Driving, Yellowstone National Park

  Shortly after entering Yellowstone NP
by Bwana_Brown
 
  • Shortly after entering Yellowstone NP
      Shortly after entering Yellowstone NP
    by Bwana_Brown
  • Antique yellow bus in front of Old Faithul
      Antique yellow bus in front of Old...
    by grandmaR
  • Gardener entrance
      Gardener entrance
    by Dymphna1
  • road construction
      road construction
    by Dymphna1
  •   Driving
    by grandmaR
 

17 Reviews of Driving

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How To Get There
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Yaqui 3596 reviews
Highways and entrances

North Entrance - Near the gateway community of Gardiner, MT

West Entrance - Adjacent to the town of West Yellowstone, MT

South Entrance is Jackson, WY

East Entrance is Cody, WY

Please Check the Road Conditons before you travel Please!

Map of Yellowstone

Updated Apr 4, 2011

Related to:
 Historical Travel

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Interested in renting an RV?
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KimberlyAnn 1076 reviews
Rental Cruise America RV

It seems like I see more and more rental RVs (Recreational Vehicles, sometimes called campers) coming through Yellowstone. If you don’t own an RV, but would like to try one, the rental RVs that we see the most are Cruise America. These come in three styles: 19 foot Compacts, which sleep 2 - 3 people; 23 - 25 foot Standard models, that sleep up to 5 people; 28.4 feet Intermediates, that sleeps up to 6; and 28 to 30 foot large, which sleeps up to 7. Cruise America has 134 locations from which you may pick up a rental RV, so visit their web page to see what pickup location would work best for your trip. You can even do one way rentals. So you could pick up your RV at one Cruise America location, drive across the country, and return your RV to a different Cruise America location. There is an extra fee for one way rentals, but by calling the number below you can get all the needed information. Also their website includes an orientation video that is a must to watch if you are considering renting an RV. To find this video go to their web page, click “Site Map,” found at the bottom of the homepage, click “Renters Orientation” from the list. Be aware that even though the video explains how to hook up electricity, water, and sewer, many campgrounds across that country do not have these options. You can usually fill your water tanks in campgrounds, and you should always have drinking water in bottles. Simply purchase a few bottles of drinking water, then you can refill them in campgrounds, provided you like the taste of the campground water. Your generator will be used if you do not have electricity. Campgrounds always have generator hours, so be sure you know what they are. You will not be allowed to use a generator overnight, which would be very rude and disturbing to other campers. The generator only has to be run if you want to use the microwave, air conditioner, or any electrical appliance that requires 110 electricity. Some things in the camper, such as lights, water pump, and the heater fan will run on batteries. Be sure you keep track of the charge in your batteries, as you will have to use the generator to recharge the batteries, and remember, you can only do this during generator hours. The video tells you that the RV must be level for the refrigerator to operate properly, yet their demonstration is done on level ground. There are a lot of campgrounds, especially in State and National Parks where the campsites are not level. Discuss this with Cruise America, to see if they have ways to level the RVs. If you are told that you must park in a level site, be sure you request this when you make your reservations. Also, be aware that you can be a little off level and the refrigerator will still operate.

Campgrounds in Yellowstone fill up early, so make your reservations as far in advance as you can.

Updated Dec 2, 2010

Phone: 800-671-8042

Website: http://www.cruiseamerica.com/

Related to:
 Road Trip
 National/State Park
 Budget Travel

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Really, you need a car for flexibility
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Bwana_Brown 3530 reviews
Shortly after entering Yellowstone NP
1 more image

This photo of our car was taken shortly after we arrived in Yellowstone NP and pulled over to the side of the highway to get a better look at various Bison that were out in the fields on both sides. Because the attractions of Yellowstone are spread all over the park, you will need a car for the flexibility of seeing and/or stopping for a closer look at whatever it is that strikes your fancy on any particular day. Since we live only about 1100 km away, it also made sense to just drive there and take in a few extra sights along the way, rather than go through the hassle of flying and renting. The second photo was taken on Highway 212 near Red Lodge, Montana as we looked ahead to the 12,800-ft Absaroka Range where we would soon be climbing upward to the Northeast Entrance on the spectacular and winding Beartooth Highway. Gasoline stations are strategically located at the main centres throughout Yellowstone, so that won’t be a problem. We ended up clocking about 3000-km on this six and a half day trip to both Yellowstone and Grand Teton NPs.

Updated Oct 10, 2010

Related to:
 National/State Park
 Road Trip

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Even Old Cars Rally at Yellowstone
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grandmaR 6286 reviews
4 more images

The Red Rock Rendezvous antique car rally was in Yellowstone when we were there, and the old Yellowstone buses were on display (photo 4 and 5). This was a tour where 13 drivers from around the country drive vehicles built before 1915 through the scenic roads of Wyoming, Yellowstone National Park and Colorado.

A newspaper story about them said, "Drivers generally hum along about 40 to 45 miles per hour and cover somewhere between 150 and 220 miles in a day, depending on road conditions, weather and the amount of time spent waiting for buffalo to cross their paths.

When we crossed the country in 1964 and 1966 in our 1932 Plymouths, we did about the same speed, but we usually did a little more mileage.

