National parks are some of the most beautiful natural areas in the country. So it makes sense that people want to camp in and around them. If you’re looking for an experience that puts you close to wildlife, geothermal activity, and scenic mountains, you’re probably looking for campgrounds near Yellowstone!
Most everyone runs off to see Old Faithful right away. It is okay, but our favorites by far were the Lamar Valley drive where we saw thousands of Bison all over the place. Really enjoyed Mammoth Hot Springs one day. Two Grizzly sightings north of Fishing Bridge in Hayden Valley, one with a cub in tow. Canyon Village has a great Visitor Information Center. I believe the most amazing view and photo opportunities was without a doubt, at the Grand Canyon of the Yellowstone near Canyon Village. Take a short walk on both the South and North sides. Paved trails and amazing views. — Don Sikkema
This park covers large portions of Wyoming and Montana so there are plenty of options when you’re browsing for a campground. Some people want an upscale resort experience, while others prefer rugged and secluded campgrounds. No matter what you’re looking for, you should find it somewhere in the list below.
We’ve compiled information about 5 stellar campgrounds near Yellowstone, each with their own unique features. They also gained our attention thanks to the great reviews they received from campers. After all, the guests are the ones who know best here! Each campground below has received enough rave reviews to put themselves on the map. And hopefully, you’ll be able to visit them and see their positive qualities for yourself.
- Location: 210 Electric Street, West Yellowstone, Montana
- Number of Sites: 241 sites
- RV LIFE Campgrounds Rating: 9.4/10
We’re starting things strong with one of the best-reviewed campgrounds near Yellowstone. Grizzly RV Park is closer to a resort than anything else. The park itself is large and packed with amenities, but it’s also surrounded by businesses that specialize in dining, education, and entertainment. If you’re looking for a one-stop shop for all your campground needs, this is the place to go!
A range of hookup options are offered at this campground. Many RV sites have full hookups, but there are also smaller sites that only have electric hookups (or sometimes nothing at all). But even if you book a primitive campsite, you’ll still have access to all the park amenities that are designed to keep you comfortable throughout your entire visit.
We drove back into the park at 7 pm, which avoided crowds and also provided many wildlife viewing opportunities. We drove to Old Faithful and had front row seats. Spectacular! The visitor center closes at 8 pm so we walked around along the boardwalk. On our drive out we witnessed a gorgeous sunset and more wildlife. Being so close to the park made it easier to come and go at non peak times. — Carla T
All guests can take advantage of the bathhouses/restroom facilities scattered around the park. Many of these come with their own laundry rooms as well, although the main hub for laundry is located in the main building. Additional amenities at the Yellowstone Grizzly RV Park include an on-site convenience store, a gift shop, a conference room, a beautiful pavilion with plenty of interior and exterior seating, and a playground that’s fit for all ages.
And if you want to explore beyond the boundaries of the park, there are lots of places to eat and shop within walking distance. Take a stroll over to Pete’s Rocky Mountain Pizza or Timberline Cafe for a bite to eat. To learn more about Yellowstone itself, head around the corner to visit the Wolf & Grizzly Discovery Center.
- Location: 22 Fishing Bridge RV Park Rd, Yellowstone National Park, Wyoming
- Number of Sites: 325 sites
- RV LIFE Campgrounds Rating: 8.7/10
Fishing Bridge RV Park was already one of the best-rated campgrounds near Yellowstone, but it has recently undergone a massive renovation that’s sure to make it better than ever! These changes included larger sites, a new dump station, and more showers and laundry machines for guests to enjoy. So even if you’ve visited this park in the past, you might want to come again and see everything that has changed around here.
The location of this park is also incredible. It’s perched on the shore of the massive Yellowstone Lake, which is a prime destination for anyone who loves kayaking, canoeing, and swimming. It is quite chilly though, so don’t stay in the water for too long!
This park also has the distinction of being one of the largest campgrounds in the area. There are hundreds of sites available for booking, so you’ve got a good chance of finding a spot. There are also plenty of amenities spread out around the campground so there’s enough to go around for every guest.
We checked out a day earlier than our reservation as we felt 5 nights was plenty enough for us to explore. The BIG perk to that is you just drop your tag in the exit box and you don’t get charged for unused nights! — bstanton1010
Full hookups are available at the Fishing Bridge RV Park and many of the sites are also paved with level cement parking spaces and patios. Additional amenities here include access to a nearby general store, ranger programs, interdenominational church services, an amphitheater, and the Fishing Bridge Visitor Center & Museum.
