Heading to Yellowstone TOMORROW! Recommendations?

Well we're off on our first adventure in our "new to us" 2014 2552.  On the way from northern Minnesota to Yellowstone, we're planning on stopping to see the Teddy Roosevelt National Park (Park, Medora Musical).  I've researched routes into and out of Yellowstone (thanks to a link provided by Tom Hanlon) and will likely travel through all five entrances over the course of the trip.  We are especially intrigued by the Red Lodge to Cooke City route into the northeast corner of Yellowstone due to the scenic nature of the route.  Have any of you traveled this route?  If so, do you recommend it or should be take the Belfrey by-pass around the Beartooths?

We hope to do a combination of free boon-docking with a number of nights in RV campgrounds around Yellowstone (Gardiner and West Yellowstone).   We'll also be going to Grand Teton National Park and visiting Jackson.  Our campsite during that portion of the trip may be near an area I've hunted elk numerous times. 

The return home will take us through Cody, portions of the Black Hills and the Badlands (been there before but want to see it again).

Please share any must-see/must-do/must-eat options that would be a plus for our trip.  For example, have any of you done the Aerial Tram in Teton Village...worth it?

Thanks for any helpful insights...so appreciated.

Wayne and Karen

You just missed one of the best must see, must do, must eat things in that area...Sturgis, SD the first week of August!   

Thanks for the input.  I have heard good things about Sturgis...and specifically the Motorcycle Rally.  We really explored the Black Hills a year and a half ago and have great memories.  That is partly why they'll be on our way home!

Heading home via the Black Hills a few of our favorites are Custer State Park, Spearfish Canyon, Jewel Cave National Monument, and Wind Cave National Park.  https://gfp.sd.gov/parks/detail/custer-state-park/ https://www.blackhillsbadlands.com/scenic-drives/spearfish-canyon-scenic-byway https://www.nps.gov/jeca/index.htm https://www.nps.gov/wica/index.htm

Have fun most of all!
Gary

We did the Beartooh drive this summer. It is terrific, just take you time.

Thank you, LakeGeorge...that is reassuring.  I did find some additional information that it is best to drive it from Red Lodge to Cooke City rather than the reverse.  I think it will be a worthwhile route - given all the accolades it has received (All American Road, etc.).

Thanks again!


Wayne

We were in the Black Hills three days ago.  We decided to go north from Medicine Bow WY (near Laramie) to I-90 to get east to home instead of I-80, just to spend a few days in that area.

If you are ever in the Medicine Bow National Forest, you must plan a few days there.  The hike to Medicine Bow peak is just under two miles one way with views along the way that are breathtaking.  If I were president, I would "UP" the protection of the area to a National Monument.

The first airline disaster was in October 1955 when United flight 409 with 66 people on board, slammed into Medicine Bow range.  You can read about it by searching it on Google.

Awesome trip so far and I appreciate all the suggestions and comments.  We're now in Jackson after being in Yellowstone for two days.  The trip over Beartooth Pass was absolutely stunning!  No trepidation in recommending it to others with one caveat...use your tow/haul feature both going up and coming down.  A local in Redwood Lodge recommended it and I'm so glad he did as it is a new feature to me.  We've boondocked free each night so far in some amazing spots and will be doing the same in Jackson tonight.  My wife and I are really enjoying our first trip and learning a lot about rv travel.  Thanks again.

Note:  Ron, we may check out that site on the way home...much appreciated.

Our favorite campgroung in Medicine Bow is SugarLoaf.  But be aware that because of the 10K  plus elevation the campground has limited opening days...

https://www.forestcamping.com/dow/rockymtn/medbcmp.htm#sugarloaf

Irene and I were at Medicine Bow two weeks ago and we agree that Sugarloaf campground is ideal for it's views of the mountain range and lakes.  Yes, it is high altitude camping (10,800 feet) so your nights are going to get cold on you.  Arrive with a full propane tank to run your furnace at night without concern.  We filled our propane and main fuel tank in Laramie at a Conoco gas station called West Laramie Fly Store off the main highway I-80 on Route 130, and entered Medicine Bow from the east taking Snowy Range Road (Route 130) through Centennial.  Centennial sells gas but the old 2-pump station was not impressive.

Be mindful that there is no water at any of the campgrounds except at Silver Lake on the west end, and it's a hand pump that provides tan colored water.  The visitor center rangers said it is safe to drink, but we consumed our own purchased water.

If you are decent hikers, we recommend hiking to the top of Medicine Bow peak, trail head at the end of the gravel road from Sugarloaf campground.  The sign at the trail head says it is 5 miles to the summit but it is wrong.  It is 2 miles up and 2 miles back.  There is a junction on the trail beyond the half way point.  It is very clearly marked which way to go from there.  The hike along the way (especially after the junction) offers extremely beautiful views of many of the lakes and mountain range.