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    Home » Travel » US National Parks

    Published: Dec 27, 2019 · Updated: Feb 14, 2025 by JohnTillison · This post may contain affiliate links

    Norris Campground - Yellowstone National Park

    The Norris Campground in Yellowstone National Park is located near the Park Ranger Museum. 

    This campground is first come first served with sites spread around a couple of loops. Some of the sites in this campground have epic views!

    Centrally located near the Norris Geyser Basin and hot springs this campground is the perfect location for exploring the park. 

    Norris Campground - Yellowstone National Park

    Season: The campground is only open during summer. May - September

    Number of Sites:  111

    Location in the park: Located 0.8 miles (1.3 km) north of Norris Junction.

    Campsite cost: $20.00

    Rates do not include taxes or utility fees and are subject to change.

    Interagency Access and Senior Pass holders receive a 50% discount.

    Hiker/bicyclist Nightly Fee - $5.00

    Payments accepted: cash/check

    Reservations: No, All sites are first-come, first-served.

    Campground Address: 

    Latitude/Longitude: N 44 44.27088 W 110 41.6169

    Elevation: 7,500 feet (2286 m)

    Accessible Sites: Two accessible campsites; accessible restroom with flush toilets at the campground entrance.

    Pets Allowed:  Yes, You will want to be aware of the park pet policy

    Yellowstone National Park Entrance Fee

    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.

    2024 America The Beautiful National Park Pass

    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 five free entrance days the National Park Service offers annually.

    Norris Campground Reservations

    Are campground Reservations Available? No, All sites are first-come, first-served.

    Check out our ultimate Yellowstone Camping Guide for information on the campgrounds that take reservations. 

    Norris Campground Amenities

    Flush Toilets: Yes  

    Showers: No

    Payphone: Yes, next to the entrance

    Is wifi available? No

    Is cellular Phone Service Available? No

    Is camp host available on site? Yes, Site #20 while we were there 

    Is firewood available for purchase? Yes, near the front entrance. 

    The campground also has ice for sale near the front entrance. 

    Amenities at each campsite:

    Firepit in the site? Yes

    Picnic Table in the site? Yes

    Bear Box in site/area? Yes, Bear boxes are available for most tent sites.

    Potable Water? Yes

    Don't forget to pack

    Insect repellent is always a great idea outdoors, especially around any body of water. 

    We use Permethrin Spray on our clothes before our park trips.  Please read my article on preventing biting insects while enjoying the outdoors. 

    Sunscreen - I buy environmentally friendly sunscreen whenever possible because you inevitably pull it out at the beach.

    Bring your water bottle and plenty of water with you. Plastic water bottles are not sold in the park.

    Sunglasses - I always bring sunglasses with me. I personally love Goodr sunglasses because they are lightweight, durable, and have awesome National Park Designs from several National Parks like Joshua Tree, Yellowstone, Hawaii Volcanoes, Acadia, Denali, and more!

    Click here to get your National Parks Edition of Goodr Sunglasses!

    Binoculars/Spotting Scope - These will help spot birds and wildlife and make them easier to identify. We tend to see waterfowl in the distance, and they are always just a bit too far to identify them without binoculars.

    RV Camping at Norris Campground

    RV Length: Two signed sites at 50 feet (15.2 m) and five sites at 30 feet (9.1 m).

    Both RV's and Trailers are allowed in the campground. 

    Dump Station: No

    Generators: Generators may only be operated from 8 am to 8 pm (60 dB limit). 

    Hookups: No

    Escape Campervan in front of a hotel

    For a fun adventure check out Escape Campervans. These campervans have built in beds, kitchen area with refrigerators, and more. You can have them fully set up with kitchen supplies, bedding, and other fun extras. They are painted with epic designs you can't miss!

    Escape Campervans has offices in Vancouver, Seattle, Portland, San Francisco, Las Vegas, Los Angeles, Phoenix, Salt Lake City, Denver, New York, and Orlando

    How to get to Norris Campground

    Located 0.8 miles (1.3 km) north of Norris Junction.

    Norris 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: 10 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.

    Norris Campground Map 

    Norris Campground Photos

    A - Loop - The A - Loop is flat and some sites have great river views. 

     B - Loop - This loop is pretty hilly. 

    C - Loop - This loop is on a hill 

    Site 9

     

    Site 13

     

    Site 61

     

    Site 67

     

    Site 82

     

    Walk-in sites

    National Park Lodges available in Yellowstone National Park

    There are nine National Park Lodges with over 2,000 rooms available in Yellowstone National Park. We suggest staying at a couple different lodges in different areas to provide easy access to different portions of the park.

    Two lodges are open year-round including:

    Mammoth Hot Springs Hotel and Cabins
    🏨Ready to Book the Mammoth Hot Springs Hotel -> Click Here

    The Mammoth Hot Springs Hotel has hotel rooms and cabin accommodations. (Cabins are seasonal) and steps away from Mammoth Hot Springs and a great option for exploring Lamar Valley and wildlife viewing.

    The Old Faithful Snow Lodge
    🏨Ready to Book the Old Faithful Snow Lodge -> Click Here

    The Old Faithful Snow Lodge is a newer lodge in Yellowstone with several upgraded ammenities and just steps from Old Faithful, Geyser Hill, and the lower Geyser Basin!

