There are over 2,100 campsites within 12 campgrounds in Yellowstone National Park! We are excited to share this ultimate Yellowstone Camping Guide to help you plan an epic trip to the park.
More than 1,700 campsites are reservable within Yellowstone but you need to know where in the park you want to stay and what amenities you would like.
Below we break down each of the Yellowstone Campgrounds to make it easier for you to plan your trip.
This Yellowstone Camping Guide breaks down all of the front country campsites. If you plan on backcountry camping you will want to check on current park conditions.
Yellowstone Camping Guide
Five campgrounds take advance reservations, while seven campgrounds are strictly first-come, first-served.
Camping is limited to 14 days from July 1 through Labor Day (first Monday in September) and to 30 days the rest of the year; no limit at Fishing Bridge.
Camping is only available in designated campgrounds within the park. There is no camping in parking lots or on the side of the road.
Each Yellowstone Campground is described below. For additional information including site photos for specific campgrounds, you can click on the campground name and visit detailed posts on that campground.
Campground locations are found in almost all areas of the park.
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 five free entrance days the National Park Service offers annually.
Yellowstone Camping Reservations
There are 5 campgrounds in Yellowstone that take reservations - Bridge Bay Campground, Canyon Campground, Fishing Bridge RV Park (currently closed until September 2020), Grant Village and Madison.
Yellowstone Campground reservations open on May 1 for the next year.
Example May 1, 2021 = Summer 2022 reservations
May 1, 2021 = Summer 2022 reservations
Reservations are done through lodging reservation site or by calling Reservations Office
Open Daily
8:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. MDT
Call Direct at +1-307-344-7311
You will need to know the dimensions of your tent (in feet) and/or the combined dimension of your RV and any other vehicles or towed vehicles. (e.g the length of your truck in addition to the length of your trailer when fully open.)
You want to make sure that if there is a chance your tent or RV may change you reserve a site for the largest one. If you arrive in the campground with a larger RV or tent then you made a reservation for you may not have a spot you fit in.
Specific sites can be requested but are not guaranteed. Site allocation depends on reservations, sizes requested and the number of nights. The campsites are handled similarly to hotel rooms and designated on the day of use.
Be prepared to wait if you call in on May 1st! It can be extremely busy trying to get through on the phone. The line opens early morning at 8 am.
Yellowstone RV Camping
Dump stations are available in Yellowstone at Canyon Campground, Fishing Bridge RV Park, Bridge Bay Campground, Grant Village Campground, Madison Campground.
There are also dump stations in West Yellowstone and at Yellowstone RV Park in Gardiner.
Fishing Bridge RV Park is the only campground offering water, sewer, and electrical hookups (50 amp service): it is for hard-sided vehicles only (no tents or tent-trailers).
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
Reservable Campgrounds
Bridge Bay Campground
Location: Near Yellowstone Lake, Located on the Grand Loop Road just a few miles southwest of Lake Village and next to the Bridge Bay Marina.
Elevation: 7,800 feet (2377 m)
Open: The campground is only open during summer.
Number of sites: 432
Accessible Sites: Three accessible campsites. Accessible restrooms are located in Loop A of the campground and in the picnic area along the entrance road to Bridge Bay Marina.
Cost per night: $26
Reservations?: Yellowstone National Park Lodges provides reservations for in this campground. Call 307-344-7311 (307-344-5395 for TDD service) or visit www.yellowstonenationalparklodges.com.
Campground Amenities: Flush toilets, running water, fire pits, picnic tables. Close to a ton of park attractions. Lots of wildlife including elk, bison, and bears
RVs allowed?: Yes, Campground sites that will accommodate a maximum combined length of 40-feet or more are limited.
For more information and photos check out our post on Bridge Bay Campground
Canyon Campground
Location: Located off the Grand Loop Road near Canyon Village
Elevation: 7,900 feet (2408 m)
Open: The campground is only open during summer.
Opens: May
Closes: September
Number of sites: 273
Cost per night: $31
Reservations?: Yellowstone National Park Lodges provides reservations for in this campground. Call 307-344-7311 (307-344-5395 for TDD service) or visit www.yellowstonenationalparklodges.com.
Accessible Sites: Three accessible sites in Loop L, with an extended picnic table and a raised fire grate. Accessible restrooms are located near the accessible sites. (The camper services building is not accessible.)
Campground amenities: Close to Canyon Village, pay showers, launderette, flush toilets, forested.
