Mammoth Campground, near Yellowstone National Park, is a year-round destination that offers a unique camping experience right at the heart of one of America’s most iconic parks. With its proximity to the Mammoth Hot Springs area, you’ll have easy access to stunning geothermal features and abundant wildlife.

This campground is known for its spacious sites, many of which come with bear-proof food lockers and fire rings, perfect for cozy evenings under the stars. Visitors have noted the clean restrooms and the convenience of having drinking water available, making it a comfortable spot for both tent and RV campers. One camper shared, “Woke up in the morning to an elk in my campsite eating off some trees, very cool way to be greeted.”

Mammoth Campground is a prime location for wildlife viewing, with elk frequently spotted wandering through the area. Reviewers have raved about the chance to cook dinner while watching these majestic animals. Plus, the campground is just a short drive from Gardiner, where you can find additional amenities like laundry facilities and dump stations.

While some campers mentioned the lack of showers and picnic tables, the overall experience of being surrounded by nature and the thrill of wildlife encounters make it a worthwhile stop. Whether you’re here for a winter adventure or a summer getaway, Mammoth Campground provides a solid base for exploring the wonders of Yellowstone.

## Overview

 Starting Friday, November 1, 2024, the front loop of the campground will be first come, first served until mid-April. The only way to pay is Scan and Pay via the recreation.gov app. For reservations at the campgrounds managed by Yellowstone National Park Lodges (Fishing Bridge RV Park, Bridge Bay, Canyon, Madison, and Grant Village campgrounds), please visit the Yellowstone National Park Lodges website: http://www.yellowstonenationalparklodges.com/stay/camping/ 
## Recreation

 There are many recreational opportunities in the Mammoth Hot Springs area including hiking, fishing, and wildlife viewing. A highlight is to explore the boardwalks above Mammoth Hot Springs to view the the steaming hydrothermal features or take a drive around the vibrant travertine terraces. In the winter, ski or snowshoe among the whiffs of sulfur along the Upper Terraces. You can also explore the historic Fort Yellowstone area. Visit the park's website to learn more: https://www.nps.gov/yell/planyourvisit/explore-mammoth.htm 
## Natural Features

 The Mammoth Campground is situated in a high sagebrush steppe, scattered juniper and Douglas fir trees provide shade during hot summer months. Wildlife including elk, bison, pronghorn, and mule deer frequent the Mammoth Hot Springs and Northern area of the park, depending on the season. The road from the North Entrance to the Mammoth Campground winds up the Gardner River canyon, past crumbling walls of sandstone and ancient mudflows. The vegetation is much thicker in the canyon than on the open prairie down below, the common trees being Rocky Mountain juniper, cottonwood, and Douglas-fir. Low-growing willows also crowd the river's edge in the flatter, flood-prone sections of the canyon. Watch for wildlife, which varies by the season. Eagles, osprey, dippers, and kingfishers can be spotted along the river, while bighorn sheep climb along the steeper parts of the canyon. Elk are common in Mammoth Hot Springs, while bison can often been seen along the road out to TowerRoosevelt. Spring and Fall daytime temperatures range from 30 F to the 60 F with overnight lows in the teens to single digits. Snow is common in the spring and fall. Summer temperatures are often around 70 F to 80 F and occasionally 90 F at lower elevations. Nights are usually cool and temperatures may drop below freezing at higher elevations. Thunderstorms are common in the afternoons. During winter, sub-zero temperatures and snow are common, especially at night and at higher elevations.\_\_Winter temperatures range from 020 F (-20\_ -5 C) throughout the day, with sub-zero temperatures overnight. 
## Nearby Attractions

 Visit the park's website to learn more about the Mammoth Hot Springs area: https://www.nps.gov/yell/planyourvisit/explore-mammoth.htm 
## Charges & Cancellations

