enough cold weather clothes . You will be surprised by how large the park is . Enjoy .
 
"c6fastback" said:
My family was in Yellowstone last June 1-3 . Do not be surprised in the lake is still frozen and you have snow flurries . We had a GREAT time even with the cold weather . The kids did not pack enough cold weather clothes . You will be surprised by how large the park is . Enjoy .
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They say that if you don't like the weather there, wait 10 minutes. You can have all four seasons in four hours!

I had snow on July 5th one year! There were lots of great times in Yellowstone! It is by far my favorite spot out of all the places I have been in 12 states, and 3 provinces in Canada driving a tour bus.

I do have to say that the Canadian Rockies are way cool too! I guess my favorites have to be in order -

1- Yellowstone
2- Canadian Rockies
3- Glacier National Park
4- Bryce canyon
5- Mesa Verdi
6- Zion National Park
7- Crazy Horse Memorial
8- Mt Rushmore
9- Devil's Tower
10- New Mexico (Balloon Festival)

So there you have it my favorite top 10 so to speak of the West.

I do love the beach, but since I grew up there, it really doesn't count. I go there whenever possible!

Mel
 
They say that if you don't like the weather there, wait 10 minutes. You can have all four seasons in four hours!
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I would agree with that. One year that we were there we had lots of sunshine and then just aster dusk snow begin falling and that was on August 30 it I remember correctly.
 
We drove to Yellowstone 3 years ago and diving from south central Minnesota, we drove it in 3 days. First night stayed in Chamberlain, SD. Second night was in Cody, WY. Made it to the park on the third day. We camped all the way out and back. Of course, that was with the wife and 3 kids so the number of stops along the way was numerous. We camped in Grant Village. One thing to keep in mind is that it will get cold at night. We stayed in the third week in July and daytime temps were mid-to-high 70's but it would get down to upper 30's to lower 40's at night. Usually, if you drive out of the park, gas is less expensive than inside the park but you have to factor in the mileage getting there. Oh, and don't plan on getting anywhere quickly inside the park. Speed limit is 45 in the park in the open areas and you never know when wild animal sightings backs up the traffic.
 
Thanks guys! I called Mel a little while ago from my hotel in North Platte, Nebraska. Not much around here to see, but my poor back is glad to be out of that car. Tomorrow I'm headed to Cody, WY to stay for the night. I'm ready for a more scenic drive than it has been so far. I've been through Iowa years ago...all rolling hills. Nebraska got severely flat not far west of Omaha. Tons of construction on I80, but no bad slow-downs. Can't wait to get to Yellowstone. My birthday is Friday, so it should be a memorable one.... hopefully only for good reasons! lol
 
"manley" said:
Thanks guys! I called Mel a little while ago from my hotel in North Platte, Nebraska. Not much around here to see, but my poor back is glad to be out of that car. Tomorrow I'm headed to Cody, WY to stay for the night. I'm ready for a more scenic drive than it has been so far. I've been through Iowa years ago...all rolling hills. Nebraska got severely flat not far west of Omaha. Tons of construction on I80, but no bad slow-downs. Can't wait to get to Yellowstone. My birthday is Friday, so it should be a memorable one.... hopefully only for good reasons! lol
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I enjoyed the conversation, I am so excited for you! While in Cody, the Museum is awesome and there is a Mural on Irish linen in the lobby of an LDS stake center. they have signs posted. They have a small display of local pioneers and it is good for about an hour or less. It is some cool stuff and a great story too.

I probably forgot to tell you lots of stuff, before you get to Yellowstone there is a place called Shell Falls http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Shell_Falls There is directions in the link I posted. Awesome place. some of the roads going over the big horn mountains may be closed still if there is snow. Shell Falls is a great place to stretch your legs. Free too!

Anyway, go in to the park and you will follow the Yellowstone lake, there are a couple steam vents along the way. Nice to see, but don't waste too much time there. I would go North and see the North loop, or at least part of it and stay in Gardener, MT. The place I was telling you about to eat is the Town Cafe. Good steaks and fish! It is a bit of a dive, but nice people and decent food!

There is a dive of a motel next door, it is clean and simple and should be cheap.

Finish the North the next day and hit Mammoth Hot springs, Watch for mountain sheep on the way in to the park from the North. From the East watch for Moose before you enter and Bear. The formation I was telling you about is Columnar basalt near Tower Falls. It is way cool if the road is open. Also watch for bear on the North end. Elk will be out this time of year and Bison are all over. I have only been there one time when I saw no Bison and Elk.

You will want to see Grand prismatic spring at Midway!

After our conversation, I had to consult my maps to remember the names of places...

Feel free to call me if you need questions answered.