    Lodges that are open from late spring through fall include:

    Canyon Lodge and Cabins: 
    🏨Ready to Book the Canyon Lodge and Cabins -> Click Here

    This is a modern lodge that is located in Canyon Village with several dining options, a visitor center, gift shop, and close to the Grand Canyon of the Yellowstone, Yellowstone Falls, Hayden Valley, and Norris Geyser Basin. Canyon Lodge has 400+ guest rooms spread across 5 hotel-style lodges, with 100+ cabins being more rustic accommodations.

    Grant Village Lodge
    🏨Ready to Book the Grant Village Lodge -> Click Here

     You will love the EPIC views of Lake Yellowstone from the Lodge's two restaurants (make sure to get advance reservations for dinner) as the sunset is pretty epic and registered guests to the Grant Village Lodge can make reservations before anyone else! THe lodge is also in close proximity to Lake Yellowstone, West Thumb Geyser Basin, Lower Geyser Basin and Old Faithful, and Hayden Valley! Grant Village Lodge features 300 guest rooms spread across 6 two-story, hotel-style lodges.

    Lake Yellowstone Hotel and Cabins
    🏨Ready to Book the Lake Yellowstone Hotel -> Click Here

    I like to describe the Lake Yellowstone Hotel as understated luxury with amazing views of the lake. It is also close to Hayden Valley, the Grand Canyon of the Yellowstone, and Yellowstone Falls. lodge that has hotel room-style and cabin accommodations.

    Lake Lodge Cabins: 
    🏨Ready to Book the Lake Lodge Cabins -> Click Here

    I love staying in these cabins because everytime I have stayed here, it seems like there is wildlife everywhere, especially elk and bison! Thre is186 very cozy cabins located near Lake Yellowstone lodge.

    Old Faithful Inn
    🏨Ready to Book The Old Faithful Inn -> Click Here

    The Old Faithful Inn is arguably the pinnacle of all National Park Lodges! It is a right-of-passage to stay here, especially for fans of the parks, especially fans of the lodges and the National Park Rustic "Parkitecture" design. If you can't get a room here, make sure to at least stop in and check out the lobby and perhaps have lunch in the dining room.

    Old Faithful Lodge
    🏨Ready to Book The Old Faithful Lodge -> Click Here

    These Cabin accommodations are located about as close as you can get to Old Faithful itself! You can also walk right out and take the Geyser Hill Trail, a must for any first time visitor to Yellowstone.

    Roosevelt Lodge and Cabins
    🏨Ready to Book The Roosevelt Lodge -> Click Here

     These Cabin accommodations is the closest lodging in the park you can get to Lamar Valley! Caution, these rooms are hard to get as they are very popular. They also have an Old West Dinner Cookout, offer horseback rides, and Stagecoach Adventures.

    Lodging near Yellowstone NP

    Lodging options in West Yellowstone, Montana

    Gray Wolf Inn & Suites islocated close to the park's West Entrance, and provides a firepit, laundry facilities, and a 24-hour gym. They also offer a hot tub, free WIFI and a business center.

    Stage Coach Inn has a free continental breakfast, laundry facilities, and a fireplace in the lobby. They also have a sauna, free WIFI, a gym, and a 24-hour business center.

    Yellowstone Westgate Hotel offers a free continental breakfast, laundry facilities, and a fireplace in the lobby. They also have a hot tub, free WIFI, and a business center.

    Brandin' Iron Inn is located close to the park's West Entrance, provides free full breakfast, laundry facilities, and a fireplace in the lobby and free WIFI.

    Kelly Inn West Yellowstone - free continental breakfast, a free roundtrip airport shuttle, and a firepit. They also have a hot tub. free WIFI, laundry facilities and a business center.

    Lodging options in Gardiner, Montana

    Dreamcatcher Tipi Hotel this campground has coffee/tea and a microwave in a common area. Free continental breakfast, free Wi-Fi in public areas are also provided. Additionally, concierge services, a garden, and barbecue grills are onsite. All 17 accommodations boast heated floor (bathroom) and offer Wi-Fi and 8 bathrooms. Other amenities available to guests include memory foam beds, premium bedding, and rainfall showerheads. Private bathrooms are not ensuite.

    Super 8 by Wyndham Gardiner provides dry cleaning/laundry services and more. Guests can connect to free in-room Wi-Fi.

    Click on the maps below to see additional hotels and vacation rentals near Yellowstone NP.

    Don't forget to pack

    • Earplugs - Especially if you are in a tent you may get a lot of road noise.
    • Bug spray 
    • Camp Chairs
    • Tarp
    • Food containers
    • Coleman Stove
    • Fire Starter
    • Water Jug 
    • Smores Kit
    • Camping Games 

    Additional Yellowstone National Park Resources 

    Things to do in Yellowstone - These are the top things to do that you don't want to miss during your trip!

    Don't miss the epic waterfalls in Yellowstone you can easily see while exploring the park. 

    Yellowstone Lodging Guide -Check out all of the lodges you can stay in while visiting Yellowstone NP.

    Yellowstone National Park Facts - Learn more about our 1st National Park and fun facts about the wildlife in the park.

    Grand Teton NP Guide - Epic guide to Grand Teton! All the things you need to know to plan a great visit. 

    Mammoth Hot Springs Hotel - Find out what it is like to stay in this great Yellowstone lodge. 

    Lake Yellowstone Hotel - Room photo and videos, what to expect when staying at the Lake Yellowstone Hotel

    Camping Tips from a Park Ranger - These are the tips I learned from managing a campground for years. 

    Make sure to follow Park Ranger John on Facebook, Instagram, Pinterest, and TikTok

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    Filed Under: Camping, US National Parks

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