 Changing Reservations: There is no change fee if a visitor extends or shortens a reservation, as long as the change includes dates from the original reservation. Additionally, there is no change fee if the visitor wants to switch sites that are the same price with the same reservation dates in the same facility. If a visitor wants to switch dates that are entirely outside of the original reservation dates, there is a $10 change fee. If a reservation is made that includes dates beyond the maximum booking window, that reservation cannot be changed until 18 days have passed from the original booking date. Once a reservation date has begun, visitors cannot change a reservation using the online system or through the Call Center. Onsite staff will assist with changes or cancellations. Cancellations: Visitors may cancel their reservation prior to arrival both on-line and through the call center. A $10 service fee will be withheld from any refund for a cancellation. A visitor who cancels a reservation the day before or on the day of arrival will pay a $10.00 service fee AND forfeit the first night's approved rate including tax and applicable add-on. Cancellations for a one-night reservation will forfeit the entire amount paid and will not be subject to an additional service fee. Visitors who cancel a group overnight facility reservation less than 14 days prior to arrival date will pay a $10 service fee AND forfeit the first nights rate. No-Shows: A no-show visitor is one who does not arrive at a campground and does not cancel the reservation by check-out time on the day after the scheduled arrival date. Staff will hold a campsite until check-out time on the day following the arrival date. No-shows are assessed $20.00 service fee and forfeit the first night's rate, taxes and applicable add-on for a campsite. Early Departures: Visitors are requested to notify staff at the facility if they depart early to allow others to use the site. If the visitor chooses to depart early, they may forfeit the approved rate and applicable tax and applicable add-on for the day of departure. If a visitor departs prior to the scheduled check-out date, they may be eligible for a partial refund. Visitors may notify the Recreation.gov call center to request a refund of remaining unused nights. If a visitor requests a refund for an early departure after the facility check-out time (10 am) has passed, the visitor will not be refunded for that night and is eligible for a refund on any additional nights that will not be used. Refunds: Visitors may submit a refund request through their Recreation.gov profile within 7 days of the end date of their reservation. Visitors may also initiate a refund request through the call center at any time after their reservation has ended. Refunds for debit or credit card payments will be issued as a credit to the original bank or credit card used to pay. For check or cash purchases, Recreation.gov will mail a Treasury check for refunds of cash, check, or money order payments to the address associated with the reservation. Treasury check refunds may take up to 6-8 weeks to arrive. In the event of an emergency closure, the Recreation.gov team or facility manager will refund all fees and will attempt to notify you using the contact information within the Recreation.gov visitor profile.

Mammoth Campground — Yellowstone National Park

Gardiner, MT is a great camping destination for adventurers of all types. Aside from great camping spots, you'll find hiking and many more outdoor experiences. Thinking of traveling with kids? You're in luck—Gardiner is surrounded by family-friendly activities. Find the best campgrounds near Gardiner, MT. Read helpful reviews and tips to find the perfect camping option for you and your crew.

Gardiner

The Best Camping Near Gardiner, Montana

We really enjoyed our stay at the Mammoth Hot Springs. Ice Vream was close by and the wild life made it interesting for people of all ages. Definitely would return again.

Nice Site

Beautiful views from the campground, saw some elk nearby as well. Good spot for seeing Mammoth Hot Springs or hiking in the northern areas of the park. We went to Gardiner, MT one evening for a small bluegrass band as well which was a highlight. 

Mammoth Campground - Yellowstone NP

This is definitely a monumental park with so much to see. There is no way to cover it in one day or wven a couple days. The park is lush, full of wild life, great for primitive camping, clean, and so much more. It's got something for everyone.

Outstanding!

Too many people! I know, it's Yellowstone and I expected it, but it was awful. There were so many people I felt like a sardine in a can. There were kids yelling at all hours, and there was constant noise. Sleep didn't happen here. The good points would have to be the park. I loved the animals and the scenery. The tourists, not so much. I did like the shower access however, it was a chance to clean up in the middle of our weeklong camping trip. The food available is lame. One company owns all of the restaurants, and every restaurant has the same overpriced food. Take your own food. It's cheaper and better! Check out the pork chops I made ;)

Underwhelming 

Nothing like Yellowstone

Mammoth campground is the only campground open all year round.  It's not as big as Bridge Bay or Grant Village, in fact it is one of the smallest campgrounds in Yellowstone National Park.  It is right by the Mammoth Hot Springs Hotel, the Albright Visitor Center and the North Entrance.  There are quite a few short hikes nearby.  If you want an easy one mile hike checkout the Boiling River.  The parking area is just north of the Mammoth Hot Springs.  It's Yellowstone, no campground here can be less than four stars!

