Looking to visit the oldest (and one of the largest) national parks in the United States? If so, Yellowstone National Park is the place to go. In addition to being the first-ever national park established in the US–and one of the largest in the lower 48–it sets records with its foot traffic, seeing more than 3 million visitors each year.
Because Yellowstone National Park is so popular, it’s important to plan your trip carefully, especially if you’re traveling in an RV. There are plenty of RV parks and campgrounds in and around Yellowstone, but they fill up quickly and differ greatly in terms of amenities, quality, and proximity to the park.
Navigating Yellowstone with Your RV
Before booking your campground for your visit to Yellowstone, it’s important to know whether or not you can even drive your RV through the park.
Yellowstone is subject to frequent storms and heavy snowfall each year, and it’s common for roads to be closed throughout the year. Additionally, many of the roadways in Yellowstone are extremely narrow or have low bridges–and are, therefore, not RV-friendly.
Preferred RV Routes in Yellowstone
While most of the roads in and around Yellowstone are navigable with an RV, there are certain areas you should avoid, including the following:
- The Bighorn Mountains on the eastern side of Cody, WY
- Beartooth Highway
- The highway that connects Tower Falls to Canyon
It’s important to check the NPS website before your visit to verify which roads are closed and which are open. Additionally, while most of the roads in Yellowstone are driveable with an RV, you may have a hard time stopping at pull-offs and finding parking spaces in the park if you have a large RV–like a Class A.
Scenic Drives for RV Travelers
We’ve covered the roads to avoid when traveling by RV–but what about those scenic driving routes that are ideal for RV travelers?
- Lamar Valley: Here, you’ll see the most wildlife, including bison, elk, and potentially moose.
- Grand Loop Road: The Grand Loop Road circles the entire park, ensuring you see the best of what Yellowstone has to offer.
- North and South Rim Roads: These rim-to-rim roads will offer the best views of the Grand Canyon of Yellowstone (a must-see during your visit).
Best RV Parks in and Around Yellowstone National Park
Whether you prefer to camp inside the park or on the outskirts, there are plenty of RV parks and campgrounds to choose from. Staying inside the park is often cheaper and puts you in the middle of the action, but campgrounds outside of Yellowstone have more amenities, such as full-hookup, 50-amp sites, bathrooms, showers, and more.
#1: Fishing Bridge RV Park
We’ll start with the only RV Park within Yellowstone that has a dump station, full hookup, and 30/50 amp electrical hookups: Fishing Bridge RV Park.
Fishing Bridge RV Park is a popular place to stay in Yellowstone. It overlooks the Yellowstone River, which filters into Yellowstone Lake.
While there are 310 RV sites, tent campers are not allowed at Fishing Bridge.
#2: Bridge Bay Campground
If you want to stay at the biggest campground in Yellowstone, Bridge Bay is the place to stay. It’s located just west of Fishing Bridge RV Park and has over 430 campsites. However, there are no water or sewer hookups, and the campground doesn’t allow rigs longer than 40 feet.
#3: Yellowstone RV Park
Yellowstone RV Park is located just north of the park’s North Entrance and offers 46 full-hookup RV sites. Although it isn’t the biggest campground in the area, it has some of the best views of Yellowstone–even though it’s located on the outskirts of the park.
#4: Yellowstone Park / West Gate KOA
When we visited Yellowstone in 2022, we stayed at the Yellowstone Park West Gate KOA, located five minutes outside the West Entrance. It’s a beautiful campground offering cabins, full hookup sites, beautiful bathrooms, and a laundry facility. I would highly recommend booking your stay here if you visit Yellowstone!
#5: Madison Campgrounds
Madison Campground is another great option for RVers who want to be in West Yellowstone close to major sites like Old Faithful. This campground is located along the Madison River and can accommodate rigs up to 40 feet long.
It also boasts a dump station, public restrooms, and access to three of the best fishing spots in the Yellowstone area.