Updated Sep 11, 2010

Related to:
 National/State Park
 Road Trip
 Seniors

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vehicle
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Dymphna1 143 reviews

Every summer there is road construction. This year they have it between Madison and Norris. During the days there is about a 30 minute delay and no stopping in this area. Also there is some striping still going on between West Thumb and the South Entrance. Check with the park service as to where they are working before you go. It might save you some headache. But the roads for the most part were in good condition.

Do not expect to drive through Yellowstone in the winter - unless you are in a snow coach. The amount of snow they get in the park each year is such that there is no way to keep the roads open to vehicle travel.

Updated Aug 27, 2009

Related to:
 Family Travel
 National/State Park

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Northeast Entrance
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Dymphna1 143 reviews
road construction

Once inside the park you will be out of the road construction. But on the Cook City Highway there is going to be construction for the next few years. We had a slide that took out a good part of the high way a couple of years ago, so fixing it is going to be long. Expect delays here.

Also - if you are afraid of heights - find another way into the park!!!!! Seriously!!! I am not kidding!!!!

Written Aug 7, 2009

Related to:
 National/State Park
 Family Travel

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South Entrance
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Dymphna1 143 reviews

There is a great deal of road construction in the Tetons leading up to the park. Expect to add an extra 40 minutes to an hour to get through to the entrance. Also remember that it is only 45mph for most of the trip there, with times it dips to 25mph. Take your time and camera. Make it fun.

Written Aug 7, 2009

Related to:
 Theme Park Trips
 National/State Park

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Driving a red PT Cruiser
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filipdebont 2828 reviews
the red PT Cruiser
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I have booked my car via the company Holiday autos.

This makes it much easier, as it is in your own language, if you have problem you can call their office.

First I was searching the internet to rent a car, but there are so many different companies, like Alamo, Hertz, Avis, Budget, ...

And they all heave different ways in giving their prices (with or without a number of assurances), that makes it really hard to compare; also there are the hidden extras.

And then after a long tiring flight you stand there for the rent a car desk, and then they propose all kind of extras and assurances, and then it is sometimes very confusing to know what you really need.

So the advantage of booking via Holiday autos was that everything was included, so no more extras, of course at the desk they always try to sell one or more extra insurances, but a simple no does it

After the booking you receive a voucher, and upon arrival you present this voucher at the rent a car desk, a few signatures, and you can explore the American Highways.

The rent a car firm was Alamo.
And for the 21 days I paid 681 euro, which is 32.4 euro a day.

My car was a red PT Cruiser – Cryssler.

Written Nov 11, 2007

Website: www.holidayautos.be

Related to:
 Road Trip

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Cars and buffalo
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Segolily 590 reviews
Traffic jam Yellowstone style
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You don't just have to deal with car traffic. We were stuck for awhile in the Morris canyon by a herd of buffalo using the road as their route to and from places to eat. It is hard to stay 25 yards away when they decide to change course and come right for you. Everyone was patient and I'm sure excited to see buffalo up close and personnal.

Written Jun 3, 2007

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Private tour with BrushBuck Photo Tours
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amber_rose 1 reviews

My family stayed in Jackson, Wyoming prior to our trip up to Yellowstone and this is where BrushBuck Photo Tours picked us up. We had the most wonderful day exploring Yellowstone. We saw not only all of the Geo-thermal activities that anyone could ever seem to want, but we also saw so much wildlife. The highlight of the trip for me was being able to see a pack of wolves running free in the park.
The tour guides were extremely knowledgable about the parks history and knew so much about the animals, I felt like I had taken a fun college class by the end of the day! What was even better was that my family had, at first, planned on renting a car and seeing all the sites ourselves. I'm so glad we went with professionals who knew exactly where to go to see what we wanted.
If I was to return to the area, I would definately book another tour with this company.

Written May 31, 2007

Website: www.brushbuckphototours.com

Related to:
 Family Travel
 National/State Park
 Photography

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The Place

Driving

Driving tips and photos posted by real travelers and Yellowstone National Park locals.

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 My family stayed in Jackson, Wyoming prior to our trip up to Yellowstone and this is where BrushBuck Photo Tours picked us up. We had the most wonderful day... 

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Questions and Answers

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Q:  Dear forumites, My girl and I want to visit Grand Teton and Yellowstone next year. Before we book our trip, we would like to... 

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A: I visited Yellowstone NP and the Grand Tetons. Went at the start of June and saw hundreds of Bison (Buffalo), and many Moose. Not as many visitors in early June. Check... 

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Top Yellowstone National Park Writers

1

Yellowstone National Park, My Neighbor

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 We have lived in the East Gate Community of Cody, Wyoming since 1976, so I have been to the park many times, yet I have never tired of its beauty and variety. Yellowstone is famous for its boiling hot... 

2

Incredible Yellowstone National Park

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 Before I met my husband, I was not nearly as interested in hiking, camping or National/State parks in general. I always had an interest, but it was eclipsed by my need to discover other countries.... 

3

Yellowstone National Park was fantastic

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 After reading VT member Richiecdisc’s page on the adventures that he and D had experienced in both Yellowstone and Grand Teton National Parks, my wife Sue and I decided it was high time that we too...... 

4

Yellowstone

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 Yellowstone is the crown jewel in America's National Park System. It has both one of the most active geothermal areas but also the continental US's largest collection of wildlife. 

5

Yellowstone National Park

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 Yellowstone National Park was the one that started it all. On march 2, 1872 the US Congress made Yellowstone the first National Park in the world. Each year more than three million people visit the...... 

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