Mammoth is open all year round!

Yellowstone has always been one of my favorite places on earth, but when you gather with all of your extended family to celebrate the life of a member who served in the park for many years, this location brought perfection for all. 

In all her glory

This campground is always open, but how busy it is always seems to change with the season.  

Right by the north entrance and Mammoth Hot Springs (which is awesome) and you'll almost always see some elk, but not as close to other "main" attractions so people will pass it by.  Sites are a bit open, so you're not as secluded as some of the other campgrounds in the park, but they make up for that by being bigger than the other sites (which unfortunately can attract some pretty large RVs).  
Because you don't have the shading of the forest like other sites it can get pretty warm. You have picnic table and fire ring with potable water and running water facilities.

Always open...

Its not that I hate crowds...I just want to avoid them when I'm camping, when I can.

To choose Yellowstone and Mammoth Hot Springs, in particular, is foolhardy to think you can avoid crowds...unless...you go in the dead of winter.  Which is what we decided to do. That...and we had heard that wildlife was prolific in and around that area, driven from the higher elevations in search for food.

As luck would have it, Mammoth Hot Springs is the only campground open all year in Yellowstone.

Now, remember...it is the west...you are still above 6,000 ft. and it is winter.  Plan accordingly.  I would have given this wintery haven five stars...but I was longing for a hot shower several days into our trip...nope, nada, forget about it. Although, they did have flush toilets, sinks and hand dryers (indispensible if nothing else would thaw you out).

The trip there was uneventful and roads were fairly clean of snow.  However, there are signs everywhere that studded tires or chains were the law.  Ugh, ooops! Didn't have either...and as fate would have it...we paid the price on the way out in heavy snowfall.  But that should not detract from the campground or the park.

Not so surpisingly, we enjoyed the entire campground to ourselves in the first of March.  A deep blanket of snow had covered everything...so we located a picnic table...and stomped down the snow in the outline of our tent...laid out the ground tarp and set up our tent (who knows if we set up in the right location).

We did visit the hot springs, the geyser was spewing forth from the earth like clockwork, even in the winter.  It was enjoyable...but we came to skinny ski our way around the area.

Our first night was exciting, as we were met with the howls, yips and snarls of a pack of coyotes. Through the thin walls of the tent, it sounded as if they were circling the tent.

There were other X-country skiers and we actually did a loop with the ranger, a planned interpretive ski excursion.  We joined them for a while and then broke off to explore some of the higher elevation ski loops.

It was eerily quiet, other than the sounds of the wind through the conifers.  It should be noted that it is vitally important not to startle or get too close to any of the animals, especially at this time of year.  These animals are trying to conserve energy, with lack of foods...and if startled, they could burn what little reserves they have.

We were treated with numerous wildlife sitings. My camera was not the best, so they don't capture but a portion of what we saw.  Most of the trails we had to blaze new track from the heavy snowfall, but we were prepared.  Make sure you bring plenty of water. Most people don't hydrate enough during winter activities...and you actually need more water.

We were privileged to ski beside giant bison, heads swaying back and forth, clearing the snow to forage what grass they could find...Big Horn sheep, elk and coyotes.

One morning we rose to footsteps beside our tent...believing it was those pesky coyotes...when I unzipped the tent door...in came a cow elk's muzzle. Yes, we will just say it caught me off guard.  They tolerated our presence and hung out with us.  

Beautiful views at every turn...and solitude...no crowds.  Consider a winter Mammoth Hot Springs trip for yourself...you'll be glad you did!  And bring your studded tires or tire chains.

Enjoy Yellowstone without the crowds!

Yellowstone is one of the more frequented parks. You will see a ton of RV's and about 1,000 people to every bison it seems like. That said, Mammoth is a great location for your first nights stay if coming in through the parks North Entrance, as we did. Grabbing a site so close to the entrance made it possible to take our time in that region of the park for a day until moving on to the next. The hot springs are very interesting. There is a wooden boardwalk for viewing them. The campground itself has a lot of sites (over 80 if I recall correctly) and the fee is $20 per night. We discovered it is open year round which would be great for winter camping in the area. You cannot reserve sites here so you will need to get in early. It was only about half full when we were there in August which really surprised us. 

