252 campgrounds · Check availability for any dates.
Campgrounds near West Yellowstone, Montana range from developed facilities to dispersed sites across national forest and park lands. The area serves as a gateway to Yellowstone National Park with numerous camping options within 30 minutes of the west entrance. Madison Campground inside Yellowstone National Park offers 278 sites for tents and RVs, while Bakers Hole Campground provides riverside camping just minutes from town. Several private campgrounds like Yellowstone Grizzly RV Park and Madison Arm Resort offer cabin accommodations alongside traditional camping, with most facilities operating from May through October.
Seasonal considerations heavily impact camping availability, with most campgrounds open from mid-May through September or early October. Winter conditions close many facilities, particularly at higher elevations. Reservations are strongly recommended during peak summer months when West Yellowstone experiences high visitor traffic. The region includes a mix of Forest Service, National Park, and private campgrounds with varying amenity levels and reservation requirements. Dispersed camping options exist on nearby public lands, including Targhee Creek which offers free primitive camping. "There is great boon docking outside of the organized campground area. At ~6,500 feet, the views of Lake Henry are amazing. There are 15-20 spots suitable for RVs of any length plus campsites," noted one visitor about dispersed options near Henry's Lake.
Proximity to Yellowstone National Park represents the primary draw for most campers, with many sites serving as convenient bases for park exploration. Campgrounds along Hebgen Lake and Henry's Lake provide water recreation opportunities alongside park access. Several campers mentioned the balance between accessibility and solitude as a key benefit. "Not too far from West Yellowstone entrance. A nice 4 loop campground next to a lake. Very well kept," reported one camper about Rainbow Point Campground. Developed campgrounds typically provide amenities like vault toilets, picnic tables, and fire rings, while some offer electric hookups and shower facilities. Cell service varies significantly by location, with stronger coverage in campgrounds closer to West Yellowstone and limited or no service in more remote areas.
"This campground is 14 miles from West Yellowstone-- or "West". Generally in the park you will double the mileage given for time of travel."
"We had a quiet stay, but with the size of this campground your odds of that one loud group or family being near will be quiet high."
"This campground is just minutes away from West Yellowstone and the west entrance to Yellowstone National Park. the camp was clean and well maintained."
"I traveled ~3 miles into West Yellowstone and for $30 dumped my tanks at the "Yellowstone Grizzly RV Park". 2. T-mobile coverage is poor. I typically had 1 bar, sometimes 2."
"West Yellowstone Grizzly campground is located close to the West Yellowstone entrance. It is an Rv Park, lodging, and cabins."
"It's expensive, but very close to the west yellowstone entrance and very clean. Kids are not often supervised by adults so be very careful when driving."
"About 15-20 minutes from the West Yellowstone entrance so it’s a good location, plus you’re not far from town."
"It is far enough outside of the town of West Yellowstone that you don't feel like you are that tourist trap, but close enough to get to Yellowstone easily. Always clean bathrooms and showers."
from $35 - $120 / night
Check Availability"Not too far from West Yellowstone entrance. A nice 4 loop campground next to a lake. Very well kept. We seen 2 beautiful deer come through our campsite."
"This campground is close to West Yellowstone and the west gate to Yellowstone NP. Cell service was strong. We had to dump in West Yellowstone when it was time to move on ($30 at Grizzly RV Park)."
from $26 - $35 / night
Check Availability"Second time we had a spot on the lake, great access to the beach and a couple trails for walking the dogs. The facilities were clean and the staff were very nice."
"This campground sits right on Hebgen Lake. It's near the town of West Yellowstone. You can drive to Yellowstone National Park from here. There are atv trails right next to the campground."
"Nothing particularly special, but it has large spread out spots, 30 minutes from west yellowstone gate and reliable t mobile service which is rare in this area."
"The spot is 12 miles from West Yellowstone entrance. Excellent Verizon service was a bonus that we don’t get at a lot of dispersed sites. Highly recommended!!"
"There is great boon docking outside of the organized campground area. Follow your GPS to 44°35'52"N x 111°25'18"W. At ~6,500 feet, the views of Lake Henry are amazing. "
"Our site was close to level and paved, 50amp,no sewer,shared water. Had some storms and high winds. Trash pick up daily at your site. There is a boat ramp and docks."
from $60 - $70 / night
Check Availability"Had a tent site next to the creek/pond. Very quiet at night. Check in was a breeze. Camp store appeared to be well stocked. Bathrooms were spotless, large and well appointed."
"The location of the campground is perfect. It is very close to West Yellowstone and the entrance into the park. You could hear the traffic on the highway but it wasn't too bad. "
"Gallatin National Forrest Campground on Hebgan Lake, South Fork Arm. Also has a boat launch to Lake."
