Buffalobilly
Holiday Island, AR
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Joined: 07/15/2001
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Just south south east of Glacier NP is the Bob Marshall Wilderness area. You might consider this area. The Bob
Buffalobilly
95 Safari Sahara
230 B Cummins
pulling a 2007 Diesel Grand Cherokee
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mitch5252
NW Tennessee
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Joined: 10/18/2006
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We don't have our hearts set on a National Park at all...that was just where I started looking since I'm so new to this whole camping thing, especially boondocking. So, yes National Forests and anything else secluded (with animals rarely seen in NW TN  ) would be GREAT!
The concern I tried to convey in my original post was the accessability (or lack of) with my litle trailer and van combo...I would like to find places that don't have the amenities to draw crowds, but won't rip the bottom out of my van getting there (or get us stuck on our way in).
Again, thanks for your help.
Regards,
Michelle
2008 Fun Finder X-160
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narcodog
Georgia
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Joined: 04/02/2006
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From my experience most of the FS roads are well maintained but at that time of year some will still be closed because of snow. Some of the back roads in Mont. and Id. did not open until the first of July this past summer.
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JT
out west
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Joined: 06/14/2002
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Another "FYI": You won't be able to drive over the Going to the Sun road in Glacier NP with your tow vehicle and trailer; the length limit is 21'. If you enter GNP from the west, you might want to stay at Avalanche campground (close to the last point before the road restrictions are in play) and drive over the road with your van. If you come in from the east, you might stay in/around St. Mary or even Babb and drive your van over the GTTS road from the east.
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campersuzid
Bisbee
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Joined: 12/27/2006
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Suggestion - Land between the Lakes National Recreation Area. Check it out at http://www.forestcamping.com/dow/southern/lbl.htm. There is an area full of Bison and Elk.
I would also like to suggest looking at Fox Creek and Falls campgrounds in the Shoshone National Forest and Big Creek and Spotted Bear campgrounds in the Flathead NF.
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dontay
Mims, Florida
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Joined: 03/22/2003
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If you go in May I recommend the Yellowstone NP campground at Mammoth (the park HQ.) It is very cold at night in May and when the sun comes up that cg gets it nicely. We spent a month there in 2003 and did a book-and-a-half of day hikes using it as a base. The road out to Lamar Valley (where a lot of people go to try to see wolves) forks from the Mammoth area. We had an elk with calf across the road and watched for a few days while she hid it in the bushes and then watched over it from a distance. On one of our hikes a lady behind us said that a wolf ran across the trail right behind us. Several times we had to detour around Bison herds. We make enough noise in brush that we have never seen grizzlies up close and personal. From the Jeep, yes, but not on the trail.
Your van is probably the same as our Honda and if I was going to take it on a trip that far in only 2 weeks I would stay on paved roads. You don't want to spend it in a motel while the van is repaired. Last time we were in Glacier we took the Jeep up the road on the west side of the park up to the NW corner and then into Montana. I think your van could take that road but in May it would be extremely muddy and maybe even closed. A couple of the side roads that led to cg's were very rough and had unrepaired washouts which were fun for us but you would have to back out.
Hope you have a good trip.
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keyahkey
Yellowstone country
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Joined: 12/09/2008
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Are you still interested in Grand Teton & Yellowstone? There is lots of great tips above, but the best is to realize in May it's still late winter/early spring in NW Wyoming.
In Grand Teon the Gros Ventre campground opens in Mid-May. There aren't many camper there at that time and it is a terrific place, but no hook ups. Slough Creek in Yelleowstone opens about the last week in May. There are no hookups, 2 miles of good gravel roads. and in the center of the Lamat/TowerFalls area with fantastic wildlife! The campground at Tower Falls is about the same, but not a "remote" and off good roads. Canyon & Fishing Bridge will be openm then but far away from the bulk of the critters. Here's the link to Y-Stone campgrounds: http://www.nps.gov/yell/planyourvisit/camping-in-yellowstone.htm
Any pure boondocking I know of would require a four wheel drive due to snow & mud on the raods.
Here's a post I made to another forum. We live in Grand Teton NP and spend a lot of time in Yellowstone.
The very best wildlife viewing in Wyoming’s Grand Teton & Yellowstone Nat’l. Parks is from mid-May into mid-June! Certainly, you’ll see more wild critters in these National Parks at this time than any other time or place – including Canada & Alaska! More like Africa then America. This is when the babies are born so it can be absolutely spectacular!
Lots of bears & wolves to be seen in Yellowstone's Lamar Valley. As well as elk and bison, which is why the predators are there. In Yellowstone the critters will be across the north from West Yellowstone to Gardner to Cooke City, but especially in the Lamar Valley.
In Grand Teton the elk will be leaving the refuge by the thousands and you’ll see tons of Bison and some Moose. Plus, probably bears and wolves.
Unfortunately, camping is very limited. Forget about boondock camping due to remaining snow. Check with the Park Svc as to when the various campgrounds open in the Parks. Also, check when the roads open. The road from Jackson Hole to the south entrance of Yellowstone opens late.
Whether can be absolutely AWFUL (snow, cold, rain), but beautiful too. Think of it as more late winter than spring. Actually, Spring might last a day or two. We’ve seen 18” of new snow in a night during late May around the NE Entrance to Yellowstone.
If you are tough enough this is a terrific time to see this amazing area! We are there several times each spring for many years! You’ll remember it forever!
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chuckster11
Idaho
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Joined: 04/30/2004
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Another thing about late April to mid-May in Yellowstone that hasn't been mentioned is that, while the roads are generally open, there is very likely to be some pretty high snow banks along those roads from the plowing and your view can be very restricted. I can remember trying to "beat the crowds" by taking my family up to the Park early and really not being able to see anything from the road way.
All that depends on the amount of snow for the winter and early spring--some years it is better than others.
Other than that, I recommend Slough Creek Campground as well--it is off the beaten track and yet, right on the edge of the Lamar Valley which I think is the most lovely part of Yellowstone. Enjoy--there are plenty of accessible dry camping (boondocking) areas here in Idaho so on your way in or out, no problem.
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mikestock
Vestavia Hills, AL, USA
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Joined: 12/01/2002
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Good luck. I have just one question for Mitch. How did you get TWO girlfriends to go with you?
2005 F250 Crew Cab LWB Power Stroke, 2007 Montana 3500RL Fifth Wheel,Honda EU3000IS, Honda EU2000i, Porta Bote with 6HP Nissan and sail kit, S&W security system
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beemerphile1
I'm only 54, I'm not a
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Joined: 04/20/2007
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Good Sam RV Club
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mikestock wrote:Good luck. I have just one question for Mitch. How did you get TWO girlfriends to go with you?
Mitch = Michelle
Quote:Trailer is a 16' Fun Finder...
Regards,
Michelle
(All-Girl-Westward-Ho-Trip-Part Deux)
Three girls in a Fun Finder 
Tim (in NE Ohio)
"Okay, I admit it, the only thing I'm really good at is being me."
2006 Weekend Warrior FK1900
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1995 Burley tandem
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