If seeing bison up-close is your goal, this park should be on your list! No need to drive many hours to find the herd, they are right there and all around. Note: Bison are wild, potentially dangerous animals, so never approach them. This park abounds in wildlife from prairie dogs to bison to prong horn to wild horses; you’ll see them all in a short drive around the loop road.

Located near the South Unit Visitor’s Center, this campground offers the usual suspects: picnic table, campfire ring, and the ubiquitous NPS comfort stations (flush toilets and sinks, no showers). But these sites offer something more unusual -- many of them are pull-through which is great for campers and trailers, and the vegetation gives a sense of privacy and shade to the site. The river runs close to the campground, and though well forested, there are views of the amazing grassland plain for which the area is famous. Hiking, horseback riding, cycling, and wildlife viewing is all right there.

Reservations are available through www.recreation.gov.