Here are my top finds for Canyon & Grant Areas of Yellowstone NP
🏨Lodges: Canyon Lodge, Grant Village, Lake Yellowstone Hotel
📍Tours: Yellowstone Lake Morning Kayak Tour with Lunch, Grand Canyon of the Yellowstone Loop Hike with Lunch
🐻 Save time! Buy your National Park Pass before your trip
Bridge Bay Campground
Bridge Bay Campground offers numerous options to campers. Portions of the lower loops of the campground are open sites in open meadows with fewer trees, except for the top of the loops in more wooded areas. These loops have few to no trees and shade, so you will want to be prepared. We suggest bringing a pop-up table cover or gazebo to provide shade. We have seen many reviews of people having elk and bison in their campsites. This is just something to be aware of when planning your trip. Loops E and F do provide a distant view of Lake Yellowstone. They also have nice wooded areas with some shade, but not enough to block your view. They were my personal favorite camp sites in the campground. The wooded upper loops have shadier options and the most privacy.
Bridge Bay Campground Camping Fees
Make sure to check with the park for the most updated camping fees.
Rates do not include taxes or utility fees and are subject to change.
Interagency Access Pass (Disability) and Senior Pass (formerly known as the Golden Age or Golden Access Pass) holders receive a 50% discount. Use PROMO CODE PASS when booking your reservation online.
Bridge Bay Campground Reservations
Are Campground Reservations Available? Bridge Bay Campground is typically open from mid-May through early-September.
Online Reservations:
- Through 2026: Click here to make your reservation at Bridge Bay Campground.
- Beginning with the 2027 camping season, Reservations will be available on recreation.gov
Campground Information
Season: only open during summer from 5/15 to 9/7, 2020
Number of Sites: 432
Latitude/Longitude: N 44 32.070 W 110 26.218
Elevation: 7,800 feet (2377 m)
Campground Address
Yellowstone National Park, Wy. 82190
Accessible Sites: There are three accessible campsites. Accessible restrooms are located in loop A of the campgroundand in the picnic area along the entrance road to Bridge Bay Marina.
Location in the park: near Yellowstone Lake, Located on the Grand Loop Road just a few miles southwest of Lake Village and next to the Bridge Bay Marina.
Campground Amenities
The campground offers running water, dishwashing stations, easy access to the main park loop road.
Flush Restrooms: Yes, there are 16 public restrooms available in the campground. Most restrooms also have dishwashing stations available.
Hot Showers: no, the closest place with laundry and shower services is the Fishing Bridge RV Park. Personal portable showers are allowed if the wastewater is collected and disposed of properly.
Laundry: No
Payphone: Yes, near the entrance
Is WIFI available? No
Is Cellular Phone Service Available? There is a cell phone tower near Lake Village. Check with your provider to verify coverage. We did not have any service with T-mobile.
Is there a camp host available on site? Yes
Is firewood available for purchase? Yes
Is there a Bear Box/ Food storage locker available? Yes, Bear boxes are available for most tent sites.
Campground Amphitheater: Yes, seasonal
Amenities at each campsite:
Is there a fire ring/fire pit available in the site? Yes
Is there a Picnic Table available in the site? Yes
Is potable Water available? Yes
RV Camping at Bridge Bay Campground
When calling to make a reservation, be prepared to give the size of your tent (in feet) or the combined length of your RV and any other vehicles or towed vehicles.
RV Length: Campground sites that will accommodate a maximum combined length of 40 feet or more are limited. Pull-through sites available: Yes, there is a mix of pull-through and back-in sites available
Generators: Generators may only be operated from 8 am to 8 pm (60 dB limit)
Dump Station: yes, seasonally. It is located at the entrance to the campground.
Hookups: There are no sites available with electric hookups, water hookups, or sewer hookups.
Group Camp Sites
The group campsites are all in a loop near each other. There are individual campsites near the group sites.
Bridge Bay Campground Regulations
The maximum number of people in a campsite: Maximum 6 persons per site
The number of cars per campsite: Tent sites allow for up to two tents and two vehicles. RV sites allow for one RV (tow included) only. (For reference, 2 motorcycles = 1 vehicle)
Check-in Time: check-in any time of day that there is an unoccupied site.
Checkout time: 11 AM.
Quiet Hours: Quiet hours are from 10:00 p.m. to 7:00 a.m.
Maximum Stay: Camping is limited to 14 days from July 1 through Labor Day, and 30 days for the rest of the year. There is no stay limit at the Fishing Bridge RV Park.
