15 Best Campgrounds in Yellowstone National Park

Yellowstone National Park is arguably the most well-known National Park on the North American Continent. Yellowstone was the first National Park in the National Park System and remains a premier destination for millions of visitors. Camping and backpacking are two of the most popular ways to visit the park and enjoy the wonders of this unique geologic region.

Yellowstone National Park Camping Destinations

We have included on this list the improved front-country camping destinations as well as our pick of the top back-country campsites that warrant a visit. For more information about each of the campsites on this list, you should start at the Yellowstone National Park website at this link.

1. Bridge Bay Campground

If your destination is Yellowstone Lake inside Yellowstone National Park, then you want to make Bridge Bay Campground your base of operations. Yellowstone Lake is the largest high-elevation freshwater lake in North America. Here you can enjoy a variety of water sports including paddling, fishing, and swimming.

Features

• Seasonal Camp Store selling ice, souvenirs, firewood, and a few camping supplies
• Park staff on-site during camping season
• An RV dump station centrally located in the campground
• Potable water at some campsites
• Trash pickup on a regular basis
• Bear proof food storage lockers for tent campers
• Flush toilets are open during the summer camping season

Seasonal Campground Dates

Bridge Bay Campground normally opens in mid-May and remains open until mid-September. Opening and closing dates may vary due to weather and park conditions. Check with the Bridge Bay Campground website for more exact dates for the opening and closing of the campground by clicking here.

Reservations

To make your reservations at Bridge Bay Campground, access the National Park Reservation system using this link. Reservations may be made up to 6 months in advance of your planned trip. Be aware that Yellowstone is one of the most popular destinations in the US and campgrounds fill up quickly.

2. Canyon Campground

Credit: Yellowstone National Park Lodges

Located high in the mountains and set in the midst of a lodge pole pine forest, Canyon Campground makes a memorable location to stay during your park visit. The Yellowstone River is nearby and has created what many call the Grand Canyon of Yellowstone. You can hike to Cascade Lake, to the summit of Mount Washburn, and along one of the many canyon rim trails.

Features

• During season, the lodge and restaurant are open to visitors and provide some support for campers
• A dump station inside the campground is available for RV campers
• Potable water is available at most campsites
• Bear proof food storage lockers at each campsite for safety during the season
• A laundry is available for camper use but may require loose change
• Flush toilets are available in the campground during the camping season
• Hot showers are open during the camping season in the campground.

Seasonal Campground Dates

Canyon Campground is only open during the summer months. Typically, the campground opens mid to late May and closes in mid-September. Opening and closing dates may be affected by weather and other park conditions. Check with the park office or the campground website for more information at this link.

Reservations

Reservations for this campground are almost a must. This is a popular destination, and the campsites are usually full. You can reserve your campsite by clicking here. If you are bringing your RV or travel trailer, your RV or trailer and tow vehicle must be less than 40 feet in length. There are usually no campsites available on a same-day basis.

Related Read: Best Time To Visit Wyoming

3. Fishing Bridge RV Park

For those of you in the RV and travel trailer crowd, Fishing Bridge RV Park offers you all the advantages not normally found in National Park Campgrounds. This campground is an RV-only campground. Each campsite features water, electrical, and sewer connections. The frequent visits by grizzly bears to the area prevent any sort of tent to popup tent campers from using this facility.

Features

• This is a hard-sided RV and travel trailer campground featuring full hook-ups at each of the 310 campsites in the campground.
• A camp store and seasonal staff provide ice, some groceries, souvenirs and information about the park and activities around the campground.
• A laundry facility is on-site in the campground.
• Toilet facilities offer flush toilets and sinks during camping season.
• There are no showers at this campground.
• No campfires are permitted on the campground. This includes portable propane-fired campfires or fire pits.
• Cell phone service may be limited in the campground.

Seasonal Campground Dates

Fishing Bridge RV Campground is open from late May to early October each summer season. Opening and closing dates may vary. More specific information is available at the campground website by clicking here.

Reservations

Even though this campground has over 300 RV sites, we recommend that you make reservations as early as possible for your visit. You can make reservations up to 6 months in advance of your stay using the National Park Reservation system at this link. Be prepared to give the overall length of your RV setup. The park is limited to RVs and towed vehicles less than 40 feet in length.

