Jennifer C.
Scout
ScoutTaylor Fork Road Dispersed
Breathtaking views with a creek
Quiet, breathtaking view of the creek, mountains and forest. Absolutely gorgeous and peaceful place to camp. About 40 minutes to west Yellowstone entrance
Equestrian Camping near West Yellowstone, MT
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Sheffield Campground offers horse corrals in a prime location between Yellowstone and Grand Teton National Parks. The rustic campground features sites with fire rings, picnic tables, and bear boxes specifically designed to accommodate horse trailers and equestrian needs. Located near the Snake River, sites 11 and 12 provide the best access to horse facilities and trail connections. The campground's $10 per night fee provides access to the corral area, with plenty of firewood available throughout the grounds. While there are only about 10 sites available on a first-come, first-served basis, the horse-friendly camping spots are spacious enough for vehicles with horse trailers. The single vault toilet serves the small campground, where neighbors are generally respectful of camping boundaries.
Taylor Fork Road Dispersed Camping provides free dispersed camping with public-use wooden horse corrals approximately 40 minutes from Yellowstone's west entrance. The area features natural clearings suitable for parking horse trailers with uneven ground requiring levelers at some sites. Horse owners can access the adjacent creek for watering their animals, with grassy areas surrounding the campsites where horses can graze. The first of three sites on the initial loop offers the most seclusion and direct creek access. Sites lack amenities like drinking water, toilets, or trash service, so campers should pack accordingly. The camping area sits within a scenic landscape of wooded areas, wildflowers, and cliff views, providing a remote-feeling base camp for riders seeking quiet trail access while remaining relatively close to Yellowstone's attractions.
Best Equestrian Campgrounds near West Yellowstone (18)
1. Yellowstone Park-Mountainside KOA
"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. "
2. Bootjack Dispersed Camping
"Very close to West Yellowstone, about 25 minutes away. Close to Hwy 20. Lots of camping sites that are in the trees or out in the open. Dirt road has ruts, but many large rigs were camped here."
"What an awesome location! I was incredibly surprised to find so many great spots available when I arrived."
3. Pony Express Motel & RV Park
"While this is not a typical “campground “ experience, we enjoyed being in town and being able to walk to shops and restaurants. There is a lovely park with lots of green grass to walk your dog."
4. Big Springs Campground
"We went up with some friends and had gotten 2 sites next to each other. Our site was a good size area, and was next to walking trails, across from the bathroom, and close to the water spigot."
"After a random restaurant stop, a local recommended we go check out big springs campground, which is the headwaters of the snake river and not too far outside of Yellowstone. I am so glad we did!"
5. Headwaters Campground at Flagg Ranch — John D. Rockefeller, Jr., Memorial Parkway
"HeadWaters Rv campground is located in the perfect place right between Yellowstone and The Tetons. Perfect for exploring both Parks."
"Great spot on the outskirts of both Grand Teton and Yellowstone Parks. we stayed in a cabin which was very cozy and clean."
from $61 - $125 / night
Check Availability6. Taylor Fork Road Dispersed
"About 40 minutes to west Yellowstone entrance"
"There was a small corral for horses and plenty of room for a horse trailer and truck."
7. Mary Mountain Backcountry Patrol Cabin — Yellowstone National Park
"The trail is hard to follow in some areas. Starts out flat then you go up Mary Mountain where the cabin is located. The Mary mountain cabin is small but has enough bedding for up to 5 or 6 people."
8. Sheffield Campground
"A few have more trees and there are horse corrals and two secluded sites next to them. We stayed in #3, one of the more treed sites with plenty of room for our tent, and loved it!"
"The camp host was so kind, we stayed in site #11 which is near the creek and by horses the trail riding place occasionally keeps there. My daughter loved petting the horses."
from $13 / night
Check Availability9. Warm River on Forest Road 150
"No designated metal fire pits, but there are rocky set ups all around about 5 to 6 campsites that I noticed. Bear boxes are provided throughout. The creek runs right through the campground."
10. Wapiti Cabin
from $65 / night
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Drive Time
- 1 hr 35 min from Bozeman, MT
- 1 hr 38 min from Idaho Falls, ID
- 2 hrs 21 min from Pocatello, ID
- 2 hrs 44 min from Helena, MT
Recent Equestrian Camping Photos near West Yellowstone, MT
5 Photos of 18 West Yellowstone Campgrounds
Equestrian Camping Reviews near West Yellowstone, MT
147 Reviews of 18 West Yellowstone Campgrounds
Sotnos B.
GuideYellowstone Park-Mountainside KOA
Outstanding
Very large KOA. 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. Showers are not on a timer. Note there are 2 KOAs in West Yellowstone. They're only a couple of minutes apart but your navigation may lead you to the wrong one. "Mountainside" is the one you're looking for.