Touristy Yellowstone but this campsite gets the job done!

[Mammoth Hot Springs campground](https://www.nps.gov/yell/planyourvisit/mammothhscg.htm) is the only (year-round) campground open in Yellowstone from late fall to spring. This campground has about 85 sites, and half of those are open in the winter. Summer time makes this campground feel quite crowded, and allows for RVs up to 75 feet, but in winter there is a tight turn that makes it only open to RVs under 30 feet. The campground is set in tiers on a hillside, so if you get a site near the top, you have an excellent view of the surrounding valley and Electric Peak.

This campground has drinking water available but no dump station. We usually haul to Billings and dump at Cabela's there, or stop at Canyon campground if heading out the East Entrance. In the off-season this campground is a very nice stay - quiet even though it is close to the road, and not usually full until spring. The town of Gardiner, MT, is only a few miles north, which offers restaurants and gas (although there is also both available in Mammoth Hot Springs). Just up the hill above the campground is the town of M. H. Springs, which is a nice place to spend time. If you are traveling with kids, be sure to stop in the awesome Visitor Center and museum. Lots of hands-on stuff to explore. Just up from the Visitor Center are the Mammoth Hot Springs Terraces, a geological feature sure to knock your socks off in any season.

For the more adventurous souls like us, you can access the Boiling River Trail to the north of the campground and jump in the river, even in the middle of winter. The Boiling River flows into the Gardner River, creating the perfect all-season hot tub. In addition to thermal features, there are tons of wildlife viewing opportunities right from the campground, especially elk, bison, and bighorn sheep.

Although not our favorite campground in the park, MHS Campground, being open all year, is an ample location to stay on your Yellowstone vacation.

Year-Round Campground in Yellowstone

This campground is the only one in the park that stays open year round which makes it a wonderful place to go in the winter if you are up for some cold nights. They keep one bathroom right near the entrance open and the thing is heated so it is actually quite nice. You can also have the place almost completely to yourself making for a very peaceful getaway in a place that is normally crawling with tourists. Overall, it is one of my favorite places to stay in the winter.

Chilly Camping

Campsites were close to a high way and far away from the rest of the park. A nice stop for a change of scenery, but not the best scenery around. The campground hosts were awesome! And so was a wolf ranger talk we went to!

new scenery

Situated just below Mammoth, this campground is frequently visited by a myriad of wildlife. Elk, bison, and a fox we're our neighbors while we visited. In the off season, this campground is quiet, though the only restroom open is the one nearest the pay station (behind it - beside the main road). A perfect place to stay before (or after) spending a day in the park.

A Jumping Off Point

Yellowstone is amazing no matter where you are staying in the park.

just be careful of wildlife and always practice safe/Bear proof food storage and always go with someone and let someone know where you are going.

Awesomeness 

Very simple campground, very open with little seperation of sites. The stars at night are worth the open space, the view is incredible.

Barebones & awesome

pros: in the middle of so much beauty

cons: have to queue in the morning to get a campsite and sites are pretty close together

Close to the action

Mammoth Campground is very clean and well kept. The sites are tight but we spent of our time off exploring and never found this to be an issue. Toilets and running water are available but no showers. Firewood is also available for sale. Just a short ways up the mountain is the lodge and village, which provides about anything you could need. We drove into Gardner our first night to pick up a few groceries and some fresh ground bison for dinner. The location is great for exploring the north end. We highly suggest hiking to Osrey Falls if you're up for an adventure that's a bit less crowded. The hot springs are very neat and well worth checking out.

Mountainside sites with a view!

Natural sites! Horrible smell of course but beautiful to look at

Great sites!

had a great time visiting and loved the area so much to do and see 

very busy check for availability  

This camping area is really close to restaurants and stores within Yellowstone, and is only a short drive from the north entrance of the park. We used this site as a base to explore North East Yellowstone. It can be easily reserved early mornings, and the places to set tents are leveled and dry, although someone thought it was a good idea to add lots of stones to the ground where the tents are set. Nice restrooms are close, and lots of elk and other wildlife wander around the area. Highly recommended!

