Not All Who Wander Are Lost...

Category: RV Trip Planning

RV Tales: Embracing Nature’s Symphony in Yellowstone

As an avid nature enthusiast and a firm believer in the therapeutic power of the open road, embarking on an RV adventure through Yellowstone National Park has been a dream come true. The journey began with the selection of two remarkable campgrounds, Bridge Bay and Madison, both promising a perfect blend of tranquility and accessibility to the wonders of America’s first national park.

Stan, Rowdy, and Mike – 2021 Trip to Yellowstone National Park

Bridge Bay Campground: Lakeside Bliss

Our RV found its temporary home at Bridge Bay Campground, perched along the serene shores of Yellowstone Lake. The view from our campsite was nothing short of mesmerizing, with the sparkling waters of the lake stretching out before us along with the elk that routinely traverse the campground. The RV, with all its amenities, became our comfortable oasis amidst the wilderness.

Old Faithful – Yellowstone National Park

Guided by the call of exploration, we hopped into my trusty Chevrolet Equinox, ready to unravel the mysteries of Yellowstone. The first stop on our adventure was the legendary Old Faithful. The Equinox effortlessly navigated the winding roads, delivering us to the iconic geyser just in time for its majestic eruption. Watching Old Faithful shoot a column of steam and water into the sky was a humbling reminder of the untamed forces at play beneath the Earth’s surface.

Madison Campground: Forest Retreat

2021 with Bertha in the Madison Campground

Transitioning to Madison Campground felt like entering a secluded forest retreat. Our RV nestled amidst towering lodgepole pines, creating an intimate connection with nature. After a day filled with exploration, the RV became a haven of comfort, providing a perfect setting for sharing stories and savoring the moments.

Driving my Equinox from Madison, Mike, Rowdy, and I set our sights on the Grand Canyon of the Yellowstone. The car allowed us to effortlessly traverse the park, reaching the canyon’s edge to witness the majestic Yellowstone River carving its way through the rugged landscape. The Equinox became the ticket to the diverse landscapes and wildlife that make Yellowstone an ever-unfolding masterpiece.

Paint Pots and Beyond: RV Adventures Unveiled

The Paint Pots and Grand Prismatic Springs of Yellowstone National Park

Returning to the RV, we eagerly set out for the Paint Pots, a geothermal wonderland that painted the ground with vibrant hues. The RV served as our command center, allowing us to plan our exploration and immerse ourselves in the surreal landscapes that surrounded us.

To cap off our Yellowstone odyssey, we booked a guided fishing trip for cutthroats and lake trout in the pristine waters of Lake Yellowstone. Loading up the Equinox with fishing gear, we set out for a day of angling against the backdrop of the lake’s tranquil beauty—a perfect finale to our RV adventure.

In the end, camping in an RV at Bridge Bay and Madison Campgrounds was not just a vacation; it was a personal journey of discovery and connection with the wild. Yellowstone, with its geysers, canyons, paint pots, and serene lakes, became a canvas where memories were painted with each mile traveled and every site explored. As the RV rolled out of the park, the echoes of nature’s symphony lingered, leaving us with a profound appreciation for the beauty that our great outdoors hold.

Planning the Summer RV Tour 2023

When I started planning the Summer RV Tour 2023 trip, there were several places I wanted to visit, and my goal was to not have to drive more than 600 miles on weekends between work weeks. I knew I had to be in Alcova, Wyoming for a fishing trip on Saturday, May 13, and I didn’t close on Birdie Bea until March 31. That meant I had to make sure the RV had all its maintenance completed and I had to leave Belmont no later than April 22. With my personal requirement to be anchored no later than 4:00pm every day, I would have to take into account two very hard weekends of driving in excess of 800 miles.

What planning application do I use for my RV Trips?

For my trips, I use a number of sources to determine sights and other places of interest that I want to enjoy during my trips. As far as planning my trip, I use RV Life’s RV Trip Wizard which is a subscription based application to plan all my trips. It has all the right tools and it sets safe routes based on the size of Birdie Bea at 13′ 6″ tall and about 55′ long with Rosie in tow. RV Trip Wizard gives me everything I need to plan my trips.

Setting up a trip with RV Trip Wizard – Summer RV Tour 2023

Once you have logged into RV Trip Wizard, you will see a screen that looks similar to this:

You will click Create Trip and set up your trip information by inputting the trip name and when you plan to leave.

Knowing that I had to be in Alcova, Wyoming by 5/13/2023, I found a campground that would work in that area first. So, that I knew how much distance I had to cover by the arrival date. In looking at the Alcova area, there were four campgrounds to choose from.

Once you pull up the region, you can start looking at the campground details by clicking on one of the four campgrounds in the RV Life Trip Wizard GUI.

By clicking on Park Details, you can then see if this location will suit your needs and you will also be able to read reviews.

Once you determine if that campground is the choice, you will need to click Add to your trip and set the dates.

After you add your first stop, then you can start filling in the other stops along your way based on your preferences. At the end, your trip will look much like this one with distances, driving times, and other pertinent information related to your trip.

As you can see, the first three weeks of the trip had very long legs, but once I made Alcova, the trip distances started shortening to spend more time exploring areas of interest.

In conclusion, RV Trip Wizard is my go to tool for planning my RV tours because it has all the information I need in one convenient location. Check it out here.