RVs allowed?: Yes,
For more information and photos check out our post on Canyon Campground
Fishing Bridge RV Campground
Fishing Bridge RV Park is for completely hard-sided units only---no tents or tent campers are allowed.
Location: reached by the Grand Loop Road and is near the intersection of Lake and the East Entrance road.
Elevation: 7,800 feet (2377 m)
Open:
Number of sites: 340
Accessible Sites: No accessible campsites.
Cost per night:
Rates do not include taxes or utility fees and are subject to change.
Interagency Access and Senior Pass holders do not receive discounts at this campground.
Reservations?: Yellowstone National Park Lodges provides reservations for in this campground. Call 307-344-7311 (307-344-5395 for TDD service) or visit www.yellowstonenationalparklodges.com.
Campground amenities: The only campground in Yellowstone to offer water, sewer, and electrical hookups for RVs.
RVs allowed?: Yes,
Grant Village Campground
Location: Located in Grant Village, just off the Grand Loop Road at the south end of Yellowstone Lake.
Elevation: 7,800 feet (2377 m)
Open: The campground is only open during summer.
Number of sites: 430
Accessible Sites: Three accessible sites, with an extended picnic table and a raised fire grate. Accessible restrooms are located near the accessible sites. Accessible shower in Camper Services Building.
Cost per night: $31
Reservations?: Yellowstone National Park Lodges provides reservations for in this campground. Call 307-344-7311 (307-344-5395 for TDD service) or visit www.yellowstonenationalparklodges.com.
Campground amenities: This campground has coin-operated laundry and showers, flush toilets, easy access to the park.
RVs allowed?: Yes, Campground sites that will accommodate a maximum combined length of 40-feet or more are limited.
For more information and photos check out our post on Grant Village campground
Madison Campground
Location:
Elevation: 6,800 feet (2073 m)
Open: The campground is only open late spring through fall.
Number of sites: 278
Accessible Sites:
Cost per night: $26
Reservations?: Yellowstone National Park Lodges provides reservations for in this campground. Call 307-344-7311 (307-344-5395 for TDD service) or visit www.yellowstonenationalparklodges.com.
Campground amenities: Three accessible campsites (reservable), with an extended picnic table and a raised fire grate. The closest accessible shower is at Old Faithful Inn (16 mi. south).
RVs allowed?: Total vehicle length can not exceed 30'.
For more information and photos check out our post on the Madison Campground
Yellowstone National Park Camping
First Come, First Serve Campgrounds
Indian Creek Campground
Location: 8 miles south of Mammoth Hot Springs
Elevation: 7,300 feet (2225 m)
Open: The campground is only open during summer.
Number of sites: 70
Accessible Sites: One accessible campsite; accessible vault toilet.
Cost per night: $15
Reservations?: No
Campground amenities: vault toilets, fire ring, picnic tables.
RVs allowed?: 10 sites at 35 feet (10.7 m), 35 sites at 30 feet (9.1 m). Sites may not be level.
For more information and photos check out our post on Indian Creek campground
Lewis Creek Campground
Location: Eight miles from the South Entrance
Elevation: 7,800 ft (2377 m)
Open: The campground is only open in summer and fall.
Number of sites: 85
Accessible Sites: No accessible campsites. Bathrooms and ranger station are accessible.
Cost per night: $15
Reservations?: No, first come first served
Campground amenities: fire rings, picnic tables, food storage, camp host on-site, potable water.
RVs allowed?: Total length limit is 25 feet (7.6 m).
For more information and photos check out our post on the Lewis Lake Campground with site photos.
Mammoth Campground
Location: Near the north entrance to the park and Gardiner, Montana
Elevation: 6,200 feet (1890 m)
Open: Open year-round
Number of sites: 85
Accessible Sites: Five accessible campsites, accessible routes along the paved roadway, ramp to the amphitheater.
Cost per night: $20, Interagency Access and Senior Pass holders receive a 50% discount.
Reservations?: No, first come first served
Campground Amenities: Flush toilets, fire rings, picnic tables, easy access to Mammoth Hot Springs and Fort Yellowstone.
RVs allowed?: Campground sites that will accommodate a maximum combined length of 40 feet (12.2 m) or more are limited.
During winter (November through April), the total vehicle length limit is 30 feet (9.1 m).
For more information and photos check out our post on Mammoth Campground
Norris Campground
Location: .8 miles from the Norris Junction
Elevation: 7,500 feet (2286 m)
Open: Summer season
Number of sites: 111
Accessible Sites: Two accessible campsites; accessible restroom with flush toilets at the campground entrance.
