12 Best Campgrounds in Yellowstone National Park

Planning a camping trip in Yellowstone and feeling overwhelmed by the options? Choosing the right campground can be daunting, but this guide is here to help.

I’ll guide you through the best campgrounds in Yellowstone National Park, ensuring you pick the best option for you. Plus, I’m sharing must-know tips on how to reserve a campsite in Yellowstone!

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At-A-Glance: My Favorite Campgrounds in Yellowstone

• If you’re visiting for 1-3 days, stay in Canyon or Madison.
• If you’re visiting for 4+ days, split your time between Canyon/Madison and Mammoth.
• If you want RV hookups, stay at Fishing Bridge.

Yellowstone National Park Campground Overview

Yellowstone National Park has 12 campgrounds managed by two separate entities: the National Park Service and Yellowstone National Park Lodges.

• Yellowstone National Park Lodges: Manages Bridge Bay, Canyon, Fishing Bridge RV Park, Grant Village, and Madison. Reservations are made via the Yellowstone Lodges website.
• National Park Service: Manages Indian Creek, Lewis Lake, Mammoth, Norris, Pebble Creek, Slough Creek, and Tower Fall. Reservations are made via Recreation.gov.

Here’s a quick overview of the 12 campgrounds inside the park. Note that all campgrounds now require reservations.

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Best Centrally Located Campgrounds in Yellowstone

If you’re looking to stay in one place your entire trip, pick one of these campgrounds. These centrally located campgrounds reduce the amount of driving you’ll have to do during your time in the park.

Canyon Campground

• Location: Near Grand Canyon of the Yellowstone and Hayden Valley
• Reservations: Required; book via Yellowstone Lodges website
• Amenities: Flush toilets, showers, dump station, fire pits, picnic tables

Located a mile from the ultra-scenic Grand Canyon of the Yellowstone, Canyon Campground is one of the most popular campgrounds in Yellowstone. The campground has both tent and RV sites surrounded by a lodgepole pine forest, providing a cozy atmosphere.

Canyon Campground is walkable to Canyon Village’s restaurants, stores, and visitor center. Plus, the campground price includes two free showers per night.

Madison Campground

• Location: Between West Yellowstone and Norris Geyser Basin
• Reservations: Required; book via Yellowstone Lodges website
• Amenities: Flush toilets, dump station, fire pits, picnic tables

Madison’s central location between West Yellowstone, Old Faithful, and Norris is ideal for visiting the western part of the park. The nearby Madison River provides excellent fishing and wildlife viewing.

Campsites here are on the smaller side, so RVs can feel cramped. Tent campers can book a site in the dedicated tent-only loop for a bit more space. Plus, its location close to West Yellowstone also provides plentiful dining options on a short drive away.

Norris Campground

• Location: Walkable to Norris Geyser Basin
• Reservations: Yes, but closed in 2024
• Amenities: Flush toilets, fire pits, picnic tables

Norris Campground offers a prime location for exploring the largest geyser basin in Yellowstone, Norris Geyser Basin. In addition, the campground is located near a large meadow, providing plenty of opportunities to see wildlife like bison. 

Limited RV sites are available vehicles over 30 feet. Norris Campground previously operated as a first-come, first-served campground. However, the park service has stated that Norris Campground is moving to reservation-only going forward.

Best Campgrounds Near Yellowstone’s South Entrance

If you’re looking for a campground close to Old Faithful or plan to spend time in Grand Teton National Park, consider picking one of these four campgrounds in the southern part of Yellowstone.

Grant Village Campground

• Location: Near Yellowstone Lake and West Thumb Geyser Basin
• Reservations: Required; book via Yellowstone Lodges website
• Amenities: Flush toilets, showers, dump station, fire pits, picnic tables

Grant Village Campground is the second largest campground in the park, offering easy access to southern park attractions like Old Faithful and Yellowstone Lake.

It accommodates tents and RVs up to 40 feet and includes two free showers per night. Nearby Grant Village has restaurants, a gas station, stores, and a visitor center.

