Highwaystreets
New member
What about mountain biking in and around these areas? Anyone have any good info on that? We did vrbo in bozeman and will be tenting in yellowstone and Jackson it looks like.
Camp sites in Grand Teton and Yellowstone?
- Thread starter Okki
- Start date
rjmarmjr
New member
This is super helpful, as I'll be in Yellowstone and Grand Teton from June 3-11 (Grizzly Double!). We have some kind of accommodations booked for the whole time, so we can more easily get away with a first come, first served situation on the nights we want to camp.
The recommendations here are great - thanks! Any easy wheeling or dirt roads in the area? I'm taking my T4R and while it won't be a focus of the trip at all, it's always nice to know.
The recommendations here are great - thanks! Any easy wheeling or dirt roads in the area? I'm taking my T4R and while it won't be a focus of the trip at all, it's always nice to know.
I bought the following book:
Wyoming Backroads
https://www.amazon.com/gp/aw/d/0974...+Backroads&dpPl=1&dpID=51gF9jam9cL&ref=plSrch
It lists 4 or 5 Backroads and 4x4 trails in the Yellowstone / Grand Teton area.
Okki
I've always managed to see grizzlies on this road, and since it's a gravel road it doesn't seem to get much traffic...:thumb3:
MTgirl
Member
I'm not sure I would consider Canyon central to either of those locations. On a good day it would be about a 2 hour drive from Gardiner to Canyon, if there is any traffic or construction or animals (and there will be) that could be a 3 or 4 hour drive. Also, the dirt roads in Yellowstone only open to vehicles once all of the snow has melted and the ground has firmed up. I wouldn't be surprised if both are still closed in early June.
If you want to be more central in Grand Teton I would again recommend Gros Venture. They do take reservations but it may be a little early. Even then they rarely fill up and I have never had an issue getting a spot there
Contact the Free Heel and Wheel in West Yellowstone. They rent bikes and could provide you with the most information. Some of the hiking trails in Yelly are also open to bikes - SOME of them, not all. There is a bike path in Grand Teton that goes from Jackson to Jenny Lake. You can also bike up or down the service road to Jackson Mountain Resort. THe tram runs all summer and you can either bike up and take the tram down (for free) or pay to ride the tram up and bike down.
Check out River Road in Grand Teton. They don't open it until all of the mud is gone but its a nice drive, maybe a handful of cars back there. Shot of Runner there last summer
Going to try and get my reservation changed. its the same parent company, so hopefully it's not to big of a fuss.
Is "river Road" right on the banks of the Snake River? I couldn't find a road by that name, but there is a 2 lane rd along the river. There appear to be gates at the various entry/exit points (and a few along the way). It also passes through the backyards of some NICEEEeeeeeeee homes
It eventually terminates into Moose Wilson Rd. Looks like the southern most section is a dead end starting at Teton Pass Hwy. Okki
Highwaystreets
New member
We certainly do plan on bringing the mountain bikes!
[MENTION=118909]MTgirl[/MENTION] where would you suggest for food and drink in bozeman??
[MENTION=118909]MTgirl[/MENTION] where would you suggest for food and drink in bozeman??
MTgirl
Member
I was just on their site and it says they don't take reservation for Gros Ventre....always thought they did. Well, I've always shown up at the last minute and gotten a site. And these guys live nearby, why I like to camp there. Gotta be close to my boysGoing to try and get my reservation changed. its the same parent company, so hopefully it's not to big of a fuss.
Is "river Road" right on the banks of the Snake River? I couldn't find a road by that name, but there is a 2 lane rd along the river. There appear to be gates at the various entry/exit points (and a few along the way). It also passes through the backyards of some NICEEEeeeeeeee homes
Okki
And River Road is in the park...not sure what you were seeing. There is a single lane dirt road that starts around the Taggert Lake trailhead and ends near Signal Mountain. Takes about 3 or 4 hours to drive, good views and no traffic, and there's an old dude ranch back there to explore too. Kinda rough/rocky and the hills coming over the plateau are a little steep but its no problem to drive unless you're in a Prius or something. Its on the park map, lemme find it online and I'll post again.
Lots of cool local places along Main St - the Garage, Main St Overeasy (awesome breakfasts!), Ted's MT Grill, MT Ale Works, Red Tractor Pizza....
