Gros Ventre Campground June 30-July 3

[nathanj04011]

So on with my planning...

I emailed Grizzly RV Park tonight in West Yellowstone to see if they had any availability for the dates listed above. "Nope. All sites are booked."

Another option we would be happy with (although it's a long drive to the Yellowstone sights) is Gros Ventre Campground. I have heard that Gros Ventre, even though they don't take reservations, is rarely full. However, that may not be on pre-holiday weekend.

Have any of you stayed there at any point in the summer or peak season, where it might be busy, and if so, do we stand a chance?

Thanks everyone!!

[Greg A]

The KOA at the west entrance is showing available for those dates. One piece of advice you can do with what you wish. When traveling through a major holiday weekend, we always book through the Holiday night and sit tight. 4th of July is a brutal weekend to attain camping reservations and if you can leave on the 5th for your next destination we found it is much less stressful all around.

[Iowa Dave]

Originally Posted by Greg A

The KOA at the west entrance is showing available for those dates. One piece of advice you can do with what you wish. When traveling through a major holiday weekend, we always book through the Holiday night and sit tight. 4th of July is a brutal weekend to attain camping reservations and if you can leave on the 5th for your next destination we found it is much less stressful all around.

Greg, that's real good advice especially for those who have not camped around or in the National Parks recently. We always do this on the three major holidays in the summer and sometimes just nice weekends in late June, July and August. Mid fall camping in leaf peeping area can be iffy too.
Dave

[CADreamin]

Wow, they certainly have a lot of sites there

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=aAtuA16y-

.

[Dave Walter]

We stayed at this campground in middle of July in 2014. Is very big and quite easy to get a spot at night. Fairly close to Jackson, WY if you want to go into town for supper or shopping. Facilities in the campground are fairly basic, I don't believe they had any electrical or water services at that time. No showers either, but there was flush toilets in the washrooms. For us, it was ok as a one night stopping point on our way to somewhere, but definitely not a destination spot nor a place we would have wanted to stay for more than one night.

[MyronL]

We have stayed at Gros Ventre several times. Very convenient for the Jackson Hole Grand Tetons area. This picture taken early September.

[nathanj04011]

Thanks eveyone!

We actually are going to be in South Dakota for the Fourth of July. I reserved a campsite at Big Pines Campground there last night. I took the last site they had. So in that respect we were fortunate!

I will call some places this weekend and hopefully get a site reserved somewhere. I was hoping for a NP site, as it's the holiday weekend so I won't be needing to be near WIFI in case something goes wrong at work that needs fixing. However, if I'm unsuccessful there I would like to be able to spend some time relatively close to Yellowstone. I'm sure there will be a spot somewhere...

[Vermilye]

It is still worth checking out Gros Ventre - I've been there in late June & didn't have a problem finding a spot. It is large enough that the daily turn over always leaves some empty sites. I would try to arrive early. Pulling in at 6:00PM might prove difficult...

[nathanj04011]

Ok, I called the reservation number for Yellowstone Parks and reserved the 4 nights at Fishing Bridge RV Park, and got one of the 2 sites left. I had read prior to, that it wasn't great, and even watched some YouTubes. However, desperate times call for desperate measures. We had wanted to be off the grid at least SOME of our trip, just to see what its like, but the lady said every other campsite in all the other campgrounds were full.

She also said there isn't much to do around Gros Ventre unless a person likes to hike, which we are still in the baby stages of trying to contemplate.

I then called Rustic Wagon RV Park in West Yellowstone, based on the good ratings on both Trip Advisor and RV Park Reviews and they have a couple of sites available.

Does anyone have any personal experience with Fishing Bridge or Rustic Wagon, or even West Yellowstone? I have no problem canceling fishing bridge if its not that great....

Thank you!!

[Greg A]

Fishing Bridge is one of the few with hookups. Not bad and the location is pretty central. You will be in Yellowstone, where there is so much to see and do. We were never in our trailer much at all and it definitely is a better experience to be staying inside the park. You were fortunate to get anything in the park at this point.

