Notable Campgrounds
- Best for families: Grant Village Campground offers Yellowstone Lake views and ranger programming, and bathroom facilities. (Madison Campground has group sites too).
- Best for RVs: Fishing Bridge RV Park features pull-through RV sites with full hookups, dump station access, and laundry facilities.
- Best for classic park views: Pebble Creek Campground offers just 27 sites with vault toilets near the Northeast Entrance and the Lamar Valley.
- Best for access to amenities: Bridge Bay Campground's 400+ sites are set near Yellowstone Lake and a general store.
- Best for a central location: Canyon Campground sits in a Canyon Village lodgepole pine forest near the Grand Canyon of the Yellowstone River.
Tips for Snagging a Campsite Reservation
- 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—advance reservations are required.
- Check the NPS and Yellowstone National Park Lodges reservation systems often for cancellations, or try searching the system for the next available dates. It’s best to be flexible with your dates.
- 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.
- 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 for Yellowstone camping. September and October, when summer crowds have gone home and daytime temperatures are still pleasant, are among the best times to go. Most Yellowstone campgrounds are only open from May through September, while the lodges typically stay open later in fall. Mammoth Campground is the only campground open year-round and set near the North Entrance in Gardiner, Montana, the only entrance open all year.
Know Before You Go
- 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 Yellowstone campground with full hookups.
- Yellowstone can get chilly at night even in summer. Come prepared with warm sleeping bags and extra layers.
- All Yellowstone National Park campgrounds have strict grizzly 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.
- 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.
- The West Entrance, set in West Yellowstone, Montana, is the most popular way to access the park, while the South Entrance is only about a 30-minute drive from Colter Bay Village in the Grand Tetons for those who want to see both parks in one trip.
Yellowstone National Park
Enjoy incredible vistas, hydrothermal wonders, and diverse wildlife in America’s favorite park.
This land of bubbling hot pots, shooting geysers, carved canyons, and wildlife-filled meadows barely needs an introduction. Yellowstone National Park was America's first national park and constantly ranks among the most visited for good reason. With thousands of hydrothermal features, including the iconic Old Faithful, miles of hiking trails, and abundant wildlife viewing, Yellowstone will wow even the most seasoned campers. To make the most of your visit, stay inside the park at one of many campgrounds, get a permit for one of hundreds of backcountry camping spots for those interested in backpacking Yellowstone, or opt for a private campsite right outside the park with easy access to kayaking and horseback riding. Most of the park is in Wyoming, while some access points are in Montana and Idaho.
This land of bubbling hot pots, shooting geysers, carved canyons, and wildlife-filled meadows barely needs an introduction. Yellowstone National Park was America's first national park and constantly ranks among the most visited for good reason. With thousands of hydrothermal features, including the iconic Old Faithful, miles of hiking trails, and abundant wildlife viewing, Yellowstone will wow even the most seasoned campers. To make the most of your visit, stay inside the park at one of many campgrounds, get a permit for one of hundreds of backcountry camping spots for those interested in backpacking Yellowstone, or opt for a private campsite right outside the park with easy access to kayaking and horseback riding. Most of the park is in Wyoming, while some access points are in Montana and Idaho.
Activities in the park
12 campgrounds in Yellowstone National Park
Ever woke up with a bison outside your tent? That’s pretty likely to happen at Norris Hot Springs Campground! It’s cool though, they’re just there to chill and not steal your delicious camp treats. These first-come, first-served sites are not only bison friendly, but also RV and tent friendly. The towering pines offer plenty of shade with restroom Read more...
Where the Firehole and Gibbon Rivers meet to make the Madison river is Madison Campground, where campers delight in the shady sites and steps away amenities. There’s room a plenty for your RV, tent, and even your hammock and since your site will come with a fire pit, picnic table and access to restrooms and water, you’ll poppin’ off your camp part Read more...
If you like to fly by the seat of your pants when it comes to finding a place to pitch your tent, Lewis Lake Campground may have a late day first-come, first-served spot still waiting for ya! The early bird may get the worm, but the late Lewis Lake camper get’s the moose, this area has some of the best viewing of these giant guys along the shores Read more...
If you thought “off the beaten path” was impossible in a national park, visit Indian Creek Campground, we guarantee you’ll think again. This small first-come, first-served campground is at the base of the Gallatin Range and not only has killer views of Electric Peak, but also offers day trips to Sheepeater Cliff and Bighorn Pass. You’ll want to ma Read more...
On the north side of Dunraven Pass is Tower Fall Campground where you can lay in your tent and watch the falls plummet into the Yellowstone River. . . sounds epic, right? It is! And this quiet, generator free campground is perfect for those who are looking for some peace and plenty of amenities; water, restrooms, fire pits and picnic tables make t Read more...
Grant Village Campground not only offers sweet shady campsites, but it’s the perfect spot for groups and families who want to have a suped-up camping experience! There’s plenty of space for RVs and tents and some sites offer views of charming Yellowstone Lake. There’s ranger programs in the evenings, nearby stores, restaurants and a visitors cente Read more...
Got a mammoth RV that’s ready to rock? Then Mammoth Hot Springs Campground is your place to park it, with sites that are suitable for even the biggest mobile campers. Tent campers are also welcome here and with large pull through sites, a tiny tent will have plenty of room to spread out and cook up a killer meal in the provided fire pit and picnic Read more...