4. Grant Village Campground

Located just outside Grant Village this campground is easily accessible from Grand Lodge Road. This large campground is situated near the south end of Yellowstone Lake and offers easy access to the lake for all sorts of activities. Fishing, boating, paddling, bike riding, and hiking are just a few of the opportunities at Grant Village Campground.

Features

• A camp store where you can find groceries, firewood, charcoal, souvenirs, and other services.
• Food storage lockers are provided during camping season at each campsite to prevent bears from pilfering your food.
• A dump station is conveniently located within the campground for RVs and travel trailers. There are no hookups at the campsites.
• Potable water is available at many locations in the campground.
• A laundry facility is located within the campground.
• Toilet facilities with flush toilets and sinks are open during the camping season
• Generator use is permitted during restricted hours from 8 AM to 8 PM.

Seasonal Campground Dates

Grant Village Campground usually opens the first week in June and remains operational through the middle of September. Weather conditions may change these dates so check on the current conditions before you travel.

Reservations

Yellowstone National Park Lodges maintain and manage the reservations for Grant Village Campground. You can make your reservations up to 6 months in advance at their website using this link. Reservations should be made as early as possible to ensure that you can have a campsite during your visit.

5. Madison Campground

Situated at an elevation of 6,800 feet above sea level, Madison Campground is 14 miles east of West Yellowstone and 16 miles north of Old Faithful. This campground puts you in the heart of some of the most spectacular attractions in Yellowstone National Park. Nearby you can hike the trails to the Gibbon and Firehole Rivers and see the junction where these two rivers meet to form the Madison River.

Related Read: Best Time To Visit Wyoming

Features

• As is customary in all areas where bears may be encountered, food storage lockers are provided at each campsite for your safety.
• Don’t expect to use your cell phone or connect to the internet at this campground.
• There is no camp store at this campground.
• A small park office is usually staffed during the summer months where you can get information and purchase limited products such as ice and firewood.
• A dump station is located at this campground and potable water is available during camping season.
• Toilet facilities have flush toilets and sinks for your convenience
• There are no shower facilities at this campground

Seasonal Campground Dates

Madison campground typically opens near the first of May and remains open until mid-October. Dates may fluctuate due to weather or other park conditions. Check on the campground website for my detailed information about opening and closing using this link.

Reservations

You can use the Yellowstone Lodge reservation system to make your campsite reservations at Madison Campground. Reservations are available 6 months in advance of your arrival date. We suggest you make reservations as early as possible as this campground is usually full during camping season. You can access the reservation system by clicking here.

6. Indian Creek Campground

Credit: Yellowstone National Park / Flickr

If exquisite mountain vistas are your thing, a visit to Indian Creek Campground should please you. Located at the base of the Gallatin Mountains just eight miles south of Mammoth Hot Springs, this campground is known for its beautiful views and pristine setting.

Features

• There is usually a camp host on-site to help with any questions or problems.
• Potable water is available at the campground during the summer camping season.
• Bear safe food lockers are available during camping season at each campsite.
• Wood fires and charcoal fires are permitted provided there are no burn restrictions in effect for the park.
• Vault toilets are available in the campground and are open during the camping season
• Some campsites are available for RVs and travel trailers. Check the reservation system to find out if your RV meets the requirements using this link.
• Two campsites are ADA compliant and are wheelchair accessible.

Seasonal Campground Dates

Indian Creek Campground typically opens in Mid-June for the summer camping season. Closing dates usually occur during the second week of September. Temporary closures may occur due to weather or other conditions within the park. Check with the park office or on the park website at this link for more information

Reservations

Reservations may be made using the National Park System reservation website by clicking here.  Reservations may be made 6 months in advance of your planned arrival. Don’t expect to get a campsite in Yellowstone on a walk-up basis. The park is very popular, and campsites are usually reserved well in advance.

7. Lewis Lake Campground

Credit: Yellowstone National Park / Flickr

Another great lake experience awaits you at Lewis Lake Campground. Located about eight miles from the South Entrance to Yellowstone National Park this campground is a short walk from the lake and is fully developed. You can bring your own boat or rent a canoe or kayak from the camp store.

Features

• Campground hosts are on-site during the camping season and can answer questions and help with camping-related problems.
• The campground has potable water available but there is no dump station for RVs or travel trailers.
• If you are tent camping, food storage lockers are provided during camping season at each campsite to ensure bear safety.
• Fire restrictions may be in place to prevent open burning or campfires. Check with the camp host for the most up-to-date information.
• Vault toilets at the campground are open during the camping season.
• There are no showers available at Lewis Lake Campground
• Bathrooms are ADA compliant and are wheelchair accessible.

