We'll be stopping for a couple of days in the Bighorn Mtns. of Wyoming on our way to Yellowstone. I'd like to know of your picks for NF campgrounds in the northern portion on Highway 14. It so happens that we will be there July 3&4; do you think we should choose a CG that takes reservations?

We will then stay for a couple of nights in the Beartooth area (July 5&6); what are some nicer CG's? We would like to stay at Beartooth Lake or Island Lake; what do you think of our chances of getting a spot? Any reservable CG's in the area?

We then hope to land a site at Pebble Creek CG in Yellowstone.

We have a 17' Casita trailer.

Thanks.

Both are nice areas and I would certainly consider reservations for those times only because of the 4th of July weekend. You can contact the forest supervisor for those areas to verify if my assumption about the area being packed is correct.

Traveling west on US Rt. 14 from Dayton, WY, you have three campgrounds in the Burgess Junction area. They are Sibley Lake, Prune Creek and North Tongue. Continuing west on US Rt. 14A, there are Bald Mtn. and Porcupine campgrounds. Don't forget, while continuing west on US Rt. 14, you travel through the Shoshone National Forest too - check out the campgrounds out of Cody and Wapiti.

For Bighorn campgrounds, click here http://www.forestcamping.com/dow/rockymtn/bigh.htm and here http://www.forestcamping.com/dow/rockymtn/shos.htm for Shoshone campgrounds. A thought for you to consider is there are 75 national forest campgrounds surrounding the Yellowstone and Grand Teton National Parks. We encourage folks to research these campgrounds as places to stay and visit the parks from there. I guess we are biased, but the experience is soooo much better.

Regarding your question about reservations on the 4th of July weekend, if your selected campground takes reservations, yes, yes make a reservation NOW. If a campground doesn't take reservations, getting there no later than Sunday or Monday prior to the 4th might get you a campsite. Information about whether a campground accepts reservations (and how to make them) is available through the above links.

Forgot to mention, Cody has a great celebration from July 1 -4 every year - rodeo, parade and other kinds of traditional western events. We had a great time! See http://www.codystampederodeo.com/.