Fishing Bridge RV Park

• Location: Near Yellowstone Lake, central for exploring Old Faithful and the Grand Canyon of the Yellowstone
• Reservations: Required; book via Yellowstone Lodges website
• Amenities: Full hookups (electricity, water, sewer), flush toilets, dump station, fire pits, picnic tables

Fishing Bridge RV Park, recently renovated, offers larger sites, updated facilities, and is exclusive to RV campers. Its central location provides easy access to major attractions and nearby Lake Village amenities.

Fishing Bridge RV Park is and RV-only campground and the only campground in Yellowstone with hookups. Only a few minutes from Lake Village and Lake Yellowstone Hotel, guests can access several restaurants and shops only a short drive away.

The campground underwent an extensive renovation in 2022 to provide larger sites, more parking, an updated dump station, and more shower and laundry facilities. A nice bonus, two showers are included in your nightly campground rate!

Bridge Bay Campground

• Location: Along Yellowstone Lake, near Bridge Bay Marina
• Reservations: Required; book via Yellowstone Lodges website
• Amenities: Flush toilets, dump station, fire pits, picnic tables

Bridge Bay is the largest campground in Yellowstone. Its location near the marina makes it popular among fishermen and boaters. Only a few miles away, campers have access to all the amenities of Lake Village, including restaurants, a general store, shops, and more.

You can also rent boats or take a tour from the nearby marina.

Lewis Lake Campground

• Location: Southernmost part of Yellowstone, near the South Entrance
• Reservations: Required; book via Recreation.gov
• Amenities: Vault toilets, fire pits, picnic tables

Lewis Lake Campground is a campground on the shores of Lewis Lake on a few miles from the South Entrance. The boat ramp in the campground allows guests to take their canoes, kayaks, or motorboats out on Lewis Lake!

Lewis Lake is more primitive with fewer amenities, but can accommodate some smaller RVs and tent camping. Its proximity to the South Entrance makes it ideal for those visiting both Yellowstone and Grand Teton National Parks.

Read More: 7 Best Campgrounds in Grand Teton

Best Campgrounds Near Yellowstone’s North Entrance

If you have several days in the park, I recommend splitting your time between the southern loop and the northern loop of Grand Loop Road. These campgrounds near the North Entrance are an excellent choice for exploring Mammoth Hot Springs, one of the few places in the park open year-round.

Mammoth Campground

• Location: Near the North Entrance, walkable to Mammoth Hot Springs
• Reservations: Required from 4/1-10/15; first-come, first-served the rest of the year; book via Recreation.gov
• Amenities: Flush toilets, fire pits, picnic tables

Mammoth Campground is the only campground open year-round, ideal for off-season camping or staying near the North Entrance. The campground also provides excellent opportunities to spot elk and bison, particularly during the fall elk rut.

Campsites at Mammoth can accommodate both tents and RVs/trailers up to 40 feet. tent to a 40-foot RV. However, sites for Class A RVs are limited. Within walking distance, campers can access the restaurants, shops, visitor center, and geyser basin in Mammoth.

Indian Creek Campground

Indian Creek Campground

• Location: Between Mammoth and Norris along Grand Loop Road
• Reservations: Required; book via Recreation.gov
• Amenities: Vault toilets, fire pits, picnic tables

Indian Creek Campground is one of the park’s smaller and more primitive campgrounds. While it can accommodate some RVs up to 30 feet, Indian Creek is best suited for tent campers.

The sites are cozy, tucked into wooded areas off the road. You’ll find stunning views of the Gallatin Mountains and Electric Peak and the amenities of Mammoth Hot Springs are only a short drive away.

Best Campgrounds Near Yellowstone’s Northeast Entrance

This lesser-visited part of the park is home to several more primitive campgrounds with fewer amenities. If you plan to spend extensive amount of time looking for wildlife in Lamar Valley, these campgrounds can be a good option.

Pebble Creek Campground

• Location: Near the Northeast Entrance and Lamar Valley
• Reservations: Yes, but closed in 2024
• Amenities: Vault toilets, fire pits, picnic tables

Pebble Creek Campground is more isolated and primitive than many other campgrounds in Yellowstone. Its location near the Northeast Entrance is excellent for visiting Lamar Valley but further away from most activities in Yellowstone. 

While RVs are allowed here, this campsite tends to be better for tent campers or those in smaller Class B vans.

