Are you planning a dispersed camping trip to Yellowstone National Park? We've got you covered. With The Dyrt, it's easy to find peaceful dispersed camping near Yellowstone National Park. You're sure to find the perfect dispersed campsite for your Wyoming camping adventure.
$3 - $15 / night
$3 / night
$3 - $15 / night
The Gardiner district covers the southeast part of Custer Gallatin National Forest, bordering Yellowstone National Park. Both Gardiner, MT and Cooke City, MT are within the Gardiner district.
Many people enjoy the solitude and primitive experience of camping away from developed campgrounds and other campers. Dispersed camping is the term used for camping in the National Forest OUTSIDE of a designated campground. It also means no services (such as trash removal), and little or no facilities (such as tables, fire pits or toilets) are provided.
Beyond the developed areas, Yellowstone offers a diverse, mountainous landscape that invites exploration by foot, pack stock, and boat. Hundreds of miles of trails and over 300 designated backcountry campsites facilitate travel throughout the park, and permits are required for all overnight stays.
$3 - $15 / night
$3 / night
Guide
Free dispersed camping location about 45 minutes from the west entrance of Yellowstone National Park. Open camping area to set up.
Guide
We drove back 10 miles but pretty sure it went back another 10-15. Great dispersed camping. Roads were well maintained. Drove the pickup back in for tent camping this August. Would recommend for a close spot by Yellowstone National Park.
Scout
Perfect free camping spot. 4 official sites although more could fit if needed
Traveler
I highly recommend staying here if you’re around Yellowstone National Park. I’ve been on a 2 month road trip around the West and this has been one of my favorite dispersed camping sites. I planned on just crashing here for a night but ended up staying for a couple days because of how beautiful this spot is. If you go, drive all the way down the gravel road and there is a nice place for people to camp out right at the level of the lake. It’s clean and a good place for families to camp out!
ScoutGreat spot for camping if you get there early and you don’t mind people driving by looking for spots at any hour. This area should not be advertised as dispersed camping, strict site camping with signs everywhere. We had to drive an hour+ up the road, requiring 4x4, to get to National Forest and legally camp. We slept in our car, uncomfortable with how much human traffic there was and the possibility of bears in camp. Make sure to properly store food, there are only site specific bear boxes after camp 1.
That being said, it was a beautiful drive out in the morning and was a convenient location between Yellowstone and Grand Teton.
Traveler
This site does not exist. You can find the correct coordinates if you look at the other dispersed camping spot right beside this pin (see photo)
Legend
We arrived to the Yellowstone area in the evening, and since we had been traveling around the U.S. for almost a year, we were well-versed in finding alternative camping options near national parks.
Instead of camping somewhere in the park, we decided to drive through Gallatin National Forest, to the north of the park, until we found a good place to camp. We found a perfect overlook where we pitched our tent and watched the most gorgeous sunset. The best part? No people around for miles and miles.
Dispersed camping in the U.S. Forest Service land is almost always a win: the sites are free and remote; there are usually plenty of available spots; and you get a very unique camping experience. Just remember to look up regulations for the specific area you’re looking at, and don’t forget the toilet paper!
In Yellowstone, we worked our way from north to south, hitting the highlights. Many of the hiking trails were closed due to bear activity, so we stuck mostly to the close sights: driving through Lamar Valley, viewing Old Faithful & many other geysers, seeing Grand Canyon of the Yellowstone, and spotting wildlife everywhere we went.
You can read much more about our five days in the park on our blog: Switchback Kids (Yellowstone)
Scout
Great dispersed camp area . Rugged 2 track with established ( flat clearing with rock fire ring) camp spots on both sides. We camped at the very end of the track, about 2 miles in, on the edge of a beautiful rushing stream. Site was level and had a bear box , very peaceful. Other sites were occupied on the way in, area was clean ( no trash) and there was a large group area and trail head just before the end. Area is about 9 miles from the West Yellowstone Park gate. No facilities/ dispersed, so be prepared to pack in/ pack out.