Great views

Make reservations in advanced fills up quick

Make reservations

Get there super early during peak season it fills up fast. Take a moment before bed to listen to the informative ranger talks it was very informative.

Such a great place to rest at the end of a long day exploring the park. 

There are different loops on this campground. The loop that is always open, is basically in a field. Blah. The other loops, are in some trees, and often have elk roaming through camp, but they are only open during peak season. Speaking of which, good luck ever getting a spot at this campground. If you do manage to, it is close to Mammoth, and also close to Gardiner... it can make a good base camp for exploring the Northern half of Yellowstone National Park.

Functional

There was more privacy here than we were expecting, so that was good. The bathrooms were good, but often really far away. What really sucked though is that a common Yellowstone storm hit while we were away and blew our tent over and soaked everything. We were able to dry everything eventually, but I was a little disturbed that no one helped us, including not a single one of the 3 hosts on site, I also found them to be slightly on the rude side when we checked in. Bring guidelines and rope because there was no easy way to stake our tent in the rocky ground.

It was mostly ok

I love this campground because it’s super close to the boiling river and it’s cheap!  Its first come first serve so you have to get here early in the summer to get a spot.  We came here in late August and got a spot around 4pm.  Mosts of the spots have a nice view and are pretty spacious.  Be careful of the one with the unlevel tent pad.  There is a great ranger program and the bathrooms are decent.  

Boiling River Days

Get here early. The campsight is ran as a first come first serve and typically fill up extremly fast in the summer. There are a lot of rvs here but they are very strick on generator use at night. all in all, its a great location with a high change of elk walking through your site.

Conveniently located

This campground is in the northern part of the park, so if you're coming in or leaving by way of Wyoming, this is the most convenient place to sleep! The bathrooms are very well-maintained and have running water. The spots, while they don't offer much privacy, are spacious especially if you have a tent instead of an RV. This campsite puts you at a prime location from which to explore the springs which are a major destination within the park. Since the campground is so close to the springs, you can get a leg up on the tourist bus crowds that start rolling in around mid-morning. The campsite is in a busier area and is surrounded by a road on both sides, so if you're looking for something a bit more remote, try Indian Creek or Tower Falls.

Centrally Located

Very good location, pretty level, fairly close to other campers but not terrible. We would stay here again.

We love Yellowstone & this location 

This camp ground has bear boxes for food storage, ample space for tent and vehicle and a great fire ring at each camp site. Check in and payment is first come first serve and super painless. Tons of great tips provided on local hikes nearby and the convenience store in town is relative costs for items outside the park. 10/10 will stay there again!!

Just the basics at an epic national park

Really wonderful spot close to my favorite place in Yellowstone—the boiling river. Great place to catch the north side of the park. Wake up early and go see the wolves play in the Lamar Valley. Stay late in the boiling river.

Bonus when you have a buffalo outside your tent when you wake up in the AM!

Incredibly awesome place to front-country camp in Yellowstone

**Campground Review:**

Camping in Yellowstone is a bucket list item for many, but in the spring and summer, campgrounds fill up fast! Many are first-come first serve, and a fun family vacation can turn into a stressful search for a campsite. Then there's the weather...winter conditions can occur anytime of the year. One fantastic solution: the reservable Mammoth Cabins in Mammoth Hot Springs, Yellowstone National Park. 

  

The scenery around the cabins in other-worldy. Plus, we were there during elk calving season, with elk and their babies wandering through the area... although stay away from those mean mammas! I had one stalk me around the bathrooms during the night; she was none to pleased I was moving around in her area! Owls and pygmy rabbits are just some of the wildlife you'll also see here without venturing too far. 

  

On one hand, you do have to reserve pretty far out to get your cabin for holiday weekends...but you're guaranteed a reservation in a WARM cabin, no matter what the weather (June-u-ary exists in Wyoming, it snowed 17inches this past weekend). Since I was made aware of these, I have noticed that they are available from time to time if you want to make a last minute trip. Some of the more pricy options have bathrooms and showers in the cabin (such luxury), but there are three separate bathroom building complete with showers. Reserve cabins here: [https://www.yellowstonenationalparklodges.com/lodgings/cabin/mammoth-hot-springs-hotel-cabins/](https://www.yellowstonenationalparklodges.com/lodgings/cabin/mammoth-hot-springs-hotel-cabins/)

  

**Product Review:**

As a Ranger for The Dyrt, I get products to test from time to time. On this trip, I tested the Eclipse Equinox Hoodie.   

