RV Guide to Camping in Yellowstone National...

___________________________________________________________________________ www.knowyourcampground.com

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http://www.knowyourcampground.com/

RV Guide to Camping in Yellowstone National Park


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Table of Contents

INTRODUCTION .......................................................................................................................................... 5

ROAD AND PARK CONSTRUCTION .......................................................................................................... 6

WHEN TO GO ............................................................................................................................................... 6

GENERAL INFORMATION ......................................................................................................................... 7

FOOD OPTIONS.......................................................................................................................................... 10

BEARS & OTHER WILDLIFE .................................................................................................................... 13

PETS ............................................................................................................................................................ 13

CELLULAR AND WIFI SERVICE .............................................................................................................. 14

CAMPGROUND COSTS ............................................................................................................................. 14

THINGS TO DO – IN THE PARK ............................................................................................................... 16

WHICH CAMPGROUND IN FOR YOU? .................................................................................................... 19

WILL YOUR RV FIT? ................................................................................................................................. 19

CAMPGROUND AMENITIES..................................................................................................................... 21

NORTH AREA CAMPGROUNDS ............................................................................................................... 22

MAMMOTH CAMPGROUND ........................................................................................................................................... 22 TOWER FALL CAMPGROUND........................................................................................................................................... 23 SLOUGH CREEK CAMPGROUND ....................................................................................................................................... 24 PEBBLE CREEK CAMPGROUND ........................................................................................................................................ 25 INDIAN CREEK CAMPGROUND ......................................................................................................................................... 25

CENTRAL AREA CAMPGROUNDS .......................................................................................................... 26

FISHING BRIDGE RV PARK .............................................................................................................................................. 26 NORRIS CAMPGROUND ................................................................................................................................................. 28 MADISON CAMPGROUND .............................................................................................................................................. 29 CANYON CAMPGROUND ................................................................................................................................................ 31 BRIDGE BAY CAMPGROUND ........................................................................................................................................... 32 GRANT CAMPGROUND .................................................................................................................................................. 33 LEWIS LAKE CAMPGROUND ............................................................................................................................................ 34

MILEAGE CHARTS .................................................................................................................................... 36

RV CAMPING OUTSIDE YELLOWSTONE............................................................................................... 37

NORTH ....................................................................................................................................................................... 37 SOUTH ....................................................................................................................................................................... 37 EAST .......................................................................................................................................................................... 37 WEST ......................................................................................................................................................................... 38 NORTHEAST................................................................................................................................................................. 39

YELLOWSTONE ROUTE PLANNING....................................................................................................... 39

NORTH PARK ENTRANCE ................................................................................................................................................ 39 SOUTH PARK ENTRANCE ................................................................................................................................................ 40 EAST PARK ENTRANCE ................................................................................................................................................... 40




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WEST PARK ENTRANCE.................................................................................................................................................. 42 NORTHEAST PARK ENTRANCE ......................................................................................................................................... 42 BEST ENTRANCE FOR EACH CAMPGROUND ........................................................................................................................ 43 ROUTES AND ROADS TO AVOID ....................................................................................................................................... 44

FIVE THINGS WE LEARNED CAMPING IN YELLOWSTONE ............................................................... 44

YELLOWSTONE AREA MAPS .................................................................................................................. 46

CANYON AREA MAP ..................................................................................................................................................... 47 GRANT AREA MAP ....................................................................................................................................................... 49 LAKE AREA MAP .......................................................................................................................................................... 50 MADISON AREA MAP ................................................................................................................................................... 51 MAMMOTH AREA MAP ................................................................................................................................................. 52 OLD FAITHFUL AREA MAP.............................................................................................................................................. 53 TOWER AREA MAP ....................................................................................................................................................... 54




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Introduction

The RV Guide to Camping in Yellowstone National Park is your one-stop-shop for planning

your next RV adventure at Yellowstone National Park. This guide compiles advice on things to

do, where to camp, what to expect, how to get there and much more.

Yellowstone National Park is one of the most visited national parks and is host to nearly 4

million visitors each year. Yellowstone is very popular with RV campers during the limited peak

summer months. Campgrounds fill quickly and it is recommended that you either make a

reservation or arrive and start looking for a camp site early in the morning at the first come, first

served campgrounds.

Research and planning is critical to successfully navigating the crowds and having a great

experience. This guide provides you not only the detail information you need to know about the

specific campgrounds but it also includes a compilation of RV camper reviews,

recommendations and tips not found in other guides.

Yellowstone National Park has 12 developed campgrounds with over 2100 campsites. Five

reservation campgrounds have 1700 campsites, and the remaining seven campgrounds have over

450 first come, first served campsites.

Although some park campgrounds have sites that can accommodate larger motorhomes with

slide-outs, the sites are limited and are the first to fill up. If you have a larger motorhome with

slide-outs, you might want to consider one of the private RV parks in the nearby gateway

communities.

Park concessionaire Xanterra manages five large campgrounds in the heart of the park, which

feature hundreds of sites, flush toilets, and sometimes showers.

The seven campgrounds managed by the National Park Service (NPS) are smaller, less

developed (most have only vault toilets), and are often more remote. They are first-come, first-

served, and often fill completely by early morning.

Fishing Bridge is the only facility that does not limit the number of days you can camp. There is

a 14-day limit on all other campgrounds from July 1st through Labor Day. Camping outside of

these designated areas or in roadside pullouts is prohibited. Campground opening dates are

subject to change based on the weather conditions and park entrance stations usually post a

complete list of the facilities that are currently open. Mammoth Hot Springs is the only

campground open year-round.

We started planning our Yellowstone National Park RV camping trip and booked our spot in

Fishing Bridge RV Park for 5 nights one year in advance and the largest sites were already

booked. So…. I can’t emphasize enough that if you want to have full-hookups and stay in the

park, book Fishing Bridge RV Park as soon as the dates become available.




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Road and Park Construction

There are road and park construction projects going on at Yellowstone each year and it is

important to know what construction is scheduled during the time you plan to visit the park. I

will try to keep this section updated a few times a year as additional information becomes

available on the NPS Yellowstone website.

Fall 2018 Update

• October 15 to November 5: full closure of Fishing Bridge over the Yellowstone River.

East Entrance Road will remain open as far as Sedge Bay. People needing to travel

through Yellowstone to or from Cody, Wyoming and beyond will need to use the

Northeast Entrance during this closure.

• Fishing Bridge RV Park is scheduled to be closed during the 2019 summer season

for construction.

• Yellowstone Campgrounds Current Status

When to Go

Mid-June is the earliest that you can travel in Yellowstone without encountering too many

closures. The streams and waterfalls are impressive as they are filled with snowmelt runoff. July

and August are always safe bets weather-wise but that's when the crowds are at the highest too.

The hotter temps and sun tend to keep the wildlife hidden during the day as they seek shade and

rest. Fall is the beginning of the elk rut, which is always spectacular. Although the crowds are

down in the fall, many support facilities close down mid-September.

Camping in Yellowstone is at high altitude and latitude. This means cooler temperatures, it cools

off when the sun sets. It can become quite chilly in the evening, night and morning even in July

and August. Temperatures will vary throughout the park depending on the elevation.

Averages Jan Feb Mar Apr May Jun Jul Aug Sep Oct Nov Dec

High Temp (0F) 24 28 36 43 52 62 72 71 62 48 34 25

Low Temp (0F) 1 1 9 18 28 35 42 40 32 24 14 5

Precipitation (in) 1.7 1.7 1.8 1.8 2.5 2.3 1.6 1.6 1.5 1.2 1.8 1.6

April - May

Spring weather in Yellowstone can be unpredictable, but if you time it right you'll be able to

watch the park emerge from its winter hibernation without having to deal with the massive

hordes of tourists. Average temperatures can fluctuate anywhere between the mid-20s and low

60s, so plan to pack layers. And remember, park roads to popular features don't start opening to

the public until late April.


https://www.nps.gov/yell/planyourvisit/conditions.htm

https://www.nps.gov/yell/planyourvisit/campgrounds.htm



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June-August

Average highs hover in the 70s with all of the park's facilities open. July is an especially popular

time to visit if you enjoy festivals with lots of events in the park and the gateway towns. If you

are crazy like us and decide to tackle the high season, make reservations as far in advance as

possible. We made our reservations at Fishing Bridge RV park last July.

September-November

Fall is one of the best times to visit: The weather is still relatively mild, there are plenty of

wildlife-watching opportunities and almost all of the summer crowds have left, leaving behind

plenty of campsites. Average daytime temperatures can range from the high 30s to high 60s.

Also, keep in mind that most facilities (like visitor’s centers, general stores and post offices)

close by early November.

December-March

The park experiences heavy snowfall during this season, and daytime temps are rarely above

freezing. If you do decide to visit this time of year, always carry safety gear and be prepared for

precarious driving conditions (most roads will be closed). The North Entrance is the only

entrance open to automobiles in the winter, and most park facilities (aside from park

headquarters in the Mammoth Hot Springs area) will already be closed for the season by

December.

General Information

This section provides general information for all the campgrounds. Items related to specific

campgrounds are noted.

Hard Sided Vehicles

Fishing Bridge RV Park is the only campground in Yellowstone that requires a hard-sided

vehicle to camp. This means an RV, trailer, van or car. No tents are allowed.

Food Storage Boxes

Most campgrounds have food storage boxes available. This is to store food while you are away

from your campsite or at night when you are sleeping. Food storage regulations are strictly

enforced.

Generators

Seven parks (Bay Bridge, Canyon, Fishing Bridge, Grant Village, Madison, Mammoth and

Norris) allow the use of generators from 8am until 8pm. There is a noise limit of 60 decibels. If

you think your generator is too loud, it most likely is.




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Quiet Hours

Respect the rights of other campers and comply with the law by adhering to quiet hours, 8:00PM

to 8:00AM (10:00PM to 7:00AM at Fishing Bridge RV Park). No generators, or other noise

disturbances will be allowed during this time.

Firewood

Any dead-and-down material may be used as firewood but chainsaws are not permitted.

Firewood can be purchased at most campgrounds except Fishing Bridge.

Reservations

Make reservations as early as you can some campgrounds fill as soon as the sites are available

online.

Check-in/Check-out Time

Check-in and check-out time is 11:00 am for all campgrounds.

Overnight camping/Parking

Overnight camping or parking is only allowed in designated campgrounds or campsites.

Campsite Occupancy

Campsite occupancy is limited to six people per site.

Max Camping Duration

Camping is limited to 14 days from July 1 through Labor Day (first Monday in September) and

30 days the rest of the year; no limit at Fishing Bridge.

Drinking Water

Drinking water is normally available in all campgrounds.

