Wyoming/Montana ideas
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Forum Name: Camping Adventures
Forum Discription: Post your camping adventures here for all to share
URL: http://www.rpod-owners.com/forum_posts.asp?TID=4364
Printed Date: 08 May 2025 at 7:01pm
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Topic: Wyoming/Montana ideas
Posted By: bodie55
Subject: Wyoming/Montana ideas
Date Posted: 27 Jan 2014 at 2:30am
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We have about 10-12 days to explore parts of WY and MT. We've seen the highlights in WY and spent time last summer in Central Wy and have seen the Custer and Lewis and Clark signts in Eastern MT. We're passing through Vernal to see the Dinosaur Monument on the way out to Ft. Collins and plan to loop back north and west. Debating the Wind River area and Flaming Gorge or the Big Horn mountains and Southwestern Montana gold country. Any suggestions would be great. We would like to find water access if possible for swimming and keeping the kids cool, but my love of historical sights has me torn in my planning. A bit of hiking is fine, too. We're saving Glacier and NW Montana for another trip with WA/OR.
I know someone has a hidden gem! Kristy ------------- Bay Area Crew 2013 178 Beach Pod F-150 SuperCrew ...sempre in viaggio sul mare... |
Replies:
Posted By: Kokopod
Date Posted: 27 Jan 2014 at 1:05pm
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We're in Green River, WY (right off of I-80), about 20 minutes from Flaming Gorge Reservoir. Flaming Gorge stretches about 60 miles along 435. At Flaming Gorge there are lots of areas to boondock right on the water, if that's what you'd like. They have dump stations in the area. They also have a couple of park service campgrounds. One that is really nice is called Lucerne. It has hook-ups, each site has wind guards (that tells you something), is right on the Gorge, and there is a really nice little cove called Swimming Beach with a fairly large, rough sandy beach that the kids would love (burrr). That one is very close to Manila, UT (10 minutes) right on the WY/UT border. Beyond Manila are the Uinta Mountains. If you take 191 (that leads to Vernal) you will have access to some of the most beautiful campgrounds you can imagine all along the way. Our favorite area to boondock is on the Deep Creek turn-off. It's right off of 191, and you can go back as far as you like. There are large, grassy areas with NO people, and it's within 5 to 10 minutes drive from the main road and with more stars than you can imagine in the night sky!!! We never camp as far as the Deep Creek Campground because it's pretty far in, and the roads are rough, curvy and narrow - slow going but very beautiful. There is a wonderful lodge called Red Canyon Lodge just 10 miles from Deep Creek turn-off on 191. They have great food, a small lake where you can rent paddle boats or fish, outdoor dining and lots of humming birds. Wonderful setting. For that matter, there is a forest service campground there called Greens Lake. Both Red Canyon Lodge and Deep Creek are in Utah but only about an hour from Flaming Gorge. Red Canyon Overlook is a must-see. If you were to stay at Lucerne, which is still in Wyoming, you're right on the Gorge and only about a fifteen minute drive to the Uintas. Lots of hiking, swimming, whatever you want. Sorry this is so long, but we LOVE this whole area for camping. I won't even go into all of the great places in the Wind River Range (Louie Lake, to name just one - and near a ghost town - South Pass)!!! ------------- 2017 Jayco Melbourne 24k 2013 Premier 19FBPR Formerly-2013 R-pod 177HRE 2011 Dodge Durango Love a good road trip |
Posted By: Kokopod
Date Posted: 27 Jan 2014 at 3:57pm
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Just in case you are interested in my long ramble and look on a map, I gave you the wrong highway #. It's not 435, it's 530 out of Green River. Sorry. ------------- 2017 Jayco Melbourne 24k 2013 Premier 19FBPR Formerly-2013 R-pod 177HRE 2011 Dodge Durango Love a good road trip |
Posted By: bodie55
Date Posted: 27 Jan 2014 at 9:05pm
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Thanks, guys! Great food for thought. I'll confer with the crew. We visited South Pass a few years ago - cool history. We're conducting research for future retirement property (more than a decade away) and are scoping out all corners of Wyoming and northern Nevada (really near Tahoe). Want to find a corner of the world with outdoor activities and less people:) Seems there are more water opportunities in your area than up north (swimming not fishing). But I must say, it was very peaceful up in the Big Horns! Plan to check out the Medicine Bow range and Laramie as a future base for it's proximity to Ft. Collins and family. Thanks for all your thoughtful ideas. So many beautiful spots to explore! ------------- Bay Area Crew 2013 178 Beach Pod F-150 SuperCrew ...sempre in viaggio sul mare... |
Posted By: bodie55
Date Posted: 08 Apr 2014 at 12:28am
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Back to the planning...any thoughts on Firehole Canyon or Buckboard campgrounds? We thought we'd better get our reservations done as late July is prime camping season. Lucerne still has spots, but didn't know if the other two had as easy access to swimming from the campsite. We're not averse to driving to a remote spot, opening the tailgate and chillin'...