Pets Allowed: Yes, You will want to be aware of the park pet policy
Bridge Bay Campground Map
Things to do When Camping at Bridge Bay Camppground
🚣 Launch a boat, kayak, or canoe from the adjacent Bridge Bay Marina, the largest and best-equipped marina in Yellowstone National Park
🛥️ Join a guided scenic cruise or fishing charter on Yellowstone Lake departing from Bridge Bay Marina
🎣 Fish Yellowstone Lake for native cutthroat trout in one of the finest and most scenic high-altitude fisheries in the world
🌊 Visit the West Thumb Geyser Basin, about 20 miles south, where hot springs and geysers bubble directly on the shore of Yellowstone Lake
🚗 Drive north to Hayden Valley for outstanding bison, grizzly bear, and sandhill crane viewing in one of the park's premier wildlife corridors
💧 Continue north to the Grand Canyon of the Yellowstone and the spectacular Lower Falls, the tallest waterfall in the park at 308 feet
🌋 Explore the Mud Volcano thermal area on the northern end of Hayden Valley for the dramatic Dragon's Mouth Spring and churning mud pots
🥾 Hike the Natural Bridge Trail, a short and rewarding walk to a 51-foot natural rock bridge carved by Bridge Creek just south of the marina
🏛️ Visit the Lake Village area and Lake Yellowstone Hotel, the oldest and most elegant lodging in Yellowstone, just a short drive from the campground
🌌 Stargaze from the lakeshore on clear nights under some of the darkest skies in the American West, with the Milky Way reflecting in the calm lake surface
Best Yellowstone National Park Tours & Activities
Yellowstone Lake Morning Kayak Tour with Lunch
⭐️ Rating: 4.9 out of 5 Stars (206+ reviews) | ⏳ Tour Length: 4 hours | 🛶🌋 Check Rates and Availability
This morning kayak tour is one of the most unique ways to experience Yellowstone, Guests will paddle on Yellowstone Lake for approximately 6 miles along the shore of the West Thumb. Geysers and hot springs visible only from the water are a highlight, along with frequent wildlife sightings including elk, waterfowl, bears, and bald eagles along the shoreline. A full brown bag lunch with sandwich, fruit, chips, and snacks is included, along with hot coffee or tea, a kayak, paddle, life vest, paddle jacket, and dry bag. Suitable for first-time kayakers and experienced paddlers alike.
Grand Canyon of the Yellowstone Rim and Loop Hike with Lunch
⭐️ Rating: 4.8 out of 5 Stars (407+ reviews) | ⏳ Tour Length: 6 hours | 🥾🏔️ Check Rates and Availability
This guided loop hike is one of the most spectacular half-day experiences in the park and a favorite that many visitors call the highlight of their entire trip. Unlike the Lamar Valley hike, this one focuses on Yellowstone's dramatic canyon country, hugging the rim of the Grand Canyon of the Yellowstone River with jaw-dropping views of the Upper and Lower Falls before looping through forest trails to hidden lakes, mud pots, and steam vents that most visitors never find on their own. A packed lunch is included, along with bear spray and binoculars.
Self-Guided Audio Driving Tour in Yellowstone and Grand Teton
⭐️ Rating: 4.7 out of 5 Stars (67+ reviews) | ⏳ Tour Length: 8 hours to 1 day (self-paced) | 🚗 Check Rates and Availability
This GPS-triggered audio driving tour covers both Yellowstone and Grand Teton National Parks in a single purchase, making it one of the best values available for road trippers exploring the Greater Yellowstone ecosystem. Powered by GuideAlong, the narration fires automatically as you reach each stop, covering Old Faithful, Grand Prismatic Spring, Lamar Valley, Mammoth Hot Springs, the Grand Canyon of the Yellowstone, Jenny Lake, Mormon Row, and more, with 550-plus points of interest across both parks. Works fully offline once downloaded, so no cell service is needed anywhere in the park. One purchase covers everyone in the vehicle with no expiry, and you can start, stop, and resume any time across multiple days. Reviewers consistently say they would have missed major sights without it.
Click here to find more great Yellowstone National Park Tours.
Lodging Options in the Canyon and Grant Area
⭐️ 3.9 of 5 Stars - Canyon Lodge and Cabins - Click here for Rates and Availability.
Yellowstone's largest in-park lodge with over 500 rooms and cabins, sitting just half a mile from the breathtaking Grand Canyon of the Yellowstone and its thundering Upper and Lower Falls!