Campfires

Camp fires including those in portable wood or propane fire pits, are prohibited in the Fishing

Bridge RV Park. Wood and charcoal fires are permitted in all other campgrounds (unless fire

danger prompts special restrictions). Any restrictions will be listed on campground information

boards and on the current conditions page. Propane grills and stoves are not usually affected by

fire restrictions.


https://www.yellowstonenationalparklodges.com/



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Hookups

Fishing Bridge RV Park is the only campground offering water, sewer, and electrical hookups

(50-amp).

Dump Stations

If you need to dump your RVs holding tanks, get to the dump station early. Waiting even a little

while may cost you a lot of time waiting in line. There is usually a fresh water RV fill spigot at

the dump station.

Accessibility

Bridge Bay, Canyon, Grant Village and Madison all have accessible campsites.

Stock Up

Load up with fuel and groceries before you come as both are expensive in the park and groceries

are limited. Check out the grocery section for more details.

Gas

There are 7 gas stations in Yellowstone with 24/7 credit card fueling located at: Old Faithful,

Grant Village, Fishing Bridge, Canyon, Tower/Roosevelt Junction and Mammoth Hot Springs.

Fill up early and often, gas stations get busy during the day.

RV Repair

The following businesses are authorized to provide RV repair in Yellowstone: Mobile RV Tech:

(406) 682-4100 or Motorcoach Maintenance & Truck Repair, Inc: (406) 388-7448. Auto/RV

repair/towing services are located at: Old Faithful, Grant Village, and Fishing Bridge.

NOAA Weather Radio Coverage

All Hazards NOAA Weather Radio is available in the park. If you have a weather radio receiver,

tune to 162.425 MHz (Mammoth area) or 162.450 MHz (Lake area) to receive hazardous

weather alerts.

Current Conditions

Always check the current conditions on the National Park web site prior to arriving at the park

and during your stay.

Drones

Drones are prohibited in Yellowstone.


https://www.nps.gov/yell/planyourvisit/conditions.htm



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Start Your Day Early

Whatever your top priority is that day, be sure to get an early start to see it. Some of the main

attractions have small parking lots so it can be difficult to get a spot by mid-morning.

Traffic

Be prepared for LONG traffic jams on the road between the major attractions.

Pack Food and Snacks

It’s more convenient and a time/cost-saver to bring your own food with you for the day. There

are restaurants throughout the park but they may not be close or they may be too crowded when

you get hungry.

Sun Protection

Yellowstone is at high elevation and you can get sunburned easily.

Bugs

Mosquitos can be relentless so bring lots of bug spray.

Bear Spray

Rent, don't buy, a can of bear spray at the general store.

Medical Clinics

Medical clinics can be found at Mammoth, Lake Village and Old Faithful.

Post Offices

Post offices are located at Mammoth, Canyon, Old Faithful, Lake Village and Grant Village.

Food Options

There are many food options in Yellowstone National Park, whether you’re looking for more

formal restaurants, casual dining or cooking your own meals. Park hotels have a collection of

restaurants, fast food grills, cafeterias and/or supply stores. Expect lines during the busy summer

months. Make reservations if possible.

The following are the dining options in the park. The trip advisor review rating is listed in

parentheses for each based on a total of 29 restaurants. Trip Advisor Reviews.


https://www.tripadvisor.com/Restaurants-g60999-Yellowstone_National_Park_Wyoming.html



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Restaurants & Cafeterias

• Canyon Lodge Cafeteria (#15)

• Canyon Lodge Dining Room (#27)

• Grant Village Restaurant (#22)

• Grant Village Lakehouse Restaurant (#21)

• Lake Yellowstone Hotel Dining Room (#1)

• Lake Lodge Cafeteria (#20)

• Mammoth Hot Springs Hotel Dining Room (#3)

• Old Faithful Inn Dining Room (#10)

• Old Faithful Snow Lodge Restaurant

• Old Faithful Lodge Cafeteria

• Roosevelt Lodge Dining Room (#5)

Light Meals and Fast Food

• Bridge Bay Marina Store

• Canyon: General Store (#17), Adventure Store, Lodge Picnic Shop

• Fishing Bridge General Store (#7)

• Grant Village: General Store and Mini Store

• Lake: Hotel Deli and General Store (#12)

• Mammoth Hot Springs: General Store (#2) and Terrace Grill (#18)

• Old Faithful: Basin Store (#4), Photo Shop, BAC Store, Four Seasons Snack Shop, Pony

Express Snack Shop (#24), Lodge Snack Shop

• Tower Fall Store (#25)

Groceries

Jackson and Cody are the best towns to find a good grocery store. If you come across the

Beartooth Highway then its Red Lodge. Next would be West Yellowstone and Gardiner. It’s best

to plan ahead and stock up on food before you enter the park. The list below doesn’t include all

of the grocery stores in these areas but they are the highest rated on Yelp and Trip Advisor.

North Entrance (Gardiner)

Gardiner Market

701 Scott St Hwy 89 S

(406) 848-7524




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There is Walmart in Bozeman.

South Entrance (Jackson)

Jackson Whole Grocer & Café

1155 S. Hwy 89

(307) 733-0450

Albertsons

105 Buffalo Way

(307) 733-5950

Smith’s

1425 S. Hwy 89

(307) 733-8908

Closest Walmart is in Rexburg, ID.

East Entrance (Cody)

Albertsons

1825 17th St,

(307) 527-7007

Walmart Supercenter

321 Yellowstone Ave

(307) 527-4673

West Entrance (West Yellowstone)

Market Place

22 Madison Ave

(406) 646-9600

Food Roundup Supermarket

107 Dunraven St

(406) 646-7501

Northeast Entrance

Beartooth IGA,

201 North Oakes Avenue

(406) 446-2684

There is a Walmart in Laurel, 101 Bernhardt Rd, (406) 628-3000.

Yellowstone General Stores are located around the park in all major areas. They offer a limited

selection of groceries and expect higher prices. General Stores can be found at: Canyon Village,

Fishing Bridge, Lake Village, Mammoth Hot Springs, Tower, Roosevelt, Grant, Old Faithful,

and Madison.




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Bears & Other Wildlife

Proper food storage is the most important precaution you can take to avoid a bear encounter in a

Yellowstone campground. Be sure to store any food in a locked vehicle or in a provided bear

box. The park has installed bear-proof food storage boxes at many individual campsites.

There is the very good possibility that you will see wildlife in or around all campgrounds in the

park. Please be alert and careful. Maintain a safe distance of at least 25 yards from all wildlife,

with the exception of 100 yards or more from bears or wolves.

Bears can smell food from miles away and will come rummaging around for it. If they find

some, they are most likely to come back for more and when they don’t find more, things can turn

ugly. This is why food storage boxes are so important. You definitely don’t want any food in or

around your RV for your safety. Use the food storage boxes, they’re there for a reason.

The following items (new, clean, dirty, empty or full) may NOT be left outside, in tents, or in

tent trailers at any time, day or night. Items listed below need to be stored in a hard-sided vehicle

or in shared food storage boxed located throughout our campgrounds when not in use. A

violation of these rules may result in a citation and/or confiscation of these items.

Water containers Coolers Pet water bowls

Cooking utensils Ice Chests Pails

Eating utensils Trash or trash bags Buckets

Drinking utensils Food Wash basins

Stoves Cosmetics Grills

Beverage containers Toiletries Pet food

Pets

The National Park Service allows dogs at campgrounds at no charge, but you’ll need to observe

the pet policies.

• All dogs must be restrained at all times either on a 6-foot leash (or shorter), in a crate or tie

out and you can’t leave your dog alone tied up at camp.

• Most campgrounds allow you to leave your dog alone inside your RV, as long as it is well

ventilated and the pet is quiet.

• Pets are allowed within 100 feet of any developed area of the park. This includes roads,

parking areas and campgrounds.

• Pets aren’t allowed on trails, boardwalks, or anywhere in the back country or near thermal

areas but you can walk them within the campground, at picnic areas, and along paved roads.

• When the pet is outside the guest needs to be outside with them.


https://www.nps.gov/yell/planyourvisit/pets.htm



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• When the pet is outside you can have food and water outside for the pet but when the pet

goes inside or away the food and water must be taken care of.

• Guest must clean up after their pets.

• Pets can be left in the car, but the sun in Yellowstone can get extremely hot, so vehicles will

heat up fast.

Cellular and WiFi Service

Yellowstone National Park is one of those places where you have the opportunity to detach from

the technology world and enjoy the wonders of the park. However, the convenience of being

“connected” can be beneficial for services such as lodging and transportation assistance.

In 2009, Yellowstone completed a plan for wireless communications in the park. The plan

restricts towers, antennas, and wireless services to a few limited locations in the park, in order to

protect park resources and limit the impact on park visitors. You can find the cellular coverage

map and current updates here.

Cellular phone service is available in over 50% of Yellowstone. Coverage is currently provided

by five towers inside the park, servicing Old Faithful, Mammoth, Grant Village, Canyon, and

Tower-Roosevelt, as well as along the road corridor between Mammoth and Gardiner, Montana.

During summer, the number of users can overwhelm cellular circuits resulting in an inability to

send or receive calls, text, or use cellular data. Do not rely on cellular service in Yellowstone.

Texting is usually the most effective means of communication in the park. The park rangers ask

as a courtesy to others, please silence your mobile device while enjoying Yellowstone’s natural

features.

Free Wi-Fi is available at the Albright Visitor Center in Mammoth Hot Springs. Wireless

internet access can be purchased at the Mammoth Hotel Lounge, the Old Faithful Snow Lodge,

Lake Lodge Cafeteria, and Grant Village Lodge buildings. Connectivity is limited and may not

be available at all times.

You may also get cell phone reception near the North Entrance (Gardiner), the West Entrance

(West Yellowstone) and the South Entrance from cell phone towers outside the park.

Campground Costs

Campsites cost as little as at $15 per night, per site. Most campgrounds with more amenities such

as flush toilets and nearby laundry facilities range from $20 to $28 per night. Fishing Bridge is

the most expensive with full hookups at $47.75. Costs are subject to change. Campground rates

are per night, for up to six people or one family (parents with dependent children) and do not

include taxes and utility fee.


http://www.cellularmaps.com/yellowstone.shtml



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Discounts

If you are a holder of an Access Pass or Senior Pass (formerly known as Golden Access or

Golden Age passes) you can receive a 50% discount off of established standard rates at Bridge

Bay, Canyon, Grant and Madison Campgrounds. The offer is not valid for Fishing Bridge RV

Park. You must show your pass at check-in to receive the discount on your site only. Otherwise

you will be charged the standard rate. For more information about Interagency passes, please

visit the National Park Service website.

