Summer ‘24 Week 7
Week 7 of our 8-week summer 2024 road trip started with us finally heading west, towards home.
After leaving Billings, MT, we first did a one-night stop-over at a RV park about 18 miles south of Livingston, MT (on the road that leads to the north entrance of Yellowstone Park). The RV park we stayed at is Yellowstone’s Edge RV Park, and as its name implies, it was right on the edge of the Yellowstone River. It was a pretty place to stay, with lots of grass and trees, and beautiful views of the river. There wasn’t anywhere near the park to go out to dinner. So, we drove the truck back to Livingston in the evening, and ate dinner at Neptune’s Taphouse and Eatery, which was pretty good. It rained a bit overnight while we were there, and was still raining while we were packing up. Too quick a visit for such a nice place.
Our site at Yellowstone's Edge RV Park. Livingston, MT
Three Super-C RV's in a row at Yellowstone's Edge RV Park
Walking along the river's edge at the RV park.
The RV park at sunset.
Our next destination was West Yellowstone, MT, one of the highlights of our trip. We stayed 4 nights at the Yellowstone Grizzly RV Park. It is a very nice RV park on the edge of town, within walking distance of all the shops and restaurants in town, as well as easy access to hiking trails in the national forest lands behind the park.
Our site at Yellowstone Grizzly RV Park. West Yellowstone, MT
Yellowstone Grizzly RV Park. West Yellowstone, MT
Rosie ready to hike out into the forest behind Yellowstone Grizzly RV Park.
Staying in West Yellowstone for 4 nights meant we had 3 full days for exploration and adventures.
On the first of those days, we drove into Yellowstone National Park, and did the full “lower loop” drive, which was about 115 miles total. Since we had Rosie with us, we were limited in where we could go (no hiking trails), but we still managed to see a lot anyway. We stopped in quite a few places along the route, such as the Black Sand Basin, Old Faithful Geyser, Yellowstone Lake, and Fishing Bridge. We saw large herds of Bison in the Hayden Valley (some hanging out right on the side of the road), and we saw Elk along the Madison River. It was a really nice way to spend the day, and I took lots of pictures.
Black Sand Basin. Yellowstone National Park.
Black Sand Basin. Yellowstone National Park.
Old Faithful Geyser. Yellowstone National Park. We watched from the pet-friendly viewing area.
Yellowstone Lake. Yellowstone National Park.
Bison in the Hayden Valley. Yellowstone National Park.
A bison near the road in Hayden Valley. Yellowstone National Park.
Elk foraging in Yellowstone National Park.
For our second day of activities during our stay in West Yellowstone, we drove about 20 miles north, and did a hike from the Refuge Point Trailhead near Hebgen Lake and the Madison River. Then, we stopped and had lunch on the outdoor patio of Happy Hour Bar & Grill, on the north side of Hebgen Lake. After lunch, we went back to the RV park, and I did a 30 mile bike ride inside Yellowstone National Park. For dinner, we walked to Hank’s Chop Shop in town, and had good food and cocktails.
Refuge Point Trailhead.
The Madison River, along the Refuge Point trail.
Lunch at the Happy Hour Bar & Grill on the shore of Hebgen Lake.
My bike ride in Yellowstone National Park.
For our last day of activities in West Yellowstone, we drove about 25 miles south, into Idaho, and did a hike on the Coffee Pot Rapids Trail, near Island Park, ID. The hike is along the Henry’s Fork River, and starts where the river is calm and wide, and ends where the river narrows and becomes white water rapids. It was a nice hike with plenty of shade, and only became rocky near the end. After the hike, we went back to West Yellowstone, picked up some sandwiches for lunch from Ernie's Bakery & Deli, then went back to the RV. For dinner we had take-out Chinese food, then made popcorn and watched a movie.
Near the start of the Coffee Pot Rapids trail.
Andrea identifying plants on the trail with the Seek app.
Me and Rosie on the Coffee Pot Rapids trail hike.
A squirrel eating alongside the Coffee Pot Rapids trail.
The rapids at the end of the Coffee Pot Rapids trail hike.
And then, our time in West Yellowstone was done. What follows is 5 one-night stops through Idaho and Nevada, as we quickly return to California in time for Andrea’s mom’s 85th birthday celebrations over Labor Day weekend.
From West Yellowstone, we first stopped in Idaho Falls, ID. We stayed at the Idaho Falls Luxury RV Park, which was actually quite nice. It’s a new, modern park. The sites are large, the bathrooms are nice, and it’s only a couple miles to downtown Idaho Falls. It’s also along the Snake River, and has easy access to the paved trail system that loops around the city. We spent the afternoon exploring their historic downtown district, and the greenbelt park around the “falls” in the middle of town. For dinner, we ate at Smokin Fins in town, which was a delicious seafood restaurant. Then in the evening, I did a 10 mile bike ride on the Snake River trails.
Nice spacious site at Idaho Falls Luxury RV Park. Idaho Falls, ID.
Idaho Falls Luxury RV Park. Idaho Falls, ID.
The Falls in Idaho Falls are actually a man-made power plant in the middle of town.
The falls provide about 30% of the city's power.
Rosie enjoying the park along the Snake River in downtown Idaho Falls.
For our final stop this week, we drove about 120 miles southwest of Idaho Falls, for a one night stay at the Village of the Trees RV Resort, near Declo, ID. It’s along the Snake River, has access to the river with boat ramp and docks, and a field full of horses. It’s not near anything (except the highway, the river, and the gas station/store/restaurant where you register when you get here), but it’s nice place to stay for one night, and I was pleasantly surprised.
Our site at Village of the Trees RV Resort. Declo, ID.
Village of the Trees RV Resort. Declo, ID.
Lots of trees at the Village of the Trees RV Resort.
The Snake River access, behind Village of the Trees RV Resort. Declo, ID.
Roșie checking out the horses in the field next to Village of the Trees RV Resort.
Sunset over the Snake River. At Village of the Trees RV Resort.
That’s it for week 7. Lots of fun in and around Yellowstone, and then the start of our journey back to California through Idaho. Next week is our last week of this trip 😞. We have 3 more one-nighters, all in Nevada, then we spend the rest of the trip in Sacramento, before heading home on Labor Day. I’ll provide an update when we get back.