Choose from modern lodge rooms and suites in the Cascade and Dunraven Lodges featuring mini-fridges, coffee makers, hair dryers, and elevator access, or Western and Frontier Cabins with private bathrooms and shared front porches. The Canyon Lodge Eatery food hall features multiple dining stations including Grab and Go, Slow Fast Food, and Fresh Wok, plus the Falls Cafe, Washburn Lookout snack bar, and an Ice Creamery. Pet friendly cabins available. Open mid-May through late October!
⭐️ 4.2 of 5 Stars - Lake Yellowstone Hotel and Cabins - Click here for Rates and Availability.
The oldest operating hotel in Yellowstone National Park and a National Historic Landmark, a stunning 1891 colonial masterpiece sitting directly on the shores of Yellowstone Lake with sweeping water views!
The iconic Sunroom with its floor-to-ceiling windows and live string quartet is the most celebrated gathering place in the park, perfect for afternoon cocktails while watching bison wander the lakeshore. Choose from elegant hotel rooms and suites in the main historic building, Sandpiper Lodge rooms, or rustic lakeside cabins with private baths. The full-service Lake Hotel Dining Room serves breakfast, lunch, and dinner with reservations required, while a deli and gift shop round out the amenities. Free parking and porter service included. No WiFi, TVs, or air conditioning, keeping the 1920s ambiance gloriously intact. Open mid-May through early October, book well in advance!
⭐️ 3.9 of 5 Stars - Lake Lodge Cabins - Click here for Rates and Availability.
The most relaxed and affordable way to stay on Yellowstone Lake, with a classic log main lodge featuring a wide front porch lined with rocking chairs and unobstructed lake views that rival anything in the park!
The 186 cabins come in three styles ranging from the basic rustic Pioneer cabins to the spacious and renovated Western cabins, all with private bathrooms, heat, coffee makers, and fans. Wylie's Canteen serves casual American comfort food with lake views, the Map Room Bar is perfect for post-hike drinks, and a gift shop and coin-operated laundry are on site. No WiFi, TVs, or air conditioning. Pet friendly in select cabins, free parking. Open early June through early October!
⭐️ 3.8 of 5 Stars - Grant Village Lodge - Click here for Rates and Availability.
The most modern and family-friendly lodging option near Yellowstone Lake, sitting on the southwest shore just 2 miles from the spectacular West Thumb Geyser Basin where hydrothermal features bubble and steam directly into the lake!
The 300 motel-style rooms are spread across six lodge buildings featuring private bathrooms, heating, fans, and coffee makers, with pet friendly rooms available. On-site amenities include two restaurants, a bar and lounge, gift shop, general store, coin-operated laundry, and the closest lodging to the South Entrance for visitors arriving from Grand Teton National Park. Free parking and open late May through late September!
Click this link or the map below for a complete list of hotels and vacation rentals in the Gardiner, Montana Area.
https://www.stay22.com/embed/668d9fc09193e822c63b0a1b
Yellowstone National Park Entrance Fee
New in 2026: Each Non-US Resident aged 16 and older visiting Yellowstone National Park must pay a $100 nonresident fee (in addition to the standard entrance fee), unless admitted with an annual or America the Beautiful Pass. This includes nonresidents entering as part of a commercial tour group, commercial use authorization (CUA) group, or concessioner tour group.
Park entrance fees are separate from camping and lodging fees.
Park Entrance Pass - $35.00 Per private vehicle (valid for 1-7 days from the date of purchase)
Park Entrance Pass - Motorcycle - $30.00 Per motorcycle (valid for 1-7 days from the date of purchase)
Park Entrance Pass - Snowmobile - $30.00 Entry for one driver and one passenger (valid for 1-7 days from the date of purchase)
Per-Person Entrance Pass - $20.00 Visitors 16 years or older who enter on foot, bicycle, or as part of an organized group not involved in a commercial tour.
Annual Park Entrance Pass - $70.00, Admits pass holder and all passengers in a non-commercial vehicle. Valid for one year from the month of purchase.
$20.00 for Non-Commercial Group (16+ persons)
$20.00 for Commercial Sedan with 1-6 seats and non-commercial groups (16+ persons) ($25.00 plus $20.00 per person)
$125.00 for Commercial Van with 7-15 seats
$200.00 for Commercial Mini-Bus with 16-25 seats
$300.00 for Commercial Motor Coach with 26+ seats
Learn more about National Park Passes for parks that have an entrance fee.