Reservations

Five campgrounds are operated by lodging concessioner Yellowstone National Park Lodges, and

these sites can be reserved in advance online or by calling 866-GEYSERLAND (866-439-7375).

These include Fishing Bridge, Bridge Bay and Grant campgrounds near Yellowstone Lake, the

Canyon campground near the Grand Canyon of the Yellowstone River, and the Madison

campground near West Yellowstone.

To make a Yellowstone site reservation, you need to give the combined length of your RV and

any other vehicles or towed vehicles. Know the length of your truck in addition to the length of

your trailer when fully open. Sites accommodating a maximum combined length of 40 feet or more

are limited. Most campsites in Yellowstone will not accommodate oversize units. If you arrive at

the campground with equipment that differs from your reservation specs, campground staff will

not be able to accommodate you.

With the demand for campsites far exceeding the supply (during the high season), most

campgrounds are sold out within a few minutes of when they become available to reserve. Those

that are successful at reserving a campsite generally have a plan and are a little lucky.

First Come, First Served

The seven campgrounds operated by the National Park Service are available on a first-come,

first-served basis on the day of your stay. These include: Mammoth and Indian Creek

Campgrounds near Mammoth Hot Springs, the Lewis Lake Campground near the South

Entrance, the centrally located Norris Campground, and the Pebble Creek, Slough Creek, and

Tower Fall Campgrounds in the northeast area of the Park.

First-come, first-served campgrounds usually fill by early morning: get to your desired

campground to find a site before 6:30am during peak season. Lewis Lake and Indian Creek tend

to book up last, and they’re two of the park’s nicest campgrounds. To check which campgrounds

are full, click here.


https://www.nps.gov/yell/planyourvisit/fees.htm

https://www.yellowstonenationalparklodges.com/

https://www.nps.gov/yell/planyourvisit/campgrounds.htm



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Things to Do – In the Park

Ranger Programs

Yellowstone offers a wide variety of evening programs in and nearby campgrounds, especially

during the peak season of June through August. Join in a ranger-led “campfire program” on a

topic of interest such as wolves, geothermal wonders, and stories from the park’s colorful

history. Check out the ranger programs page on the park website.

Guided Tours

Many guided tours are offered in the park. Based on the type of activity you are looking for,

there is probably a guided tour available. Check out the activities and approved companies

offering tours in the park here. Advance reservations are recommended.

Horseback Rides

There are two stables in the park that offer public riding: Tower/Roosevelt, and Canyon.

Additional information can be found here.

Stagecoach Rides

Stagecoach rides are offered daily from Roosevelt Corrals. Rides are offered several times per

day, beginning around 9:45am from early June through early September.

Old West Dinner Cookout

Head out from Roosevelt Lodge for some cowboy grub and tall tales. More information can be

found here.

Boat Rentals/Tours/Cruises

Take a cruise tour on Yellowstone Lake, or rent a boat for your own private fishing or scenic

tour of the lake. All park boating tours and related activities are conducted from the Bridge Bay

Marina.

Major Attractions

1. Old Faithful Geyser/Upper Basin

The Old Faithful area features the Upper Geyser Basin, home to the most famous attraction in

Yellowstone, Old Faithful Geyser. Old Faithful erupts about every 91 minutes, varying from 65

– 92 minutes. An eruption lasts 1 1/2 to 5 minutes.

Old Faithful visitor tips:


https://www.nps.gov/yell/planyourvisit/ranger-programs.htm



https://www.nps.gov/yell/planyourvisit/guidedtours.htm

https://www.nps.gov/yell/planyourvisit/horseride.htm

https://www.yellowstonenationalparklodges.com/adventure/wild-west-adventures/stagecoach-adventure/

https://www.yellowstonenationalparklodges.com/restaurants/roosevelt-old-west-dinner-cookout/

https://www.yellowstonenationalparklodges.com/adventure/water-adventures/yellowstone-lake-scenicruise/

https://www.yellowstonenationalparklodges.com/adventure/water-adventures/rental-boats/



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• Get to the geyser first thing in the morning or in the evening; bring a hat and water.

• There is a stadium area set up with benches to wait for Old Faithful to erupt.

• If you plan to eat a meal after the eruption, consider heading back to the Old Faithful Inn

before Old Faithful quits. Otherwise, plan to stand in a line with hundreds of people.

• Hike up the 1.1 miles to the top of Observation Point for one of the Old Faithful

eruptions. This moderate hiking trail puts you at about 200 feet up and gives a great

bird's-eye view of Old Faithful.

• Take in an eruption from the benches right in front of the geyser. This puts you up close

and personal to the geyser, the closest vantage point you can get when it goes off. If you

sit in the front row and the wind is strong, you can sometimes feel the mist from the huge

stream of water.

2. Grand Canyon of the Yellowstone

The Lower Falls of the Grand Canyon, at 308 feet high, is one of the most photographed features

in all of Yellowstone. There are numerous vantage points on both the North and South sides of

the Canyon, and it is recommended that you take the time to view the Canyon from both sides.

3. Hayden Valley

This valley, centrally located in Yellowstone National Park, is the first place to go to see wildlife

in Yellowstone. As you drive along this beautiful, broad valley you are likely to see herds of

bison, scattered elk (and the occasional herd), and the occasional grizzly bear. There are a

number or roadside turnouts along the Hayden Valley, offering views on both sides of the road.

The Yellowstone river is positioned on the east side of the roadway. Several turnouts are scenic

overlooks that allow panoramic views of the Valley floor below.

4. Mammoth Hot Springs

Yellowstone National Park headquarters is located here featuring some of the oldest buildings in

the Park. Drop by the Visitor’s Center and allow enough time to watch a film, browse the history

exhibit, and walk through the upstairs wildlife museum. Mammoth Hot Springs Terrace is quite

magnificent, and the Terrace drive is a must.

Mammoth Hot Springs are the main attraction of the Mammoth District. These features are quite

different from thermal areas elsewhere in the park.

5. Yellowstone Lake

Yellowstone Lake is the largest high-altitude lake in the lower 48 states. Views of snow-capped

mountains can be seen along shoreline both east and north looking across the lake. On windy

days, ocean-like waves break onto the shore. You might also want to sit on the porch of Lake

Lodge and take in the view. Visit Yellowstone Lake in the afternoon. While the day visitors view

Old Faithful and the surrounding area, head to Yellowstone Lake.

6. Norris Geyser Basin

Norris Geyser Basin has two different sections: The Back Basin and the Porcelain Basin. The

Back Basin is in a regenerating forest setting (following the 1988 fires) with geysers and hot

springs among the trees. The Porcelain Basin has hot, acidic water and no trees or vegetation




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can live in this area. There are several miles of boardwalks from which you can explore dozens

of multi-colored thermal features. Check out more information on the Norris Basin geysers here.

7. Lamar Valley

Lamar Valley is the #1 destination for viewing wolves. Often less-visited than other areas,

Lamar Valley’s habitat draws wildlife and the open vistas create optimum viewing conditions.

You may see elk, bear, coyote, bighorn sheep, and eagles, especially if you arrive early. Visitors

who are willing to rise early in the morning or wait up until dusk also may have the opportunity

to see bears and wolves. Consider booking the park’s early-morning Wake Up to Wildlife Tour.

8. Tower Fall

This is the most popular waterfall in Yellowstone other than the Lower Falls of the Grand

Canyon. The waterfall is located behind the Tower General Store. A short walk will take you to

an overlook, but you might want to take the half-mile steep, switchback hike down to the bottom

of the waterfall. Take the same trail back up.

9. Lower Geyser Basin

The Lower Geyser Basin is the largest geyser basin in Yellowstone National Park. It covers

approximately 11 square miles. Because of its large size, the thermal features in the Lower

Geyser Basin tend to be clumped in widely spaced groups. The easiest grouping to get to and

probably the most interesting to explore is the Fountain Paint Pot area and Great Fountain. This

is the only major geyser you can truly watch from your windshield.

10. West Thumb Geyser Basin

This geyser basin features some interesting thermal features, including several which are in

Yellowstone Lake itself. It also offers a good view of the Lake. Several hiking trails begin at the

basin, and bison, elk and bears frequent the area.

11. Roosevelt Arch

If you are up by Mammoth Hot Springs, it is really worth a drive up to the North Entrance to see

the historic Roosevelt Arch. This is the first major entrance to the park and you can just imagine

the horse-drawn carriages that used to pass under the famously-inscribed words “For the benefit

and enjoyment of the people.”

12. Sunrise at Lamar Valley

Almost every morning you can find a crowd gathered on the side of the road in Lamar Valley

looking for a sighting of wolves. Wake up a little earlier to catch the sun rise amongst the rivers,

streams and bison.

Estimate Sunrise/Sunset Times

May 1 June 1 July 1 August September

Sunrise 6:12 am 5:40 am 5:41 am 6:08 am 6:44 am

Sunset 8:26 pm 9:00 pm 9:10 pm 8:47 pm 7:58 pm


https://www.nps.gov/yell/learn/photosmultimedia/norris-geyser-basin-tour.htm

https://www.yellowstonenationalparklodges.com/adventure/land-adventures/wake-up-to-wildlife/



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13. Grand Prismatic Spring

The largest hot spring in the US, Grand Prismatic is among the most popular sights in the park.

Ignore the crowds heading for the Midway Geyser Basin and drive south towards a parking lot

for Fairy Falls. From there look for a faint path head up the walking path until you’re well above

the entire Grand Prismatic Spring, where you’ll get some truly great views of this geyser.

14. Blacktail Plateau Drive

Located between Mammoth and Roosevelt on the Grand Loop Road, the six-mile, one-way

Blacktail Plateau Drive runs to the south of the Grand Loop Road. The best time to take Blacktail

Plateau Drive is dawn or dusk, when the animals are most active. Be warned it’s got lots of big

potholes, rocks and gravel and takes about 1 hour to do the drive. The road can get backed up

with cars mid-morning.

Which Campground in For You?

Yellowstone National Park Campgrounds offer a wide selection of choices and locations within

the park. You’ll want to select a campground based on several factors including seasonal

opening and closing dates, your ability to boondock, and what parts of the park you would most

like to see, and the time of day you’ll be arriving at your overnight destination.

The larger, more developed campgrounds have showers, laundry, flush toilets, and RV dump

stations, while the more rustic ones have pit toilets and more limited spaces for RVs. Most

campgrounds have picnic tables, campfire rings, and running water.

There is quite a bit of driving involved to get to the various areas of the park so you'll want to

plan your base camp locations accordingly to minimize that drive time. You may prefer to have

one basecamp location for your entire stay or move to several difference campgrounds providing

more time to explore nearby regions rather than drive a large portion of the day just to get there.

