Yellowstone National Park RV Parks - Top 10 Campgrounds in Yellowstone National Park, WY (2023)

FAQs

What is the best campground to stay at in Yellowstone National Park? ›

The two most popular campgrounds in Yellowstone National Park are Madison and Canyon Campgrounds. This is because of their central locations, proximity to West Yellowstone Montana, and the amenities they offer such as flush toilets, dishwashing stations, pay showers, and access to laundry facilities.

There is only one RV park inside Yellowstone National Park that has full hookups. That campground is Fishing Bridge RV Park.

How much will it cost to camp in Yellowstone? Campsites cost as little as at $20 per night, per site. Most campgrounds with more amenities such as flush toilets and nearby laundry facilities range from $30 to $40 per night.

If you're arriving from the north, you'll travel on I-90, which connects to Yellowstone via U.S. Route 89 in Gardiner, Montana. This is the easiest entrance route for RV driving.

June to August is the best time for camping

Most of Yellowstone's campgrounds open in May or June and close in early fall, so summer is prime time if you want to sleep under the stars. Reserve sites as early as possible if you have your heart set on camping.

A few years ago, all of these campgrounds were first-come, first-served. However as of 2023, all campgrounds run by Yellowstone National Park are reservable. You can make reservations on Recreation.gov. You can make a reservation exactly six months in advance of the date you want to camp.

If you're not sure of the ideal length for national parks, you'll want to choose an RV between 25 and 30 feet long. Most national parks will accommodate RVs between those lengths. Almost 98% of National Park campgrounds can accommodate RVs up to 19 feet long.

In Yellowstone National Park there are no height or length restrictions inside the park; however, large RV sites are limited and can be hard to find. A good rule of thumb is you should be 40 feet or less, but Yellowstone National Park does have space for your big rig that is larger than 40 feet.

RVs are welcome at all campgrounds within Yellowstone, but the following seven are the most RV-friendly. All campgrounds require reservations, with the exception of Mammoth Campground Oct. 15-Apr. 1.

Before we dive in, I want to mention that driving a Class B RV through Yellowstone is much easier than driving a small Class C RV or even something bigger. You will encounter narrow roads, tight parking lots and short narrow pull-outs for wildlife viewing and hiking trails.

Can you sleep in RV in Yellowstone National Park? ›

Can I Camp Anywhere in Yellowstone? Camping or overnight vehicle parking in pullouts, picnic areas, picnic grounds or any place other than a designated campground are not permitted and there are no overflow camping facilities. However, camping is often available in neighboring communities and forests outside the park.

Yellowstone Lake State Park offers 128 individual campsites; 38 sites have electrical hookups. All campsites can be reserved for the same day of your arrival or up to 11 months in advance of the date of occupancy. Vault toilets and drinking water are available year-round.

The Teton Wilderness is a part of the 20 million-acre (81,000 km²) Greater Yellowstone Ecosystem. Among many other features, Teton Wilderness is notable for having the most remote location (farthest from any road) of any place in the contiguous 48 states of the US.

RVs can drive most places in Yellowstone National Park with a few exceptions including the area through Dunraven Pass, going from Tower Junction to Canyon. This area is especially steep, tight, and curvy. It's probably also important to know that your RV and towing equipment should be less than 40 feet in length.

The Beartooth Highway (US 212) has to be the most dramatic and breath-taking route through Yellowstone. An exhilarating and enchanting journey winding through the Absaroka-Beartooth Wilderness along the Montana and Wyoming border, crossing through the Gallatin, Custer and Shoshone National Forests.

Yellowstone National Park can get very crowded during peak season (June, July, and August). The best months to visit Yellowstone are April, September, and October. These “off season” months provide more chances to catch a glimpse of the local wildlife and enjoy thinner crowds.

You could easily take two weeks to explore Yellowstone (and you might want to after you spend a day here). To truly experience the best aspects of the park, you'll want to plan at least three days. But if you only have one day to spend in the park, you want to get the most out of your time here.

Summer is by far the busiest time of year in Yellowstone.

If you're somewhere between, I recommend visiting in the shoulder months. May to early June and September to early October offer mild weather, access to park services and amenities, and avoid the heaviest crowds found in July and August.

