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Thursday, October 30, 2025

RV Camping in Yellowstone National Park

RV Camping in Yellowstone National Park

RV camping in Yellowstone National Park offers one of the most rewarding ways to experience the park’s vast wilderness while still keeping the comfort of a mobile home on wheels. Stretching across nearly 3,500 square miles, Yellowstone’s diverse landscape of geysers, hot springs, rivers, and forests makes it a dream destination for RV travelers seeking adventure with convenience. But before you drive in, it’s important to understand how RV camping works inside the park, what facilities are available, and which campgrounds best fit your needs.



Quick Reference: RV Camping in Yellowstone National Park

Category

Details


RV Campgrounds Inside Yellowstone

  1. Fishing Bridge RV Park
  2. Madison Campground
  3. Grant Village Campground
  4. Bridge Bay Campground
  5. Canyon Campground


Only Full Hookup Campground


Fishing Bridge RV Park

RV Length Limits

Typically 30–40 feet (check each campground’s limit)


Reservation System

Recreation.gov or Yellowstone National Park Lodges (Xanterra)


Amenities

Restrooms, dump stations, potable water; Fishing Bridge offers water, sewer, and electricity


Generator Rules

Limited hours (usually 8 a.m.–8 p.m.); prohibited during quiet hours


Nearby Services

General stores, visitor centers, gas stations, laundry at Canyon and Grant Village


Average Cost Per Night

$35–$90 depending on location and hookups


Best Time for RV Camping

Late May to early October (Fishing Bridge opens later due to snow)


Closest Gateways for Backup Options

West Yellowstone (MT), Gardiner (MT), Cody (WY), Jackson (WY)


Advantages

Inside-park location, scenic surroundings, wildlife viewing, reduced daily driving


Disadvantages

Limited hookups, early booking required, strict size limits


Pet Policy

Pets allowed in campgrounds but not on trails or boardwalks


Ideal For

Travelers seeking comfort, convenience, and immersion in Yellowstone’s nature


Booking Tip

Reserve 6–12 months in advance for peak season stays



Yellowstone has 12 campgrounds within the park, but only five of them accommodate RVs with reservable spaces through Yellowstone National Park Lodges (Xanterra) or Recreation.gov. These include Fishing Bridge RV Park, Madison Campground, Grant Village Campground, Bridge Bay Campground, and Canyon Campground. Among these, Fishing Bridge RV Park is the only campground that offers full hookups — including water, sewer, and electricity — making it the most popular choice for large RVs and motorhomes. Located near Yellowstone Lake, it was recently renovated to accommodate modern RV sizes and provide improved amenities like showers, dump stations, and a general store nearby.


Other RV-friendly campgrounds such as Madison and Grant Village don’t offer hookups but provide clean restrooms, potable water, and easy access to Yellowstone’s key attractions. Madison Campground, situated near the junction of the park’s main roads, is one of the best-located options for exploring Old Faithful, Norris Geyser Basin, and West Yellowstone. Grant Village Campground, on the other hand, sits near Yellowstone Lake and offers beautiful forested sites perfect for those who prefer a quieter stay surrounded by nature.


Canyon Campground, located near Canyon Village, is another excellent choice for RV travelers. It sits close to the Grand Canyon of the Yellowstone, providing quick access to breathtaking viewpoints like Artist Point and the Upper and Lower Falls. The campground has spacious sites, potable water, restrooms, and a dump station. Bridge Bay Campground, near Yellowstone Lake Marina, is ideal for visitors who enjoy fishing, boating, or relaxing by the water.


RV camping inside the park comes with a few important considerations. Sites tend to fill up months in advance, especially for June through August, so making reservations early is essential. Many campgrounds have strict vehicle length limits (usually around 30–40 feet), so checking your RV’s size before booking is critical. Also, most of the park’s campgrounds do not allow generator use during quiet hours, ensuring peaceful surroundings for all campers.


If you can’t find a site inside the park, there are plenty of RV-friendly campgrounds just outside the entrances, including West Yellowstone, Gardiner, and Cody, which offer full hookups, laundry, Wi-Fi, and easy re-entry into the park each day. However, staying inside the park gives you the unbeatable advantage of early morning access to wildlife viewing and the ability to enjoy sunsets at Yellowstone Lake or geysers without long drives.


RV camping in Yellowstone is about embracing the park’s rhythm — waking up to misty mornings, exploring geothermal wonders by day, and relaxing under star-filled skies by night. Whether you’re parked beside a lake, nestled in pine forests, or near a bubbling geyser basin, the experience connects you deeply to the landscape in a way few other forms of travel can match.

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