Yellowstone National Park

Notable Campgrounds

• Best for families: Grant Village Campground
• Best for RVs: Fishing Bridge RV Park
• Best for classic park views: Pebble Creek Campground

Tips for Snagging a Campsite Reservation

1. Yellowstone National Park campsite reservations are notoriously difficult to score, with sites often filling a year in advance. Book as soon as you know your travel dates. 
2. Check the reservation system often for cancellations, or try searching the system for the next available dates. It’s best to be flexible with your dates. 
3. Yellowstone is huge, so book a campground near the attractions you most want to see. This may mean staying in more than one campground during your trip to Yellowstone. 
4. Nine lodges are spread throughout the park, often booking up a year in advance for the peak summer season.

When to Go

Yellowstone National Park is open year-round, but access is limited in the winter months. July and August are the most popular and busiest times to visit. September and October, when summer crowds have gone home and daytime temperatures are still pleasant, are among the best times to go. Most campgrounds are only open from May through September, while the lodges typically stay open later in fall. Mammoth is the only campground open year-round.  

Know Before You Go

1. Amenities vary at Yellowstone National Park campgrounds, but many include picnic tables, fire pits, flush toilets, and access to paid showers. The Fishing Bridge RV Park is the only campground with hookups.  
2. Yellowstone can get chilly at night even in summer. Come prepared with warm sleeping bags and extra layers. 
3. All Yellowstone National Park campgrounds have strict bear safety rules. Don’t leave food unattended, and store all food, toiletry items, and garbage in your vehicle or bear-proof storage lockers when not in use.
4. Pets are allowed in campgrounds but are not to be left unattended at any time. Pets are not allowed on park trails, boardwalks, or in backcountry areas.