Bandon to Yellow Stone need suggestions

[Carol H]

I am going to head from the Bandon meet to Yellowstone via 20 and was looking for suggestions as to camping spots on my way - around Bend, Boise and Jackson or Grand Tenton areas.

I am not normally big on the full service commerical sites that are paved out with swimming pools etc. Electrical would be a nice to have (due to heat in July) but not a must. Like to hike and bike areas.

Thanks for any suggestions.

[Byron Kinnaman]

Bend area. For views, hiking, and maybe fishing it's pretty hard to beat Newberry Crater National Monument. Since it's a National Monument your Golden Age Passport works.


water falls.jpg view from the top.jpg
sunset newberry.jpg lake view.jpg

[Carol H]

Thanks Byron. It looks amazing. Any suggestion as to which campground in the area to look for? Unfortunatly it appears they will only give out the Golden Age passports to American citizens.

[Byron Kinnaman]

There's four campgrounds inside the crater and two lakes. Cinder Hill Campground, East Lake Campground, Little Crater Campground and Paulina Lake Campground.
No phone service in the crater, but there's free WiFi at East Lake Resort. No hook-ups, prices are $16.00/night. Sites can be reserved at Paulina Lake and Cinder Hill with some sites first come first serve. The other two are first come first serve.
We camped at East Lake close to the boat ramp. That's where the sunset picture was taken.
For first come first serve it's recommended that you arrive no later than a Thursday to beat the week-end crowd.

There's a short but great hike through the obsidian flow, and another around to the backside of Paulina Lake to a hot springs. A neat drive to the top of Paulina peak at 7980' for the views.

[Carol H]

Thanks Byron for that info.

[Dave Fish]

We stayed at the KOA about 12 miles south of Jackson last fall. It is along the Snake River and fairly rustic. We enjoyed Jackson Hole and the Grand Tetons.

At Yellowstone, we made the KOA at West Yellowstone our base. It is about 8 miles west town and more commercial (fairly large). I know there are campgrounds in the park but have only stayed in one of them many many years ago.

You sill enjoy the area.

Dave

[Carol H]

Thanks Dave for the ideas, appreciated.

[Vivian]

Since you are traveling east on Hwy. 20, you might enjoy Craters of the Moon National
Monument in Idaho. Although there is a campground we have not camped there, but found the area fascinating when driving through and have wanted to return to camp.

[Carol H]

Thanks Vivian I was looking at that as an option as well. I do have couple of weeks between Bandon and having to return to Vancouver so I hope to take my time and see more than just the highway.

[Byron Kinnaman]

Originally Posted by Carol H

Thanks Vivian I was looking at that as an option as well. I do have couple of weeks between Bandon and having to return to Vancouver so I hope to take my time and see more than just the highway.

I would suggest a few days at Newberry Crater National Monument, a day at LaPine State Campground to visit the High Desert Museum. It's not a long drive to the Grand Tetons from there, then on to Yellowstone for a few days. Come back across Montana into northern Idaho, then on to North Cascades National Park before heading back across the boarder.

That's about what I would do. In fact we're planning a bit of the reverse in late July early August, 2 to 3 weeks maybe. We probably won't go as far as Yellowstone but North Cascades then probably down to Newberry with a stop along the Columbia at LaPage.

[Carol H]

Thanks. Will definiatly be heading home through the Cascades - luv that area but havent been through there for a few years. Will also spend a bit more time in Idaho - last time I was there I was in a hurry - only had a 3 day round trip - purchased my trailer there.

Any recommendations as to where best to camp in the Yellowstone area?