------------- Bay Area Crew 2013 178 Beach Pod F-150 SuperCrew ...sempre in viaggio sul mare... |
Posted By: jkwoods
Date Posted: 09 May 2014 at 2:04pm
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I live in SW Montana Gold Country. There is ample Federal/State lands to camp on without any hookups. Several KOA, etc. If you are a history nut, try some of the Lewis and Clark Trail routes, they are signed and there are several good spots to check out. Pompeys Pillar out of Billings is one of them that is incredible with an awesome intepretive site. I live in Butte, MT and am partial to the Big Hole area, it's a great river for floating, fly fishing, etc, and there are several campgrounds on the river, however, you won't have any hook ups and water isn't available at all of them. I didn't catch when you plan to travel, but it's May 9th, and we're still getting snow!!!! Gotta love spring in Montana! I am new to podding as well, just got mine a 2011 172, tried it for the first time last weekend and am in love with it. I pull it with my 2014 Subaru Outback.
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Posted By: Goose
Date Posted: 09 May 2014 at 11:32pm
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Welcome jkwoods, is that real gold like the stuff that you can pick up right out of the rivers? If that's the case then we need to visit your neck of the woods. Goose ------------- Mother Goose's Caboose..2011 RP171..07 Grand Cherokee 
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Posted By: jkwoods
Date Posted: 12 May 2014 at 9:32am
| Yep, we have REAL gold in our hills, lots of recreational panners in the rivers!!!! |
Posted By: bodie55
Date Posted: 13 May 2014 at 9:23am
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Much history to be seen in your area! We visited Pompey's Pillar a few years ago on an Eastern MT/WYO and Black Hills adventure. This summer will be southern WYO after time with family in Ft. Collins. We hope to visit Glacier Nat'l Park on the same trip as the Montana gold country, probably next summer.
So much to see, so little time off from school!! We are teachers (I teach History) so our kids are 'tortured' with museums and historical sites every vacation. Poor babies! The eldest now realizes how lucky he is! Hiking and swimming usually take up some of our time, so camping destination that have water hole access are a must. Wonder if the fly fishers and gold planners would mind sharing their rivers:) ------------- Bay Area Crew 2013 178 Beach Pod F-150 SuperCrew ...sempre in viaggio sul mare... |
Posted By: Camper Bob
Date Posted: 13 May 2014 at 10:13am
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My wife is a retired 8th grade history teacher and when our kids were small we went camping at some of the most out of the way places to check out the history. I will never forget the time we went to a small historical site and entered the "museum." We almost gave the Ranger a heart attack. He asked "where did you come from." Almost no one comes here. We dragged our kids to many historical sites over the years. Our most memorable visit was to Gettysburg. Fantastic. Safe Travels. ------------- Camper Bob and Camper Sue Gracie the Wonder Dog (12 LB. Mini Dachshund) 2013 Rpod 171HRE(ORPod) 2016 Lance 1685 2015 Nissan Pathfinder |
Posted By: bodie55
Date Posted: 15 May 2014 at 12:54am
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Those are the best adventures! ------------- Bay Area Crew 2013 178 Beach Pod F-150 SuperCrew ...sempre in viaggio sul mare... |
Posted By: yellowstonestu
Date Posted: 16 May 2014 at 3:00pm
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If you are in Ft Collins area, absolutely don't miss Rocky Mtn National Park!! If you haven't driven Trail Ridge Road thru the park, it is a must see - highest continuous paved road in all of North America. Highest pt is 12,073 ft and approx. 11 miles of road are above treeline - 11,000 - 12,000 ft! Pretty impressive! And be sure to travel all the way over to Grand Lake on the quieter and more friendly west side of the park. (just a little prejudice since I live 2 miles outside the west side of the park!!!) ------------- Yellowstonestu & Bela the Vizsla 2008 Toyota FJ 2015 RPod 179 (Pod #2) |
Posted By: bodie55
Date Posted: 17 May 2014 at 10:42am
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I have been to RMNP various times over the years, as I have family in CO. We took the kids there a few years ago. The drive above the to timber line was cool! We did drive to Grand Lake for a snack. The west side provided several moose for the kids to observe, more interesting creatures than he elk that have invaded Estes. Beautiful country! Still waiting to see the elusive big horn sheep:) ------------- Bay Area Crew 2013 178 Beach Pod F-150 SuperCrew ...sempre in viaggio sul mare... |
Posted By: Kokopod
Date Posted: 17 May 2014 at 4:23pm
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Ok. Back to Lucerne, WY. Just a few short miles from that campground (just past Manila, UT), is a place called Sheep Creek Canyon Geological Area. It's named that because of the big horn sheep! We've seen them in that area many times; but, of course, we've lived here for 33 years. It's near the Deep Creek area we mentioned before. Also, if you go on down to Vernal, UT, you will have the Dinosaur Museum and Dig.