Yellowstone's first-come, first-served campgrounds include the 75-site Indian Creek open early June through mid-September. It accommodates RVs up to 35 feet. Accommodating RVs up to 25 feet, Lewis Lake has 85 sites on the south side of Lewis Lake and is open mid-June to early November.

Yellowstone's Advance Reservation Window

The reservation booking window accepts reservations for stays up to 13 months in advance*. Specifically, on the 5^th of each month, we'll begin accepting reservations for the same entire month of the following year.

Do you need reservations for Yellowstone campground? ›

Yellowstone does NOT require a timed reservation ticket in advance to enter the park. However, reservations are required for most campsites, all hotels, and some restaurants in the park! And although you don't need a timed entrance reservation for Yellowstone, you will still need to purchase a park pass for entry.

Camper Report gives a great At-a-Glance summary of the most popular RV lengths as follows: Class A: about 33 feet long. Class B: about 20 feet long. Class C: about 28 feet long.

Generally, Class A motorhomes run from around 25 feet in length all the way up to nearly 45 feet. Larger families and retired couples might need the living space of a 40-foot rig that provides more of the cozy comforts of home.

Approximately 98% of national park campgrounds can accommodate RVs up to 19 feet long. You still have a good selection if your RV is smaller than 25 feet more than 90% of parks permit that length. The number of available campsites drops if your RV is 29 to 32 feet long since about 80% of parks will let you in.

Yes, boondocking is allowed in Yellowstone National Park. However, boondocking is limited to just tent camping only, and only in specific areas of the park. Yellowstone also requires campers to obtain permits. These boondocking permits require advance reservations.

In general, anything up to 35 feet is ideal, but there are exceptions. For example, Banff National Park campgrounds limit RV length to 50 feet, while it's 25 feet in Death Valley National Park.

The largest RV you can purchase are Class A motorhomes that top out around 45 feet in length. Many states have statutes that limit the maximum length to 45' or less, along with speed limitations. RV owners should always check with their state to ensure their purchase is compliant.

Where can I get a shower in Yellowstone? There are three campgrounds in the park that have showers. If you are staying at these places, you get 2 free showers per day. Anything beyond that and you need to pay.

Advance Reservations

On May 5, 2023, guests will be able to make reservations for May 1 through May 31, 2024, and so on. On the 5^th of each month guests will be able to reserve the applicable future periods online beginning at midnight (12:00 a.m.) Mountain time or over the phone beginning at 7:00 a.m.

How long does it take to drive all around Yellowstone? ›

Simply driving the entire distance, whether going clockwise or counter, could take four to seven hours. And even if the speed limit is 45 mph, you'll want to take your sweet time, especially around the winding turns, epic scenery and stopped traffic due to wildlife in or near the road.

Grand Teton National Park is known for its stunning peaks and its wildlife, but it's also a perfect destination for an RV trip. Just south of iconic Yellowstone National Park, it's a destination on its own or is a great stop on a road trip through Wyoming.

Yellowstone Entrance Pass - Single Vehicle (Private): $35

Vehicles must be private, non-commercial, and with a seating capacity of 15 or less.

Can I sleep in my car in Yellowstone? No, but paid campsites will allow you to sleep in your car if you insist. Yellowstone does not allow overnight parking in attraction parking lots, trailheads, or on the roadside. Only visitors who have reserved rooms one of the many lodging options can park their cars overnight.

Thanks to lax rules on public drinking in Montana, Wyoming, and Idaho—the three states that Yellowstone straddles—drinking (within reason) is allowed in most places in Yellowstone National Park. But deciding what to drink can be tricky.

Yellowstone has the following lodging facilities inside the park: Canyon Lodge and Cabins. Grant Village. Lake Lodge Cabins.

Cell Phone Service

Cell towers at Mammoth Hot Springs, West Yellowstone, Old Faithful, Grant Village, Lake Village, and Mount Washburn provide service to most developed areas (Old Faithful, Canyon Village, Lake Village, Mammoth Hot Springs, Grant Village) and to the North and West entrances.