#6: Yellowstone Grizzly RV Park
Another great option just outside of Yellowstone is Yellowstone Grizzly RV Park–located near the West Entrance. With more than 80 full hookup sites with 30-50-amp hookups, this RV park is one of the most popular in the Yellowstone area. It also offers access to an aerial ropes course, the Grizzly and Wolf Discovery Center, and the Yellowstone Museum and IMAX theater!
#7: Lewis Lake Campground
If you want to stay at a campground in Yellowstone that offers easy access to both Yellowstone and Grand Teton National Park, Lewis Lake Campground is for you. This is the southernmost campground in Yellowstone and has 84 sites capable of handling up to 25-foot rigs.
Be aware, however, that you’ll be mostly roughing it at Lewis Lake, as there are no water, sewer, or electrical hookups, and you also can’t use a generator.
Other Options to Consider
If none of these campgrounds have openings when you want to visit, here are a few other great options inside Yellowstone:
- Mammoth Campground
- Tower Fall Campground
- Indian Creek Campground
- Pebble Creek Campground
- Canyon Campground
While each of these campgrounds can accommodate RVs, they may have size restrictions and limited amenities. While great options, you won’t have access to luxuries like dump stations, full hookup sites, and electricity.
Be sure to check the NPS website before booking your stay!
RV Camping Etiquette in Yellowstone
Regardless of which campground you choose, it’s important to practice proper etiquette during your visit to Yellowstone.
Tip #1: Be Respectful With Parking and Site Usage
The parking situation is one of the biggest issues at Yellowstone. Although the number of annual visitors has increased over the years, the parking lots have not.
Therefore, if you’re lucky enough to find a parking spot on a pull-off or at an important site, don’t hog it for too long. Take the time you need to take in the sights, but then keep moving along, especially if you’re taking up multiple parking spots with an RV.
Tip #2: Manage Your Waste and Use Dump Stations Properly
It’s essential to dispose of waste at designated dump stations.
Not all campgrounds in Yellowstone have dump stations, so you’ll either need to dump elsewhere or avoid using your plumbing system.
Booking Your Yellowstone RV Site
If you plan to stay at a campground inside Yellowstone, you can book your site through the NPS website. To make a reservation, select the campground that you would like to stay at.
You can then follow the prompts and book your site online via the National Park Service. Follow the same steps when booking a stay at one of the Yellowstone National Park lodges or cabins, including the iconic Lake Yellowstone Lodge overlooking Yellowstone Lake.
If you plan to stay outside of Yellowstone, you will need to call your RV park of choice and make a reservation through them.
Staying Safe: Wildlife and Weather Precautions
In addition to staying safe on the roadways, it’s important to be safe while you’re exploring the park or hanging out at your campground. Here are a few tips to keep in mind during your stay.
Grizzly Bears Frequent: Be Bear Aware
Although they don’t attack often or unprovoked, grizzly bears are a very real threat in Yellowstone. Eight people have been killed in bear attacks in Yellowstone, so it’s important to be mindful (and respectful) of your surroundings.
Preparing for Yellowstone’s Climate
It’s also important to prepare for various types of weather when you visit Yellowstone. Depending on what time of year you go, there will either be a foot of snow on the ground, or it will be upwards of 80 degrees.
If you visit Yellowstone during the summer or fall, wear warm-weather clothing and sun protection, and bring your bug spray. If you visit during winter, bring your snowshoes along with your warmest clothing because Yellowstone winters are brutal!
Final Thoughts
Once you’ve finished touring Yellowstone and are ready to give your RV a break, you’ll need somewhere to store it. That way, it’s safe and ready for your next adventure!
If you don’t have room on your property or are worried your RV will be too exposed to the elements, consider using Neighbor. Neighbor is a peer-to-peer storage marketplace offering safe and affordable RV storage near you. Depending on where you live, you may even be able to find indoor or climate-controlled storage close by!
Frequently Asked Questions
Can You Camp in an RV in Yellowstone?
There are a dozen campgrounds in Yellowstone that can accommodate RVs. However, they all have different size restrictions and amenity limitations.
Another important note: Fishing Bridge RV Park is the only option with full hookup sites, electrical hookups, and water.
Is RV Boondocking Allowed in Yellowstone?
No, RV boondocking is not allowed in Yellowstone.
