Last year my wife and I did the Tetons and Yellowstone in early June as you are planning. We did the Tetons first because the weather in Yellowstone was colder and with more snow.
In the Tetons our campground of choice was Atherton Creek, just outside the park on the east. The locals know it as Slide Lake. We also stayed one night at Lizard Creek, the northernmost campground in the Tetons, which was the last to open because it was snowed in.
When we ran into a spell of bad weather, we took a timeout to Craters of the Moon in Idaho, an unusual and interesting detour. Camping in the Craters of the Moon park was fine, as was the Mountain View RV park in the town of Arco north of Craters of the Moon.
We also did a detour east of the Tetons about 60 miles to the Longhorn Ranch, a very pleasant RV park in the town of Dubois.
Our home base for Yellowstone was Yellowstone Grizzly, just west of the park entrance in West Yellowstone. Yes, we did some backtracking but we didn't have to worry about where we would stay each night. The campgrounds in the park appeared to be perpetually full – and not to our liking anyway. If you want to stay at Yellowstone Grizzly, you might want to make reservations.
Ya got a good game plan. It is always true, though, that you will wish you had taken more time. Relax and stay a few days at some of the locations, if you can - and enjoy the locals. There might be some days that you'll just want to decompress - hang and relax. Be sure to post pics of your trip!
What great advice from everybody, but I would expect nothing less from all of you on this forum.
Looks like we have a bit more research and decisions to make, which is why we like to start planning early.
I agree that interstates would be the way to go to save a lot of time, and also
moving around to different camping areas for the same reason.
We do not require water and electric so we are hoping to do the "SLEEPY" method
of traveling in most areas.
Talked about Grizzly RV park because we were not sure about the time of year with the crowds and such, but it looks like we will be early enough in the season to boondock and grab campsites here and there.
We as a family, camped/traveled across country when I was a kid in 1974 and saw
alot of the country for 5 weeks, but you just don't remember all of it until it gets talked about or a picture brings back the memories.
Will keep you informed of the final decisions.
Again, thanks for the info and recommendations!
Rick and Kim
2007 AF 1140, 2.5KW Onan, 300 watts solar, Trimetric, 2 Lifeline GPL-31T's, 1000w inverter, rear deck, Turbo/Maxx fans, all LED
2007 Dodge Ram Quad, DRW, 6.7L-CTD, EB, Air-Lifts w on board air, Hellwig,
Stable Loads, Rancho 9000's, Tork-lifts and fast-guns
I did the 3 weeks from NH to Yellowstone and back. I blew threw Chicago and didn't stop for a day until the Badlands..nice there. Spent 2 nights there. To Back Hills Mt Rushmore. 2 nights there. To Deadwood a few hours, Devils Tower 2 hours,to Custers Last Stand 2 hours to Yellowstone. In Yellowstone spent 10 days but got to see most places. Lot's of walking driving around. Never did make it to the Tetons. Lot's to see in Yellowstone some repetitive but all the same different. We were determined to see all the park offered.
Drove straight back mostly. Came back with one day to spare.
2011 F350 Super Duty,SRW, 6.7 PowerStroke,Crew Cab,Lariet,4x4, 3.55 Locking Diff ,Short Box.Timbrens,Happy Jack's, Gator Guard bed liner, Penda bed mat.
2012 Lance 855S 9K Coleman A/C,Duel Batteries
Recommend a good sunscreen lotion and a good hat - and definitely not a ball cap. You will be at high elevation where the air is thinner and the UV is stronger.
May is a good time to visit Lamar Valley where you have a chance of seeing grizzlies, wolves, coyotes, and black bears.
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