RangerThis Forest Service road provides tons of neat pull offs and campsites! The view up the road is DROP DEAD GORGEOUS... you can see Mammoth Hot Springs in the distance! The road is pretty well maintained and windy. A lot of the pull offs have a fire ring pretty close to the road. No bathrooms or amenities. But this space is worth it. All free, gorgeous camping just outside of Gardiner and Yellowstone National Park!
Traveler
This was hands-down one of the best campsite areas I ever found. National forest so it was open and free to whoever. Several spots just off Beartooth highway from Joseph Highway west to the Montana boarder. Most turnoffs have places for three or four different groups to camp. Some with bear boxes and some without. Most are only a rocks throw from water. Crazy creek is a waterfall area across from crazy Creek Campground. Very worth the short hike. Yellowstone is only 10 or 15 miles to the west and the town of Cook City is there if you need any basic supplies.
GuideFree Camping alongside the road overlooking Yellowstone and Mammoth Spring. After a few miles on this road, the no camping signs stop and it is free game! We scored a nice overlook and enjoyed the view. Way better than a campground on a busy summer day.
GuideRoad is a bit rough, but a few sites available for dispersed camping
Traveler
I got there early afternoon and every spot along the lake that I could see was available for both campers and tents. Gorgeous lake and Mountain Views, lots of birds! Also has a ramp to put in your boat, kayak, etc. I would recommend and visit again. The entire road in has National forest campsites as well if you want to go in the trees. Saw a few moose, elk, and antelope while camping.
Guide
I camped here for one night, but would have happily stayed for a week.
I was on a huge hill overlooking all of "The American Serengeti" and it was stunning. Easy drive up and down to Gardiner for groceries. Besides a LOT of gunshots in the area, the campsite was perfect. Located directly off of the National Forest road. There are dozens more sites as you go further up the road but I preferred the view of the first site.
ScoutBased on the dispersed camping guide provided by the Forest Service office in Gardiner, you’re not supposed to camp in the spot listed on this site. Take a left off Traveltine road, go past the rock quarry to find good sites
Legend
Yellowstone National Park back country campsite 9U1 is a nice perfectly flat campsite multi-use camp(pack animals can use this site) near Mountain Ash Creek in SW Yellowstone National Park. Most of the camping area is in site of the trail, some privacy at the food storage/cooking area do to a group of trees. The trail here was the busiest spot on our trip with several backpacking groups and two sets of stock animals traveling down the trail. Site has a food area with a rock fire ring and pole to hang your food back. Plenty of flat ground all around to set up your tent. Mosquitos weren't a problem on our visit but they are present. Water can be filter from the Mountain Ash Creek about a minute away from the campsite. This site has a luxury in the back country....A PIT TOILET! Just follow the sign from the cooking area to the toilet. The pit toilet is a little of a walk from camp, but that is a good thing as it gives you plenty of privacy as the“walls” of this toilet is the forest around you. A campfire is allowed when restrictions are not in place.
Ranger
There is a backpacking trail along the snake River near the south entrance to Yellowstone National Park. Right away there is a pretty wide stream crossing. Following that, a long flat trail through grassy fields and forest. Along the way, we found soooo many garter snakes both on our hike in and out. There are several campsites along this trail. We stayed at a campsite that forked off to the left. After crossing another small stream the campsite is just beyond the rocky shore below a grassy hill amongst some trees. Campsite itself is level and has some bear hangs. A small fire pit and places to sit. Very primitive but beautiful. Had a blast both times I stayed here as a wildlife research technician in the park.
Legend
This site about 12 miles up sunset road along a very rough washboard dirt/gravel rod. The road was extremely dusty in the summer and almost forced us to turn back. The dispersed sites are very rough and not well maintained. However, the views are some of the best we have ever seen in Wyoming. The sunset in the valley seemed to go on forever and provided light up until 10 pm. You will need 4 wheel drive or high clearance to access the best sites next to the river. If you are willing to endure the drive and don’t mind rough dispersed camping, the beauty of the site more than makes up for it. No facilities here just a stone fire ring. The site is known for grizzly bears. So you need to be an experienced camper to enjoy this area or take precautions.
