8 Camping Ideas in Yellowstone National Park
Yellowstone National Park is a paradise for campers, featuring vast forests, amazing environments, vibrant wildlife and renowned ghostly pastimes.
Camping here in 2025 offers a unique experience in nature, whether you prefer a free country retreat or the convenience of an established camping ground.
After exploring Yellowstone several times, I’m excited to share my favorite camping spot, travel details, availability and activities.
Trip Overview
- Trip Style: Camping, Wildlife Watching, Hiking, Adventure
- Availability: May – October (varies by campground)
- Starts/Ends: Salt Lake City, Utah / Yellowstone National Park
- Activity Level: Moderate to High
Most travelers begin their trip at the Salt Lake site, drive north over the Idaho Falls, and enter Yellowstone via the West Yellowstone entrances.
This is a wonderful route that offers beautiful scenery and helps you enjoy your time inside the park.
1. Madison Campground – Ideal for First-Time Visitors
- Location: Near the West Entrance
- Availability: May – October
- Best For: Easy access to Old Faithful, Norris Geyser Basin
- Activity Level: Moderate (short hikes and sightseeing)
The Maidisan Campground is a great starting point for first-time visitors. It is located in a central area, making it easy to spot major features such as grained prismatic spring, old phethaphul and gibban flowers.
The campuses here are huge, and due to its proximity to the Maidisan River, great free fishing can be enjoyed here. The campground is popular, so book early!
My Experience:
I stayed at the Madison Campground during my first trip to Yellowstone, and it was the perfect place to get acquainted with the park.
It was early morning, there was a shadow on the river, and some people used to play around nearby.
2. Canyon Campground – Perfect for Waterfall Lovers
- Location: Near Grand Canyon of Yellowstone
- Availability: Mid-May – Late September
- Best For: Stunning views, waterfall hikes
- Activity Level: Moderate to High (hiking required)
The Canyon Campground is located near the Yellowstone Grass Canyon, where it has tempting waterfalls – upper falls and lower falls.
It’s also an excellent base for hiking on the Uncle Toms Trail, which has a steep but complete slope in the valley.
My Experience:
Waking up early in the morning and watching the sunrise on the Loar Falls was an unforgettable experience. The waterfalls were glowing in golden hues and the roaring sound of the waterfalls was mesmerizing.
3. Norris Campground – Best for Geysers and Wildlife
- Location: Close to Norris Geyser Basin
- Availability: First-come, first-served (Arrive early!)
- Best For: Geothermal activity, wildlife sightings
- Activity Level: Moderate (walking and short hikes)
If you like geysers and want to see wildlife then the Norris Campus is the perfect place for you. It is near the Steambot Geyser, the world’s highest active geyser, and provides easy access to the Porcelain Basin, which looks like the other world with its range of thermal pools.
My Experience:
This is where I saw my first bison herd up close. The campground is near open meadows where bison and elk roam freely making it a great spot for photography.
4. Slough Creek Campground – Best for Seclusion and Wildlife Enthusiasts
- Location: Lamar Valley
- Availability: Seasonal, very limited spots
- Best For: Wolf watching, solitude
- Activity Level: High (backcountry feel, hiking required)
The slow-paced camping ground is for those who really love the jungle. It’s located in Laimar Valley, known as the serenity of North America for its wilderness with its cattle, grizzlies and buffaloes.
The camping ground is primitive in itself, but a must-see for those who enjoy backcountry-style camping.
My Experience:
I woke up one morning to the distant howls of wolves—a surreal and humbling moment. If you’re a wildlife lover this is the place to be.
5. Grant Village Campground – Best for Lakeside Camping
- Location: Near Yellowstone Lake
- Availability: June – September
- Best For: Fishing, kayaking, scenic views
- Activity Level: Moderate (water activities, hiking)
Grant Village Campground sits near the beautiful Yellowstone Lake offering a different side of the park—serene and peaceful. It’s great for kayaking, fishing, and enjoying the sunset over the water.
My Experience:
Sitting by the lake at dusk watching the sky change colors was one of the most peaceful moments of my trip. The sound of loons calling over the water made it feel like I was in a dream.
6. Pebble Creek Campground – Best for Backcountry Feel with Accessibility
- Location: Northeast Yellowstone
- Availability: Seasonal, first-come, first-served
- Best For: Remote experience, hiking
- Activity Level: High (hiking, minimal facilities)
Pebble Creek is a hidden gem for those who want a backcountry feel but still have access to a road. It’s near fantastic trails leading to alpine meadows and stunning views.
My Experience:
Hiking from this campground felt like stepping into a hidden world—lush, untouched and filled with wildlife. One evening I saw a black bear from a safe distance, a thrilling yet humbling experience.
7. Mammoth Campground – Best for Year-Round Camping
- Location: Near Mammoth Hot Springs
- Availability: Open all year
- Best For: Hot springs, winter camping
- Activity Level: Moderate (hiking, sightseeing)
Mammoth Campground is the only campground open year-round, making it ideal for winter visitors. It’s near Mammoth Hot Springs a unique terraced formation of steaming limestone pools.
My Experience:
Winter camping here was unlike anything I’d ever done. The landscape was blanketed in snow and I even saw frost-covered bison wandering through the steam rising from the hot springs.
8. Lewis Lake Campground – Best for Adventurers and Paddlers
- Location: South Yellowstone
- Availability: Late June – Mid-September
- Best For: Canoeing, kayaking, less crowded experience
- Activity Level: High (water activities, off-the-grid camping)
Lewis Lake Campground is perfect for paddlers and adventure seekers. It’s located near Lewis Lake and the Snake River offering excellent opportunities for canoeing and fishing. It’s less crowded making it a peaceful retreat.
My Experience:
Exploring the lake by canoe gave me a sense of freedom and adventure. The reflections of the mountains on the water were breathtaking, and I even spotted an osprey diving for fish.
Conclusion
Camping in Yellowstone National Park in 2025 will be an unforgettable experience involving vibrant environments thrilling wildlife Meetings and days full of excitement.
Whether you want easy access to major destinations or an off-the-grid facility there is a camping ground suitable for every traveler.
If you are planning your trip, book in advance for the popular camping ground and always follow the principle of never missing a mark to help preserve the beauty of Yellowstone for future generations. Happy camping!