Slough Creek Campground

• Location: Between Tower Junction and Lamar Valley
• Reservations: Required; book via Recreation.gov
• Amenities: Vault toilets, fire pits, picnic tables

Slough Creek Campground is a small, remote campground further off the main road. This campground is renowned for its wildlife sightings and is one of the best areas of the park to see wolves.

It’s a bit more challenging to get here, particularly for larger RVs. The campground lies at the end of a two-mile dirt road, making it best suited for tent campers and those in Class B RVs.

Tower Fall Campground

• Location: South of Tower Junction along Grand Loop Road
• Reservations: Yes, but closed in 2024
• Amenities: Vault toilets, fire pits, picnic tables

While less remote than the previously mentioned campgrounds in Lamar Valley, Tower Fall Campground is still relatively primitive. It is best suited for tent campers or those in Class B RVs as it can’t accommodate any RVs larger than 30 feet. 

You’ll find Tower General Store and Roosevelt Lodge only a short drive away and the campground is fairly central to Lamar Valley and Grand Canyon of the Yellowstone.

Get the Yellowstone Itinerary & Guidebook

The step-by-step itinerary and ultimate guidebook covers all the must-see geysers, hot springs, hikes, and sights. This 87-page guide is filled with detailed itineraries, insider tips, maps, regional overviews, and more for planning a stress-free trip to Yellowstone!

Get the Yellowstone Itinerary

Backcountry Camping in Yellowstone

There are 293 maintained backcountry campsites in Yellowstone. Backpackers are required to get a backcountry permit year-round. During the peak backpacking season from May 15 to October 31, backcountry permits are available online via Recreation.gov or in-person on a walk-up basis.

Read more here about backcountry camping in Yellowstone National Park.

Do you have to reserve campsites in Yellowstone?

All campgrounds in Yellowstone now require reservations. The one exception is Mammoth Campground, the only year-round campground in the park. During peak season (May-October), Mammoth requires reservations, but is first-come, first-served during off-season.

How to Reserve Campsites in Yellowstone National Park

Depending on the campground, reservations are made through either Yellowstone National Park Lodges or Recreation.gov.

Booking Campgrounds via Yellowstone National Park Lodges

Campgrounds: Bridge Bay, Canyon, Fishing Bridge, Grant Village, Madison

Reservations open on the 5th of the month 13 months in advance. For example, for trips in July 2025, you can book starting on July 5, 2024, at midnight mountain time.

Here are some of my top tips for booking these campgrounds:

• Book as far in advance as possible for summer weekends and holidays.
  Aim to book when reservations open, if possible.
• If you’re flexible with dates, you may be able to book 3 to 6 months out. For those visiting on summer weekdays or in the May/September shoulder months, you may be able to book campgrounds without as much notice.
• Specific campsites are assigned at check-in. You aren’t able to select a site in advance.

Booking Campgrounds via Recreation.gov

Campgrounds: Indian Creek, Lewis Lake, Mammoth, Norris, Pebble Creek, Slough Creek, Tower Fall

Reservations open on a rolling 6-month basis. For example, a campsite reservation for July 1, 2024, opens on January 1, 2024, at 8 AM mountain time.

These are some of my top tips for booking:

• Book as soon as reservations open six months out. The campgrounds managed by the National Park Service book up very quickly. For the best selection, create an account on Recreation.gov in advance and be ready to book at 8 AM on the day reservations open.
• Pick your campsite ahead of time. On Recreation.gov, you book a specific campsite. Be prepared to secure the correct type of site for your set-up (tent-only or RV). I recommend picking out a couple if the campsite you had your eye on is booked.

Recreation.gov Reservation Tip
Campgrounds on Recreation.gov get booked quickly. I recommend adding a campsite to your cart right away when reservations are released. You can hold a campsite in your cart for 15 minutes before it is released. During that 15 minutes, I go back and check if I can find a more desirable site. If I can, I’ll add that one to my cart. If not, I will book the one I’ve already added to my cart.