For those who are exclusive members of the RV life, Fishing Bridge RV Park is served up just for you! This is the only place in Yellowstone to get full hookups, and since Yogi likes to frequent the area, hard-sided RV's are a must. Be sure to check out wildlife viewing in nearby Hayden Valley, and walk the historic Fishing Bridge where you might j Read more...
Sick views of the water and the Absaroka Range all from camp? If this sounds like your cup of good times then say “yes, please!" to Bridge Bay Campground. With room for RVs and tents, hikers will love the access to the eastern part of the park, while anglers and boaters will be out on Yellowstone Lake faster than they can bait their lines. There’s Read more...
Sleeping at Slough Creek is gonna be the best smelling sleep you ever had! Ya, you heard that right, some of the first-come, first-served spots here are in a sage field and well, that’s just delicious. Walk out of your tent and fish the creek with your morning coffee, or take the Slough Creek Trail for a wicked day of adventure. At night, you won’ Read more...
Pebble Creek Campground is the epitome of mountain camping; a stunning Absaroka Range backdrop at an elevation of 6,900 feet, means you’ll be campin’ and loving life at a mile high! This is the place to snag a spot if you’ve got a longer RV, and tent campers will love the solitude and quiet zen of this campground. You can cook up some grub in your Read more...
When the summer temps are sky high, stay cool and shady at Canyon Village Campground! Beneath the lodgepole pines this campsite offers all the amenities (water, restrooms, fire pits, oh my!), and a chance to be super close to the most rockin’ adventures in the park. Hike the rim of the Grand Canyon of Yellowstone, the Cascade trail, or just hop on Read more...
Why can't I see these campgrounds when I search with dates?
Notable Campgrounds
Notable Campgrounds
Tips for Snagging a Campsite Reservation
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 for Yellowstone camping. September and October, when summer crowds have gone home and daytime temperatures are still pleasant, are among the best times to go. Most Yellowstone campgrounds are only open from May through September, while the lodges typically stay open later in fall. Mammoth Campground is the only campground open year-round and set near the North Entrance in Gardiner, Montana, the only entrance open all year.
Know Before You Go
Frequently asked questions
How much does it cost to camp in Yellowstone National Park?
Yellowstone camping fees vary depending on the campground and the type of site you choose. Most campgrounds within Yellowstone National Park charge between $15 and $47 per night for a basic tent site or RV site. Some campgrounds also offer group sites, which can cost up to $60 per night. Additionally, there are a few campgrounds outside of the park that may have different pricing structures. You can explore various camping options in and around Yellowstone at Hipcamp.
Is it hard to get a campsite in Yellowstone National Park?
It can be challenging to get a campsite in Yellowstone National Park, especially during the peak season (June through September). The park has 12 campgrounds, and seven of them accept reservations. The other five campgrounds are first-come, first-served, which can fill up quickly during peak times. To increase your chances of securing a campsite, consider the following tips:
Can you camp anywhere in Yellowstone National Park?
No, you cannot camp anywhere in Yellowstone National Park. Camping is only allowed in designated campgrounds and backcountry campsites. There are 12 campgrounds within the park, including Mammoth Hot Springs Campground and Grant Village Campground. Some campgrounds are available on a first-come, first-served basis, while others require reservations. For those seeking a more remote experience, Yellowstone has a system of backcountry campsites that require a permit. You must obtain a backcountry permit before camping in these designated sites. Keep in mind that backcountry camping in Yellowstone requires proper planning, knowledge of park regulations, and adherence to Leave No Trace principles. For more information on camping options in Yellowstone, visit the Yellowstone National Park camping page.
What is the best month to camp in Yellowstone National Park?
The best months to camp in Yellowstone National Park are from June to September, when the weather is mild and most park facilities and campgrounds are open. July and August are the peak months for visiting the park, with pleasant daytime temperatures averaging 70-80°F (21-27°C). However, these months also see the highest influx of visitors, which can result in crowded campgrounds and attractions. For a less crowded experience, consider visiting in June or September, but be prepared for cooler temperatures, especially at night. Keep in mind that some campgrounds and facilities may close after Labor Day in September.
How do I get a campsite reservation at Yellowstone National Park?
Securing a Yellowstone National Park campsite reservation is usually a challenge due to the park's popularity. Camping trips typically need to be planned months in advance and even then, available campsites can book up within minutes. The good news is that you have other options for last-minute Yellowstone National Park campsite reservations. Try snagging one by setting up a free Hipcamp alert for any Yellowstone campground. We'll monitor campground availability, and you'll get instantly notified of any openings that come up for your dates so you can jump on it to reserve the newly open site. Set up an alert.
When should I reserve camping in Yellowstone National Park?
Most Yellowstone National Park campsite reservations open up months in advance. However, it's notoriously difficult to secure a Yellowstone reservation even if you plan ahead, as campsites are often booked up within minutes. To increase your chances of snagging a campsite, set up a free Hipcamp alert for any Yellowstone campground. We'll monitor campground availability, and you'll get instantly notified of any openings that come up for your dates so you can jump on it to reserve the newly open site. Set up an alert.
Public campgrounds (book externally) —