4R1 Yellowstone National Park Backcountry offers a camping experience surrounded by forested areas and geothermal features. Temperatures can range from lows of 30°F in spring and fall to highs of 80°F in summer. Nearby attractions include the Grand Prismatic Spring and Old Faithful, providing opportunities for exploration and sightseeing.

4R1 Yellowstone National Park Backcountry — Yellowstone National Park

There’s no better way to experience the natural beauty of Wyoming than camping in Yellowstone National Park. When you park your RV or set up your tent in a Yellowstone campground, you’re becoming a part of a history that dates back 150 years! When Yellowstone was established, it became the first national park in the United States (and the world).

While you’re in Yellowstone, you have access to some of the best hikes in Wyoming. Yellowstone spans three states: Wyoming, Montana, and Idaho and is a beautiful stopping point on the road to Glacier National Park or Craters of the Moon National Preserve. 

Whatever you do, reserve a campsite ahead of time as they can go fast. If you can’t get a campsite in the park, some of the best camping near Yellowstone National Park is located just nearby in the town of West Yellowstone, WY.


Yellowstone National Park

Yellowstone National Park is the perfect place for adventurous campers and RVers. Yellowstone National Park is a great camping destination for everyone. There are tons of nearby hikes, adventurous activities, and sights to see. Find the best campgrounds near Yellowstone National Park, WY. Read reviews from campers like you and find your perfect campsite.

The Best Camping Near Yellowstone National Park, Wyoming

Yellowstone NP back country campsite 4R1 is a nicely shaded wooded campsite located close to Ribbon Lake's lake shore which makes for easy water access. The site has plenty of flat locations to place your tent. The eating/food storage area is besides the lake and is quiet large an has a fairly large fire ring at the site. Fires are allowed at this back country site, but be make sure there are no fire restrictions in place before starting one. As with all back country sites this is trash-in, trash-out, filter your water, make your own place to do your business and if you make a fire be sure it is dead out. To get to the campsite you have three trail heads to choose from. The shortest will be from Artist Point(4KB) trail head, from here it is a short 2.1 mile hike. The next is from Clear Lake(4N2) trail head, from here it is a 2.7 mile hike. The third choice is Wapiti Lake(4K7) trail head, from here it is either a 3 mile or 4 mile hike depending on the route you choose. I would recommend getting the most out of your back country experience and take the longer route out of Wapiti Lake trail head. We made out trip a loop hike, starting at Wapiti Lake Trail Head and did the Wapiti Lake/Clear Lake-Ribbon Lake loop. This loop has you hiking counter clockwise. Starting at Wapiti Lake Trail Head hike.5 miles to the first trail junction, take the trail to the right(Wapiti Lake Trail). After.4 more miles stay to the left continuing on Wapiti Lake Trail. At the 3 mile mark you will leave Wapiti Lake trail turning left on to Wapiti Cut-off trail. After another.9 miles you will reach the junction for Ribbon lake and the campsites. Turn right and continue for about.1 miles to the junction for campsite 4R1. You will see a sign for Cord Cascade at this last junction before the campsite, but this 1,000 foot waterfall can only be seen from the opposite side of the canyon. The campsite area is just a few feet past the sign. For your return trip take the Clear Lake-Ribbon Lake trail all the way back to Wapiti Lake Trail head. This loop will take you through about every ecosystem in the park, from open grass fields, pine forest, lakes, wetlands, and thermal features.

Beautiful back country site on west end of Ribbon Lake

Rough hike, but worth it for incredible scenery.  About a 2 mile hike to camp with a large elevation change.  Sleep on Ribbon lake. Fire ring and bear hangers there. Very secluded. 

Photos of 4R1 Yellowstone National Park Backcountry — Yellowstone National Park

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