"Great campsite near West Yellowstone for those who are interested in visiting the park. Campsites near the lake have fantastic views, and perfect trees for hammocks."
from $26 - $35 / night
Check Availability
ScoutEasily got a spot at 5pm on a Tuesday. Beautiful view. No bugs. Rainy off and on. Fire ring and one toilet near the boat launch. Not a lot of trails within walking distance. Kayaking though!
TravelerBeautiful site. Flat & Nice vault bathroom.
ScoutMid to late September, it was easy to find a spot. There’s enough space between sites to have decent privacy. Road was easily manageable for an SUV and the drive into the park was quick. Biggest recommendation for these sites is the night sky!
LegendWe are camping in Yellowstone for five days. We were at an RV park in Gardiner for two and are now in Grant Village campground. This is such a quiet area of Yellowstone compared to all others. The campground is very well run and has great showers and laundry rooms. There is enough to do on this side of the park for days!
ScoutCame on a weekday, only us and a cute little fox! Definitely shade and tree coverage. You will enter into a large open meadow with a fire pit. The road is accessible for practically any vehicle.
TravelerGreat campground only bad thing is before the bridge the road is nice gravel no issues for any vehicles after the bridge there’s some rocks and deep divots in the road my car is low and 2 wheel drive so just have to be smart and careful of how you drive
GuideLoved the first two days. The view is beautiful and it’s awesome to have a bathroom and bear boxes. The third night someone came and stole the hitch off my truck. I heard it but thought a bear was getting in the garbage can until the next day when I realized what happened. A Teton ranger came out and he was awesome and helpful. He said this area is like the Wild West but it was the first time he heard of a hitch being taken. I heard that people will do that expecting you to go get a new one and while your gone rob your trailer. It was a bummer but we saw bears, beavers and beautiful views while we stayed. So be safe and be careful.
GuideI went up Jardine Road to the coordinates. It brings you to the first designated camping spot and then you continue further and you'll see another pulloff on the left. If you keep going, you reach private properties and have to drive an additional 4-5 miles up the mountain to find random pull offs. Great views but a very narrow gravel road with some potholes.
LegendThis RV Park is right outside the north entrance to Yellowstone and is conveniently located in the town of Gardiner. We couldn’t get any reservations in the north part of the park so this was the next best thing. Sites are close, but the park is clean and well run.
The West Yellowstone area serves as a gateway to Yellowstone National Park at an elevation of approximately 6,600 feet. Many camping sites near West Yellowstone, Montana remain accessible from mid-May through September, with nighttime temperatures often dropping into the 30s even during summer months. The surrounding Gallatin National Forest provides numerous dispersed camping opportunities within 30 minutes of the park entrance.
Fishing access: Hebgen Lake offers excellent fishing opportunities within a short drive from West Yellowstone. At Lonesomehurst Campground, campers can fish directly from shore or launch boats from the campground. "The lake was peaceful for a single night stay and because we did not get to explore very much it just made us want to come back again someday!" notes one visitor.
Wildlife viewing: The Madison River confluence near Madison Campground provides excellent wildlife spotting opportunities. "There was a beautiful spot to watch wildlife at the intersection of Madison and Gibbons rivers which was directly behind the campground. Every night was a beautiful sunset and lots of wildlife to watch," reports Jennifer O.
Hiking trails: Many campgrounds connect to trail systems offering day hiking opportunities. "There are hiking trails nearby," mentions a camper at Lonesomehurst Campground, while another visitor to Targhee Creek notes, "There is a nice 13 mile trail nearby, we saw some wild strawberries!"
Clean facilities: Many campgrounds maintain exceptionally clean restrooms and showers. "This campground has the nicest restrooms and showers I have EVER seen for a campground. Clean, warm, and with great water pressure," remarks Brett S. about Henrys Lake State Park.
Direct water access: Lakefront camping sites rank high among visitor preferences. At Rainbow Point Campground, "There is a nearby short walk to a beach on a beautiful lake. It is quiet and tranquil," shares Lynn.
Proximity to Yellowstone: Most campers value quick access to Yellowstone's west entrance. "Only about a 20 min drive to the west entrance, well maintained road, easy to find. Would totally stay here again!" reports a visitor to Lonesomehurst Campground, highlighting its convenience despite limited availability.
Bear safety requirements: Bear activity is common throughout the region. "Rangers circle to make sure camps are clean and that campers are not leaving things out that attract wildlife. There is a bear box at every campsite in the tent only section," notes Zoey O. about Madison Campground.
