Camping At Yellowstone National Park

Introduction

Yellowstone is nothing short of immense; it’s a vast National Park that is quite overwhelming in size and offerings. Don’t make the mistake of merely visiting Old Faithful and leaving; there are numerous hidden gems to explore here.

Camping at Yellowstone National Park has changed a lot over these past few years. Yellowstone has over 2,000 campsites, so there are a lot of places to choose from. Yellowstone’s popularity in the summer can make finding a campsite a challenging task if not reserved well in advance. So here we discuss all about camping in Yellowstone and where to stay.

Regulations For Camping At Yellowstone National Park

Camping At Yellowstone National Park, you have a 14-day stay limit during the summer. Each site can have up to six people two tents and two vehicles. If you’re bringing in a trailer, an RV that counts as a vehicle. If you have more than six people in your group, then you’ll want to either book two campsites or look at the group campsite options. Read up on best practices for camping when there is wildlife.

Campground Selection

Camping At Yellowstone National Park: Some campgrounds are small, like Slew Creek, which only has 16 sites and some Campgrounds are massive like Bridge Bay with 432 sites. If you’re looking for specific amenities, specific RV lengths, and things like that, you’ll have to gather proper information about Yellowstone. Follow the Yellowstone map. This will just make it easier for you to pick a campground in Yellowstone.

Campground Reservations

Camping At Yellowstone National Park: Let’s talk about planning. To secure a campsite in Yellowstone, you need to book well in advance. Some people made their reservation months before the visit. Keep in mind that Yellowstone is a popular destination, and during peak seasons, especially weekends, the campgrounds can fill up quickly.

Discover the Yellowstone Campgrounds

Here’s a brief overview of the campgrounds within Yellowstone National Park:

Bridge Bay Campground

Located near Yellowstone Lake, this campground offers breathtaking views of the magnificent lake. Bridge Bay Campground has a marina where you can park your boat, and they also offer boat tours and rentals. There’s a general store with basic grocery items and snacks. Additionally, the campground has a dumping station and a water station. One of the highlights of the campground is its proximity to a beautiful beachy area at Yellowstone Lake. The crystal-clear blue water and picturesque mountains make it a great place to relax. You can engage in various water activities like paddleboarding and kayaking, and there’s even a paved walking trail leading to the beach area.

Canyon Campground

It’s conveniently located at the heart of Yellowstone, right between the park’s two primary loops. Its central position has been a fantastic base for explorations, allowing you to access all the park’s corners with ease. Nestled in a lodgepole pine forest at Canyon Village, it’s located south of the Washburn range and in proximity to the awe-inspiring Grand Canyon of Yellowstone.

Canyon Campground is divided into several loops, with some exclusively for tent camping and others that offer a mix of site types. At the registration center near the entrance of Canyon Campground, you’ll find a laundry facility and a bathhouse. When you check in at Canyon Campground, you receive a punch card for showers. Each punch card allows for two free showers per day. There are outlets available, making it convenient for charging devices and relaxing. Within each loop, there’s a bathroom with stalls, sinks, flush toilets, and a dishwashing area. You’ll also find water spigots for filling your water bottles, making it convenient for campers, especially tent campers who need to wash vegetables and dishes.

Fishing Bridge RV Park

Fishing Bridge RV Park is a centrally located campground within Yellowstone National Park, offering the convenience of full RV hookups. Situated near the Grand Canyon of Yellowstone on the north end of Yellowstone Lake, this campground is unique in offering water, sewer, and electrical hookups. The campground is nestled in a lodgepole pine forest, offering 310 sites. Due to the presence of grizzly bears, no tent camping is allowed on the west side of Yellowstone Lake near Grant Village.

Grant Campground

Grant Village Campground features 430 sites distributed across 12 loops, with one loop dedicated to group camping. Most loops are for individual reservations, including three loops designated as tent-only sites. The majority of campsites are pull-through sites, with a few back-in options available.

The campground provides picturesque views of Yellowstone Lake, and some sites offer partial views of the lake. Additional amenities include a nearby visitor center, amphitheater, general store, gas station, repair shop, dump station, restrooms, and a dishwashing station.

Unpredictable weather in Yellowstone necessitates being prepared for various conditions during Camping At Yellowstone National Park. Wildlife, including bears, is present in the area, so pet owners and families with children need to exercise caution.

Indian Creek Campground

Located about eight miles south of Mammoth Hot Springs at the base of the Gallatin Mountains, this campground offers a quieter, more primitive experience with fantastic views of Electric Peak.

Lewis Lake Campground

Situated approximately eight miles from the south entrance and a short walk from the southeast shore of Lewis Lake, it permits canoes, kayaks, and motorboats on Lewis Lake.

Madison Campground

A mere 14 miles east of West Yellowstone and 16 miles north of Old Faithful, this campground offers excellent opportunities for wildlife viewing. Keep an eye out for bison in early summer and listen for the bugling elk in early fall.

Mammoth Campground

The sole year-round open campground for Camping At Yellowstone National Park, located five miles south of the north entrance, close to fishing, hiking, and the Mammoth Hot Springs. Expect unique experiences as elk and bison sometimes wander through the campground.

Norris Campground

Centrally located in the park, it’s renowned for prime wildlife viewing opportunities, especially bison. Nearby attractions include the Museum of the National Park Ranger, Norris Geyser Basin Museum, and Norris Geyser Basin, the park’s hottest and most changeable thermal area.

Pebble Creek Campground

Nestled in the north part of the park, near the Absaroka Mountains and the park’s Northeast Entrance, it provides an isolated camping experience suitable for those who prefer a quieter escape.

Slough Creek Campground

This campground offers some of the finest wildlife-watching experiences in the park. Situated at the end of a two-mile dirt road, it’s best suited for tents and smaller RVs.

Tower Fall Campground

Located near the Tower General Store and Tower Fall, it provides access to the nearby Lamar Valley, known for spectacular wildlife viewing opportunities and hiking trails.

Camping At Yellowstone National Park is an exceptional way to embrace the park’s natural beauty and wildlife. For more insights on Camping At Yellowstone National Park read about Hayden Valley, Lamar Valley