Yellowstone and grand Teton NPs are surrounded by 5 national forests. There is some dispersed camping mostly out west of YELL but most camping is done in designated sites. It is grizzly country so take that seriously. Maybe you already know all this!!
It’s also not a bad idea to change camping spots because YELL is huge. Sheffield Creek between YELL & GRTE is a good location as well as grassy creek road.
Thanks a ton for the tips! I don't know for sure how much time we'll have in the area -- always wish we had more time! This will be our first time at YELL and all of Wyoming so I'm super excited!
We've been to Yellowstone twice. Once we spent a week, staying in different areas (all cabins), once just a "drive through" (exited out the NE entrance and had a really nerve-wracking drive with the sun setting and ice forming on the switchbacks as we drove through the canyon created by the snow on the sides of the road - and we're from Northern Illinois so snow and ice are in our blood). It's always amazing! The Lake Yellowstone area might have been my favorite for all of the things to see in one area (lake, thermal features, waterfalls - and the cabin was so cute)! You will love it even if you are only able to stay a little while!
Congrats on one year! As you head north from Rocky Mountain NP I would recommend checking out Vedawoo near Laramie, WY. Very cool rock formations. And from there northward Sinks Canyon by Lander,WY is also pretty awesome. Of course you’re always welcome to visit the Bighorn National Forest near Sheridan, WY and say hi! If you come this was you should hike to either Tensleep or Porcupine Falls and be sure to check out the Medicine Wheel. I have lots of other WY beta but need a real keyboard to type out all the cool things you could explore!
Thanks, Rochelle! Gonna add these tops to the list! Really wish we had more time in the area. Trying to figure out where we can trade things off so we have more time but don't have to have super long drives to get to Ohio.
I'd love to stop by Bighorn National Forest and say hi!! I added it to our map -- will see how things shake out!
Hopefully, you'll be able to explore the areas you will be driving past another time if you need to make tracks to Ohio. We drove 90 west from Chicago to Yellowstone when our kids were younger and there were so many fabulous places along the way, especially in South Dakota (National Parks and monuments). We were not camping, though, so I can't make any recommendations for that.
Your route on the southern coast of Lake Superior will be beautiful and you'll go past the Apostle Islands in Wisconsin and Pictured Rocks in Michigan (which are both on our bucket list, we've just never actually made it there...) TBH, these are probably best experienced by boat, but even the forests in that area are lovely. Sleeping Bear Dunes on the east coast of Lake Michigan once you are in the "mitten" is wonderful, but, again, might be out of the way for you. We have been there a couple of times and have backpacked on both North and South Manitou Islands (the bear cubs from the story). There's also a car ferry that crosses Lake Michigan between Wisconsin and Michigan - I think it was an almost 4 hour trip, but it's a different way to travel. The S.S. Badger accommodates larger vehicles. https://ssbadger.com/
I can't wait to see where this year takes Walter and his crew! Thanks for taking us along for the ride!
Yellowstone and grand Teton NPs are surrounded by 5 national forests. There is some dispersed camping mostly out west of YELL but most camping is done in designated sites. It is grizzly country so take that seriously. Maybe you already know all this!!
It’s also not a bad idea to change camping spots because YELL is huge. Sheffield Creek between YELL & GRTE is a good location as well as grassy creek road.
Thanks a ton for the tips! I don't know for sure how much time we'll have in the area -- always wish we had more time! This will be our first time at YELL and all of Wyoming so I'm super excited!
There’s never enough time!!!! Have fun!
We've been to Yellowstone twice. Once we spent a week, staying in different areas (all cabins), once just a "drive through" (exited out the NE entrance and had a really nerve-wracking drive with the sun setting and ice forming on the switchbacks as we drove through the canyon created by the snow on the sides of the road - and we're from Northern Illinois so snow and ice are in our blood). It's always amazing! The Lake Yellowstone area might have been my favorite for all of the things to see in one area (lake, thermal features, waterfalls - and the cabin was so cute)! You will love it even if you are only able to stay a little while!
Congrats on one year! As you head north from Rocky Mountain NP I would recommend checking out Vedawoo near Laramie, WY. Very cool rock formations. And from there northward Sinks Canyon by Lander,WY is also pretty awesome. Of course you’re always welcome to visit the Bighorn National Forest near Sheridan, WY and say hi! If you come this was you should hike to either Tensleep or Porcupine Falls and be sure to check out the Medicine Wheel. I have lots of other WY beta but need a real keyboard to type out all the cool things you could explore!
Thanks, Rochelle! Gonna add these tops to the list! Really wish we had more time in the area. Trying to figure out where we can trade things off so we have more time but don't have to have super long drives to get to Ohio.
I'd love to stop by Bighorn National Forest and say hi!! I added it to our map -- will see how things shake out!
DM me if you'd like some dispersed camping spots in CO and WY 🤗
Happy Anniversary and to many more wonderful adventures!
Thanks so much, Sabrina!
Such an advanture. Enjoy the next phase and stay safe.
Thanks a ton, Jean! Always love seeing comments from you -- it's like you're traveling along with me! Hugs!!
You might enjoy Badlands national park in North Dakota! Happy travels
I agree! Badlands is definitely a great place to explore!
Hopefully, you'll be able to explore the areas you will be driving past another time if you need to make tracks to Ohio. We drove 90 west from Chicago to Yellowstone when our kids were younger and there were so many fabulous places along the way, especially in South Dakota (National Parks and monuments). We were not camping, though, so I can't make any recommendations for that.
Your route on the southern coast of Lake Superior will be beautiful and you'll go past the Apostle Islands in Wisconsin and Pictured Rocks in Michigan (which are both on our bucket list, we've just never actually made it there...) TBH, these are probably best experienced by boat, but even the forests in that area are lovely. Sleeping Bear Dunes on the east coast of Lake Michigan once you are in the "mitten" is wonderful, but, again, might be out of the way for you. We have been there a couple of times and have backpacked on both North and South Manitou Islands (the bear cubs from the story). There's also a car ferry that crosses Lake Michigan between Wisconsin and Michigan - I think it was an almost 4 hour trip, but it's a different way to travel. The S.S. Badger accommodates larger vehicles. https://ssbadger.com/
I can't wait to see where this year takes Walter and his crew! Thanks for taking us along for the ride!