Yellowstone Campgrounds
Yellowstone park
When you want to get out into nature and do a variety of things, Yellowstone Park comes to mind. You could fish, bird watch, watch wildlife, bike, and also hike with a Yellowstone park Ranger or tour in the park.
When you go there, often camping will come to mind to take advantage of all the wonders in a systematic way.
So let’s talk about what campgrounds are available in Yellowstone Park
You will want to find a campground near the area you want to tour and enjoy, as Yellowstone National Park is so large.
There are 7 campgrounds operated by the National Park Service. Mammoth, Indian Creek, Lewis Lake, Slough Creek, Norris, Pebble Creek, and Tower Fall. Sites at these campgrounds are available for whoever comes first. There are no reservations. Fees are $12 to $20. per day, plus tax, at the time of writing this.
In addition, Xanterra Parks and Resorts has camping sites that are by reservation. Here are some of theirs:
Bridge Bay Campground
This one is near Yellowstone lake and 30 miles from the East entrance of Yellowstone. It is close to the Bridge Bay Marina store, so you can do some shopping. There are over 400 sites at the campground, including tent and RV spots. There are no utility hookups, so you would need to use solar power or batteries to run your equipment. Group sites are available. Also note that there is a coin laundry and pay showers about 4 miles away. It is open sometime in May to MId September.
Canyon Campground
If you want to be close to the Grand Canyon of Yellowstone, this is where you need to be. You will find a selection of stores, restaurants, a sanitary dump station, pay showers and a coin laundry. There is not utility hookups. Bring solar power or batteries to run your equipment. It has over 270 individual sites – RV, tent and combination RV/tent sites. It is open the end of May to close to the end of September.
Grant Village Campground
This is located in a lodgepole pine forest. You will find it at the southwestern edge of Yellowstone Lake. There are over 400 sites at the campground, including tent and RV spots. You will have access to a fire grate and there are picnic tables. There are public restrooms with cold running water. At most of the restroom buildings are dishwashing stations. Pay showers are available. You will find stores, restaurants and a coin laundry within a half mile. This is open June through sometime in September.
Madison Campground
This one is more in a central location, 14 miles east of West Yellowstone entrance and about 16 miles north of Old Faithful. There is a sanitary dump station but no utility hookups or showers. It has public restrooms with cold running water. Dishwashing stations are located at several of the restrooms. The site includes a picnic table and fire grate. It is open from the end of April through the Middle of October.
When calling to make a reservations for the above campgrounds, be prepared to give the dimensions of your tent (in feet)
Start Planning
I would suggest you also check into Yellowstone National Park tours which are mentioned in another article.
So with the above info, you can plan your trip to include Yellowstone camping and have an experience you will talk about for years.