The Madison and Firehole Rivers meet just a short walk from camp, and that geography shapes everything about staying here. Madison Campground sits on the west side of Yellowstone National Park, roughly 14 miles from the town of West Yellowstone, though park road speeds and the occasional bison jam mean that stretch typically takes closer to 30 minutes. The campground runs large, with multiple lettered loops accommodating hundreds of campers, yet the one-way loop roads keep traffic manageable and navigation straightforward.
Site quality varies considerably depending on which loop you land in. Tent campers consistently report better experiences in loops G and H, which carry more shade from fir and pine cover and place you nearest the river. Sites 276 through 286 in loop G draw particular praise, while a handful of sites including 272, 273, 274, and 292 sit in open terrain with little overhead cover. RV campers cluster in the other loops, and pull-through sites accommodate larger rigs without difficulty. Sites close to the restroom facilities can face light and noise through the night, so requesting a site away from bathrooms is worth noting at check-in.
"Two great rivers nearby for fishing and watching sunsets," as Susan R. puts it, and that access is a genuine draw. Anglers work the Madison River directly from camp, and the Firehole River is reachable in under 15 minutes by car. The confluence area also draws swimmers, though currents in some spots require attention with younger kids. For tent camping near Yellowstone National Park, the G and H loops rank among the more appealing options in the park. Facilities include flush toilets, drinking water, dish-washing stations at each restroom building, a dump station, and a small camp store stocking ice, firewood, and basics. No showers are available on-site; the nearest options are in West Yellowstone or at Old Faithful Inn within the park.
Cell service is essentially nonexistent here. Download maps, make any reservations for guided tours, and confirm all printed tickets before arriving, as Rod D. notes that generators running late and smoky campfires can be factors, though the tent-only loops tend to be quieter. Wildlife, including bison, has been known to move through the campground itself. Campers interested in early-season wildlife viewing should note that late May through mid-June typically brings more mammal activity in the valleys before animals move to higher elevations for summer. Reservations fill far in advance, so booking as early as the system allows is the most reliable way to secure a preferred loop.
Description
Madison Campgroundelevation 6,800 feet (2073 m)sits about 14 miles east from the town of West Yellowstone and 16 miles north of Old Faithful. Nearby, the Gibbon and Firehole rivers join to form the Madison River. In early summer, meadows teem with wildflowers and bison. In September and October, you can often hear bugling elk. Yellowstone National Park Lodges provides reservations for this campground.
RV Road Trip Guides
Map & DirectionsMadison Campground is located in Wyoming near West Yellowstone
Directions
This campground is reached by the Grand Loop Road and is near the intersection of the road that leads to the West Entrance. It is 14 miles east of the West Entrance and 16 miles north of Old Faithful.
Address
N 44 38.725 W 110 51.687
Yellowstone national park, WY 82190
Coordinates
44.645422 N
110.861303 W
Connectivity
- T-MobileNo CoverageVerified by 2 usersLast on 7/6/26
- VerizonNo Coverage
- AT&TNo Coverage
Connectivity
- T-MobileNo CoverageVerified by 2 usersLast on 7/6/26
- VerizonNo Coverage
- AT&TNo Coverage
Access
- Drive-InPark next to your site
Site Types
- Tent Sites
- RV Sites
- Standard (Tent/RV)
- Group
Features
For Campers
- Market
- Trash
- Firewood Available
- Drinking Water
- Toilets
- Alcohol
- Fires
For Vehicles
- Sanitary Dump
- Big Rig Friendly
Drive Time
- 1 hr 56 min from Bozeman, MT
- 2 hrs from Idaho Falls, ID
- 3 hrs 6 min from Helena, MT
- 3 hrs 58 min from Billings, MT























