This campground is about 10-15 minutes from the west entrance of the national park. Once you enter the park you still have a ways to travel before you reach the junction for the ring road. So it's better to stay at a campsite in the park if you want to maximize your time for sightseeing. The KOA could be used as a home base for visiting the national park but it will entail a lot of driving. This campground is best as an overnight before entering the park, or as a base to explore the town of West Yellowstone and it's attractions, or to partake of the countless activities in the Targhee National forest.
Diane K.ScoutBootjack Dispersed Camping
Free camping close to West Yellowstone
Very close to West Yellowstone, about 25 minutes away. Close to Hwy 20. Lots of camping sites that are in the trees or out in the open. Dirt road has ruts, but many large rigs were camped here.
- Kelly A.
TravelerYellowstone Park-Mountainside KOA
Great amenities!
Just outside the west entrance of Yellowstone, the campsite was pretty awesome with the walk in reservation we made. We wanted to snag a campsite inside the park but it was full. We came across a few tent sites just around West Yellowstone, with rain in the forecast and a long tiring drive, we drove past KOA and made a quick u-turn. They had tent availability, free showers and laundry facilities that we desperately needed.
The site itself was close to restrooms and was a small but cute layout, however, the dirt was too soft for gusty winds, we were right under a street lamp and we were so close to the entrance that we could hear all conversations and cars that drove in and out of the park.
The showers and restrooms were nice and clean. A little pricy for what we would usually pay for a no hookup tent site but at the end it gave us exactly what we needed.
Kimberly M.GuideYellowstone Park-Mountainside KOA
Great location
As far as KOA campgrounds go, this one was nice. The sites were close which was no surprise but we didn't spend much time at our site anyway. There are some RV sites along the creek side that have a lot more space and they also have nice swing benches. The store is well stocked and the staff is very friendly and helpful. The showers are private and clean and plenty of hot water. I didn't use the laundry machines but they look clean and updated. 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. The campground was quiet at night. I would stay here again.
- mmichelle S.Guide
Bootjack Dispersed Camping
Absolutely Incredible Dispersed Camping!
Pros: Easy RV access, stunning views, great cell/satellite reception, stone fire pits.
Cons: None—just remember to pack out what you pack in!
What an awesome location! I was incredibly surprised to find so many great spots available when I arrived. Rig access is a breeze; there is a perfect, undesignated staging area right as you turn off Highway 20 near the mailboxes, which is great for unhooking or scouting ahead.
Only 20 minutes to West Yellowstone entrance!!
I tow a 35-foot fifth wheel and had absolutely no trouble navigating. I happened to score an amazing location directly off the main dirt road. My setup was perfect: a grove of beautiful aspen trees right behind me and panoramic mountain views right out the front windshield. The spot even came complete with a well-built stone fire pit.
Because I chose a clearing with plenty of exposure to the sun, my Starlink worked wonderfully with zero obstructions.
Justin P.
LegendYellowstone Park-Mountainside KOA
Good facilities but not geared to tent camping
This review is specific to tent camping which I don’t think is the focus of KOA locations.
For the good, the facilities we super clean and there were personal shower/bathroom rooms for use. The shower was great after a week of car camping.
The camp store had the basic and was convenient.
The location was very close to West Yellowstone and the west part of the park.
However, the tent camping left something to be desired. Our loop was around the back of the campground, with the basics of a fire ring and picnic table, it there was no tent pad and the ground was generally pretty sloped.
The tent sites overall were sort of fit into extra spaces and had little privacy.
- Dexter I.Legend
WF1 Backcountry Campsite — Yellowstone National Park
Camp in a meadow of Wildflowers
Yellowstone National Parks back country campsite WF1 sits on the edge of a large meadow of wildflowers with amazing views of the mountains to the west. Campsite WF1 is the first back country site along Black Butte Trail in the North West corner of the park. It is about a 2.2 mile hike to the campsite from the trail head. Campsite WF1 is open to backpackers and stock animals, however I could see no evidence of any stock animals using this site recently. The site has a large rock fire ring in the cooking area with logs sitting around it to sit on. An arrow on a tree with the site number points to the sites toilet just up hill in the trees. Don't get to excited about the toilet, think of an outhouse with out any walls, and the hole in the ground is not very deep, but a back country site with a seat to sit on is a rare treat. Just on the other side of the large trees at the cooking area is a meadow full of wildflowers, the meadow slopes downhill making a flat area in the field for your tent hard to find, but you can find spots at the edge of the field just in the trees with flat spots for your tent. Water is no problem at this site, the creek is just next to the cooking area, best spot to filter the water is right where you cross to enter the campsite.