Cost per night: $20, Interagency Access and Senior Pass holders receive a 50% discount.
$5.00, Hiker and Biker campsites
Reservations?: No, first come first served
Campground amenities: Flush toilets, fire rings, picnic tables, ice machine, firewood for sale.
RVs allowed?: Two signed sites at 50 feet (15.2 m) and five sites at 30 feet (9.1 m).
For more information and photos check out our post on Norris Campground
Pebble Creek Campground
Location: Northeast corner of the park
Elevation: 6,900 feet (2103 m)
Open: The campground is only open during summer.
Number of sites: 27
Accessible Sites: There is one accessible campsite at the Pebble Creek Campground.
Cost per night: $15, Interagency Access and Senior Pass holders receive a 50% discount.
$5.00, Hiker and Biker campsites
Reservations?: No, all sites are first come first served
Campground amenities: multiple creekside sites, fire rings, picnic tables, off of the main route of the park. Quieter.
RVs allowed?: Yes
For more information and photos check out our post on Pebble Creek Campground
Slough Creek Campground
Location: Lamar Valley
Elevation: 6,250 feet (1905 m)
Open: The campground is only open during summer and early fall.
Number of sites: 16
Accessible Sites: There is one accessible campsite at Slough Creek Campground.
Cost per night: $15, Interagency Access and Senior Pass holders receive a 50% discount.
Reservations?: No, first come first served
Campground amenities: fire rings, picnic tables, quiet off a dirt road.
RVs allowed?: 14 sites at 30 feet (9.1 m). Sites may not be level.
For more information and photos check out our post on Slough Creek Campground
Tower Fall Campground
Location: The campground is 2.5 miles east of Tower Junction on the north side of the park.
Elevation: 6,600 feet (2012 m)
Open: The campground is only open during summer.
Number of sites: 31
Accessible Sites: No accessible campsites or facilities.
Cost per night:
$15, Interagency Access and Senior Pass holders receive a 50% discount.
$5.00, Hiker and Biker campsites
Reservations?: No, first come first served campground
Campground amenities:
RVs allowed?: All sites at 30' (9.1 m) or less. Sites may not be level. Loop has a hairpin curve.
For more information and photos check out our post on the Tower Fall Campground including site photos.
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.
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.
Fun Yellowstone National Park Tours and Activities
4-Hour Morning Kayak on Yellowstone Lake with Lunch- Admire the tree-fringed banks, beaches, and thermal pools of Yellowstone Lake from the water on this morning tour.
After a kayak lesson and time to familiarize yourself with your kayak, set out to explore the West Thumb with your guide. You will paddle for approximately two miles along the West Thumb Geyser Basin as you look for elk and bear along the lakeshore and marvel at the steaming geysers in this incredible area of the park!
Click here to book your tour for the 4-hour Morning Kayak on Yellowstone Lake with Lunch!
Lamar Valley Safari Hiking Tour with Lunch - the lush riverside plains of the Lamar Valley are a wildlife watching hotspot within Yellowstone National Park. With this guided hike, you get to explore the natural landscapes as you venture off-road and seek out little-known spots, increasing your chances of seeing wildlife. Look out for buffalo, wolves, eagles, and other animals along the way and watch them from a safe distance in their natural habitat. Tour includes lunch, bear spray, binoculars, trekking pole, backpack(if necessary), coffee and/or tea.
Click here to book your tour for the Lamar Valley Safari Hiking Tour with Lunch.
Yellowstone National Park Private Wildlife Tour - Book your private tour with Yellowstone Exposures to ensure a truly unforgettable day with a local expert. Have your day designed and mapped for you by a local professional so that you can utilize it to the fullest.
With snacks, High-quality spotting scopes and binos. Your guide will take photos and video throughout the day. Included a full picnic lunch, snacks, and refreshments.
Click here to book your tour for the Yellowstone National Park Private Wildlife Tour.
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!
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.
Old Faithful Inn- Plan a trip to stay at one of America's most iconic National Park Lodges!
Jackson Lake Lodge - Find out what it is like to stay in this gorgeous Grand Teton NP Lodge.
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
Grand Teton Guide - Epic guide to Grand Teton NP
Camping Tips from a Park Ranger - These are the tips I learned from managing a campground for years.
Don't miss the epic waterfalls in Yellowstone you can easily see while exploring the park.
Make sure to follow Park Ranger John on Facebook, Instagram, Pinterest, and TikTok
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