Tips for Camping in Yellowstone

• A camping reservation in Yellowstone does not cover your park entry fee. I highly recommend purchasing the America the Beautiful National Park Pass before your trip. This pass gets you into Yellowstone and Grand Teton National Parks, plus 400 more national park sites! Get your annual national park pass for only $80.
• Senior National Park Pass Holders can get a discount at all campgrounds except Fishing Bridge RV Park. If you’re a US resident over the age of 62, you can get a lifetime national park pass for a one-time fee of $80. This pass covers entry to every national park for the rest of your life, plus get you discounts on in-park activities and campgrounds! Get your America the Beautiful Lifetime Senior Pass here.
• There are only RV hookups at Fishing Bridge RV Park. You’ll find campsites here with full hookups for electricity, water, and sewer. 
• Dump stations are only available at specific campgrounds. You’ll find dump stations at Bridge Bay, Canyon, Fishing Bridge, Grant Village, and Madison.
• Generators are only permitted in seven out of the 12 campgrounds. You can only run generators at Bridge Bay, Canyon, Fishing Bridge, Grant Village, Madison, Mammoth, and Norris between 8 AM and 8 PM. You may not run generators at Indian Creek, Lewis Lake, Pebble Creek, Slough Creek, or Tower Fall.
• Campsites for RVs 30+ feet in length are very limited. You’ll need to check the restrictions and max lengths for each campground before making a reservation. I recommend booking at Fishing Bridge RV Park for those with Class A motorhomes.
• Fire restrictions can happen in the summer. From July through September, the park may limit when and where you can have fires. These restrictions include wood and charcoal fires in campgrounds. If you’re visiting in the summer, I recommend bringing a propane stove to cook your food.
• Yellowstone National Park is in bear country. Protect wildlife by storing all food, trash, and scented items (including toothpaste, deodorant, and sunscreen) inside the food locker at your campsite. You can read more here about bear safety while camping in Yellowstone.
• Pets are allowed in campgrounds but are not permitted on hiking trails and cannot be left unattended. Therefore, if you plan to bring a pet, you will need to plan for someone to stay with them at the campsite during the day if you plan to hike. Read more about pets in Yellowstone National Park.
• Cell service is limited in most areas of the park. Be sure to download your campground details or take a screenshot before arriving at the park.

Looking for more tips on what to pack for your trip? Check out my guides on the best hiking gear, what to pack for a road trip, and essential camping gear for all my favorite gear picks and tips to make packing for your trip a breeze!

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the most popular campground in Yellowstone?

Thanks to its central location and long season, Madison Campground is the most popular campground in Yellowstone. From Madison campground, you are only 16 miles to Old Faithful and 25 miles to Grand Canyon of the Yellowstone.

Which campground should I stay in Yellowstone?

Grant Village Campground is one of the largest campgrounds in Yellowstone, offering 425 sites. With flush toilets, showers, and dump stations, Grant Village is a great, centrally-located option for tents, trailers, and RVs alike.

How hard is it to get a campsite at Yellowstone?

It can be challenging to get a campsite in Yellowstone. Most campgrounds are reservation-only, opening reservations 6 to 13 months in advance. Reservations for these campgrounds fill up quickly, so you should book as far in advance as possible.

Which Yellowstone campgrounds have RV hookups?

Fishing Bridge RV Park is the only campground in Yellowstone that offers electricity, water, and sewer hookups. This campground is only available to trailer and RV campers and does not accept tents.

Is it safe to tent camp in Yellowstone?

Camping in a tent in Yellowstone is very safe. Most campgrounds are in developed, front country areas with campground staff and park rangers on duty. However, proper food storage is vital while tent camping in Yellowstone.

Do Yellowstone campgrounds have showers?

Only a quarter of Yellowstone campgrounds have shower facilities. You’ll find showers and laundry facilities at Canyon Campground, Fishing Bridge RV Park, and Grant Village Campground.

Final Thoughts and Next Steps

Yellowstone National Park is a beautiful place for a camping trip. From sites near popular attractions like Old Faithful to those more private sites near Lamar Valley, you’ll have a wide selection of places to stay.

These are my top campgrounds in Yellowstone based on location and amenities:

1. Canyon Campground
2. Madison Campground
3. Fishing Bridge RV Park
4. Mammoth Hot Springs Campground

Get the Yellowstone Itinerary & Guidebook

The step-by-step itinerary and ultimate guidebook covers all the must-see geysers, hot springs, hikes, and sights. This 87-page guide is filled with detailed itineraries, insider tips, maps, regional overviews, and more for planning a stress-free trip to Yellowstone!

Get the Yellowstone Itinerary

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