If you're going to Jackson there are tons of amazing restaurants down there. I usually bring nice clothes and eat in town when I camp down there
Ohio_Steve
New member
Thank you! We were out there in October last year, and only off pavement roads we could find was the north/south road that goes by Mormon Row, and Lupine Meadows Road. Then when we were home, we saw a show called Rock The Park that drove down River Road. I looked on the maps, but couldn't find it. Now I'll know for our next trip.
Google Maps says 15.6 miles end to end.
Thanks again,
Steve
https://www.google.com/maps/d/edit?mid=zSZegrWovONU.kVQtLXJN73Rg&usp=sharing
Added "River Road" as a map with directions. It's actually mainly the "Bar C Ranch rd". 1 hour, 33 Minutes. 16 Miles (according to Google).
Okki
Added "River Road" as a map with directions. It's actually mainly the "Bar C Ranch rd". 1 hour, 33 Minutes. 16 Miles (according to Google).
Okki
Last edited:
MTgirl
Member
On the park map it will be River Road. B Bar C is the old dude ranch I mentioned. Worth exploring a little down there. Lots of old cabins and abandoned cars. Most are pretty rough shape. I saw a peregrine falcon down there last summer, first time I spotted one in the park. 90 minutes sounds a little rushed, I'd plan at least 2 hours for the drive, 3 if you walk around B Bar C. If you want to do any hikes I'd recommend either Phelps lake or Taggart Lake, both have ranger guided trips, both are about 3.5-4 miles and aren't all that difficult. The rangers also carry bear spray in case you don't have your own, I would recommend wandering out without it. And the views at the lake are more than worth the effort...
If you do any hiking in Yelly Fairy Falls is nice, get there early though. And Mt Washburn - I haven't made it up there myself (bear on the trail last time I tried) but I know the views are awesome.
There is a bear spray rental kiosk in the Canyon area - might be worth looking into if you plan on doing much hiking.
Bump - my wife and I will be heading to GTNP and Yellowstone the end of this month. I immediately thought of [MENTION=118909]MTgirl[/MENTION] always sharing photos/stories of the area. It looks like River Road is now closed due to erosion? Is there another off road drive/loop one would recommend in GTNP to view the area and if possible do some dispersed camping?
MissouriBreaks
New member
My understanding is that there was a slide/collapse on River Road a few years ago and the road was closed at that time, with the Park Service having decided a number of years ago to not maintain the road and when it became impassible to close it permanently.
It was a great drive, so too bad.
My favorite camping site in Yellowstone is the campground at Mammoth Hot Springs. It is a nice quiet campground, yet close to services.
In GTNP, I have always camped at the Colter Bay campground. All sites in both parks have food lockers.
As for drives in the area, the Grassy Lake Road in the John D. Rockefeller parkway is a nice drive and I believe there are some camp sites along the road. It begins at the Ashton Flagg Ranch and goes over the mountains into Idaho.
Thank you! We have a campsite reserved in Yellowstone and were lucky enough to get a 2-day backpacking permit. We will be spending 2 days in GTNP and don't have anything planned yet. I will check out those areas.
MTgirl
Member
Yes, River Road washed out last year. No plans to rebuild it. I miss is back there
If you guys are interested in day hikes I'd recommend Taggert Lake, Phelps Lake, Jenny Lake Loop with Cascade Canyon in the park and Top of the World at the ski resort (hint: if you hike up the mountain you can ride the tram down for free)
I'll PM you with my camping suggestions. I don't mind sharing but the fewer who know about it the better
If you go over the pass into victor Idaho and need a place to stay. The fin and feather B&B is a great place to stay .
Yes, River Road washed out last year. No plans to rebuild it. I miss is back there
If you guys are interested in day hikes I'd recommend Taggert Lake, Phelps Lake, Jenny Lake Loop with Cascade Canyon in the park and Top of the World at the ski resort (hint: if you hike up the mountain you can ride the tram down for free)
I'll PM you with my camping suggestions. I don't mind sharing but the fewer who know about it the better
Thanks for the tip [MENTION=118909]MTgirl[/MENTION]. We're headed to GTNP and Yellowstone 2nd week of August. We didn't want to take a chance on fist come first serve sites so we reserved a couple of night at KOA campground just in case. Would really prefer to camp where there is less people. Would appreciate any camping suggestions.
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