So, 2 wks before Sturgis, we're going to NW Wyoming. We currently have 5 nights reserved in Cody. Over 5 days, our plan was to ride from Cody to Y'stone, ride Beartooth, etc. Then we're riding back to Deadwood and do the Sturgis thing, the week before the rally.

After looking at maps, doing some searches on this forum, calculating some milage, etc, it seems to me that the whole area is much larger, and many slower (mountains, wildlife, pictures, etc) rides than anticipated. In particular, I was amazed at some of the milage calculations in & around the Park.

So, am I correct, that although a "day" may chart out at, say 300 miles, it's gonna be a long, slow, 300 mile day? Is 5 days enough to travel the area and take it all in?

Opinions from those that have been there appreciated.

Ride Safe!
RK

 

5 days in Cody should be plenty of time to do Yellowstone, Beartooth pass and more. 300 miles can be a day on those areas but 5 days should be plenty. I've done mostly what you've described in 3-4 days although it was a bit rushed, Beartooth pass is one of the nicest rides you'll have. Be sure to post pics and have a great trip.

 

RK you are correct that a "day" may be 300 miles or in some cases less. It will depend on how often you stop (or the people in front of you stop for every buffalo or elk they see). But 5 days should be a good amount of time to see most of the area. Also since you are staying in Cody you will have 50 miles to get into the park each day. It's a beautiful ride to get into the park from Cody though! I went last year for 6 days and had plenty of time. Enjoy the trip and remember to take/post lots of pictures.

 

5 days in Cody? You might want to switch it up, maybe a night in Red Lodge, a night or two in Cody, then maybe somewhere down in GTNP. Strongly recommend you do that. You'll be pulling your hair out after 3 nights in Cody. DO make time to see the Buffalo Bill Historic Center (a very impressive museum, actually) and the Nite Rodeo. It's good rodeo (PRCA), not just local teenagers.

As far as daily miles......in WY and MT, the limit is 75 unless otherwise posted. You will make faster time than you think.

But in YNP, the max is 45, but most roads are 35 or 25. And you will be lucky to do that much. The high congestion roads of the Park are Madison Jct-West Thumb (includes Old Faithful), Madison Jct-Mammoth, and Fishing Bridge-Canyon. If you look at the map, you'll see that YNP's roads make a figure 8. Good to plan to do half of that in a day. If you plan to fish or hike, then you know how much more time you'll need.

Why not spend your first night in Red Lodge, ride the 'Tooth to Cooke City and then enter YNP and do the northern half of the Park. Exit at Cooke City and then take the Chief Joseph Hwy down to Cody. Then from Cody enter the Park at East Entrance and do the southern half of the Park.

After a couple days in YNP you may want to go down to GTNP. Just go south from West Thumb. There are some reasonable places to stay in the Moran Jct area, or you can camp, or splurge and stay in Jackson Lake Lodge (where I take my wife for our anniversary every year) or Jenny Lake Lodge. GTNP will seem like a welcome calm after YNP.

When you are done with GTNP and YNP, just head west/southwest from Moran Jct towards Riverton up and over Togwotee Pass along the Wind River Range (very scenic!), then to Shoshoni, and then work your way back towards SD and the Black Hills.

 

I agree with Faber. Five days in Cody is a bunch. 300 miles can easily be a full day in that area. Red Lodge is a good stop.

 

Yeah Cody's good for 1 or 2 nights of fun, but I really liked West Yellowstone too.

 

Thanks for the input guys! Just chatted with the other couple we're riding with. We're gonna make some other arrangements and spend 2 nights in Cody, vs. 5.

Way too many options to pin ourselves to 1 place for so long.

If we don't see it all, well, we'll just have to go back next year!

RK

 

Faber,

"Why not spend your first night in Red Lodge, ride the 'Tooth to Cooke City and then enter YNP and do the northern half of the Park. Exit at Cooke City and then take the Chief Joseph Hwy down to Cody. Then from Cody enter the Park at East Entrance and do the southern half of the Park."

Is this a day trip? I know that Beartooth, south of Red Lodge is mountainous, and probably slow going, + stops for pictures, etc. Is it reasonable to go from Red Lodge, to Chief Joseph, then to Cody in a day? I suspect the Park part might be a bit much.

Whatya think? I've read a lot of your posts about this area, so I know you're the expert.

Thanks for the advice.
RK

 

That's easily doable.

 

I highly recommend the Yodeler Motel in Red Lodge. Nice people and a really nice hot tub!