RV Camping Outside Yellowstone National Park

For travelers seeking flexibility, comfort, and a touch of adventure, RV camping outside Yellowstone National Park offers the perfect way to experience the park without sacrificing modern amenities. While Yellowstone itself provides a few RV-accessible campgrounds, many visitors prefer staying just beyond its gates, where a variety of RV parks and campgrounds cater to different budgets, vehicle sizes, and travel preferences. These nearby locations not only provide full hookups and conveniences that aren’t available inside the park but also allow easy access to the park’s main entrances, making them an ideal choice for extended stays.

Quick Reference: RV Camping Outside Yellowstone National Park

Category	Details
Best Areas for RV Camping Outside the Park	West Yellowstone (MT) Gardiner (MT) Cody (WY) Jackson (WY) Island Park (ID)
Top RV Parks (West Yellowstone)	Grizzly RV Park Buffalo Crossing RV Park Yellowstone Park/West Gate KOA
Top RV Parks (Gardiner)	Yellowstone RV Park Rocky Mountain RV Park
Top RV Parks (Cody)	Ponderosa Campground Cody KOA Holiday
Top RV Parks (Jackson)	Jackson Hole Campground at Fireside Resort Gros Ventre Campground
Top RV Parks (Island Park)	Henrys Lake State Park Valley View RV Park
Hookups Availability	Full hookups (water, sewer, electricity) in most private parks
Average Nightly Rate	$60–$120 per night (varies by season and location)
Open Season	Late April to early October (some northern entrances year-round)
Proximity to Park Entrances	5–60 minutes depending on location
Amenities Offered	Wi-Fi, showers, laundry, dump stations, camp stores
Best For	Families, long-term travelers, and visitors seeking comfort with access to nature
Reservation Tip	Book at least 2–3 months in advance during summer season

The West Yellowstone entrance in Montana is by far the most popular spot for RV travelers. This lively gateway town is only minutes from the park and is home to several excellent RV parks that combine accessibility with comfort. Places like Grizzly RV Park and Cabins, Buffalo Crossing RV Park, and Yellowstone Park/West Gate KOA provide full-service sites, including water, sewer, and electricity hookups, Wi-Fi, laundry facilities, and even small convenience stores. Many of these parks are open from late spring through early fall, coinciding with the park’s busiest months, and their proximity to restaurants, shops, and visitor centers makes them an easy choice for families and first-time RV campers.

To the north of the park, the town of Gardiner, Montana, offers another excellent base for RV enthusiasts. With breathtaking views of the Yellowstone River and quick access to the Mammoth Hot Springs area, Gardiner’s Yellowstone RV Park and Rocky Mountain RV Park are popular choices. These sites provide a quiet and scenic atmosphere, often attracting travelers who prefer a slower pace while still remaining close to key park attractions. The northern entrance is also the only one open year-round, making Gardiner a practical option for visitors coming during the shoulder seasons or even winter.

The east side of the park near Cody, Wyoming, is known for its wide-open spaces and classic Western charm. Cody, established by Buffalo Bill Cody himself, lies about an hour from the park’s East Entrance and features several large RV parks such as Ponderosa Campground and Cody KOA Holiday. These facilities not only offer full hookups and modern amenities but also provide access to attractions like the Buffalo Bill Center of the West and nightly rodeos during summer. The drive from Cody to the park is one of the most scenic in the region, winding through the Absaroka Mountains with dramatic views that make the journey as memorable as the destination.

On the southern side, near Jackson, Wyoming, RV travelers can enjoy a more upscale camping experience. The Jackson Hole Campground at Fireside Resort and Gros Ventre Campground in nearby Grand Teton National Park cater to those who want to combine their Yellowstone adventure with the stunning beauty of the Tetons. Although these campgrounds are more expensive and competitive to reserve, their mountain views, access to hiking, and proximity to Jackson’s restaurants and art scene make them worth the splurge for many travelers.

For those seeking peace and solitude, the Island Park area in Idaho, west of Yellowstone, offers some of the most tranquil RV camping opportunities. The region is filled with forested sites along the Henrys Fork of the Snake River, and campgrounds like Valley View RV Park and Henrys Lake State Park offer both hookups and easy access to fishing, boating, and wildlife viewing. This area is particularly popular among anglers and photographers looking to enjoy the wilderness without the crowds of Yellowstone’s main entrances.

RV camping outside Yellowstone allows visitors to enjoy the best of both worlds — the wild beauty of the park and the comfort of modern conveniences. Whether you’re looking for a resort-style RV park with all the amenities, a riverside retreat surrounded by nature, or a simple spot to park overnight before another day of adventure, the communities around Yellowstone provide abundant options. Each gateway town has its own character: West Yellowstone is lively and central, Gardiner feels rustic and historical, Cody exudes Western heritage, and Jackson offers luxury and elegance.

Staying outside the park also gives visitors the freedom to explore other nearby attractions. You can spend the day watching geysers and wildlife in Yellowstone, then return to your RV for an evening barbecue under the stars. Or take a side trip to Grand Teton National Park, Hebgen Lake, or the Beartooth Highway — all easily accessible from the park’s outer regions. For many travelers, RV camping just outside Yellowstone isn’t just a practical choice; it’s a more comfortable and flexible way to immerse themselves in one of the world’s greatest natural landscapes.