Seasonal Campground Dates

Typically, Lewis Lake Campground is open from mid-June until Mid-October. Unusual weather or park conditions may lead to unexpected campground closures. Please check with the park office or online at this link to get the most current campground status.

Reservations

Because of its proximity to Lake Lewis, Lake Lewis Campground is a popular destination. We suggest that you make advanced reservations as far out from your arrival date as possible. Reservations can be made by clicking here.

Related Read: Best Time to Visit Jackson Hole, WY

8. Mammoth Campground

If you are interested in winter camping in Yellowstone National Park, Mammoth Campground is your only real opportunity. This is the only campground open year-round in Yellowstone. The relative low altitude of this campground and its location only five miles from the north park entrance make this campground a popular attraction year-round.

Features

• There is no camp store in this campground, but a park host is onsite during the summer camping season.
• Bearproof food storage lockers are available at each campsite during the summer camping season.
• Potable water is available at several locations around the campground
• Cell phone service is available but may be limited.
• The campground has a toilet facility with flush toilets and sinks.
• This campground does allow campfires and open fire cooking with wood or charcoal. However, current conditions may require fire restrictions during at some times. Check with the camp host or at the Visitors Service Office for more current information
• There are five ADA-accessible campsites in this campground. The roads and trails are usually hard-surfaced, and trails are gravel.

Seasonal Campground Dates

Mammoth Campground is open for camping year-round. However, reservations can only be made for times during the summer camping season. Only a portion of the campground is available for use during the winter season. The summer season usually runs from mid-April through mid-October. Exceptional weather events or park situations may close the campground at any time.

Reservations

Reservations for a campsite and to learn more about RV restrictions can be found on the National Park Service reservation site. Mammoth Campground has several camping loops. You can find reservation information by clicking here.

9. Norris Campground

Credit: Yellowstone National Park / Flickr

Norris Campground is close to some of the most beautiful scenery in Yellowstone National Park. In addition to the vistas and wildlife opportunities, you are within walking distance of the Museum of the National Park Ranger, the Norris Geyser Basin Museum, and the Norris Geyser Basin. This area is one of the most geologically active areas of the park.

Features

• Food storage lockers are available during the summer camping seasons to prevent problems with wandering bears.
• A camp host is onsite during to assist you while you are in the campground.
• Firewood for campfires may be available for sale from the camp host.
• Potable water is available in the campground
• A comfort station with flush toilets and sinks is open during the summer months.
• Open fires are permitted in designated areas with fire rings if there are no burn bans in effect. Propane stoves and grills are usually exempt from the burn ban.
• RVs and travel trailers are welcome at the campsites but there are no hookups or dump stations located at this campground.

Seasonal Campground Dates

The Norris Campground is closed during 2022 but should reopen for the 2023 season. For more information about the closure and the 2023 opening dates, visit the Yellowstone National Park website by clicking here.

Reservations

When the campground reopens, reservations can be made through the National Park Service reservation system at this link. Reservations are normally available 6th months prior to your planned visit.

10. Pebble Creek Campground

Credit: Mike Goad / Flickr

If you want a bit more isolation that some of the other campgrounds can offer, Pebble Creek Campground is a great choice. This campground is near the Northeast entrance to Yellowstone National Park and only has 27 campsites. This campground is not as busy or as noisy as the larger campgrounds in the park.

Staying at Pebble Creek Campground gets you in the midst of the Lamar Valley were day

Features

• During the summer season, potable water is available in the campground.
• Vault toilets are located convenient to the camping sites and are cleaned and maintained regularly.
• A camp host is located in this campground to ensure your stay is as enjoyable and safe as possible.
• If you are tent camping, food storage lockers are located at each campsite to thwart roving bears attempts to steal your groceries.
• RVs and travel trailers are welcome at Pebble Creek Campground. Several of the campsites feature pull-through access.
• The paths and roads in this campground are gravel or hard surface for wheelchair accessibility. Only one campsite is rated as ADA accessible.

Seasonal Campground Dates

Pebble Creek Campground is normally open during the summer months. However, this campground has been closed for the 2022 season due to exceptional weather events. The campground is scheduled to open in 2023. Check the Yellowstone National Park website at this link for up-to-date information.