Campsites are assigned by the park staff when you check-in based on the size of your RV. You

may want to pick out several favorite sites and ask if they are available when you get there.

Otherwise the staff will choose for you and they seem to like to fill up loops instead of offering

the best sites.

Will Your RV Fit?

Once you're in the park it's not unusual to suddenly find yourself attempting to back into a

parking space that's too short or narrow for your rig. To avoid this stressful scenario, know the

exact height and length of your RV. Keep in mind that RV companies often fudge the numbers

on the length of their RVs as do the campgrounds.




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Take a bumper-to-bumper measurement (including any towed vehicles and utility trailers) of the

length and height (remember to include air conditioning units and other rooftop objects like

vents), then factor in the width (including all slide-outs).

All of the numbers included here are the combined lengths of the tow vehicle and the trailer/fifth

wheel, or the motorhome and the towed vehicle. So, you need to add the length of the RV and

the vehicle together. Note that some campgrounds may have only a few sites that can

accommodate the maximum vehicle limit.

• Bridge Bay, Canyon, Grant, and Madison - 40 feet combined RV length, meaning the

length of the RV plus the length of the towing vehicle or the towed car behind a

motorhome cannot be more than 40′.

• Fishing Bridge - Up to 40′ RVs and a vehicle of equal or lesser length beside it (So if

your RV is 40′ and you have a car towed behind it, you’re fine because the car can be

parked to the side of the RV. As an example, sites will accommodate an 18-foot truck

and a 35-foot trailer side by side.

• Indian Creek - Vehicle limit is 35 sites at 30 feet and 10 sites at 35 feet.

• Lewis Lake - All sites have a vehicle limit of 25 feet.

• Mammoth - Vehicle limit is 30 feet.

• Norris - Vehicle limit is 2 signed sites at 50 feet and 5 sites at 30 feet.

• Pebble Creek - Has some sites that can accommodate up to 40 feet combined RV length

and some long pull-thrus.

• Slough Creek - 14 sites at 30 feet (walk through first to assess sites).

• Tower Fall - Vehicle length limit is 30 feet RVs or vehicle/trailer and has a hairpin

curve.




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Campground Amenities

Campground Open Close Sites Water FH SH Laundry Toilet

Dump

Station Gen Elev Reserve Fee

Bridge Bay 19 May 11 Sep 432 Yes No No No Flush Yes Yes 7,800 Yes $24.25

Canyon 26 May 24 Sep 273 Yes No Yes Yes Flush No Yes 7,900 Yes $29.00

Fishing Bridge 05 May 17 Sep 325 Yes Yes Yes Yes Flush Yes Yes 7,800 Yes $47.75

Grant 9 Jun 17 Sep 430 Yes No Yes Yes Flush Yes Yes 7,800 Yes $29.00

Indian Creek 09 Jun 17 Sep 70 Yes No No No Pit No No 7,300 No $15.00

Lewis Lake 15 Jun 05 Nov 85 Yes No No No Pit No No 7,800 No $15.00

Madison 28 Apr 15 Oct 278 Yes No No No Flush Yes Yes 6,800 Yes $24.25

Mammoth All Year 85 Yes No No No Flush No Yes 6,200 No $20.00

Norris 19 May 25 Sep 111 Yes No No No Flush No Yes 7,500 No $20.00

Pebble Creek 15 Jun 25 Sep 27 Yes No No No Pit No No 6,900 No $15.00

Slough Creek 15 Jun 07 Oct 23 Yes No No No Pit No No 6,250 No $15.00

Tower Fall 26 May 25 Sep 31 Yes No No No Pit No No 6,600 No $15.00




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North Area Campgrounds

Mammoth Campground 307 344-7381 44.97443, -110.69349 Campground Map

Mammoth campground has 85 single-family campsites and is the only campground open year-

round. The campground is 5 miles from the North Entrance and is well suited for RVs (up to 75

feet). There are no hook-ups, but the campground does have flush toilets (and vault too). Fifty-

one of the campsites have tent pads and most are pull-through sites.

The Gardner River is located a short distance from this campground. The campground is within

walking distance of the village and mammoth hot springs area where you can stop at the Visitor

Center, a store, restaurant, gift shop, and showers. Each campsite has a table, fire ring and grate.

The campground also has shared food storage lockers. Campsites are first-come, first-served (no

reservations) at Mammoth Campground.

• Camper Recommended Sites: 7, 18, 24, 32, 40, 44, 454, 46, 49, 51, 52, 53, 57, 69, 71, 73.

• Entrance route recommendation: North entrance (4 miles from entrance).

• Generators allowed at the campground (60 decibel limit).

• Nearest gas (unleaded, diesel #2 and propane bottle exchange) is available 2 miles from

the campground near the general store.

• Nearest vehicle repair is 6 miles north in Gardiner, MT.

• General store located 2 miles from the campground.

• Good option for large RVs.

• Closest dump station is 5 miles north in Gardiner, MT.

• Campground is sandwiched into a switchback, so the North entrance road runs both

below and above it. there is lots of road noise here. Highway loops around the

campground on 3 sides.

• No TV reception.

• The campground roads are narrow.

• You will often hear motor vehicle noise at Mammoth campground due to the main park

road that passes right by the area.

• Campsites seem a bit tight, especially along the eastern end of the campground. The sites

farther back in, tucked under the ridge offer more breathing room.

• Elk herds are always around the campground or by the lodge.

• The booking shack opens at 8am and the line starts to form much earlier. Sites are usually

full by noon and some campers have reported that they were full by 10:00am.


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• There can be a faint sulfur odor depending on wind direction.

• Good solar generation plus dish satellite reception

• Cell phone tower nearby – good Verizon phone, spotty 1-2 bar 3G, no AT&T reception.

Good Verizon Internet at the top of the hill at the visitor center. Mixed reports on cell

reception.

• Most sites will require some leveling.

• Not as cold as other campgrounds due to lower elevation (6,200 ft).

• Try not to camp by the lower highway.

• Nightly ranger-led programs in the amphitheater.

• Close to Mammoth Hot Springs and Lamar Valley

• Sites are spacious with some privacy, are not level, and some have shade.

• No dishwashing area in campground

• The campground is in a sagebrush steppe, so it’s pretty open and you’ll have good views

of your neighbor.

• Showers available 2 miles away at Mammoth Hot Springs area.

• Campground road is paved and the sites are gravel.

• Fifteen minutes away in Gardiner, there is a real grocery store, several restaurants, public

showers and a laundromat.

Tower Fall Campground 307 344-7381 44.88913, -110.38947 Campground Map

Located in the norther portion of the park, Tower Fall is a small, primitive (first-come, first-

serve) campground with 31 single-family sites. There are both wooded and open campsites and

the campground is just a short walk to Tower Creek and the 130-foot Tower Fall water fall.

Campsites are best suited for tents and small RVs. Each campsite has a table, fire ring, grate and

shared food storage locker. It also provides a central location to visit the Lamar Valley, Hayden

Valley, Dunraven Pass and the Grand Canyon of the Yellowstone.

• Camper Recommended Sites: 3, 5, 7, 8, 16, 26, 28, 32

• Entrance route recommendation: North Entrance (26 miles from entrance)

• No generators allowed

• Nearest Gas is available 2.6 miles north (June to September)

• Nearest Vehicle repairs available 24 miles west to Gardiner or 14 miles to Canyon.

• A camp store is located a 1/8th mile away


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• Primarily a tent campground can accommodate small (less than 30 ft) RVs.

• There are low, overhanging branches on the way into the campground.

• Campground can smell like sulfur

• Most sites are on a small hill which is accessed by driving almost vertically on the

campground road with a very tight turn.

• The bathrooms are very basic, just outhouses.

• There are better RV sites at the bottom of the hill, though only a couple.

Slough Creek Campground 307 344-7381 44.94894, -110.30777

Campground Map

Located in the northeast corner of the park, Sough Creek Campground is in the Lamar Valley at

the end of a two-mile graded dirt road about 5 miles east of Tower Junction on the banks of

Slough Creek. This primitive campground is the smallest in the park with 23 first come, first

served campsites in the trees, some in the open meadow and others along the banks of Slough

Creek.

• Camper Recommended Sites: 1, 4, 5, 7, 8, 12, 13.

• Entrance route recommendation: Northeast entrance (23 miles from entrance)


• Nearest gas available 7.7 miles west to Tower Junction

• Nearest vehicle repairs are available 29 miles in Gardiner

• Store located 10 miles at Tower Junction

• Camp hosts recommend getting in the queue by 6am to get a site.

• Campground is located directly in Lamar Valley.

• The sites have a picnic bench, fire pit, tent pitch and bear food box for storage.

• Most sites are not suitable for large RVs (14 sites can handle RVs up to 30 ft)

• The toilets are drop toilets with plenty of paper and hand gel (not water).

• The water comes from a pump. Campers report it is a two-person job to get the water out

of the pump but not a problem.

• Great fishing and some of the best wildlife watching

• One of the best campgrounds for stargazing

• Not ideal as a camping site for those who wish to explore other attractions such as Old

Faithful, Grand Canyon of the Yellowstone or Yellowstone Lake but great for a scenic

drive along Beartooth Pass.


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Pebble Creek Campground (307) 344-7381 44.91815, -110.11408

Campground Map

Pebble Creek is a small, remote campground with 27 first come, first served sites located 9 miles

west of the Northeast Entrance at the foot of the Absaroka Mountains. There are both wooded

and open campsites including a few sites located right on the creek. Generators are not allowed

at this campground. Each campsite has a table, fire ring, grate and food storage locker. The

campground has vault toilets and drinking water.

• Camper Recommended Sites: 1, 2, 9, 16, 19, 20, 24.

• Entrance route recommendation: Northeast Entrance (9 miles from entrance)

• No generators allowed.

• Nearest Gas available 13 miles northeast in Cooke City

• Nearest vehicle repairs available 13 miles northeast in Cooke City

• Nearest store located 13 miles in Cooke City

• There are a few long, pull-thru sites

• Good location for a day trip along Beartooth Pass.

• Nearest dump station is Tower Fall.

• Lamar Valley is nearby with fabulous view of the mountains.

Indian Creek Campground

(307) 344-7381 44.8858, -110.73601 Campground Map

Indian Creek campground is one of Yellowstone’s smallest campgrounds with 70 primitive, first

come, first served campsites set among a pine forest in the northwest area of the park. The

campground has vault toilets and drinking water with no dump station. Each campsite has a

table, fire ring, grate and a shared food storage locker. Indian Creek Campground is 8 miles

south of Mammoth Springs and is located within walking distance of the Gardner River and

other creeks.