$80.00 - For the America the Beautiful/National Park Pass. The pass covers entrance fees to all US National Park Sites and over 2,000 Federal Recreation Fee Sites for an entire year and covers everyone in the car for per-vehicle sites and up to 4 adults for per-person sites.
Buy your pass at this link, and REI will donate 10% of pass proceeds to the National Forest Foundation, National Park Foundation, and the U.S. Endowment for Forestry & Communities.
National Park Free Entrance Days -Mark your calendars with the free entrance days the National Park Service offers for US citizens and residents.
Additional Yellowstone National Park Information
- Yellowstone National Park Guide - Your complete guide to exploring the world's first National Park!
- Things to do in Yellowstone - These are the top things to do that you don't want to miss, including exploring the Mammoth Hot Springs, the Museum of the National Park Ranger, Yellowstone Waterfalls, Kayaking in Yellowstone, fishing in Yellowstone, Fairy Falls Trail, and more!
- Yellowstone National Park Facts - Learn more about our 1st National Park and fun facts about the wildlife in the park.
- Yellowstone Wildlife Guide- Complete Guide to seeing wildlife in Yellowstone National Park, including the most popular wildlife viewing areas, including Lamar Valley and Hayden Valley.
- Ultimate Yellowstone National Park Lodging Guide - This complete guide to all of Yellowstone National Park's Lodges and cabins
- Ultimate Yellowstone Camping Guide - This complete guide to camping in Yellowstone includes all front country campgrounds
Yellowstone Geyser Basin Areas
- Upper Geyser Basin, including Biscuit Basin, Black Sand Basin, and Old Faithful Geyser.
- Midway Geyser Basin, including Grand Prismatic Spring and Firehole Lake Drive.
- Lower Geyser Basin, including Fountain Paint Pot Trail and Firehole Canyon Drive
- Norris Geyser Basin-This basin is known for having some of the hottest water and springs in the park. It is actually two basins: Porcelain Basin and Black Basin, with famous geysers, including Ledge Geyser, Cistern Geyser, and Steamboat Geyser.
- West Thumb Geyser Basin - Beautiful boardwalk trail with hydrothermal features right next to Lake Yellowstone!
- Mud Volcano - The Mud Volcano area is Located south of Canyon Village and North of Lake Yellowstone. It has several hydrothermal features, including a mud volcano and Dragon's Mouth Spring.
Additional Montana National Parks
- Complete Guide to Grand Teton National Park - Your complete guide to go explore Grand Teton National Park before or after you visit Yellowstone!
- Epic Guide to Glacier National Park - Complete guide to exploring Glacier National Park
- Little Bighorn Battlefield - Also known as Custer's Last Stand, a place where the Plains Tribes fought their last major battle and won.
- Big Hole National Battlefield - site of the pivotal battle in the Nez Perce War of 1877 between Colonel Gibbon's troops and five bands of the Nez Perce Indians led by the famous Native American Leader, Cheif Joseph.
- Grant Kohr's Ranch National Historic Site - See what ranch life was like in the 1800s in Montana
Check out all of the Montana National Parks along with neighboring National Parks in Wyoming, National Parks in South Dakota, North Dakota National Parks, and Idaho National Parks.
Make sure to follow Park Ranger John on Facebook, Instagram, Pinterest, and TikTok
Bridge Bay Campground Photos
Loop A campsites 1-64 Loop A is in a wide-open field with no shade. They are close together and look like they could get quite loud.
Loop B campsites 65-123 Loop B is a wide-open field with no shade. They are close together and look like they could get quite loud.
Loop C campsites 124-185 Loop C is a wide-open field with no shade. They are close together and look like they could get quite loud.
Loop D campsites 186-231 Loop D is a wide-open field with no shade. They are close together and look like they could get quite loud. D - Loop is tents only. These sites have shared bear boxes.
Loop E (Sites 232-250) Loop E is tent-only. Some of the sites offer a view of the lake.
Loop F Campsites 251-281 Loop F sites are tent-only. Some of the sites offer epic views of the lake. Some sites are near the road and could be loud
Loop G campsites 282-326
Loop H campsites 328-419 Loop H would be great for RV's. It is at the back of the campground.
Loop I campsites 420-438 Loop I is Tents only, This was our favorite loop in the campground. One thing to know is it is uphill to the bathroom from most sites.
Loop J campsites 439-450 Loop J is tent-only, with 4 group sites between individual sites. The sites are forested, but depending on the groups, they could be loud.
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