[https://eclipseglove.com/collections/frontpage/products/equinox-hoodie-beach-cover-up](https://eclipseglove.com/collections/frontpage/products/equinox-hoodie-beach-cover-up)  

  

As I mentioned, weather can be variable at any time of the year - but the sun is pretty strong at high elevations and sunscreen can be a pain to reapply; and who really wants to once you have that wolf family in your spotting scope??? No, you're going to want to watch the action and not worry about your sizzling skin. This is where the hoodie comes in. Soft, cool fabric protects your arms while allowing air circulation when the temperature heats up. The hoodie itself can protect your neck too on this particular garment. Plus, it can fold up into an easy to pack bundle with a hidden pocket on the front. I spent hours watching wildlife in the sun with no adverse affects. 

  

The main downside is their sizing. For adults, there really isn't any on any of the cover ups or shirts. The hoodie did not fit my 6 foot 7 inch tall husband I'm afraid. I'm only 5 foot 8 inches, and I felt it fit me great.

Ranger Review:  Éclipse Sun Protective Clothing at Mammoth Cabins

Mammoth is not my first choice campground, but if you're looking for good proximity to enjoy Yellowstone national park, have an RV that you're ready to drop as soon as you get in so you can spend more time exploring the park, and don't mind camping right next to other people (safest from animals except elk) then this camp ground is for you!

I stayed here because it was surprisingly the only one not filled in the early months of summer so I gave it a go. Staff was friendly, check in was easy, and the spots were all pretty decent as far as size goes. It was fun to spend a little more time exploring the town of mammoth as well, since I usually just drive through. 

Great location for tourism

The campground itself is very well maintained and clean with water spouts everywhere, garbage dumps, and (clean) flushing toilets. All pull thru sites which are very spacious. No reservations so keep that in mind, just get here early and you should haven't a problem getting in 😁.

Close to Gardnier, MT yet inside the National Park

Beautiful campground near Mammoth Hot Springs and the surrounding village. Also an easy 10 minute drive to Gardiner which has an amazing little grocery store and quaint downtown with shops and restaurants. Some hikes within walking distance of the campground as well. We got there at 9:30am in mid-July and had no trouble getting a spot. There were still 40 available! Lots of history here: Ft Yellowstone is nearby as well as the original entrance arch. We also saw the most amazing double rainbow I’ve ever seen over our campsite!

Loved it!

Mammoth Campground is in the middle of a hairpin turn so be prepared for traffic on both sides of the campsites. I found it noisy for sleeping but my husband slept like a log. The sites are very large and I think all the RV sites were pull through. There are some sites that were more tent appropriate. Also this is a first-come, first-serve campground and it tends to fill up quickly. The campground driveway is paved but the sites are dirt/gravel and I found ours was level with some shade during the day (#58). Unlike a previous review the hosts we had were great. Very personable. The rangers also give presentations at night. One morning we had elk in our site and one evening a huge herd was across the street.

Wildlife Active Campground

Just after crossing into Yellowstone at the northern most outlet you will find Mammoth Hot Springs Campground, one of the most convenient and ONLY campground where you will find most of the comforts of home aka cell service.   Sure for those not caring about this service the campground might not be the most appealing as it is harder to get into because of prebooking, but for those who year round are looking for a convenient location with room to enjoy the local Fort Yellowstone area this is where it is at.

  

So with the added amenity of having coverage you might expect this to be one of the higher priced campgrounds, but the price of only $20 per night is extremely reasonable.   

  

There are no showers at this campground, however the bathroom facilities are very nice with flushing toilets and cold water in the sinks.     I found this to be one of better campgrounds when it came to bathrooms as they seemed larger than most.

  

Another unique feature of this campground was that a certain number of sites are set aside for those cycling of hiking the area, a very important feature considering so many visit this area on the Contential Divide Trail.     Also there are a select amount of accessible sites for handicapped featuring raised tent pads and water access which is right in the campsite instead of elevated on the hillside like some.