• Camper Recommended Sites: 12, 15, 16, 19, 21, 28, 32, 38, 46, 54, 57.

• Entrance route recommendation: North Entrance (13 miles from entrance)


• Nearest gas available 7 miles north at Mammoth

• Nearest vehicle repairs available 34 miles at Old Faithful

• Store available 7 miles at Mammoth


http://www.yellowstone.co/images/maps/pebblecreekcg.jpg

http://www.yellowstone.co/images/maps/indiancreek.jpg



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• 10 allow RV’s up to 35′ and 35 sites can fit an RV up to 30′. This is total length if you are

towing anything. 45 sites are pull-thrus.

• Bring bug spray – there are some marshy areas near the campground

• Good choice if you want a quiet campground away from the villages.

• Campground is not near any major attractions and is not centrally located in the park

• lots of trees and the sites are fairly level.

• Campground road is rough with a wood bridge restricted to 6tons. The Park Rangers will

not allow most Class A motorhomes to cross the bridge (as most are over 6 tons).

However, you will see Class A motorhomes in the campground.

• Most sites are spacious.

• Most pull through sites are not level.

• Big rigs will find the campground tight.

• Inside sites require one to drive the "wrong way" to set up properly. Ask the campground

hosts (volunteers) if you can drive the other way. They will close the road or drive in

front of you. The Park Rangers will not let you drive the "wrong way."

• Typically, one of the last campgrounds to fill up.

Central Area Campgrounds

Fishing Bridge RV Park (307) 344-7381 44.564, -110.37

Campground Map

Fishing Bridge campground is located near Yellowstone Lake and the famous Fishing Bridge on

the eastern side of the park. The campground features modern restrooms and is very close to the

general store and gas stations at Fishing Bridge. This is a popular area with good access to

Yellowstone Lake. Fishing Bridge is also the only campground in the park with full RV

hookups.

• Camper recommended sites: Loop A – D and end of loop sites; Loop E - G are quiet but

far away from laundry and showers.

• Entrance route recommendation: East Entrance (25 miles from entrance)

• Generators allowed 8am – 8pm (may not exceed 60 decibels)

• Nearest gas available - ½ mile from campground

• Nearest Vehicle Repair - ½ mile from campground

• Store located ½ mile from campground


http://www.yellowstone.co/images/maps/fishingbridgecg.jpg



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• The campground feels a bit like a parking lot, with RV's packed in like sardines. you will

not be more than ten feet from you neighbors.

• Hard-sided RV’s only due to the numerous grizzly bears in the area (no pop-ups or tents).

• RV sites here accommodate a tow unit and towed unit side by side. A 35-foot site will

accommodate an 18-foot truck and a 35-foot unhooked trailer side by side in the site.

Adjust for slide outs.

• There are only a few sites capable of handling a 40 ft RV.

• All sites are back-in.

• The site immediately behind you is staggered so that their RV backs to your toad and

your toad backs to their RV.

• There are shrubs to separate your site from the one next to you. These shrubs were placed

next to these narrow sites before slide-outs were invented. It is very difficult to extend

slides without scratching them up on the dry shrubbery.

• RV dump station located near the campground entrance. The dump station may not be

available early and late season due to freezing temperatures.

• Your daily fee included a shower for 2 people per day. They are closed for cleaning from

1-3, so if you get there soon after that, you are guaranteed a clean, dry shower stall.

Showers are small. At 7:00 a.m. the showers were packed with people waiting for them to

open.

• Laundry can be very busy

• 20/30/50-amp electrical hookup available

• Wifi available for purchase at Lake Lodge but limited availability.

• 8 working washers in laundry facility for 400 sites so try to avoid laundry during your

stay. The roads are also very dusty, so you will get dirty just sitting outside, so pack lots

of clothes.

• Campground is quiet despite the size

• No picnic tables at the sites

• Loops A-D are paved roads with semi-level gravel pads and nice sewer connections,

Loops E-G are dirt roads with pot holes and paved pads, but the sewer connections are

raised, so you will need to elevate the dump hose.

• Ask for a spot that isn't on a curve, they are difficult to back into

• If you need help backing up, the front desk can assist you if you ask.

• Most sites seem fairly level so any loop should be fine

• Sewer hookups are elevated off the ground by about 6 – 10 inches. You will need to build

some kind of bridge between the RV and sewer hookup. See pictures on trip advisor and




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plan accordingly. sewer connection pic #1, sewer connection pic #2, sewer connection

pic #3

• Use a water pressure regulator. PSI is 100-150 and it will blow your plumbing out.

• Nothing noted in the reservation confirmation email that any special connection is needed

for sewer and water hookups.

• Charcoal or propane grills are allowed, but no open flames (including portable fire pits).

• There's a trail allowing dogs around the lake to the right of the clinic at the Lake Area.

• Near the visitor center is an NPS amphitheater where Ranger programs are offered.

• Interdenominational church services provided by a Christian Ministry in the National

Parks are offered on Sundays at the amphitheater.

• The campground is close to Hayden Valley and Yellowstone Lake so it is a strategic

location to explore the area. Close to all areas of the park except the Mammoth area.

• Lake Village is a few miles south including the Lake Yellowstone Hotel and Lake Lodge

offering a full-service restaurant, cafeteria, gift shops and tours. A general store, clinic

and post office are also located at the Lake Village.

• Interagency Access and Senior Pass discounts are not available at Fishing Bridge RV

Park.

Norris Campground 307 344-7381 44.73782, -110.69443

Campground Map

Norris campground is centrally located in Yellowstone National Park and offers a good spot for

those planning to visit many of the most famous features in Yellowstone. Norris is a relatively

short drive to Grand Canyon of the Yellowstone, Hayden Valley, Dunraven Pass, Old Faithful,

Yellowstone Lake and Madison Junction. Norris Geyser Basin and the Gibbon River are close to

this 100-site campground. Each campsite has a table, fire ring and grill. Campsites are first-

come, first-serve (no reservations).

• Camper recommended sites: 6, 8, 9, 11, 13, 33, 35, 48, 54, 86.

• Entrance Route Recommendation: North Entrance (25 miles from entrance)

• Generators allowed 8am to 8pm (60 decibel limit)

• Nearest gas: 10 miles east at Canyon Village

• Nearest vehicle repairs: 10 miles east at Canyon Village

• Store located 11 miles in Canyon Village

• This campground has 100 sites, which are mostly for tents only (7 RV sites in total: 2

sites with max length of 50 ft, 5 sites with max length of 30 ft)


https://www.tripadvisor.com/LocationPhotoDirectLink-g60999-d219062-i208267201-Fishing_Bridge_RV_Park-Yellowstone_National_Park_Wyoming.html

https://www.tripadvisor.com/LocationPhotoDirectLink-g60999-d219062-i44933760-Fishing_Bridge_RV_Park-Yellowstone_National_Park_Wyoming.html

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• At morning and dusk and you will often spot elk near the meadow area..

• Offers campfire talks with a Ranger during the summer, Ranger-led walks and a small

museum near the basin.

• A line forms in the morning and the campground hosts start assigning sites at 7:30 am as

departing campers leave. (As a result, choice of a specific campsite is limited.)

• Camper reports: “We arrived at 6am and was still 10th in line for a site. Fortunately,

about 25 vacancies opened up that day.”

• Most sites are a mix of sun and shade and most need some leveling.

• There is no wifi and no ATT or Verizon coverage.

• Loop A is mostly flat meadow and has nice views of nearby Gibbon River.

• Loops B & C heavily wooded and built into a hill, which compromises RV access,

especially for longer RVs.

• A few pull-thrus (some actual pull-outs, but most are on side of road), but most are

unlevel back-ins, some with missing asphalt or just plain dirt.

• Each loop has one bathroom with flush toilets, cold water sinks, dish washing room, and

a single faucet (threaded) in front to fill water tanks (heavy on the chlorine),

• No dump station at campground.

• Ice and firewood sold at entrance.

• The location of this campground is great for exploring Yellowstone. It's 1 mile from the

Loop Road.

• There are several trailheads in the campground, including the hike to Norris Geyser Basin

and museum.

• Be aware that when the breeze blows from the southwest you can get a whiff of sulfur

smell from the geyser basin a couple of miles away.

Madison Campground 307 344-7381 44.6446, -110.8627

Campground Map

Madison Campground has 292 single-family campsites and is located about 14 miles east of the

West Yellowstone entrance. This popular campground is centrally located near the junction of

the Madison, Gibbon and Firehole rivers. An RV dump station, drinking water, flush toilets and

limited group sites are available, but no utility hook-ups or showers. Each campsite has a table,

and fire ring/grill. Shared food storage lockers are also available in the campground. Campsites

can be reserved at Madison.

• Camper Recommended Sites: 7, 26, 30, 42, 44, 51, 52, 60, 77, 85, 92, 95, 108, 119, 130,

143, 146, 154, 163, 171, 176, 185, 191, 220, 240, 256, 271, 275, 287.


http://www.yellowstone.co/images/maps/madison.jpg



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• Generators allowed from 8am – 8pm (60 decibel limit)

• Nearest gas: 13 miles in West Yellowstone

• Nearest vehicle repairs: 13 miles in West Yellowstone

• Nearest Store 13 miles at West Yellowstone

• Dump station at campground

• Ranger Led discussions each night at 9pm at the amphitheater.

• Madison is on the western end of the park with easy access to West Yellowstone, Old

Faithful and the Grand Prismatic.

• The campground has very nice amenities including picnic tables and firepits at each site

as well as flush toilets in the restrooms.

• Mostly quiet campground

• No OTA channels and little cell coverage.

• nice hike right out of the Campground along the Madison River

• Dogs are only allowed on the pavement - not a problem as it is a huge campground with

plenty of loops to walk around.

• Convenient Dish Washing stations are provided at the restrooms that help keep down on

water use in the RV.

• Reservation campground - There are typically cancellations every day, so even if the sign

says "full" it is worth stopping by the office.

• It is a very large campground with about 10 loops, some of which are tents only.

• Sites are close together but the setting is nice and the views can be quite good. There are

some roadside pull-throughs that can accommodate large RVs

• The location is great for the geyser basins and the Madison River area.

• Firewood sold at the campground.

• About 16 miles from Old Faithful, Madison is a good location to stay at while visiting

Yellowstone.

• "C" loop campsite that is sometimes hard to maneuver.

• Showers available at Old Faithful.

• No cell service.

• Campsites are fairly level, but many are tight.

• Bathrooms are clean and conveniently located.

• Quiet campground, well shaded.




