Camping Near Yellowstone National Park
Wyoming, Montana, Idaho | Established 1872
About Yellowstone National Park
Yellowstone spans 2.2 million acres across Wyoming, Montana, and Idaho. It holds more than 500 active geysers, over half the world's total, along with the Grand Canyon of the Yellowstone, large herds of bison and elk, grizzly bears, wolves, and thousands of hydrothermal features.
The park operates 11 campgrounds with over 2,000 sites. Fishing Bridge RV Park is the only one with full hookups. Slough Creek and Tower Fall are smaller and quieter. Five campgrounds are run by Xanterra (the park concessioner) and six by the National Park Service. Gateway towns like West Yellowstone, Gardiner, Cooke City, Cody, and Jackson have dozens of private RV parks and campgrounds with full amenities.
Peak season runs June through August. Campground reservations open six months in advance and summer sites fill within minutes.
Camping Tips for Yellowstone
- Carry bear spray in a belt or chest holster, not inside your pack. It's sold and rented at park stores and gateway town outfitters.
- Reserve NPS campgrounds on Recreation.gov and concessioner campgrounds on yellowstonenationalparklodges.com. Both open six months out and sell out fast.
- Nighttime lows drop into the 30s°F even in midsummer. The park sits above 5,000 feet. Bring layers and a warm sleeping bag.
- Store all food, coolers, and anything scented in a hard-sided vehicle or bear box when not in use. Bears walk through every campground.
- Drive Lamar Valley at dawn or dusk for the best wildlife viewing. Bison, wolves, grizzlies, and elk are all common.
RV Parks & Campgrounds Near Yellowstone National Park
141.Buffalo Lake
Buffalo Lake is a scenic campground located within Yellowstone National Park in Idaho. With a solid 4.5-star rating based on 14 reviews, this destination offers visitors a chance...
Show more142.S Yell/Hell Confluence
S Yell/Hell Confluence is a campground located in Yellowstone National Park, Wyoming. Situated at the confluence of two rivers, this location offers a unique setting for visitors...
Show more143.Sentinel Meadows East
Sentinel Meadows East is a campground located in Yellowstone National Park, Wyoming, offering visitors direct access to one of America's most iconic natural destinations. The...
Show more144.Union Falls South 9U5
Union Falls South 9U5 is a campground located in Yellowstone National Park, Wyoming. This intimate camping destination offers a perfect base for exploring one of America's most...
Show more145.Seven Mile Hole
Seven Mile Hole is a scenic campground located within Yellowstone National Park in Wyoming. This well-rated destination offers visitors a chance to experience the natural wonders...
Show more147.Ice Lake South
Ice Lake South is a campground located in Yellowstone National Park, Wyoming, offering visitors access to one of the park's most scenic areas. With a strong Google rating of 4.8...
Show more148.Dunanda Falls
Dunanda Falls is a campground located within Yellowstone National Park in Wyoming. This scenic destination offers visitors access to one of the park's notable natural features....
Show more149.Shelf Lake WE7
Shelf Lake WE7 is a campground located in Gardiner, Montana, offering a peaceful retreat in this scenic mountain town. With a perfect 5-star Google rating from visitors, this...
Show more150.Upper Pebble Creek 3P4
Upper Pebble Creek 3P4 is a campground located in Gardiner, Montana, offering a peaceful retreat in this scenic mountain town. With a perfect 5-star Google rating based on visitor...
Show moreShowing 141–150 of 322 campgrounds within 50 miles
Frequently Asked Questions
How much does it cost to camp near Yellowstone?
NPS campgrounds (Indian Creek, Lewis Lake, Slough Creek, Tower Fall) cost $20/night. Mammoth is $25/night. Concessioner campgrounds (Bridge Bay, Madison, Canyon, Grant Village) run $38–$45/night. Fishing Bridge RV Park, the only full-hookup option, starts at $94/night. A $35/vehicle entrance pass is required separately.
All rates are per site, per night, plus applicable taxes. Showers are included at Canyon, Grant Village, and Fishing Bridge, two per site per night. At other campgrounds with shower access, expect to pay $5.45 plus tax. Firewood collection is prohibited in most areas; bundles are sold at campground stores. Private campgrounds in West Yellowstone, Gardiner, Cody, and Jackson typically charge $35 to $80 per night with full amenities.
When is the best time to camp at Yellowstone?
June through September. Daytime highs range from 60–80°F. June has fewer crowds and most campgrounds are open. July and August are the busiest months. September brings fall color and thinner crowds, though some campgrounds close after Labor Day. Mammoth is the only campground open year-round.
For fewer people, aim for the first two weeks of June or after Labor Day. Spring is the best time for newborn wildlife; fall is peak elk rut season with golden aspens. Snow is possible above 7,000 feet any month. Park roads open on a staggered schedule from mid-April through late May, so check the NPS operating calendar before planning an early-season trip.