ScoutThis is a nice place to boondock. There are a few level spots up here, but the road is pretty rough and pretty steep. The view into Yellowstone is gorgeous.
TravelerLoved this boondocking area. Lots of spots up Eagle creek road. The road up is a little bumpy but no problem for us. The views are beyond beautiful. I highly recommend!
ScoutPerfect dispersed camping. Note it is a windy dirt road, so a pickup or camper van can make it, but don't try a Class A or Class C RV. Our 20 footer made it fine. Also wouldn't want to drive it if rain forecasted as I bet the dirt turns to impassible mud real fast.
The spots themselves are wonderful, some very open, some tucked away along the rocks, all very spread out from each other. Super quiet. I can't believe how quiet it was.
If you want to feel like you are camping on a mountain in the middle of no where, this is it.
GuideI enjoyed boondocking here in my tent. I had good cell service with Google FI wireless. Also I was able to get by the road and make it in my Honda Accord. Nice place even had a bear box for food storage.
TravelerRight between Grand Teton and Yellowstone National Parks. You don't have to share this spot with anyone. It comes with a bear box to store your food, a bear proof trash can, picnic table, metal fire ring, and last but not least, your own private pit toilet. Tons of space also.
TravelerJust passed the Eagle Creek Campground on Jardine Road. Take a left and drive in 3 miles on National Forest Road to areas where camping is allowed. There are mile marker signs. These are mostly little pull offs along the side of the road with great views into Yellowstone/Mammoth Hot Springs. There are more than a dozen good spots, but it also seems popular as I saw at least 10 occupied sites on a Monday evening. No cellphone service. No amenities, just the view and personal space. My Honda fit made it up the road no problem.
GuideAs many have said, there are about 6-7 spots…some multiple sites per spot some are single but each have a bathroom, fire rings and bear boxes. We traveled in September and those were all full so we had to drive quite a bit (still on Grassy Rd) into Caribou Targhee National Forest. We found an amazing spot but about 30 min down - right in the valley at the start of the reservoir. No bathroom no bear boxes. Primitive. Lots of wooded/shaded area. Private. Beautiful. Road coming in was mostly maintained but some moments of rough terrain but we made it in our 13 ft travel trailer.
Guide
A lot of boondocking opportunities in that area. Must of the spots in the open meadow area were full. Therefore, we went with this spot up a dead end road. With the size of r rig 36 foot Solltude I had to back up the road about 200 feet. Road in was a little rough but we managed.
TravelerWe originally wanted to stay farther south in Idaho after leaving Jackson but we weren’t happy with the location. So we got on route 20 and started driving towards west Yellowstone when we came across the small Targhee National Forest sign. Fearful we weren’t going to be able to find a spot, we drove in anyways. We ended up going left up the second hill and found a nice big sight over looking the road and a cow pasture. The traffic on the road died down around 1030 which left us with a quiet star filled night in the valley. Later the moon rose up and lit up the mountain faces just enough.
Dispersed camping near Yellowstone National Park offers a unique opportunity to immerse yourself in nature while enjoying the freedom of camping without the constraints of traditional campgrounds. With stunning landscapes and abundant wildlife, this area is perfect for adventurous souls seeking a more rustic experience.
Frequently Asked Questions
Which is the most popular dispersed campsite near Yellowstone National Park?
According to TheDyrt.com, the most popular dispersed campground near Yellowstone National Park is Travertine Road Dispersed - Yellowstone with a 4.5-star rating from 31 reviews.
What is the best site to find dispersed camping near Yellowstone National Park?
TheDyrt.com has all 60 dispersed camping locations near Yellowstone National Park, with real photos and reviews from campers.
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