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• There is no "village" here like Grant or Canyon so no grocery store. West Yellowstone is

about 15 miles away and has 2 small grocery stores and several restaurants & gas

stations.

• The campsites are the same as Grant, with the sites being "C" shaped paved area off the

access roads, which are one way. That means all of the sites on one side of the access

road will have their doors facing the road instead of the picnic table and fire ring. This

can be solved by driving back down the access road the wrong way to pull into your site,

which lots of people did.

• Traffic can be a problem at the campground entrance partly because unregistered visitors

must stop their vehicles in this narrow slot and make payment. Sometimes the traffic

backup actually interrupts the flow of vehicles on the main road.

Canyon Campground 307 344-7381 44.73527, -110.48802

Campground Map

Canyon Campground has 273 single-family campsites for RVs, trailers and tents. This is one of

the more popular campgrounds in Yellowstone because of its central location in the Park. The

campsites are fairly large and each has a table, fire ring, grate and food storage locker.

The campground has flush toilets, showers, a laundry, dump station and drinking water. Canyon

Village is 1/2 mile from the campground and it has stores, restaurants and additional lodging.

Campsites can be reserved at Canyon Campground.

• Camper Recommended Sites: 3, 16, 19, 20, 22, 25, 29, 57, 63, 82, 97, 121, 126, 128, 140,

159, 163, 164, 171, 202, 206, 232, 233, 240, 260, 268, 270, 275.

• Entrance Route Recommendation: West Entrance (38 miles from entrance)

• Generators allowed at this campground 8am – 8pm (60 decibel limit)

• Nearest gas (unleaded, diesel #2 and propane bottle exchange) is available at Canyon

Junction, ½ mile from the campground

• Nearest vehicle repairs available ½ mile from campground

• General Store located in Canyon Village ½ mile from campground.

• Lots of mosquitos so make sure you have bug spray.

• Hilly tight roads, decent camp sites but not particularity level.

• Campground is built on the side of a mountain and not for today's RVs. Your best hope is

to make a reservation for a long site and arrive early afternoon for the site assignment. If

it is too un-level or treed, find a better one and ask for that.

• Laundry facilities are clean with plenty of washers and dryers. Showers are clean but they

are located at the main office rather than in the actual campground.


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• AT&T works for phone for calls, and Verizon could be used sporadically for simple

texting. Mixed reports on cellular service depending on site location.

• Dish satellite doesn’t work because of the trees.

• Most of the RV sites are in the northern loops.

• Make sure you are on a loop (loop J recommended) and not along the access roads.

• Shops and visitor center that were just across the street from the campground entrance.

• Campsite occupancy is limed to six people per site. You can stay for up to 14 days from

July 1 through Labor Day, and 30 days the rest of the year.

• There is a ranger led talk each night within walking distance

• There are two outlets in the bathroom at the campground. Each loop has their own

bathroom with toilets and running water. The water is not heated.

• There are no paper towels in the bathroom. Bring your own wash cloth/face towel for

nights you are not using the showers at the shower house.

• Firewood available for purchase at campground entrance.

Bridge Bay Campground 307-344-7311 44.53639, -110.43569

Campground Map

Bridge Bay Campground is the largest campground in Yellowstone National Park with 432

campsites and a fantastic view of the Absoraka Mountains. Some campsites are located among

evergreen trees and others out in the open.

The campground is located 30 miles from the East Entrance of Yellowstone National Park and

close to the Bridge Bay Marina and store. Each campsite has a table, fire ring and grill. The

campground has drinking water, flush toilets, shared food storage lockers and a dump station.

Bridge Bay accepts reservations.

• Camper Recommended Sites: 26, 27, 28, 35, 53, 153, 178, 180, 206, 211, 233, 234, 250,

270, 277, 282, 309, 346, 351, 392, 398, 430, 438.

• Entrance Route Recommendation: East Entrance (30 miles from entrance)

• Generators are allowed at the campground (8am – 8pm)

• Nearest Gas - 5 miles at Fishing Bridge (seasonal)

• Nearest Vehicle Repairs – 5 miles at Fishing Bridge (seasonal)

• General Store available at campground

• Dump station is located near the campground entrance.

• Many sites are on the hillside. Most are mildly to badly un-level front to back and

sideways. Many are very short. Lower sites are much better.


http://www.yellowstone.co/images/maps/bridgebay.jpg



33

• Bridge Bay Marina offers boat rentals or boat tour out on Lake Yellowstone.

• Areas between sites are just field.

• No TV or wi-fi, Cell service was available, but weak.

• Interior roads narrow with low hanging branches some open sites, some in the trees.

• Bathrooms were clean, but no showers.

• Good location to view east side of the park.

• Loop H is heavily wooded.

• The restrooms are modern and clean.

• To shower, you have to go over to the RV park at Fishing Bridge.

• Mixed reports on campground noise.

• Get firewood from marina store.

• During peak times, there can actually be a traffic jam at this entrance as campers register.

• The north section of the campground has some really nice sites back in the woods.

• Bison are often active in this campground, so always be alert.

Grant Campground 307 344-7381 44.39589, -110.5645

Campground Map

Grant is the 2nd largest campground in Yellowstone National park with 430 single-family

campsites and 8 group campsites set in a pine forest. The campground is located on the shores of

Yellowstone Lake, 21 miles north of the South Entrance. Back-in and pull thru RV camping sites

are available with a few accommodating rigs up to 40′.

The campground has laundry, showers, dump stations, and a boat launch, and is located 1 mile

from restaurants, general stores, and visitor center at Grant Village. Each campsite has a table,

fire ring, grate and food storage locker. Grant Campground has flush toilets, showers (nearby),

laundry facilities (nearby), and a dump station. Campsites are first-come, first-serve (no

reservations).

• Camper Recommended Sites: 9, 11, 19, 25, 34, 44, 50, 58, 84, 98, 103, 108, 116, 122,

132, 153, 155, 203, 216, 226, 233, 239, 242, 254, 282, 289, 295, 297, 299, 301, 303, 305,

307, 309, 317, 318, 334, 338, 356, 375, 391.

• Entrance Route Recommendation: South Entrance (21 miles from entrance)

• Generators are allowed in the campground 8am – 8pm (60 decibel limit)

• Nearest gas available 1 mile away at Grant Village

• Nearest vehicle repairs available 1 mile away at Grant Village


http://www.yellowstone.co/images/maps/grantcg.jpg



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• General store is 1 mile away in Grant Village

• Some of the back-loop camping sites border a wetlands area of Yellowstone Lake that

can provide for spectacular summer sunsets and bird watching.

• Dump station is located near the campground entrance.

• Campsites are pull-thrus like a pull-off on the side of the road (each site is kind of like a

"C" on either side of the road). The roads are one way so all of the sites on one side of the

road will have their camper door facing the road instead of the picnic table & fire ring.

This can be solved by driving to the end of the road, turn around and go the wrong way

back down to your site.

• Sites are paved but not level.

• The dishwashing sink was often clogged and left a mess by other campers.

• Maximum length is 40' but campers report that sites were difficult to fit into even with a

shorter RV.

• There are mosquitos so bring lots of bug spray.

• The shower area was down the road so you had to drive to them. The water was hot,

wasn't timed, and the pressure was good.

• If you plan on making your meals in your RV make sure you stock up before you arrive.

• You are assigned a site based on the length of your camper plus tow vehicle. Height and

width are not considered.

• Firewood in the campground itself was more expensive and poorer quality than what was

sold at the general store a little bit up the road.

• Grant backs up to Yellowstone Lake and there is a beautiful walking trail that winds at

the edge of the campground along the lake.

• Grant campground has been known to get more rainfall than some of the others.

Lewis Lake Campground 307 344-7381 44.28034, -110.62687

Campground Map

Lewis Lake Campground is in the southern part of Yellowstone on Lewis Lake and 18 miles

north of Grand Teton National Park. It has 85 fairly small, private campsites sites that can

accommodate and RV or trailer up to 25 feet.

Each campsite has a table, fire ring, rate and food storage locker. The campground has vault

toilets and drinking water. It is one of the quieter campgrounds in the park because of its

location far from the major attractions in mountainous country.

• Camper Recommended Sites: 24, 29, 32, 41, 47, 48, 51, 84.

• No generators allowed in the campground


http://www.yellowstone.co/images/maps/lewislakecg.jpg



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• Nearest gas - available 9 miles north at Grant Village

• Nearest vehicle repairs: available 9 miles north at Grant Village

• RVs larger than 20 ft. probably won’t fit

• Vault toilets only, no other washroom facilities.

• Best moose viewing in the park and lots of mule deer

• Closest services are in West Yellowstone 15 miles away.

• 1 loop is just for bikers and backpackers.

• Garbage needs to be brought out to entrance.

• some sort of supplemental lighting needed

• The sites are laid out well enough so you don't feel like you are on top of each other

• It typically fills up last but still get there early.

• All the campsites have bear boxes and are in the woods.

• The sunset on Lewis Lake is awesome




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Mileage Charts

Campground Old

Fait

hfu

l

Mam

moth

Hot

Sp

rin

gs

GC

of

the

Yel

low

ston

e

Yel

low

ston

e

Lak

e

Lam

ar

Vall

ey

Hayd

en

Vall

ey

Gra

nd

Pri

smati

c

Sp

rin

g

Norr

is G

eyse

r

Basi

n

Bridge Bay 36 50 25 0 45 12 41 31

Canyon 42 31 6 18 25 8 38 12

Fishing Bridge 40 47 22 0 42 9 45 28

Grant 22 70 45 0 64 31 26 50

Indian Creek 43 7 30 42 34 32 36 13

Lewis Lake 29 77 52 10 71 39 33 58

Madison 17 33 25 42 50 33 11 14

Mammoth 53 4 32 50 27 42 46 23

Norris 31 19 19 29 38 20 25 2

Pebble Creek 79 39 31 54 14 45 72 49

Slough Creek 67 27 19 42 0 33 60 37

Tower Fall 58 23 16 32 10 24 51 28

Campground Bri

dge

Bay

Can

yon

Fis

hin

g

Bri

dge

Gra

nt

Ind

ian

Cre

ek

Lew

is

Lak

e

Mad

ison

Mam

moth

Norr

is

Peb

ble

Cre

ek

Slo

ugh

Cre

ek

Tow

er F

all

Bridge Bay - 20 5 21 44 28 45 53 32 57 45 36

Canyon 20 - 17 40 25 47 25 34 13 38 25 17

Fishing Bridge 5 17 - 25 41 32 42 50 29 54 42 32

Grant 21 40 25 - 64 10 37 73 52 77 64 56

Indian Creek 44 25 41 64 - 70 26 10 12 46 34 30

Lewis Lake 28 47 32 10 70 - 44 80 58 83 71 62

Madison 45 25 42 37 26 44 - 35 15 62 50 41

Mammoth 53 34 50 73 10 80 35 - 21 38 27 22

Norris 32 13 29 52 12 58 15 21 - 50 38 29

Pebble Creek 57 38 54 77 46 83 62 38 50 - 14 22

Slough Creek 45 25 42 64 34 71 50 27 38 14 - 10

Tower Fall 36 17 32 56 30 62 41 22 29 22 10 -




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RV Camping Outside Yellowstone

Most people find that staying right outside of Yellowstone’s boundaries will provide many of the

same benefits of camping within the park itself with the added benefit of getting your creature

comforts.