Reservations

Reservations for Pebble Creek Campground are generally needed to ensure that you have a spot. Campsites are limited at this location. Reservations can normally be made 6th months in advance of your planned arrival. You can make reservations for a campsite at this link.

11. Slough Creek Campground

Credit: Yellowstone National Park / Flickr

Another rather isolated areas Slough Creek Campground. This campground is situated at the end of a two-mile dirt road. Only smaller RVs and travel trailers should attempt to reach this area. However, if you do make the trek, you will be greeted with some of the best hiking and fishing Yellowstone National Park has to offer.

Features

• There are 15 improved campsites in the Slough Creek Campground, so space is limited but you won’t have to contend with a horde of noisy neighbors.
• Food storage lockers are provided at each campsite since this is a known bear active location.
• Typically, there is a camp host assigned to this campground
• Potable water is available in the campground but there are no dump stations for RVs.
• Vault toilets are provided and are maintained regularly.
• Wood and charcoal fires may be allowed depending on the current fire risk. Propane stoves and grills are usually allowed despite any burn ban.

Seasonal Campground Dates

Slough Creek Campground is usually open during the summer and early fall months. However, at this time recent flooding has closed the campground because the road access has been compromised. The campground is expected to open for the 2023 season. Check the Yellowstone National Park website for current information by clicking here.

Reservations

Despite its relatively isolated location, Slough Creek Campground is usually full, and reservations are needed to ensure a campsite. The National Park Service operated the reservation system which can be accessed at this link.

12. Tower Falls Campground

Credit: Eva Vincent / Flickr

You may have a bit of a difficult time getting to Tower Falls Campground. The campground is located at the north side of the park and requires navigating the steep and winding road to Dunraven Pass. Nearby you will find the Tower General Store and Tower Fall.

Features

• An amphitheater near the campground features events and activities during the camping season.
• Potable water is available at several locations in the campground.
• Camp hosts are assigned to the campground to oversee the operation and assist campers as necessary.
• For your safety and protection, food storage lockers are located at each campsite during camping season.
• The campground has vault toilets available in season.
• This campground has 31 improved campsites.

Seasonal Camping Dates

Tower Falls is currently closed and is expected to remain closed for the balance of the 2022 camping season. Exceptional rainfall and flooding necessitated this closure. The campground is expected to reopen for the 2023 season in late spring. Check the National Park Reservation system for more current information by clicking here.

Reservations

Reservations for Tower Falls Campground can usually be made up to 6 months in advance of your arrival date. The campground is currently closed but when decisions are made on the reopening, reservations will again be available at Reservations.gov.

Back Country Camping

If primitive camping is more your style. Yellowstone offers some of the greatest trails and camping opportunities of any park in the system. You can find simple and easy walks to a campsite, or you can challenge your skill and endurance by attempting the more arduous trips in the park.

13. Site 4D3 – The Shores of Ice Lake

For anyone who wants to experience a great adventure in wilderness camping but has issues with long or arduous hikes, Campsite 4D3 is a great choice. This campsite is accessible for those with mobility issues or special needs. The campsite is only one-half mile from the trailhead, can be reached by wheelchair with some assistance, and has a pit toilet that is easily accessible.

Related Read: 15 Best Waterfalls in Yellowstone National Park

14. Site 4P1 – Observation Peak

For the more adventurous we suggest a trek to Observation Peak. This is a moderate to difficult hike up a 3-mile trail that gains about 1,400 feet in elevation from the trail head to the campsite. Once there you will be thrilled with views of three states. This is not considered a novice hike, but you won’t find a more spectacular place to watch the sunrise and sunset from a mountain top.

15. Site 9D4 – The Continental Divide

Imagine sleeping with half your body on the western slope of the Rocky Mountains and your other half on the eastern slope. When you camp on the continental divide, you can stand with your feet on either side of the dividing line. This campsite is accessible on a moderate trail and offers some superb views of both sides of the mountain range. There are pit toilets at this campsite but no other facilities.

The Yellowstone Experience

Anyone who has been to Yellowstone and spent any time at all usually tells of awe-inspiring experiences. Yellowstone is a one-of-a-kind experience in a geological marvel that can be found nowhere else on earth. Camping is one of the greatest ways to get close to the beauty and splendor of this magical location. Make your reservations today.