Camping is a great way to see Yellowstone and this is Yellowstone. The sites are adequately sized for space and privacy but do vary. The National Park requires that tents are no larger than 12X12 and fit onto camping pad. However, many tents a little larger were set up when the campsite allowed for the space. I get the feeling that they will only guarantee a space up to 12X12, rather than taking a measuring stick to strictly enforce tent size. Some sites to have a pad defined by railroad ties that form a 12X12 square (at least in Canyon Village--I didn't see them in Grant, but the campground is very large).
There are several bathrooms with flushing toilets, dishwashing stations, and drinking water. There are bear boxes randomly spaced and intended to be shared by 2 or 3 sites; however, storing food and water in the vehicle is an acceptable option.
Sites are reservable; however to maximize efficiency, spaces are assigned by management. We arrived at 7 pm and while it was only a short line at the check-in, we had to wait over an hour to do so. I don't know if this is normal--but allow for ample time to check-in.
2 showers/night are included with each campsite. Additional showers cost about $8 for as much time as is needed. The showers are in a single location for the entire campground and as a result will likely require driving (unless you prefer to spend your time hiking on a paved camp road than the many gorgeous trails throughout Yellowstone). There is a large laundromat (which came in handy when my 10 year old got sick all over his sleeping in the middle of the night).
There is an adequate market in the village; however, the range of supplies were fairly limited. Other national parks I have visited, that actually have villages and markets, have all had a larger range of groceries than the one in Yellowstone. Try to stop at a grocery store on your way into the park if you need to resupply. There is also food service in the same building as the market, and a short walk away, there is a restaurant that overlooks Yellowstone lake (they have a great breakfast buffet). There is a gas station with a convenience store that offers additional selections. Firewood can be purchased at check in, the market, or the gas station, and when one runs out the other may still have supplies. However, our firewood was not seasoned (dry) and impossible to burn. I'm not sure if there would have been better options in town before entering Yellowstone--but always remember to buy where you burn!
Yellowstone is tremendously large! We left before 7 one morning to drive the lower loop. We stopped at Daisy Geyser, Norris Geyser Basin, the lower Yellowstone Falls, and the boiling mud pots before pulling back into our campsite at 8 pm. This campground is the closest one to the Old Faithful Basin, but furthest from anything on the upper loop. It would take about 7.5 hours to drive from Grant to Mammoth and back to Grant, and that's without stopping or Buffalo Jams. And it's Yellowstone, so worth the effort, but it's the Disney World of National Parks. Throughout the summer, be prepared for crowds, lines, and waiting for parking spaces to open up. Otherwise, chill out, relax, you are on vacation!
