Camping near Yellowstone National Park
Yellowstone National Park features a variety of established campgrounds within park boundaries, including Canyon Campground, Madison Campground, and Mammoth Campground, alongside several backcountry options. The park's accommodation types range from tent-only sites to RV-compatible campgrounds and a limited number of cabin facilities. Canyon Campground offers centrally-located sites with flush toilets, bear boxes, and shower facilities, while Fishing Bridge RV Park provides full hookups specifically for recreational vehicles. Campgrounds within the park operate on a mixture of reservation and first-come, first-served systems, with most requiring advance booking during peak season.
Seasonal operation significantly impacts camping availability, as most Yellowstone campgrounds are open only from May through September or October. Madison Campground typically opens earliest in May and closes in mid-October, while Mammoth Campground is the only year-round option within park boundaries. Each campground enforces strict food storage regulations due to bear activity, requiring all food and scented items to be secured in provided bear boxes or vehicle storage. Water, firewood availability, and generator restrictions vary between locations. The surrounding national forest lands offer dispersed camping options with fewer amenities but greater flexibility. As one visitor noted, "Yellowstone is an enormously vast park. Exploring the many valleys, geysers, and sights can mean hours of driving."
Campground proximity to major attractions influences visitor preferences, with Canyon Campground particularly valued for its central location near the Grand Canyon of Yellowstone. Several reviewers mentioned Canyon's accessibility to major park features makes it an ideal base for exploration. Backcountry sites require permits and offer solitude away from developed areas, with Ice Lake and Grebe Lake sites receiving positive feedback for their scenery and wildlife viewing opportunities. Most established campgrounds provide basic amenities including drinking water and toilets, though shower facilities are limited to certain locations. During peak summer months, campgrounds within the park frequently reach capacity early in the day, especially on weekends and holidays. A camper commented that Canyon Campground is "the perfect place from where to visit the Grand Canyon of the Yellowstone but it could also be used as your base to visit all or most of Yellowstone."