By the way, you asked about Buckboard. We've never cared for it! It has a real "marina" atmosphere, and we would personally never camp there. But that being said, there are so many places to swim along the Gorge in that whole area. Just pick a dirt road that heads to the lake. There is also a KOA in Manila, UT. ------------- 2017 Jayco Melbourne 24k 2013 Premier 19FBPR Formerly-2013 R-pod 177HRE 2011 Dodge Durango Love a good road trip |
Posted By: blackcat
Date Posted: 08 Sep 2014 at 2:25pm
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For those that live around Butte- we are making our way to Pinedale, WY in a couple weeks and are planning on staying *somewhere* around Butte for a night. Hookups are not a priority. Does anyone have any suggestions? Also looking for some suggestions of where to camp around Pinedale. Thanks! ------------- 2015 R-Pod 177 2008 Dodge Ram 2500 |
Posted By: Newsguy12
Date Posted: 08 Sep 2014 at 2:46pm
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If you're going to Pinedale, don't miss the Mountain Man Museum there. It's excellent and is a good interpretation of the area surrounding Pinedale that was the site for half of the 16 annual Mountain Man Rendezvous held from 1824-1840. ------------- Ram 1500 5.7L V-8 Hemi 2015 R-Pod 179 |
Posted By: Mountainrev
Date Posted: 09 Sep 2014 at 12:39pm
What route are you taking from Butte to Pinedale? If you're taking I-15 south from there, and can make it another 60 miles or so, we stayed at this campground in Dillon, MT, a couple of years ago on our way to Glacier Park: http://csrvmt.com/ - http://csrvmt.com/ . It was a good overnight campground--clean, quiet, and pretty area. If you do go that route, are you planning to go over Teton Pass from Victor, ID, to Jackson, WY? If so, have you driven that before? We did that this year (pulling our popup, just before we got our new R-Pod). Be prepared for 10% grades! Very, very steep pass. It will test the limits of your tow vehicle. ------------- 2014 177 2008 Jeep Grand Cherokee Turbodiesel "I lift my eyes to the hills." 
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Posted By: Budward
Date Posted: 09 Sep 2014 at 7:00pm
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We camped for a night at Scab Creek (BLM) near Pinedale a few weeks ago. Nice small campground- The campground is 12 miles south of Pinedale on US 191, then 7 miles east on WY Road 353 and 7 miles north on gravel BLM road 5423. http://www.blm.gov/wy/st/en/field_offices/Pinedale/recreation/rec_map.html As for Butte- we stayed for a night at a Bureau Of Reclamation campground- White Earth Campground on Canyon Ferry Lake about 50 miles NE of Butte. Open, no shade but on a lake.
------------- 2014 179 Towed by a 2015 Ford Transit Diesel Supervised by a German/Aussie mix and a Labradoodle! |
Posted By: blackcat
Date Posted: 17 Sep 2014 at 12:19pm
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We are taking 15 south to Pinedale- the campground in Dillon looks like a good stop. I remember Dillon being a beautiful place, but haven't been there in a while. Fortunately we have a big truck that hauls horse trailers over passes, so we should be ok with the steep grades. Thanks for the warning Mountainrev! Budward, the campground at Scab Creek looks great. We're going to stay there this weekend. Thank you! ------------- 2015 R-Pod 177 2008 Dodge Ram 2500 |
Posted By: Budward
Date Posted: 17 Sep 2014 at 2:23pm
If you find a small 2 way radio let me know....we somehow lost one there ------------- 2014 179 Towed by a 2015 Ford Transit Diesel Supervised by a German/Aussie mix and a Labradoodle! |
Posted By: fwunder
Date Posted: 17 Sep 2014 at 6:36pm
Wyoming blows!  Did for us anyway. 55+ mph headwinds, -6 mpg entire crossing via route 80. Can't win 'em all. Maybe next time. fred ------------- 2014 RPod 178 => https://goo.gl/CV446f - MyMods and Buying Habits 2008 4Runner Limited 4.0-liter V6 Yes, those are wild ponies dining on grass while dumping tanks! |
Posted By: Leo B
Date Posted: 17 Sep 2014 at 6:58pm
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That is some serious wind!! ------------- Leo & Melissa Bachand 2017 Ford F150 2021 Vista Cruiser 19 csk Previously owned 2015 Rpod 179 2010 Rpod 171 |
Posted By: fwunder
Date Posted: 17 Sep 2014 at 9:12pm
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Yeah Leo. It sucked. I mean blowed. Kept seeing the overhead signs reading "High Wind Warning 35 miles". After 35 miles we would see another and another and another. Still thinking about those pioneers in prairie schooners with no slide-outs who finally made it to the Great Salt Lake and said, "We did all that for this??!!" fred ------------- 2014 RPod 178 => https://goo.gl/CV446f - MyMods and Buying Habits 2008 4Runner Limited 4.0-liter V6 Yes, those are wild ponies dining on grass while dumping tanks! |