[padlin]

Originally Posted by nathanj04011

She also said there isn't much to do around Gros Ventre unless a person likes to hike, which we are still in the baby stages of trying to contemplate.

Does anyone have any personal experience with Fishing Bridge or Rustic Wagon, or even West Yellowstone? I have no problem canceling fishing bridge if its not that great....

Thank you!!

Someone doesn't know what they are talking about, we found plenty to do around Gros Ventre. Yes, walking and some light hiking is involved.

Fishing Bridge is sites are pretty tight, but that's what you get if you want hookups in the park. It's not a bad spot for exploring the park although Canyon was better if you are staying in just one. a few nights in a couple different campgrounds would be desirable, it's a pretty big area, the roads get backed up, especially during the high season.

[CADreamin]

We spent five nights at Canyon Village Campground (Loop L) when we first got our trailer. Great spot and not really on top of our neighbors (although, our closest neighbor was our daughter and family). Having solar was wonderful as we managed to get a spot where the sun hit the panel most of the day. No hookups but bathrooms close by (showers were nice but you did have to drive to them).

BTW, we'll be in Rapid City SD over the 4th as well, but we opted for the KOA ...

[Bobbito]

There are awesome scenic sites in the area for photographers that we drove to from this campground. And the National Museum of Wildlife Art is a short drive away, on the outskirts of Jackson. We had a herd of moose in the campground for even more photo ops. We were there on September.
Bob K

[nathanj04011]

In looking at Apple Maps of the West Yellowstone area, I just don't think I'd like staying at Rustic Wagon. No offense to the campground, just not our cup of tea. Fishing Bridge isn't either, but nothing is better than nothing. Wait, rephrase that, something is better than nothing...

I'm going to keep looking and will still consider Gros Ventre for part of the stay.

On a up note, we did reserve our Glacier NP stay here, which I think we will be happy with:

Columbia Falls RV Park: Campground and RV Park Near Glacier National Park Montana

[nathanj04011]

Originally Posted by CADreamin

We spent five nights at Canyon Village Campground (Loop L) when we first got our trailer. Great spot and not really on top of our neighbors (although, our closest neighbor was our daughter and family). Having solar was wonderful as we managed to get a spot where the sun hit the panel most of the day. No hookups but bathrooms close by (showers were nice but you did have to drive to them).

BTW, we'll be in Rapid City SD over the 4th as well, but we opted for the KOA ...

If you head out the Rushmore way, stop in!!

[CADreamin]

We just might as I would love to see your TA. Plan on using the KOA as "home base" for five nights so we can venture out from there (I've always wanted to see the area). I'll PM you with our cell phone number.

[holo]

We drove up to Gros Ventre about 10 AM in mid-September and got a great spot in the non-generator loop. There were several empty spots during the 3 day stay. September was busy but I don't know about major holidays. A moose cow and calf walked up and stared in our window. I think they liked their reflection. Then photographers started arriving. On the way to the visitors center is a good wildlife viewing area and the bike trail from the center to Jenny Lake is superb.
Fishing Bridge is okay. Side by side but centrally located. Two free showers per day at the office, toilets in each loop. Close to stores and restaurants.

[holo]

Here is the curious moose.

[Ruthe]

If you did decide to go to the Tetons our experience (over Fourth of July weekend) was that Colter Bay Campground --- first come first served -- was not a problem to get into. We were surprised. We spoke to someone who'd been to Gros Ventre -- it is further south -- and she raved about it -- also not a problem to get into. Colter Bay has stores, a restaurant, boat trips, swimming, and hiking long or short -- and of course you get to see the Tetons from many different vantage points.

We passed through Yellowstone on our way and were stunned at how built up it is and how crowded it was. Lines of cars on the road at the sulfur springs we passed -- because the parking lots were filled. We actually had small traffic jams where making a left turn took a lot of courage. We stayed in Yellowstone for a month about 25 years ago and totally loved it (I cried when we left) but I think it will be challenging in the summer.

[Bobbito]

Gros Ventre is too far from West Yellowstone. We stayed in Grant Village, using it as a base to explore the Yellowstone sights. Gros Ventre works well for covering the Grand Teton area.