Top 5 Campgrounds In YNP

By Coltin Gresser

The campgrounds that are chosen for this Top Five list are due to either personal experiences or close friends of mine who have stayed at these sites numerous times. To give y’all some more background on camping in the park, there is a total of 12 campgrounds. The southernmost campground is Lewis Lake Campground. Whereas the most Northern campground is Mammoth Campground just as you enter the park from the North gate. While thinking about this list I tried to bring in a multitude of aspects. Those being fishing, hiking, site seeing, wildlife watching, tent spots, and even the glamping spots (glamorous camping, like RV’s and campers). Of course, the condition of the spots and the location of the spots you get were factors as well. Get your tarps out and your tent stakes and let’s dive on in.

5. Fishing Bridge RV Park

This campground is in the Lake and as the name states Fishing Bridge area. The elevation here is 7, 800 ft or 2377 meters. This is the only campground that offers water, sewage, and electricity sites. Due to the number of grizzly bear visits, there is no tent camping allowed. There are a total of 310 sites. There is a place to do laundry, there are shower houses, and flush toilets present here.

The fee per night is $89. It opens in spring and goes until late summer. Check-out time is 11 am. This is a great spot to stay, you are right by Yellowstone Lake, Pelican Creek Valley, where so many waterfowl species are found. Also, it is only a 15-minute drive to Hayden Valley. Storm Point, Elephant Back, and Pelican Creek hikes are super close and among the most loved hikes in the lake area. Plus, fishing off the shores of the lake can be really good!

Fishing Bridge RV Park - Yellowstone National Park (U.S. National Park Service) (nps.gov)

4. Madison Campground

This campground is smaller than Fishing Bridges. There are 276 sites in total. Out of those 276, there are 117 tents only sites. This site sits at 6,800 ft or 2073 meters of elevation. It is on the west side of the park. It is 14 miles east of West Yellowstone and 16 miles north of Old Faithful. For fishing it is close to the Gibbon, Firehole, and Madison rivers. There are no places for laundry or showers. However, there are flush toilets present. Opens late spring to fall. It closes in late October. The checkout time is 11 am. The fee per night is $89. Would be best to reserve a site in advance of arrival. This area of the park is covered by a spectacular show of wildflowers from mid-summer to early fall. You can see a lot of bison, black bears, grizzly bears, and elk in this area.

There are many hikes in the area. Some of the most popular ones are the hikes in the geyser basins. Also, super close to the Grand Prismatic and the trails that are near that area.

Madison Campground - Yellowstone National Park (U.S. National Park Service) (nps.gov)

3. Slough Creek Campground

If you want to see the huge nursery herds of bison this is your place to stay. It is also a great spot to watch the bison rut. With being in the northeast side of the park, the moose population is more here than in other parts of the park. Also, the wolf pack that lives in Lamar Valley can be seen when staying here early mornings and late evenings. Great fishing opportunities here with Slough Creek being right near your camping sites. Also, the Lamar River is here and is a very fishy river. The elevation of the area is 6,250 ft or 1905 meters. No showers or laundry are present and there are pit toilets only. Open during summer to early fall (June-September). The fee per night is $20.

Slough Creek Campground - Yellowstone National Park (U.S. National Park Service) (nps.gov)

2. Bridge Bay

We are going back to the lake area of the park for this campground. This site is located right next to Bridge Bay Mariana. The elevation here is 7,800 ft or 2377 meters. There are a total of 432 sites. No laundry or showers. There are flush toilets on the premise. By being so close to the marina you can book a charter with the fishing guides on the Grady Whites. If you aren’t up for that then take a scenic cruise on the boat called the Queen and learn about the history of the

lake and the Lake Hotel. The cost to sleep here does change and vary per group. Check the link below to see the rates. Checkout time is 11 am. The wildlife you can see here are bison, elk, black bears, grizzly bears, and all sorts of waterfowl species. Tents and RVs are both welcomed.

Bridge Bay Campground - Yellowstone National Park (U.S. National Park Service) (nps.gov)

1. Indian Creek Campground

Here is the best campground in the park! We are headed to the northwest side of the park to find this site. The elevation here is 7,300 ft or 2225 meters. There are a total of 70 sites, most of them are best for tent campers. Only 8 miles south of Mammoth Hot Springs and all the hikes in that area. Get to see breathtaking views of the Gallatin mountains. Right next to Bunsen Peak hike and Glen Creek as well. Swan Flat Lake is a great place to see the Trumpeter Swans. There is no laundry or showers here, but there are pit toilets. The nightly fee is $20. Which that is some of the best prices in the park. It is a quieter and more primitive campsite. Great fishing opportunities in the Gardner River and Indian Creek. Opens in June and ends in September.

Indian Creek Campground - Yellowstone National Park (U.S. National Park Service) (nps.gov)