- Location: 101 S Canyon St, West Yellowstone, Montana
- Number of Sites: 25 sites
- RV LIFE Campgrounds Rating: 8.9/10
Next up, we’ve got a smaller campground to explore. It’s fairly new to the scene, only opening its doors a couple of years ago. But it has already gained a reputation as one of the best campgrounds near Yellowstone! This cozy spot is located right next to the Yellowstone National Park west entrance, so it’s the perfect spot for anyone who wants to walk or bike into the park.
In fact, it’s also right around the corner from another park we talked about earlier (Grizzly RV Park). So if one camp isn’t really doing it for you, there’s another option close by. Every site here comes with full hookups for water, sewage, and electricity and you can choose between a back-in or pull-through site.
To keep guests comfortable, the park has modern bathrooms, showers, and laundry facilities within easy reach. And to go above and beyond, the Buffalo Crossing RV Park even provides care packages to each guest when they arrive! Every visitor can stop by the office to collect a $20 gift card to the Yellowstone Trading Post, a pair of tokens that can be exchanged for soft-serve ice cream, and a small themed bottle of hand sanitizer (always handy for travelers!)
There’s even a massive IMAX theater located on the property. Here, you can watch an immersive presentation all about Yellowstone, or catch current blockbuster films as well. And if you need to pick up any campground essentials, gifts, or groceries, the Yellowstone Trading Post is right at your doorstep as well.
- Location: 30 Madison Campground Road, Yellowstone National Park, Wyoming
- Number of Sites: 278 sites
- RV LIFE Campgrounds Rating: 8.6/10
If you want a park that will bring you back to the basics, then the Madison Campground is a great option. The sites are RV-sized, but you’ll be taken back to the days of tent camping and campfire cooking when you stay here. There are no hookups and no internet service, yet the Madison Campground has managed to stand out as one of the best campgrounds near Yellowstone!
Despite the focus on traditional camping, there are still a few modern conveniences offered here. 14 bathrooms are located throughout the park for guest use and all of them have flush toilets and sinks with running water. Dish washing stations are also at most of the bathrooms so you don’t need to drain your RV water tanks to wash up after your meals.
Picnic tables and fire pits with grates are located at each campsite. So this is a great place to try those campfire meals you’ve been eyeing! But one of the best things about this RV park is its location. It’s on the banks of the Madison River, which is bordered by mountains on one side and thick pine forest on the other. It’s a scenic location that’s a perfect place to unwind and take in the natural beauty of Yellowstone.
Fishing licenses are available for purchase within the campground as well, so you can enjoy the river to its fullest. You’re also just 14 miles away from Yellowstone highlights like Old Faithful. For those who want an old-fashioned camping experience, Madison Campground is the place to go.
- Location: 121 US Highway 89 S, Gardiner, Montana
- Number of Sites: 46 sites
- RV LIFE Campgrounds Rating: 8.4/10
Finally, we’ve got one more park to highlight. Yellowstone RV Park is located right outside the North entrance to Yellowstone, so it’s a great place to camp out if you want to explore the park from this angle. It also stands out because it’s the only campground in the area with riverfront RV sites.
This is a fairly small campground as well. This is ideal for those who are tired of the crowds all around Yellowstone and need a break from the hustle and bustle. Here, many of the sites will give you a clear view of the river and there are also a handful of tent sites on the water as well. Rolling hills surround the campground, providing a beautiful backdrop for sunrises and sunsets.
Better yet, all of the RV sites here come with full hookups so you don’t need to worry about getting stuck in a dry site if you weren’t prepared. Two well-maintained bathrooms are also located on-site with showers and laundry machines available as well. There’s even Wi-Fi and cable TV here, which makes it stand out from many other campgrounds near Yellowstone.
And in addition to everything Yellowstone has to offer, you can also explore the nearby town of Gardiner. It has its own rodeo arena, the Yellowstone Heritage and Research Center, grocery/convenience stores, and a handful of local restaurants to keep you fueled up for your adventures.
Looking for more RV parks near Yellowstone?
So as you can see, there are plenty to wonderful places to camp around Yellowstone! Feel free to share your own campground recommendations below, or visit RV LIFE Campgrounds to review your favorite spots.
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