Nice campsites on way to Yellowstone

[lefttee]

There have to be a number of Escapes headed for Yellowstone this summer and the recent thread got me thinking. We live about 1 1/2 hours south of Yellowstone and know the area well. There are several Forest Service camps along highway 20 on the way to the town of West Yellowstone. The first at Big Springs (Caribou-Targhee National Forest - Big Springs Campground and Group Site) would be well worth a reservation and a day or so in the area. It's about 5-6 miles east of highway 20 and it's paved all the way. The second, Coffee Pot campground (Caribou-Targhee National Forest - Upper Coffeepot Campground) lies along a beautiful stretch of river that starts at Big Springs. Buy a temporary fishing license and bring your fly rod. Number three, Buttermilk (Caribou-Targhee National Forest - Buttermilk Campground), has some beautiful campsites and some that are so so. Still very convenient to Yellowstone...especially if the sites in the park are full. Feel free to PM me if you have questions about the Idaho side of the park.

[nealmccarter]

One of our favorite camps was Granite Creek Campground in the Bridger-Teton National Forest. It is South of Jackson and East of the Highway. The road in (5-10 miles) was a little rough, but worth the trouble. Notable sightings included Sand Hill Cranes and Moose. There were a number of hikes and a hot spring fed swimming pool. We plan to return soon.

[Ray N]

We are going from Glacier NP to Yellowstone but decided not to make the drive in one day. We have reservations for a night in Lewis and Clark Caverns state park in Montana for the night; reviews look good and it has electric and water hook-ups.

[captmath]

Last year we stayed at 3 mile (/NFS)campground near the east entrance. We were 50 feet from the river and I got to practice my new learned fly fishing skills.

Dick

[lefttee]

If you're coming south from Lewis and Clark on 287 you might find Virginia City an interesting side trip (Virginia City, Montana - Chamber of Commerce). On the other side of the mountain off of 191 is the Big Sky tram (Lone Peak Expedition | Big Sky Resort, Montana) but some might need oxygen at the top (11,000+ feet). Coming into Jackson Hole from the South on 89/26 or 191 there is a great half day family float "adventure" on the Snake River. Check with outfitters in Jackson Hole re floating the "Alpine stretch" of the Snake River (http://mad-river.com/whitewater/). Kahuna and Lunch Counter rapids are a hoot!

[CADreamin]

Thanks for all the very helpful information on campgrounds around Yellowstone. Posts like these really help those that are heading out to new places. Anyone have any favorites on the road from Nevada (Tahoe area) to Yellowstone?

[lefttee]

Coming from Tahoe on 80, the "quickest" way might be 80 to Salt Lake City then north on 15 to Idaho Falls. From there it's 20 to the West entrance or 26 east to Jackson Hole and the South entrance. But who wants the quickest when you have an Escape behind you? Just past Elko on 80 I would take 93 north to Twin Falls and check out Shoshone Falls (Shoshone Falls - Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia). Next quickest (from Twin Falls) would be 26 north to Craters of the Moon(Craters Of The Moon National Monument & Preserve (U.S. National Park Service)) and then 20 into Idaho Falls. Best however, would be 93/75 north to Hailey. Stay on 75 across the southern heart of Idaho. Check out Redfish Lake (http://www.visitidaho.org/attraction...-redfish-lake/) and Stanley, Idaho (Stanley Idaho, Trailhead to Idaho Adventure). Stop at the Sunbeam dam (Stanley, Idaho: Turning back the clock – a quick look at Sunbeam Dam | Visit Stanley Idaho) as you head east towards Challis and 93. Take time to drive up the Yankee Fork (Idaho’s Historic Yankee Fork Gold Dredge: Millions In Gold Came From Streams Near Stanley But At A Cost | Visit Stanley Idaho) and visit the ghost towns of Bonanza and Custer. See what dredge mining does to a pristine salmon stream. Past Challis you can take 93/26/20 back to Idaho Falls. If you have your jock strap on, stop and climb Mount Borah (http://www.summitpost.org/borah-peak/150190) (you will die on the descent without good hiking poles). Then on to Craters of the Moon, buy gas in Idaho Falls, and head north or east to Yellowstone. Hope this isn't TMI, but Idaho is the perfect place to show off your Escape.

[CADreamin]

Nope, not TMI at all!! We might not be able to take it all in as we have a house/pet sitter that we need to relieve at some point in time ;-) ; however, I know once John sees Yellowstone and the surrounding areas, he's going to want to go back. Thank you SO much for all the help/information!

[CADreamin]

Just looked up State Hwy 93 from I80 in Nevada to Twin Falls, Idaho. I see where it's a two lane hwy but can't find much else. Is it a pretty good road? Any steep climbs?

[nealmccarter]

I've driven part of Hwy 93 into Twin Falls several years ago and don't remember any steep climbs nor poor road conditions.

[daveandsandyclink]

I might add, for you Escape owners traveling Hwy 26/287 through southeast Wyoming along the Wind River, Brooks Lake offers a very beautiful, quiet, place to camp for a night or two. It's just a few well worth miles off the path to or from Grand Teton NP. No hook ups/mountain lake fishing. Highway construction season starts soon in Wyoming!

[CADreamin]

Thanks Neal. Also found an RV forum which said it a very nice road ... except for the speed traps.

[lefttee]

Highway 93 north from 80 to Twin Falls is an average 2 lane highway across a lot of barren Nevada desert. There isn't a lot of real scenery until you get further north near Hailey and Sun Valley.

[CADreamin]

I'll take the 2 hour drive over the barren desert as opposed to going through Salt Lake City ... again (have been there way too many times during the past two years).

[lefttee]

For the Escapees that golf and might have a reciprocal country club membership, I have to mention the Blue Lakes Country Club located in the bottom of the Snake River Canyon at Twin Falls not far downstream from where Evel Knievel tried to jump his rocket propelled motorcycle across the canyon Snake River Canyon (Idaho) - Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia). Have played as a guest and it's one of my favorites.