  

For those not wanting to book in advance, this campground fills very quickly.  I noticed that on weekdays the few sites reserved for day of use filled before noon, so make this your first stop of the day instead of exploring the park first.

  

Pull ins seemed large enough for mid to large units and the only thing I could say that might be a negative to those in larger units is that you are right on the roadway in some campsites if you are a big rig.   There are a few sites which have size restrictions so check on these before visiting.

  

For tent campers like myself the pull ins allow you plenty of room to spread out and enjoy yourself.    Sites include picnic tables, bear boxes and fire rings.     

  

In this area during the late summer and early fall you are likely to find elk very nearby, they tend to come down and graze in the area of Mammoth Hot Springs.    During these times you want to make sure you are remembering to stay at least 25 yards away from them and if you hear them they are likely protecting young or looking to mate so this is when they are more aggressive.  Being able to see them in person is something majestic however!!

  

**TIPS:**

*   Check out the visitor center at the Mammoth community / Fort Yellowstone.   this center in my opinion was one of the more interesting when it comes to the history of the park.
*   Visit the Hot Spring at sunset, it is something spectacular at any time of day but at this time as the clouds paint the skies it is the perfect photo opportunity.
*   If you are visiting the park for only a short time, use the internet access at the camp to plan your time, this will really allow you to find the parts of the park you are interested in rather than having to pull off at each point to determine this.
*   Remember west side of the park is more about the geothermal features, it is also the more crowded portion of the park.

Great Park Access & Cell Signal

We stayed at Mammoth campground during our last visit to Yellowstone as we were unable to get one of the back country campsites we were hoping for. Lucky for us we arrived in the park before 10am and Mammoth had plenty of spots available. Mammoth is a first-come, first-serve campground with a well organized check-in procedures, no need to search for open campsites, the rangers at the check-in station will let you know what is available and show you on the map the available sites. Cost is$20 a night. This campground like all the ones in the park fills up fast, so get their early. The 85 site campground has paved roads with gravel parking pads. Sites have platforms for the tents. Dumpsters are though out the campground, and recycling is available at the entrance. The campground has flush toilets and water faucets are through out the grounds. Each site has its own bear proof food locker, as well as a picnic table and metal fire ring. Their is a nightly ranger program at 9:30pm. We stayed in site 77 and found the campground to be very quiet, even with the park road running right by. The slow speed of 35 mph helps keep the noise down and after about 10pm we really didn't notice cars going by. Morning traffic does start up just after 5pm, but the noise did not wake this light sleeper. Another factor that help keep noise down was the quiet hours, while this tends to do little at other campgrounds to prevent campers, and kids from being loud or from generators being run at night, the strictly enforced notice and posted$50 fine really does the job. Fire wood is available to purchase for$8 a box, kindling for$3 a bundle and they will provide matches if you need them. You do have cell service at the campground.

Surprising quiet campground 

As you can see from the map the road goes both in front of and behind the campsite. We had the pleasure of camping closest to the hillside so when the trucks opened up their belly’s to go up the hillside at 6am we heard them loud and clear. Same thing when they use their engines to brake going down the hill. If you have an RV I’m sure it’s great as it deadens some of the sound but I certainly felt like I was camped next to a city highway as a vagabond. Zero stars 

Like camping in New York City

This campground is perfect for anyone who wants a guaranteed experience with wild life. There is a large herd of elk that bed in the middle of the camp and it is absolutely breathtaking. The entire camp is reasonably quiet and if you are lucky enough, you will hear the bugle of the male elk of the herd. As long as you don’t bother them, they will not bother you. The price to stay is very reasonable. They also have bathrooms, water, bear boxes and fire pits. It will be an amazing experience you will never forget!

Breathtaking!

We tried to grab a spot on a Wednesday around 1PM and they were full! Woke up around 530 to get there early and were still the 3rd car waiting. Got a beautiful spot away from the main road, close to water spigots and well kept bathrooms. Fire pits, picnic tables and bear boxes at every spot. $20 per night, easy check out, and friendly rangers. Overall great location for a night or two at Yellowstone.