How do I reserve a campsite at Yellowstone?
Six NPS campgrounds take reservations through Recreation.gov, opening six months before your stay date. Five concessioner campgrounds (Bridge Bay, Canyon, Grant Village, Madison, Fishing Bridge RV Park) are booked through yellowstonenationalparklodges.com. Summer dates sell out within minutes of opening, so be ready at 10:00 AM Eastern on your booking day.
Cancellations create openings, especially two to three weeks before arrival. The maximum stay is 14 nights between July 1 and Labor Day, and 30 nights the rest of the season. Fishing Bridge RV Park has no length-of-stay limit. Groups of nine or more should contact the park directly for group site availability. Mammoth Campground alternates between reservable and first-come-first-served depending on the season.
Do I need bear spray at Yellowstone?
The National Park Service strongly recommends it. Both grizzly and black bears live throughout the park, including campground areas. Bear spray is sold and rented at park stores and gateway town outfitters. Carry it in a holster on your belt or chest, not in your pack. If a bear charges, spray at 30 to 60 feet to create a wall between you and the animal.
Yellowstone requires all food, coolers, dishes, and scented items stored in a locked hard-sided vehicle or bear box when not in use. Soft-sided campers and tents do not count. Approaching bears or wolves closer than 100 yards is illegal. Food storage violations carry fines up to $5,000 and possible vehicle impoundment.
Can I camp with an RV at Yellowstone?
Most campgrounds accept RVs, but length limits vary. Fishing Bridge RV Park is the only campground with full hookups (water, electric, sewer) and takes rigs up to 95 feet combined length. Bridge Bay and Madison allow RVs up to 60 feet without hookups. Canyon accepts up to 40 feet. Slough Creek and Tower Fall are limited to 30 feet.
Length limits vary by individual site within each campground, so check your specific reservation. Pull-through sites are available at Fishing Bridge and some sites at Bridge Bay and Madison. Generators are allowed during limited daytime hours. Dump stations are located at several campgrounds. Propane is sold at multiple park locations. Fishing Bridge's upper loop has paved sites for larger rigs; the lower loop has gravel back-in sites for rigs 30–35 feet.
Can I bring my dog camping at Yellowstone?
Dogs are allowed in campgrounds, parking areas, and within 100 feet of roads. They are not permitted on any trail, boardwalk, thermal area, or in the backcountry, even if carried in a pack or stroller. Leashes must be six feet or shorter. Dogs cannot be left unattended at any time.
These restrictions exist because of the park's wildlife. Bison, bears, and wolves are present in every area of the park and can be dangerous to pets and vice versa. If you plan to hike, you will need to arrange care for your dog since nearly all trailheads are off-limits. Private campgrounds outside the park tend to have more relaxed pet policies, and some offer off-leash areas or pet sitting.
How do I store food to avoid bears at Yellowstone?
All food, coolers, dishes, toiletries, and scented items must be stored in a locked hard-sided vehicle or a bear-resistant container whenever not in active use. Most campsites have bear-proof food storage boxes. Soft-sided vehicles, pop-up campers, and tents do not qualify. Fines for violations run up to $5,000.
Bears routinely pass through every campground in the park, making food storage a strict legal requirement. Never leave food on a picnic table unattended, even briefly. Wash dishes right after meals and pour gray water into designated drains, not on the ground. Sunscreen, insect repellent, lip balm, and pet food all count as attractants and must be stored the same way.
What are the top attractions near Yellowstone campgrounds?
Madison Campground puts you 30 minutes from Old Faithful and Grand Prismatic Spring. Canyon Campground is a short walk from the Grand Canyon of the Yellowstone and its two major waterfalls. Tower-Roosevelt is the starting point for Lamar Valley wildlife drives. Bridge Bay and Fishing Bridge sit on the shore of Yellowstone Lake.
Old Faithful erupts roughly every 90 minutes, varying between 50 and 127 minutes. The Grand Prismatic Spring overlook is a 0.8-mile hike from the Fairy Falls trailhead in Midway Geyser Basin. Mammoth Hot Springs has travertine terraces and is the only developed area open year-round. For wildlife, drive the Lamar Valley road between Tower Junction and the Northeast Entrance at dawn or dusk. Bison, wolves, elk, and grizzlies are regularly spotted.
Quick Facts
- Entrance Fee
- $35/vehicle (7 days)
- Best Time to Visit
- June – September
- Nearest Town
- West Yellowstone, MT, Gardiner, MT, Cooke City, MT, Cody, WY, Jackson, WY
- Elevation
- 5,282 – 11,358 ft
- Park Size
- 2.2 million acres
- Annual Visitors
- ~4.8 million