Hello. I previously posted for some advice (http://www.rvforum.net/SMF_forum/index.php/topic,108769.msg985437.html) and am very thankful for feedback as it as helped in planning our trip.
As we get closer, as a few more questions I feel you guys might be knowledgeable about.
First off, we ended up reserving an Airstream 190 Campervan which I hope will be maneuverable enough to get around, yet provide the simple accommodations we need. We'll bring along a tent and camp alongside when possible as I know it will be tight with 4 of us in the van (2 adults, 2 kids - 7 and 10). But also give us flexibility in where we can set up at night - RV site, car camping or tent site.
Below is our tentative itinerary. A couple questions/comments -
The only accommodations I have booked so far are 3 nights in YS (we're meeting a relative there and wanted to be in same area). We're still building out our day-to-day activities here so we'll make sure and see the sites/hikes.
Which other areas/nights should I book ahead of time - I noted which ones I thought were important to do that for
Black Hills days feel packed, don't know that I can squeeze in more time, so wondering which would make sense to cut or best places to visit in the days we are around there.
Looking for recommendation on where to stay on final two nights.
National/state parks - do you pay when you visit or can you buy passes ahead of time? Does our YS reservation get us entry into the park? Is there a pass that would cover us for all of them or we just need to purchase each individually as we visit?
------PLAN--------
Aug 9 Thurs/night ? drive ? way to Jackson
Land at 1130am. Pick up Campervan downtown. Drive to Rock Springs - overnight at Walmart
Aug 10 Fri ? drive to Jackson hole in AM
Visit Snow King Mtn - chairlift/alpine slide/cowboy coaster
Dinner/show at Bar J Chuckwagon Suppers
Stay in Jackson ? http://jacksonholecampground.com/ (should reserve ahead)
Aug 11 Sat ?
AM - go find campsite in Grand Teton - Colter Bay or Gros Ventre
Day - hiking around park
Evening - Triangle X evening float trip
Aug 12 Sun ? Yellowstone (Canyon Campground)
Aug 13 Mon ? Yellowstone (Canyon Campground)
3:45pm - Cookout Wagon Ride - Roosevelt
Aug 14 Tues ? Yellowstone (Canyon Campground)
11:15am - 2hr fishing on lake - Bridge Bay Marina
Aug 15 Wed ?Yellowstone during AM
Head to Cody -
8pm - Cody Rodeo
Overnight at Ponderosa Campground (should reserve ahead)
Aug 16 Thurs -
Drive to Devils Tower - visit/hike
Pizza Ranch dinner!
Stay in Rapid City (where?)
Aug 17 Fri ?
AM Rapid City - Storybook Island, Dinosaur Park
PM - head to Wall
2pm - Minuteman Missile Site Tour
Badlands
Stay at Sage Creek Campground
Aug 18 Sat ?
Mt Rushmore
Crazy Horse
Custer State Park wildlife loop
645pm - 1880 train?
Aug 19 Sun ?
Jewel Cave Tour (which one?)
Sylvan lake?
Hot Springs?
Head back to Denver
Aug 20 Mon -
Return Campervan around 9am
Flt at 12:15pm
Thanks in advance for any replies.
As we get closer, as a few more questions I feel you guys might be knowledgeable about.
First off, we ended up reserving an Airstream 190 Campervan which I hope will be maneuverable enough to get around, yet provide the simple accommodations we need. We'll bring along a tent and camp alongside when possible as I know it will be tight with 4 of us in the van (2 adults, 2 kids - 7 and 10). But also give us flexibility in where we can set up at night - RV site, car camping or tent site.
Below is our tentative itinerary. A couple questions/comments -
The only accommodations I have booked so far are 3 nights in YS (we're meeting a relative there and wanted to be in same area). We're still building out our day-to-day activities here so we'll make sure and see the sites/hikes.
Which other areas/nights should I book ahead of time - I noted which ones I thought were important to do that for
Black Hills days feel packed, don't know that I can squeeze in more time, so wondering which would make sense to cut or best places to visit in the days we are around there.
Looking for recommendation on where to stay on final two nights.
National/state parks - do you pay when you visit or can you buy passes ahead of time? Does our YS reservation get us entry into the park? Is there a pass that would cover us for all of them or we just need to purchase each individually as we visit?
------PLAN--------
Aug 9 Thurs/night ? drive ? way to Jackson
Land at 1130am. Pick up Campervan downtown. Drive to Rock Springs - overnight at Walmart
Aug 10 Fri ? drive to Jackson hole in AM
Visit Snow King Mtn - chairlift/alpine slide/cowboy coaster
Dinner/show at Bar J Chuckwagon Suppers
Stay in Jackson ? http://jacksonholecampground.com/ (should reserve ahead)
Aug 11 Sat ?
AM - go find campsite in Grand Teton - Colter Bay or Gros Ventre
Day - hiking around park
Evening - Triangle X evening float trip
Aug 12 Sun ? Yellowstone (Canyon Campground)
Aug 13 Mon ? Yellowstone (Canyon Campground)
3:45pm - Cookout Wagon Ride - Roosevelt
Aug 14 Tues ? Yellowstone (Canyon Campground)
11:15am - 2hr fishing on lake - Bridge Bay Marina
Aug 15 Wed ?Yellowstone during AM
Head to Cody -
8pm - Cody Rodeo
Overnight at Ponderosa Campground (should reserve ahead)
Aug 16 Thurs -
Drive to Devils Tower - visit/hike
Pizza Ranch dinner!
Stay in Rapid City (where?)
Aug 17 Fri ?
AM Rapid City - Storybook Island, Dinosaur Park
PM - head to Wall
2pm - Minuteman Missile Site Tour
Badlands
Stay at Sage Creek Campground
Aug 18 Sat ?
Mt Rushmore
Crazy Horse
Custer State Park wildlife loop
645pm - 1880 train?
Aug 19 Sun ?
Jewel Cave Tour (which one?)
Sylvan lake?
Hot Springs?
Head back to Denver
Aug 20 Mon -
Return Campervan around 9am
Flt at 12:15pm
Thanks in advance for any replies.