Yellowstone Park Service Stations has seven locations in the Park with over 80 seasonal employees. Yellowstone Park Service Stations, Inc. (YPSS) operates seven convenience store/fuel facilities, four automotive repair shops and a central office/warehouse in Yellowstone National Park.

Due to its central location, nearby rivers, and long season (typically from early May to mid-October), Madison Campground is one of Yellowstone's most popular reservable campgrounds. Situated at an elevation of 6,800 feet, it's located around 16 miles north of Old Faithful and 14 miles east of West Yellowstone.

The best place to stay in Yellowstone National Park is Canyon Village. This area provides a convenient, central location to most of the park's top attractions. However, if you're only visiting Yellowstone for one day, consider staying in Old Faithful instead.

Is it better to stay inside Yellowstone or outside? ›

Staying inside Yellowstone is more convenient for sightseeing but hotel rooms are more expensive and highly sought after. Whereas staying outside Yellowstone is less convenient but hotels are cheaper and nearby towns have a better restaurant selection.

The northern part of the park, where the river flows through steep canyons, suffered the most damage as the Yellowstone River cut a new course.

How much will it cost to camp in Yellowstone? Campsites cost as little as at $20 per night, per site. Most campgrounds with more amenities such as flush toilets and nearby laundry facilities range from $30 to $40 per night.

The Upper Loop is the northern 142 mile/229 km long circular track and it's all about waterfalls, hot springs, and great viewpoints. The Lower Loop is slightly shorter at 96 miles/155 km and is home to the National Park system's most famous attraction, Old Faithful.

The best RV route from Cody to West Yellowstone will take you 3 hours and 40 minutes driving west, first on US-14 W, followed by a short ride south on US-89 S, and then following US-191 N before turning left on North Electric Street and arriving in West Yellowstone.

Fairy Falls Trail - Grand Prismatic Spring

The Grand Prismatic Spring looks like something from another planet. Of all the thermal features in Yellowstone, the Grand Prismatic is the most photographed, and it's frequently paired with any mention of the Park.

What is the closest town to Yellowstone National Park? The closest towns to Yellowstone are Gardiner, Montana which lies 3 minutes (0.7 mi) from Yellowstone's North Entrance. West Yellowstone is the next closest town and it is 4 minutes (0.9 mi) from Yellowstone's West Entrance.

If you're looking for the best city to fly into to visit Yellowstone, Bozeman, Montana, typically makes the most sense.

The Canyon Campground is a favorite due to its wooded setting and relatively central location within Yellowstone Park.

Ideally, you need at least three or four days to visit Yellowstone National Park. However, if you are short on time, you can get to the main highlights, even if you just have a day or two.

Where to park RV in Yellowstone park? ›

Yellowstone's Advance Reservation Window

The reservation booking window accepts reservations for stays up to 13 months in advance*.

The best months to visit Yellowstone are April, September, and October. These “off season” months provide more chances to catch a glimpse of the local wildlife and enjoy thinner crowds. Bears emerge from hibernation between March and April, migrating birds arrive just before May, and the elk rut begins mid-September.

If you want to stay in the park, you will need to plan up to 12 months in advance, especially if traveling in the summer. Yellowstone lodging options will vary depending on the season that you visit as not all areas of the park are accessible during the winter.

The best location to stay within the park is Canyon Village.

From here, it is a short drive Hayden Valley, Tower Falls, and Norris Geyser Basin. With a little more time, you can get to Lamar Valley, Old Faithful, and Grand Prismatic Spring. And Grand Canyon of the Yellowstone will be right on your doorstep.

The most popular and number one attraction in Yellowstone is the Upper Geyser Basin. Here you can see a large number of thermal features close to each other, including Old Faithful. It is home to the largest concentration of hot springs in the world and contains about a quarter of all geysers in the world.

How far is Jackson Hole from Yellowstone? Jackson Hole is about 57 miles from Yellowstone National Park's South Entrance. The route simply follows U.S. highway 89/191 through Grand Teton National Park, offering drivers scenic mountain views all along the way.

Even in peak summer season, it's possible to avoid crowds. The trick is to be either an early bird or late afternoon adventurer. Yellowstone is normally busiest from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m., and the stretch between Yellowstone's West Entrance to Old Faithful usually has the most traffic.