Black Butte Trail head(WK2) is located on U.S. Hwy 191. The trail head is easy to miss, the sign for the tail is on the east side of the Highway where the trail starts, the parking area is just south of the sign on the west side of the highway. You will need to obtain a back country permit to stay at WF1. The closest place to obtain a permit is at the visitor center in West Yellowstone. The cost is$3 per person with a maximum of$15 for the night. Site is limited to one group of ten.
- CCraig L.Guide
Yellowstone Park-Mountainside KOA
Strong like . . .
My daughter(5) and I are tenters. We love the KOA campsites for their amenities and generally above primitive camping features. This KOA at Mountainside does not have a lot of Kids stuff to do like a lot of other places. Of course all my reviews will hold the buildings KOA as the standard bear for camping with kids. But getting back to Mountainside, it only has a playground, but the staff is really really good. We were in tent site number one which they said was unlevel, but it was fine. It backed right up to the stream that gave an incredible calming sound all night long. There were two fire pits and electrical. It is spread out, lots of tent spaces, the bathroom facilities were excellent. 
 The store was well stocked, and not overly priced. They have a pizza place that I have heard was excellent, but we did not try it.
I continue to be impressed with the KOA experience (with the exception of the West Yellowstone KOA). 
Guide to West Yellowstone
Horse campgrounds near West Yellowstone, Montana offer convenient access to both Grand Teton and Yellowstone National Parks. These equestrian camping areas sit at elevations between 6,500-7,500 feet, contributing to cool nighttime temperatures even during summer months. Many horseback riders prefer sites along Taylor Fork Road where wooden corrals are available for public use, though summer weekends typically fill quickly.
What to do
Trail riding from camp: At Bootjack Dispersed Camping, riders access nearby trails without trailering horses. "Great location. Close to yellowstone. Cattle range, but quiet. Lots of free spots for big and small rigs," notes Hardy's R.
Wildlife viewing opportunities: Many equestrian campers report dawn and dusk wildlife sightings. "We had a moose every morning walk thru," writes Greg R. about his stay at Bootjack Dispersed Camping, where riders often spot elk, deer and occasional predators.
Fishing access: Horse-friendly sites offer creek access for both horses and anglers. "The area is wooded with green grass and wildflowers everywhere... with easy access to the creek and a huge cliff on the other side," reports a camper at Taylor Fork Road Dispersed.
What campers like
Natural water sources: Equestrian campers appreciate creek access for watering horses. "Quiet, breathtaking view of the creek, mountains and forest. Absolutely gorgeous and peaceful place to camp. About 40 minutes to west Yellowstone entrance," writes Jennifer C. about Taylor Fork Road Dispersed.
Public horse facilities: The corrals at Sheffield Campground receive consistent praise. "If you have horses, definitely go for site 11 or 12," recommends Meghan D., who notes these sites offer the best access to the horse facilities.
Spacious sites for trailers: Horse-friendly sites typically accommodate larger rigs. "Perfect campground if you plan on visiting both parks. It's quiet, bug free and located close to a creek so you can soak your sore feet after a long days hike," writes Evan W. about Sheffield Campground.
What you should know
Bear safety protocols: All equestrian camping areas require strict food management. "Each site has a firepit and picnic table. Some sites have bear boxes," notes Meghan D. at Sheffield Campground, adding that firewood is plentiful throughout the area.
Limited amenities: Most horse camps lack running water and shower facilities. At Yellowstone Park-Mountainside KOA, however, "Free showers and laundry facilities that we desperately needed" are available according to Kelly A., making it a good option for resupply days.
Weather fluctuations: Summer campers should prepare for dramatic temperature changes. "It did rain the night we were there and we woke up to 34 degrees. That was shockingly cold for us Arizonans in August," warns Joshua M. about Taylor Fork Road Dispersed.
Tips for camping with families
Free camping options: Budget-conscious families appreciate no-fee sites. "Free in May!" reports Emma C. about Sheffield Campground, noting that "the bathroom was unlocked! The sign said no fee was needed since it was out of season."
Frequently Asked Questions
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campsite near West Yellowstone, MT?
Which is the most popular equestrian campsite near West Yellowstone, MT?
According to TheDyrt.com, the most popular equestrian campground near West Yellowstone, MT is Yellowstone Park-Mountainside KOA with a 4.4-star rating from 21 reviews.
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equestrian camping near
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What is the best site to find equestrian camping near West Yellowstone, MT?
TheDyrt.com has all 18 equestrian camping locations near West Yellowstone, MT, with real photos and reviews from campers.
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