Keep in mind that during the summer months the roads into the park can get very congested at

peak times and travel times to popular attractions could take several hours.

Most of the campgrounds listed below are US Forest Service campgrounds located just outside

the park boundaries. There are many private RV parks outside Yellowstone, especially in West

Yellowstone near the west entrance.

There are many other campground options outside of Yellowstone National Park, the following

are some of the more popular campgrounds.

North

• Eagle Creek Campground – 16 first come first serve campsites just 2 miles from

Yellowstone National Park.

• Timber Camp Campground – Free RV camping is available at this designated dispersed

camping area 9 miles from the park. First come first serve with room for any size RV.

• Bear Creek Campground – Free RV camping 9.5 miles from Yellowstone National Park.

This campground will handle RVs to 28′ long.

• Canyon Campground – 16 miles from Yellowstone National Park, this first come first

serve campground has 17 campsites.

South

• Grand Teton National Park Campgrounds are ideal for RV camping. Six campgrounds in one

of the USA’s most scenic national parks.

• Flagg Ranch – This is a private RV park - Flagg Ranch is the only campground between

Yellowstone and Grand Teton national parks. Full hookups with pull through RV campsites

available.

• Limited boondocking is available along the 36-mile gravel Grassy Lake Road. This area is

not suited for large RVs and gives access to south Yellowstone hiking trails with sites

suitable for smaller RVs. Check local conditions before departure.

East

The Shoshone National Forest Cody Ranger District has several developed campgrounds on the

east side of Yellowstone National Park.


https://www.fs.usda.gov/recarea/custergallatin/recarea/?recid=5590


http://www.fs.usda.gov/recarea/bdnf/null/recarea/?recid=5703&actid=29


https://www.nps.gov/grte/planyourvisit/camping.htm

http://www.gtlc.com/lodges/headwaters-lodge-at-flagg-ranch

https://www.nps.gov/grte/blogs/grassy-lake-road-countdown-28-days.htm



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• Three Mile Campground – Three pull-thru RV sites and back in space will accommodate

RV combinations to 60′. Hard sided RVs only at this campground 3 miles from


• Big Game Campground – 16 campsites on the North Fork of the Shoshone River.

Reservations accepted at this campground located 25 miles from Yellowstone.

• Clearwater Campground – Reservations accepted at this 11-site campground. Very small

RVs only located 21 miles from Yellowstone National Park.

• Eagle Creek Campground – Hard sided RVs only at this 20-site campground just 8 miles

from the park.

• Elk Fork Campground – 13 RV camping sites at the primitive campground 25 miles from


• Newton Creek Campground – 31 campsites 16 miles from Yellowstone allow only hard

sided RVs.

• Rex Hale Campground – Reservations accepted at this 30-site campground 18 miles from

Yellowstone.

• Wapiti Campground – Reservations accepted at this 41-site campground. Some sites have

electricity located 25 miles from Yellowstone.

West

• Baker’s Hole Campground – 73 campsites, 33 with electricity are available in this first

come first serve campground 3 miles from Yellowstone.

• Rainbow Point Campground – Reservations and electricity is available at this 26-site

campground 10 miles from the park.

• Lonesomehurst Campground – Reservations available and 5 of the 27 campsites have

electricity. 12 miles from Yellowstone National Park.

• Cherry Creek Campground – There are only 7 first come first come campsites at the

campground by Hebgen Lake. 14 miles to Yellowstone.

• Spring Creek Campground – 6 first come first serve campsites 18 miles from

Yellowstone.

• Cabin Creek Campground – Reservations available at this 15-site campground 22 miles

away from the park.

• Beaver Creek Campground – Reservations available at this 64-site campground 24 miles

from Yellowstone.

• Red Cliff Campground – 27 of the 65 campsites have electricity at this campground 35

miles from Yellowstone National Park. Reservations available.


https://www.fs.usda.gov/recarea/shoshone/recreation/ohv/recarea/?recid=36263&actid=29

https://www.fs.usda.gov/recarea/shoshone/recreation/camping-cabins/recarea/?recid=36095&actid=29







https://www.fs.usda.gov/recarea/custergallatin/recreation/recarea/?recid=5573&actid=29





https://www.fs.usda.gov/recarea/custergallatin/recreation/bicycling/recarea/?recid=5581&actid=29





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Northeast

• Colter Campground – Only hard sided RVs are allowed at this first come first serve 18-

site campground 7 miles from Yellowstone National Park.

• Soda Butte Campground – Hard sided RVs only and no reservations accepted at this 27-

site campground 6 miles from the park.

• Chief Joseph Campground – Six first-come, first-serve campsites available 9 miles from

Yellowstone.

The Caribou-Targhee National Forest offers many developed RV camping locations. Zoom in on

the Interactive Recreation Map for location and listings of US Forest Service campgrounds.

Yellowstone Route Planning

When I started planning our RV Camping Trip to Yellowstone, I really didn’t think about the

route we were going to take to get there. I figured I’d go to google maps and have SIRI give me

the most direct route. I realized after reading many RV forums about road challenges traveling

with an RV on some of the entrance roads that Yellowstone route planning is important to

determine before heading out on the road.

As I continue to do the research for the trip I have looked at each of the park entrances so I have

a good idea of our options to get to and from Yellowstone.

Yellowstone’s roads are in a figure-eight pattern known as the Grand Loop, which is 154 miles

long. Five spur roads serve as entrances to the park: North, South, East, West and Northeast.

Once you arrive at one of the five Yellowstone entrance stations, you will travel whichever spur

road connects you to the Grand Loop.

North Park Entrance webcam

Gardiner is the gateway community at the north entrance of the park. It is a short 5-mile drive

from Gardiner to the Roosevelt Arch entrance.

The north entrance connects Yellowstone to Interstate 90 at Livingston, Montana, via U.S. Route

89. This 56-mile drive follows the old Yellowstone Road, which was the original entrance to the

park, connecting to the gateway community of Gardiner, Montana. This route travels alongside

the Yellowstone River and is an easy drive for RVs with no steep grades, switchback curves, or

steep drop-offs. The downside is that it’s also the least scenic.

If you are coming from the Pacific Northwest or Missoula, Montana, the North Entrance would

be your best route.





https://www.fs.usda.gov/ctnf

https://www.fs.usda.gov/recmain/ctnf/recreation

https://www.nps.gov/customcf/webcam/dsp_webcam_image.cfm?webCam=56868082BFC4C0304BC42AC98309AE31419DBF398CABCEAD96A201D7A00285459DF6DF9794948F179FDD1D1581&thumbnail=56868082BFC4C0304BC42AC98309AE31419DBF398CABCEAD96A201D7A00285459DF6DF9794948F179F



40

The north entrance is the quickest access to park attractions such as Mammoth Spring with the

least amount of driving and hill climbing. You also pass the Boiling River turnoff on the stretch

of road from Gardiner to Mammoth. In the Boiling River, one of two sanctioned swimming areas

in the park, you can swim in an area where warm hot springs water enters the Yellowstone River.

From Mammoth, you can head east on the northern most road in the park to get to the

expansive Lamar Valley, with its extraordinary diversity of mammals living there.

The North Entrance is open year-round and is the only way to reach the park’s northeastern

border in the winter.

South Park Entrance

Jackson is the gateway community at the south entrance of the park. It is a 52-mile drive from

Jackson to Yellowstone’s south entrance.

If you are staying in Jackson, Wyoming, the South Entrance is the easiest entrance to access

Yellowstone. Jackson has a full range of services available.

The south entrance connects the park directly to Grand Teton National Park. As you drive

through Grand Teton National Park along the John D. Rockefeller Parkway (US-89) heading

north toward Yellowstone, you won't have any issues driving with your RV. Grand Teton is

basically a flat area that has the Teton Range on its west side.

Once you enter through the South Entrance, you will drive along a stretch of the park’s road

without any turnoffs for more than 20 miles. It climbs through forests and crosses the

Continental Divide three times along this stretch of road. There are numerous grades, but they

are short and you won’t have any problems handling them with an RV. Many RVs use this

route.

If you are planning a combined Yellowstone-Grand Teton trip, the southern entrance is the route

you'll want to use.

East Park Entrance

Cody is the gateway community at the east entrance of the park. It is a 52-mile drive from Cody

to Yellowstone’s east entrance.

If you are visiting the Black Hills/Badlands prior to arriving in Yellowstone, you will probably

use the east entrance of the park. You need to consider your route carefully based on you and

your RV’s ability to handle mountain driving. The Bighorns are a long range of mountains that

run north and south sitting in your path to get to Yellowstone.

No roads go over the massive center section of the Bighorns and this area is designated as the

Cloud Peak Wilderness Area. There are three route options to get to the east entrance: US-14 and




41

US-16 that cross the Bighorns from the east and I-90 which skirts around the Bighorns to the

north through Montana.

I-90 Option

I-90 skirts around the Bighorns and goes through Montana, then drops down into Yellowstone

from the north. This is the easiest way and you are on interstate highways until you get close to

Yellowstone. However, it's also the longer way and not as scenic as crossing Wyoming.

US-16 Option

US-16 leaves Buffalo, WY and goes over the southern end of the Bighorns. The southern

crossing is the easiest. US-16 runs between Buffalo and Worland. If heading eastbound you

leave Worland and enter Ten Sleep Canyon shortly thereafter. This is a gradual climb that carries

you alongside the Powder River as you ascend through the canyon. It's a very scenic drive and

eventually it reaches Powder River Pass.

The climb up Powder River Pass is steep, topping out at 9,666 feet. But, there are slow vehicle

lanes and lots of turnouts and most RVs do not have any problems. You will be driving in some

nice scenic high country for a while before descending into Buffalo at 4,665 feet. The roads are

wide, offer plenty of easy stretches to allow your RV to cool, plus no terrorizing drop-offs. This

road is a safe passage route for any RV traveling in either a westbound or eastbound direction.