Mel
 
I'm staying in Cody tonight. I left a day earlier than planned so I could spread the driving out. I have a ruptured disc in my back that doesn't like long car rides. It's not hurting today, though.

I went through the Bighorn Mountains... it was AMAZING! I took pics through the windshield, but it was scary being in the middle of traffic. I can't believe the posted speed limit is 65 in there. I was blown away... the views were unbelievable!

Most of my pics are so-so because I took them as I was driving. I should have taken more time and stopped herre and there, but I'm impatient. lol

I think I'm going to upload them all to Google.

https://plus.google.com/photos/11550930 ... 0519368721

See if you guys can see that. Car pics aren't very impressive, but it's what I have for now.
 
The best is yet to come!

Shell Falls is on the way between Cody and Yellowstone. You will love it!

You ain't seen nothin' yet! Yellowstone will make what you have seen already look like the ghetto!

Mel
 
New link to photos: https://plus.google.com/photos/11550930 ... 5750389041

899 in all.... I ran out of space to upload large versions. There is a limit of 1GB.

Yellowstone was fantastic! I got a blister on my little toe the first day, but I didn't let it slow me down! It snowed on me Tuesday night... I was prepared and stayed warm, though. I think I managed to see all the major attractions. The place is completely surreal! If you are into this kind of thing, you MUST go and check it out! It's absolutely incredible! I honestly have no other words to describe it... I will go back some day. It completely exhausted me. :)
 
Way to go buddy!

You'll have to get down here with me someday and I will take you on tours of all the Southern Canyons....

I took SWMBO to the Grand Canyon on Saturday and when we were on the way home via Zion, we saw 2 big horn sheep walking along side the road. Some of the scenery reminded me of Yellowstone!

I am so happy you had a wonderful time.

Mel
 
BTW, you did see all the good stuff!

It looks like you went to the North rim of the Grand Canyon of Yellowstone. It also looks like you went to all the stinky places!!!!

Mel
 
I think I did! I checked out the north rim of the canyon on Monday and all kinds of other things on my way to my camp site. The guy at the east gate told me it was an hour drive to the camp ground. It took me 3 hours because I kept stopping to look at things like the mud volcano.

On Tuesday, I worked my way to Old Faithful checking out things like the Norris geyser area, the artist paint pots, Midway geyser basin, Biscuit geyser basin, and all kids of other stuff. I arrived just minutes before Old Faithful erupted. It took me 9 hours from start to finish, then I rushed back to my camp site before the showers closed. I built a fire that night while it snowed on me. Nothing accumulated on the ground, but I had about an inch of snow on my tent and car when I woke up. It was in the 20's that night.

Wednesday, I made my way over to the Mammoth hot sprigs, checking out Sheep Eater cliff and and all the little things in between that I can't remember off the top of my head. I kept on going toward the North East exit and traveled to Cooke City where I had my only real meal during the whole trip: pan fried trout with baked potato and salad. It was pretty good and I was completely stuffed when I left. I then worked my way back to my camp site and saw a black bear far off. In the very same meadow, there was a wolf laying in the grass. A family I met there said they saw it walk down out of the trees and lay down. It never moved again. I'm guessing it was sick or dying? I traveled on to get back for a shower, plus it was getting cold again. It was colder than Tuesday night. I stayed warm except for my feet for some reason.

Thursday, I was completely exhausted and decided to slow down and stick close to camp. I had thought about going to see the Tetons, but I just wanted to relax and take it easy. I went back to the canyon and walked down Uncle Tom's trail...then walked to Artist's Point. After that, I went over to the north rim and walked down to the upper falls, then down to the lower falls. I moseyed back to camp and started packing up the car. I had planned to leave on Saturday, but I was so tired at this point and really sick of eating trail mix and granola bars! I built a nice fire and cooked some hot dogs. I relaxed and read a book. It didn't get as cold that night.

Friday, I woke up, packed everything else into the car and checked out. I headed out the north gate into Montana. I drove to Rapid City, South Dakota and got a hotel room. Saturday, I woke up and went to see Mount Rushmore. It was more impressive than I imagined. I didn't go see Crazy Horse... at this point, I was ready to get home.

I know this kind of stuff isn't for everyone, but if you like getting out in nature and such, you MUST go to Yellowstone!
 
You know you can put the entire Mt. Rushmore monument in the face of Crazy Horse.

It is best to see Rushmore first and then Crazy Horse. BTW Rushmore was named after a lawyer who was visiting. He asked a guide what the name of that Mountain was and the guide said, "That Mountain got not "G" Damn name. I guess Rushmore." After this when it was announced that they wold build the monument he donated $5000.00 which was a large sum back then.

Mel
 
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