Yellowstone

[jlo]

Ok, I tried posting under the Northwest Forum and I have not had one reply. So, now I will give SC Campers a shot since most of the group should be back from Casitas now.
 
Does anyone have experiences to share about their drive from Southern California to Yellowstone?
 
We are not sure from Salt Lake City, as to whether we should go up through Idaho and go in the West Entrance or go up through Wyoming and go into the Southern Entrance.
 
Which is an easier drive?
Are there any places you recommend as a must see?
Does anyone have a favorite campground?
 
We are also planning on going to Mt. Rushmore from Yellowstone. Again, does anyone have any advice or ideas to share?
 
We appreciate any thoughts.

[Spirit Deer]

You might want to drop by Pop Up Explorer's forums.  There have been quite a few threads there recently dealing with South Dakota and Yellowstone.

[jlo]

What is an Explorer Forum? Where do I find it?

[cjpoppin]

The last time we went to Yellowstone through Idaho and down had such a great time can't say much more because it was soooooooooo many years ago I was a teenager.....Need I say more?  Have a super time.....

[kimrb266]

http://www.popupexplorer.com/
 
Margaret try this link.

[Muddog]

We did the trip to Yellowstone last summer - decided on Wednesday we wanted to go, spent the rest of Wednesday and Thursday making reservations and left on Friday.   We only had 9 days, so we had some long driving days.

Here's the route we took:

15 N to Mesquite, NV - night 1
15 N to Lava Hot Springs, ID - night 2
15 N/20 NE - West Yellowstone Montana - nights 3, 4, 5
89 S - Jackson WY - nights 6,7
89 S to 80 W - Salt Lake City - nights 8 and 8.5
15 S to Mesquite  - 1/3 of a night to catch some sleep

and from Mesquite home to Ventura County.

As I recall, 80 East between Salt Lake and Evanston where you pick up the 89 had some long steep grades and 89 between Grand Teton and Yellowstone had some highway construction with a few un-paved sections and some minor delays.  Most of 89 between Evanston and Jackson seemed pretty remote.  Scenery from the Jackson area to Yellowstone was great.

Hwy 15 and 20 in Idaho seemed less remote, with bigger towns along the way (Idaho Falls, etc).

If I were to do it again, I think I would take the same route up (avoiding the grade on the 80), but would take the same route home to stop at the Grand Tetons again.  

Because it was a last minute trip, a lot of the campgrounds were already booked.  We stayed at the KOA in West Yellowstone.  Not as central as something in the park (like Fishing Bridge) and a bit pricey, but we were quite happy with it as the base camp for that leg of the trip.  There were stables right next door and our boys really enjoyed going for a horseback ride.

Our favorite places were pretty much anywhere in Yellowstone, but especially the Canyons area and Jenny Lake at the Grand Tetons (you can take a short boat ride to the west shore and hike to Inspiration Point).

Should be a great trip!

[wavery]

The last time we went to Yellowstone through Idaho and down had such a great time can't say much more because it was soooooooooo many years ago I was a teenager.....Need I say more?  Have a super time.....

You should go back now.....they have this attraction that started after your visit....it's called, "Old Faithful". :yikes: :p

[Hoagie]

You should go back now.....they have this attraction that started after your visit....it's called, "Old Faithful". :yikes: :p

 
Nice! Pot-Stirrer-Man.

[Crowbar4]

You should go back now.....they have this attraction that started after your visit....it's called, "Old Faithful". :yikes: :p

This from a guy with a bald parrot, who overwhelms bathrooms, and likes those ferocious malamutes.  Come to think of it I'm begining to respect you.

[He Ruide]

Jlo,

Since I live in the Midwest, I can't help with the route from Southern California to Yellowstone. However, I've done the Yellowstone to Mt. Rushmore trip.  If time is not an issue I would make a detour and swing by the Grand Tetons and also the Devil's Tower on your way to Rapid City.  

While you are staying at Mt. Rushmore, I would encourage you to check out:

1. The Bad Lands.  While I always take the back roads through the Bad lands, you might want to take the 30 mile paved road (SD Highway 240 ) through the park.

2. The Black Hills.  There is a 70 mile drive which includes Needles Highway (SD Highway 87) and Iron Mountain Road (US Highway 16A).

Hope this helps.

Ruide