Limited cell service: Connectivity varies significantly by location. At Rainbow Point, one camper reports, "T-Mobile home internet worked well here, as did our AT&T hotspot and Xfinity phones—strong coverage for all three providers, which was a huge plus for working remotely."
Weather preparedness: Temperature fluctuations can be extreme even in summer. "It hailed on us in late May and rained pretty consistently but the campground was great!" shares Taylor H. about camping near West Yellowstone.
Playground availability: Some private campgrounds offer dedicated play areas. Yellowstone Grizzly RV Park provides "a playground" according to reviews, though parents should note that "kids are not often supervised by adults so be very careful when driving."
Water recreation: Several campgrounds offer water activities that appeal to families. At Madison Arm Resort, "The boys enjoyed the kayak rentals," though Don R. mentions "it would have been nice if someone helped launch them and putting them away."
Bear box usage: Teaching children proper food storage is essential. "Bear boxes, fire pits and picnic tables at each spot," notes a camper at Targhee Creek, providing a practical way to secure food while teaching wildlife safety.
Site length accuracy: Verify actual site dimensions before booking. At Rainbow Point Campground, a camper with a large fifth wheel notes, "Site lengths are strictly enforced—there are concrete barriers at the back of each pad, so no overhang is possible. If we had a dually, our truck would not have fit in the site with us."
Road conditions: Access roads to some campgrounds can be challenging. "The road is very rough with many potholes," warns a Targhee Creek visitor, while another notes about Bakers Hole Campground, "Get here early afternoon!" for first-come, first-served sites.
Hookup options: Electric sites can be limited but are available at select campgrounds. "They have fresh water fill but no dump station. I would recommend trying to make a reservation it was busy but we got a first come first serve site," advises Salvy F. about Bakers Hole.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is there dispersed camping available near West Yellowstone?
Yes, several dispersed camping options exist near West Yellowstone. Henry's Lake BLM Dispersed offers free camping with basic vault toilets but no other amenities. The area has multiple pull-outs along a dirt road and tends to fill up by evening, even midweek. Red Canyon Road provides several primitive spots along the creek, offering a peaceful setting despite some seasonal bugs. For those willing to drive further, Snake River Dispersed in the Rockefeller Memorial Parkway area provides sites near the south entrance of Yellowstone. Additionally, boondocking opportunities exist outside Henrys Lake State Park - follow GPS to coordinates 44°35'52"N x 111°25'18"W for spectacular lake views at 6,500 feet elevation with 15-20 spots suitable for any size RV.
What RV camping options are available near West Yellowstone?
Henrys Lake State Park Campground offers paved, nearly level sites with 50-amp service and shared water hookups but no sewer connections. The park features beautiful views, daily trash pickup, boat ramps and docks, though no dump station. Valley View RV Park provides full-hookup sites but note that Wi-Fi can be unreliable. For RVers seeking electric hookups in a forest setting, Lonesomehurst Campground on Hebgan Lake offers electric sites with some shade and lake access. Flatrock Campground, about 30 minutes from the West Yellowstone gate, has both electric and non-electric sites available by reservation or first-come, first-served. For convenience to the park entrance, the Yellowstone Park / West Gate KOA Holiday and Yellowstone Park-Mountainside KOA provide full-service RV accommodations with amenities.
Are there affordable camping options in West Yellowstone?
Yes, budget-friendly camping options near West Yellowstone include Flatrock Campground, a small, quiet park with a mix of electric and non-electric sites at reasonable Forest Service rates. Cabin Creek Campground, 22 miles from West Yellowstone, offers 16 affordable sites in a mature forest. For the most economical option, dispersed camping areas like Red Canyon Road and Henry's Lake BLM provide free camping with minimal facilities. Beaver Creek Campground, about 30 minutes from West Yellowstone, offers a peaceful setting with bear boxes and clean vault toilets at standard Forest Service rates. While private RV parks near the west entrance command premium prices during peak season, venturing just 20-30 minutes away can significantly reduce camping costs while still providing convenient access to Yellowstone National Park.
Where are the best campgrounds near West Yellowstone?
Several excellent campgrounds surround West Yellowstone, with Bakers Hole Campground standing out for its prime location just minutes from the park's west entrance. Clean and well-maintained, it's perfect for Yellowstone visitors. For lakeside camping, Rainbow Point Campground offers four scenic loops with well-kept sites near a beautiful lake, where wildlife sightings are common. Other top options include Beaver Creek Campground (30 minutes away with mountain views), Cabin Creek Campground (22 miles from West Yellowstone in a mature pine forest), and Lonesomehurst Campground on Hebgan Lake with electric hookups and boat access. Most campgrounds in this area fill quickly during peak season, so reservations are recommended whenever possible.
Keep Exploring