US-14 Option

US-14 leaves Ranchester, WY and goes over the northern end of the Bighorns. US-14 further

splits into two up top at Burgess Junction and descends the western flank as either US-14 or US-

14A, depending on which fork you take.

Descending to the west the road splits. US-14 heads down to Greybull while US-14A takes a

more northerly route through Lovell. Eventually both meet up at Cody, WY. The problem here is

that the grades are steep, long, and there is no place to get a break on them. Once you pass the

Bighorns, you will reach flat ranch land.

US-14A is even steeper than US-14. They have added two runaway truck ramps to help prevent

wipeouts on that road. There is no place to stop and rest your RV until you get to the top. US-

14A is better as an eastbound route.

Leaving Cody, you will go through a tunnel that skirts the Buffalo Bill Dam and Reservoir.

You’ll pass through scenic Shoshone Canyon and arrive at Pahaska Tepee, just outside the park’s

border. Entering the park, you’ll begin the long climb over the Absaroka Mountains eventually

reaching Sylvan Pass which tops off at 8,350 feet and then drop down to Sylvan Lake. The roads

have been recently widened and repaved so they are easy enough to handle for most RVs. From

there it is a series of medium grades. Once at Sedge Bay it’s fairly flat all the way to Fishing

Bridge as you skirt the shores of Yellowstone Lake.




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East Entrance Recommendation

The US-14/14A route is not recommended for RVs in the westbound direction. If you are

heading west, either take I-90 and skirt the Bighorn Mountains to the north or take the more

scenic US-16 to the south.

West Park Entrance webcam

The town of West Yellowstone is the gateway community at the west entrance of the park. West

Yellowstone is the closest town to the park and is less than a mile from the west entrance. A

large percentage of visitors choose West Yellowstone as their base camp. Full service RV parks

are plentiful in the area.

Coming from the north leaving Bozeman, MT, you will drive south US-191 for 75 miles passing

through the Big Sky area and the scenic Gallatin Canyon. This is a scenic drive and, although

there are a few short grades, it is manageable with an RV. This route is more scenic than the

route down US-89 to the north entrance.

Coming from south leaving Rexburg, ID, the road is fairly straight and easy heading north on

US-20 through Island Park, ID until you begin the climb to Targhee Pass. It is a long grade on

both sides of the pass with pull-off areas and truck lanes. The pass is manageable with an RV.

You will head east on US-20 toward West Yellowstone.

After arriving in West Yellowstone, you will drive east through town to the west entrance. Once

into the park, you will drive 14 miles and pass alongside the Madison River, which has some

good wildlife habitats. Just before reaching the Grand Loop you’ll pass by the Madison

Campground. This is a jumping off point for geyser basins to the north and south along the

Grand Loop Road.

Northeast Park Entrance

Cooke City is the gateway community at the northeast entrance of the park. Cooke City is 4

miles from the Northeast Entrance. Cooke City is a small town but does offer services from

lodging, restaurants and gas. There are two routes: the Beartooth Pass and the Belfry Bypass.

Belfray Pass

The Belfry bypass route allows you to skip the steep switchback grades of the north face. Head

east from Red Lodge via Montana Secondary Highway 308 to Belfry, then head south through

ranch lands to the US-296, skirting around the highest part of the mountains all the way. The

Chief Joseph Highway will then intersect with the Beartooth Highway (212), a few miles south

of the Top of the World Store.

There are some grades on the Chief Joseph Highway, but they aren’t as severe, so they tax your

RV as badly. The Chief Joseph is a much easier route and you won't run into the issues that you

would face on the north face switchbacks of the Beartooth Highway.


https://www.nps.gov/customcf/webcam/dsp_webcam_image.cfm?webCam=56868082BFC4C0304BC42AC98309AE31419DBF398CABCEAD96A201D7A00285459DECDB898D9E950B9DDD1D1581&thumbnail=56868082BFC4C0304BC42AC98309AE31419DBF398CABCEAD96A201D7A00285459DECDB898D9E950B9D



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Beartooth Pass

Yellowstone’s northeast entrance is via U.S. Route 212, also known as the Beartooth Highway.

This 80-mile drive from Red Lodge, Montana, to Yellowstone’s northeast entrance is one of the

most scenic drives in America but it’s also the most challenging.

If you do decide to drive your RV along this route, it is recommended traveling with the RV only

in a southerly direction. To travel it northbound would put extreme stress on your RV’s brakes

on the north face switchbacks. Beartooth Pass is scenic day trip in your toad or truck.

Arriving in the park from the northeast entrance, you’ll travel through Lamar Valley for 29 miles

until reaching Tower Falls. Lamar Valley is a big area for elk, bison, grizzly bear, and wolves.

Pebble Creek and Slough Creek campgrounds are also along this route.

Northeast Entrance Recommendation

The Beartooth Pass is not recommended with an RV due to the steep slopes, narrow roads and

switchbacks. The Belfry Bypass is an excellent alternative for bypassing the switchbacks and it

can be traveled in either direction.

Best Entrance for Each Campground

Your Yellowstone entrance choice will most likely be based on the direction you are coming

from and how comfortable you are with driving your RV in the mountains. The mileage table

below provides the distance from each of the five park entrances to the Yellowstone

campgrounds. As a reminder, travel time can be deceiving with the park speed limit at 45 mph

and the varied terrain.

Entrance Bri

dge

Bay

Can

yon

Fis

hin

g

Bri

dge

Gra

nt

Ind

ian

Cre

ek

Lew

is

Lak

e

Mad

ison

Mam

moth

Norr

is

Peb

ble

Cre

ek

Slo

ugh

Cre

ek

Tow

er F

all

North 57 38 54 77 13 84 39 4 25 42 30 26

South 39 58 43 21 81 11 55 91 70 94 82 73

East 30 42 25 50 65 57 66 75 54 78 66 57

West 58 39 55 50 40 57 14 49 28 76 64 55

Northeast 66 47 63 86 55 93 72 47 59 9 23 31

Note: green highlights indicate the closest entrance to get to each campground.




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Routes and Roads to Avoid

It is important to research your route to and from Yellowstone National Park to avoid driving

stressful steep grades and harrowing hairpin turns in your RV.

• Avoid the Bighorn Mountains east of Cody, Wyoming, especially US-14A since it is

steep mountainous driving.

• Avoid the Beartooth Highway that links Red Lodge, Montana, to the park’s Northeast

Entrance.

• In the park, avoid the section between Tower Junction and Canyon which goes through

Dunraven Pass and has numerous tight curves that cling to the side of Mount Washburn

during that steep climb.

Five Things We Learned Camping in Yellowstone

1. Fishing Bridge RV Park

We stayed in Fishing Bridge RV Park during our 5-days in Yellowstone. I read a lot of reviews

before deciding to book at Fishing Bridge. The reviews were mostly negative related to the

closeness of the campsites. We have a 20-ft travel trailer so our experience was probably

different than others with larger rigs. We were in Loop B which was close to the entrance and a

short walk down to the showers and laundry. I would recommend loops A or B – we close

enough to walk or ride our bikes down to the General Store. We didn’t use the showers but we

did do laundry typically around noon when everyone was out sightseeing so we didn’t have any

problems getting a machine. I was concerned about the sewer connection but it was really a non-

issue for us.

Many campers decide to move to different parks during their stay in Yellowstone, however, we

found that staying in one place the entire time worked for us and was much less stressful than not

knowing if we will get one of the first come, first served spots in the other campgrounds. We

also cut our travel time down considerably since we were already in the park.

2. Plan Your Routes, Not Your Days

I didn’t do as much research as I probably should have on all the sites in Yellowstone but I knew

there were some key “must see” places that I wanted to go to. What worked for us was to decide

the night before where were going to go after looking at road construction and weather reports.

This allowed us to be flexible and manage our time without feeling stressed about being at a

specific site on a specific day.


http://www.yellowstonepark.com/cody-wyoming-yellowstones-eastern-gateway/

http://www.yellowstonepark.com/cooke-city-montana/

http://www.yellowstonepark.com/cooke-city-montana/



45

3. Cellular Service

We have Verizon on our phones and when we got to the campground we were happy to see 3

bars LTE on our phones. The phones LIE. Three bars in Yellowstone is not the same as three

bars in the city. Everyone is hitting the same limited towers so don’t expect to stream any video

or post pictures quickly to Facebook unless you do it at 2am. It took a long time to post pictures

on Facebook and that was at 5 am.

4. Food is Expensive

We stopped in Cody at both the Albertsons and Walmart to stock up on food and supplies for our

stay in Yellowstone. We were glad we did. We didn’t eat at any of the restaurants or stock up

on necessities at any of the general stores. Occasionally we would buy a few snacks at the stores

and I had to try the local wine. ☺ We typically don’t eat out much and stocking up outside of the

park saved a lot of money.

5. Go Sightseeing EARLY

First of all, when I mean early, I mean early! We are morning people and we decided that we

wanted to avoid the crowds completely. The sun rises in the park around 5:30am during the

middle of the summer so we would get up at 4:30am, eat and get ready, pack a few snacks and

drinks and be on the road by 5:30am. To most people this sounds crazy but we loved it!

Our first morning in the park we headed out to the Grand Canyon of the Yellowstone. I knew

that some of the overlooks were closed or were going to be closing soon so we made this our

first stop. Hayden Valley was amazing that early in the morning with the fog over the valley and

the sun coming up over the mountains. Our first stop was one of the scenic overlooks and there

were a few people there waiting for the sun to rise over the falls.

We then went to the brink over the falls – it’s a bit of a hike down to the falls and the trail is not

in good shape. We pulled into the parking lot and we were the only car there at 6 am. Score!

We had the brink all to ourselves and we took pictures and video with no one in the way. As we

were walking up and almost to the parking lot, there was one couple that was starting down the

trail.

We spent the next 5 days at Yellowstone going to all the sites between 5:30 am and 9 am. We

barely saw anyone at all the key sites. We pulled into Old Faithful and watched it erupt at 6am

with about 10 other people. We would start driving back between 9am and 10am and get back to

our campsite by 11 am. By then, the tour buses were on the road and the parking lots at the sites

were almost full. Spending the day relaxing at the campsite worked out well because most

people left during the day and the campsites around us were empty so we didn’t feel cramped on

our site.

I hope this guide has been helpful and you enjoy your trip to Yellowstone as much as we did!

Happy Travels! Jackie




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Yellowstone Area Maps




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Canyon Area Map




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Grant Area Map




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Lake Area Map




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Madison Area Map




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Mammoth Area Map




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Old Faithful Area Map




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Tower Area Map


RV Guide to Camping in Yellowstone National...

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