Worth getting there early

This is not a campground for those who love being in real nature and quiet places. More of a stop over or to cut down your crack of dawn morning drive to see the wolf pack in Slough Creek (which is why we stayed). A road wraps around the campground, so you hear traffic into the night. But the elk come visit. They were right outside our tent in the morning which was fun to wake up to. Also elk poop everywhere, so bring a broom to sweep it way from where you lay your tent. The camp hosts that were there in September 2020 were soooo friendly!!! Very nice couple with great advice. 

Nice camp hosts (only gave it two stars due to traffic noise)

We were so excited to get a campsite in Yellowstone. It added so much to our overall experience.  The campsite was easily accessible, had a tent pad and a bear box. We loved our night camping here! 

Best Experience Ever! 

It was a good campground to have somewhere to stay for a night. The bathrooms and firewood for purchase was a major plus. Highway sound and site proximity were two big negatives. 

Sound from Highway

We loved the location of this campground. It was very close to the hot springs and town. It was very hot when we stayed and would have loved if they had showers. Overall a great campground though ! 

Great location 

**Broadcast News: One needs advance reservations as of this year to camp in Yellowstone.**

This campground is less appealing than most of the others in the park; however, it is open all year and is close to the North entrance and the town of Gardiner. A plus is that it is also on the doorstep of the Mammoth area and therefore you have easy access to the information at the visitor Center there and the new coffee bar at the hotel.

One of the least appealing campgrounds in Yellowstone NP

Wooow, never seen that many elks that close! You cook your dinner while you watch them, listen to them while you sleep, and you wake up to cook breakfast while watching them eat their breakfast.
No dishwashing sink and the bathrooms were a bit of walking up hill from the spot we stayed, but elk made our day so we didn't care what so ever.
Personal bear proof food box for each site.

Elk Elk Elk!

Access to so many great wonders this park has to offer. Also on a don’t miss drive into Montana for one of the most beautiful mountain drives ever.

Experience you don’t want to miss

This is one of my favorite campgrounds in Yellowstone. The sites are mostly level and spacious. Some sites you do have to walk down a bit from where you park to the tent pad. The bathrooms are usually clean but could use some updates. They had the heat on which was very welcome in the winter. I had good service with Verizon. Elk are often spotted in the area and it is very close to the small town area in the park. There are water spigots and recycling services. 

Great location, well kept

Really good location in north Yellowstone. We stayed in site 51 and it was level and has good view looking into Montana. 

The morning we left Elk were in the campground, which was really cool to me. I loved hearing them bugle at night. 

Great park campground

Great campground with plenty of sites (keep in mind this is October) but I arrived at 7pm and had no problem getting a spot, it was $25 for the night. Bathrooms were clean and flushing toilets were nice. Woke up in the morning to an elk in my campsite eating off some trees, very cool way to be greeted.

  

One thing to note at this time there was no AT&amp;T service at the campsite so I had to leave the park and drive into the town to the north (about 15 min) to get service.

Great Campground - Lots of Wildlife - No AT&T Service

YNP⭐️

I stayed at Mammoth campground during a winter visit of Yellowstone mid March of this year. his is the only campground open in Yellowstone during the winter season.  Mammoth is a first-come, first-serve campground with a cost is$20 a night, cost is the same during the summer season. The campground can still fill up on the weekends, this is because only the first loop is open during the winter season cutting your campsite availability down quite a bit. The campground has paved roads with gravel parking pads. Sites have platforms for the tents. Dumpsters and recycling is available at the entrance. The campground has only one restroom open in the winter at the entrance. Each site has its own bear proof food locker, as well as a picnic table and metal fire ring. While the campground and Mammoth area had little snow on my March visit you could still be camping on snow easily in March, as heavy snows can happen at any time.  Visited the area 6 weeks later and it had much more snow, so be prepared to camp in snow as late at May.

Winter Camping Review of Mammoth Campground

The best part of the park to see wildlife is without a doubt the north end. We saw everything from elk to bears and with such close proximity to mammoth there is so much to do.

  

Gardiner is so close if you need a dump station or a laundry solution.

Photos of Mammoth Campground — Yellowstone National Park

Real photos from real campers