Yellowstone National Park Campgrounds

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Yellowstone is one of those parks that you can spend a week in and still leave feeling like you didn’t have enough time in it. But when you choose to camp in Yellowstone, you can cut out some of the driving time and really spend your days exploring the park to its fullest. There are many Yellowstone National Park campgrounds to choose from, and each offers a unique charm and amenities.

Yellowstone National Park campgrounds are very popular and should be booked far in advance to give you the best chance at securing a spot. Some of the campgrounds can be booked a year in advance. If camping isn’t your thing, there are also many lodges in the park and just outside of the park you can choose to stay in.

Before you decide where to stay, you might want to plan your Yellowstone itinerary so that you know about how much time you want in the park, and which parts of the park you want to spend the most time.

Best Yellowstone National Park Campgrounds

Yellowstone National Park offers a variety of campgrounds, each with its unique charm and amenities. Some are located a bit off the beaten path, while others are conveniently located near the small villages and general stores. Here are some of the best campgrounds in Yellowstone:

Madison Campground

Named for its proximity to the Madison river, the Madison campground is situated in a lush mountain setting and is a popular spot to see wildlife.

• Open seasonally May – October
• Located 16 miles north of Old Faithful and 14 miles east of West Yellowstone.
• Close to many of the park’s geothermal features – such as the Upper, Midway and Lower Geyser Basins.
• Offers 278 sites and is a popular spot for fishing enthusiasts.
• Reservations can be made a year in advance.
• Can accommodate tents and RVs up to 40 feet; no hook-up sites; on-site restrooms with running water

Canyon Campground

One of the most popular Yellowstone National Park campgrounds due to its wooded setting and central location within the park.

• Open seasonally late May – mid-September
• Situated near the Grand Canyon of the Yellowstone.
• Central location makes it easy to explore both the northern and southern parts of the park.
• Features 273 sites with a mix of tent and RV spaces.
• Can accommodate tents and RVs up to 40 feet; no hook-up sites; on-site restrooms with running water
• Reservations can be made a year in advance

Grant Village Campground

• Open seasonally from early June – early September
• Located near the West Thumb area and Yellowstone Lake.
• Offers 430 sites with amenities like laundry, showers, and a dump station.
• Great for those interested in water activities and hiking.
• Can accommodate tents and RVs up to 50 feet; no hook-up sites; on-site restrooms with running water
• Reservations can be made a year in advance

Fishing Bridge RV Park

Located in an area with a large bear population, so no tent camping allowed.

• Open seasonally from early May – mid-October
• The only campground in Yellowstone with full hookups for RVs.
• Located near the Yellowstone River.
• Close to Lake Village and offers easy access to fishing and boating.
• Can accommodate RVs and trailers up to 95 feet (total length of trailer and tow vehicle)
• Reservations can be made a year in advance; specific sites are assigned at check in

Bridge Bay Campground

• Open seasonally from mid-May- early September
• Located near Yellowstone Lake, offering stunning views and water access.
• Features 432 sites, accommodating both tents and RVs.
• Popular for boating, fishing, and enjoying the scenic beauty of the lake.
• Can accommodate tents and RVs up to 40 feet; no hook-up sites; on-site restrooms with running water
• Reservations can be made a year in advance.

Slough Creek Campground

At the end of a 2-mile dirt road in the beautiful Lamar Valley. This campground provides ample opportunity to see wildlife. It’s best suited for tents and small RVs.

• Open seasonally from mid-June to mid-October
• Known for its wildlife viewing opportunities, especially for wolf watching.
• Located in the park’s northern range, providing a more remote and peaceful experience.
• Offers 16 sites, perfect for a more rustic camping experience.
• No potable water in this campground.
• Vault toilets
• Reservations can be made 6 months in advance.

Mammoth Campground

• Open year-round and located near Mammoth Hot Springs.
• Close to the park’s northern entrance and the town of Gardiner, MT.
• Offers 85 sites and is ideal for exploring the historic and thermal features of the area.
• Flush toilets
• Reservations can be made 6 months in advance

Before heading to out to your Yellowstone camping trip, make sure you have all your essential camping gear–as you won’t have many stores and conveniences nearby once you’re in the park. You’ll also want to have your hiking gear packed so you can explore the park with ease.

Lodging in West Yellowstone

If you’re not lucky enough to secure a camping spot, or if camping isn’t really your thing, you still have a lot of great options for lodging in Yellowstone. The charming town of West Yellowstone is just minutes outside of the park, and has some great (and affordable) options.

We absolutely loved our stay at the Kelly Inn West Yellowstone. This hotel is perfect for families–provides spacious rooms, free hot breakfast, and an indoor pool and jacuzzi. Plus, there are many restaurants and shops within walking distance (and a McDonalds basically in its parking lot). Read my full review of the Kelly Inn West Yellowstone here.

Other great options in West Yellowstone are:

• Gray Wolf Inn & Suites – West Yellowstone, right next to Grizzly & Wolf Discovery Center
• Holiday Inn West Yellowstone

You can also stay in Bozeman, Montana. It’s a further drive, but it’s a charming little town with so much to do there. Definitely worth a visit.

Lodges Inside Yellowstone National Park

For a bit more money, and perhaps with a bit more planning, you can stay right inside Yellowstone. These lodges do fill up quickly and can be booked a year in advance, so you’ll need to plan ahead. But they’re conveniently located near some of Yellowstone’s biggest attractions, and will help cut down on your overall driving time within the park.

Old Faithful Inn

• Open early May to mid-October
• A historic log-and-stone structure located near the famous Old Faithful Geyser.
• Some rooms have geyser views.
• Features a grand lobby with a massive stone fireplace and rustic architecture.

Lake Yellowstone Hotel & Cabins

• Open early May to early October
• Situated on the shores of Yellowstone Lake, providing scenic views.
• Offers elegant rooms and cozy cabins.
• The hotel has a classic Colonial Revival style and includes a fine dining restaurant.

Mammoth Hot Springs Hotel & Cabins

• Open late April- mid October
• Located near the park’s northern entrance and Mammoth Hot Springs Terraces.
• Offers both hotel rooms and cabins, some with private baths.
• The hotel features a lounge, restaurant, and the historic Map Room.

Canyon Lodge & Cabins

• Open mid May – late October
• Centrally located near the Grand Canyon of the Yellowstone.
• Offers a range of accommodations, from lodge rooms to cabins.
• Features multiple dining options on site

Grant Village

• Open late May – early October
• Located near the West Thumb area and Yellowstone Lake.
• Offers modern hotel rooms with amenities such as a restaurant and a lounge.
• Provides easy access to the lake and surrounding attractions.

Old Faithful Snow Lodge & Cabins

• Open in both summer and winter
• Located near Old Faithful Geyser, offering modern accommodations.
• Features lodge rooms and cozy cabins.

Roosevelt Lodge & Cabins

• Open early June to early September
• Situated near Tower Junction and the beautiful Lamar Valley.
• Offers rustic cabins and a lodge with a dining room.
• Known for its western charm and proximity to wildlife viewing areas.

Lake Lodge Cabins

• Open early June to early October
• Located near Lake Yellowstone Hotel, offering a more relaxed atmosphere.
• Features comfortable cabins and a main lodge with a porch overlooking the lake.
• Provides a tranquil setting with easy access to the lake and hiking trails.

If you plan to add on more national parks to your trip, be sure to check out my post that shares our trip from Glacier National Park to Yellowstone and then on to the Grand Tetons. You can also check out this list of some of the best dude ranches in the U.S.

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