How does FW compare to National Park campgrounds?

[StormyCA]

We're getting the best of both worlds and are leaving tomorrow for a 9 days at Ft W and WDW, then on to the Smokies for a week to 'recuperate', then 10 days in Yellowstone. After that possibly to the Tetons or wherever the wind takes us.

We wanted to stay at Elkmont, had actually reservations and then they cancelled them on us!! Luckily, we found a site at Smokemont. We stayed at Cades last time.

This will be our 7th trip to Yellowstone. We love it there. We usually stay at Mammoth Hot Springs CG because of its proximity to Lamar Valley and the wolves.

We here in the US are so lucky to have our National Parks!

 

[North of Mouse]

@lynzi2004 generator sites? They have specific sites just for those with generators? Are you allowed to keep generator on over night? or just between 7am - 10 pm. I just assumed, never checked into, that you would not be allowed to run them after quiet hours.

No generators after 8pm at Elkmont, or before 8am - certain areas. We've never needed it at night for AC as it's usually cool with windows open. Actually, we love those arrangements as we love to hear the river flowing over the rocks at night - soothing!

 

[North of Mouse]

We're getting the best of both worlds and are leaving tomorrow for a 9 days at Ft W and WDW, then on to the Smokies for a week to 'recuperate', then 10 days in Yellowstone. After that possibly to the Tetons or wherever the wind takes us.

We wanted to stay at Elkmont, had actually reservations and then they cancelled them on us!! Luckily, we found a site at Smokemont. We stayed at Cades last time.

This will be our 7th trip to Yellowstone. We love it there. We usually stay at Mammoth Hot Springs CG because of its proximity to Lamar Valley and the wolves.

We here in the US are so lucky to have our National Parks!

Oh, how nice!! That will be a great vacation!! We've stayed at Smokemont and Cades Cove once each, but our 'go to' and favorite is Elkmont - started camping there in '69.
You're definitely doing the camping in the right order, LOL, understand completely the 'recuperation' part!!

 

[team bradfield]

We've stayed at Rocky Mtn. Campground in Gardiner MT at the north entrance to Yellowstone 3 times, very close, but not a "resort". Stayed twice at Colter Bay Resort in the Tetons it is a great campground, in my book #1 is FW, #2 is CB. StormyCA sounds like a great trip! I agree, we are very lucky, no desire to leave the US on vacation, too much here to see, we contemplated a trip to New Zealand for our 30th anniversary, ended up doing Zion UT last summer and FW this spring instead....

 

[lynzi2004]

No generators after 8pm at Elkmont, or before 8am - certain areas. We've never needed it at night for AC as it's usually cool with windows open. Actually, we love those arrangements as we love to hear the river flowing over the rocks at night - soothing!

Yep, I agree. We’ve been there all different times of year including mid-August when I ended up in my sleeping bag before the night was over. It’s just enough elevation to be warm, but pleasant. As NorthofMouse said, there are time of day restrictions, but I don’t know how solidly those are enforced and if your on the river itself, it pretty much drowns out everything. One night we were by the fire and had put the 1 year old to bed. She cried for about 2-3 minutes trying to settle for the night and DH couldn’t even hear her over the rushing of the river and she was only 15 ft away maybe?! It is just awesome there!

 

[North of Mouse]

@lynzi2004, the generator rules at Elkmont are strictly enforced, also food storage, parking tires on pavement, and quiet hours. We have seen very few rowdy campers and they are usually dealt with.
It's a very well kept campground, as are the others that we've stayed at in the park. Rangers and volunteers make regular patrols throughout the day and late evenings - not sure about night hours.

 

[StormyCA]

We've stayed at Rocky Mtn. Campground in Gardiner MT at the north entrance to Yellowstone 3 times, very close, but not a "resort". Stayed twice at Colter Bay Resort in the Tetons it is a great campground, in my book #1 is FW, #2 is CB. StormyCA sounds like a great trip! I agree, we are very lucky, no desire to leave the US on vacation, too much here to see, we contemplated a trip to New Zealand for our 30th anniversary, ended up doing Zion UT last summer and FW this spring instead....

Colter Bay is a nice facility, we stayed there a few years ago. We don't have reservations in the Tetons for this trip and I expect by the time we decide that the wind is blowing us that way, it'll be full up. Oh well, "c'est la RV". nDH (non-Disney Husband) is thinking he'd like to stay near Jackson if we end up there after YNP.

That Rocky Mtn RV looks nice! We're staying at Yellowstone RV in Gardiner for 2 nights to dump/laundry/etc and then to Mammoth Hot Spr campground.

Zion is beautiful! We got a real kick out of them stopping traffic and escorting us and another RV through that series of tunnels. Of course, you pay extra for the 'privilege' lol.

Life IS good!

 

[StormyCA]

@lynzi2004, the generator rules at Elkmont are strictly enforced, also food storage, parking tires on pavement, and quiet hours. We have seen very few rowdy campers and they are usually dealt with.
It's a very well kept campground, as are the others that we've stayed at in the park. Rangers and volunteers make regular patrols throughout the day and late evenings - not sure about night hours.

I'm glad to hear that and hope the rules are as strictly enforced at Smokemont! I'm really sad they cancelled us for Elkmont, but it is what it is.

 

[North of Mouse]

I'm glad to hear that and hope the rules are as strictly enforced at Smokemont! I'm really sad they cancelled us for Elkmont, but it is what it is.

Sorry about that! Wonder what happened - was this after confirmation and deposit? It's not a usual thing. They did have to evacuate Elkmont this past weekend - not for danger to campers, but a certain area of road leading to it could be prone to flooding, denying exits. We were also evacuated last summer once - for a day.

 

[rideswithchrist]

I can't say for National Parks since we usually camp in State Parks where the only primative sites are backpacking/tent. I was totally impressed that you can dump the greywater in the comfort stations at Disney though, you are not allowed to do that at our State Parks!
BUT there are no dump stations so that may be why. We did not need it as we didn't even hook our water up

We have a popup camper so we stayed in the Tent/Popup site at FW and it was pretty much just like our normal sites we camp at- water and power and no sewer. The only difference was the number of people and golf carts haha.

If you are a backpacker type and just want a tent, go for it. If you have a truck that can tow, you can rent a camper too. I feel FW is a blend of campsite and RV park, as it is a resort after all.

 

[StormyCA]

Sorry about that! Wonder what happened - was this after confirmation and deposit? It's not a usual thing. They did have to evacuate Elkmont this past weekend - not for danger to campers, but a certain area of road leading to it could be prone to flooding, denying exits. We were also evacuated last summer once - for a day.

Yes, it was after confirmation and payment (which was refunded). It was supposedly due to the shutdown causing a delay in seasonal hiring and maintenance at Elkmont.

But it was cancelled with absolutely no explanation, just an email that said basically ‘we’re canceling and here’s your money back. Buh-bye”. I had to made a series of phone calls until I finally got through to a Public Affairs Specialist. I did complain that they should at least let people know why they were being cancelled!