Camping or riding Yellowstone

[aaaaaa]

I had heard that the park was very crowded and the roadways congested in July. I'm going to ride thru the park but I'll be at old faithful at sunrise and gone by 6:30am.
robert r1150gs r1100rt st1300

[tommcgee]

I had heard that the park was very crowded and the roadways congested in July. I'm going to ride thru the park but I'll be at old faithful at sunrise and gone by 6:30am

The tourist crowd doesn't get up early anywhere.

[aaaaaa]

Ain't that grand.... and watching the sun rise is the best part of the day.
robert

[SherpaMayberry]

Actually, you can watch it from here:

http://www.nps.gov/archive/yell/oldfaithfulcam.htm

Hard to make it out at night though.

This pic will not be the same each time you visit the thread (unless it's night or you refresh within 30 secs).

http://64.241.25.110/yell/webcams/oldfaith2.jpg

[rgmanley]

Indeed, the summer months are very congested, both with cages and animals. The buffalo roam freely in the park, often you will follow a herd down the road or worse have to wait while they block the road.

Several years ago, had one charge my buddy on his HD (smart buffalo) and do some serious damage to the bike. Ranger said that it is there park and they are wild animals--very sensitive fellow.

Also, the rangers patrol heavily for speeders. Just a word of caution. Best to allow plenty of time to 'enjoy' the park.

Ron
RT gone
waiting for new GT to arrive

[BluegrassPicker]

I had heard that the park was very crowded and the roadways congested in July. I'm going to ride thru the park but I'll be at old faithful at sunrise and gone by 6:30am.
robert r1150gs r1100rt st1300

You probably won't see anyone. I was in the west thumb area (don't miss this) alone for 45 minutes at 8 am in the peak of tourist season. Park did not get busy until 11 am.

[SheRidesABeemer]

I was at Yellowstone this summer on July 3/4. I was pleasently suprised with the conjestion, or lack there of. I expected huge delays and back ups. The only back up we encountered was an early morning coffee break by some bisson in the middle of the road. Being on a bike made it easy to move around small groups of cars and RV's.
What I would keep an eye out for is park construction status. We encountered some nasty road conditions heading out the East enterance.

http://farm2.static.flickr.com/1097/765974720_6e7b9a0f3d_o.jpg

[VisitWyo]

Varying opinions on Yellowstone, but I will tell you, it is a beautiful park. Although I am biased, it is well worth the trip if sight seeing is on your agenda... if open roads and high speeds beckon, then the world's first national park probably isn't the best place for you.
As many have said on other threads... there are lots of great rides around the site of next year's rally... Big Horns, Devils Tower, the Black Hills.

[drummer]

I love Yellowstone and the Grand Tetons! Also, heading out of the east entrance into the Shoshone National Forest is awesome. Just remember, if you hit an animal you get a huge fine. The speed limits are not for you but to keep the animals safe.

[marcopolo]

I've ridden through it three times now in the last two years; the most recent was last July. My wife and I left Cody early in the morning (sunrise), took the Chief Joseph Hwy, briefly ducking up into Montana, and entered the park via the northeast entrance (also avoiding the construction at the east entrance road). It was a glorious ride, with virtually zero traffic. Even once in the park, the traffic was very light. We made a loop and then headed south into the Tetons. As others have said, the four-wheeled tourists don't get up that early.

[PMonk]

uneasy feeling

[PGlaves]

Almost every time I have camped in the vicinity of Yellowstone NP there has been frost - notably in both July and August. In peak season campsites in the park are heavily reserved, and the unreserved fill up early in the day. If you wish to camp in the park either reserve a site or, camp nearby one night and arrive early in the morning to get a just-vacated site.

There are a number of campgrounds near the park - ranging from rustic Forest Service sites to $$$ commercial campgrounds. Pick your poison.

Traffic can be bad. Road conditions make it worse. Construction trumps it all. But - if you are an early bird and get your riding done mostly in the morning before the motorhomes and four-door sedans hit the roads it is a very fun place to visit. Riding in the Tetons is nice too. Out the northeast gate and up to Bear Tooth Pass is almost a must-do.

[PGlaves]

I was at Yellowstone this summer on July 3/4. I was pleasently suprised with the conjestion, or lack there of. I expected huge delays and back ups. The only back up we encountered was an early morning coffee break by some bisson in the middle of the road. Being on a bike made it easy to move around small groups of cars and RV's.
What I would keep an eye out for is park construction status. We encountered some nasty road conditions heading out the East enterance.

http://farm2.static.flickr.com/1097/765974720_6e7b9a0f3d_o.jpg

This brings to mind my favorite Yellowstone story - and absolute fondest memory from the Iron Butt Rally. Voni and I rode the IBR in 2003. Departing Cooke City just before sunset we headed towards Mammoth and the North gate. In addition to every photographer within miles, parked beside the road to take sunset photos, we hit a "bison clog." They were on both sides, and occasionally in the road. Cars were scattered every-which-way as tourists stopped to gawk.

Seemingly from nowhere an ambulance appeared to the left of me. The driver pointed at me and gave a "follow me" signal. Then he turned on his lights and siren. The cars scurried out of the way like the parting of the seas. Voni and I followed the ambulance. As soon as the ambulance was past the clog the driver shut off the siren and lights, pulled to the right, and waved us around.

To this day I wonder the why of it. Did he know we were in the IBR? Did he just want to get us away from the bison? Out of the park by dark? I don't think I'll ever know

[101905]

I lived in the area back in the 80's and still visit every other year or so. I have two suggestions.

Stay near an entrance either North or West and hit the park very early. Take coffee find a spot and enjoy the sunrise. It is also the best time to watch the antelope, elk and bears play. Depending where in the park you start. I found going to the Northern park first and work South. All the tourists are still sleeping and will be coming from the South.

Other thought is to stay in the park. Prices are not real bad with planning. Old Faithful and Grand Canyon Area. Just my two cents.

mls