A trip to Yellowstone National Park is a dream for many. But don’t let that dream turn into a nightmare by selecting the wrong campground. Keep reading to discover the best RV parks near Yellowstone.
The illustrious national park has more than 2,000 campsites that can be accessed by vehicle. But not all of them are created equal. Some are better than others.
Therefore, a trip to Yellowstone calls for some intense research and planning in selecting a campsite.
But if you’re running low on time and need a quick recommendation, we’ve got the list for you. Find the seven best RV parks near Yellowstone that are constantly rated high by people visiting Yellowstone. We’re sure you’ll find the campground best suited for your trip.
Here are the seven best RV parks near Yellowstone National Park you should consider:
- Fishing Bridge RV Park (only campground with full hook-ups)
- Madison Campground (closest to Old Faithful)
- Rainbow Point Campground (one of the cheapest in Yellowstone)
- Grant Village Campground (next to Grant Village in Yellowstone)
- Mammoth Campground (only campground to operate year-round)
- Buffalo Crossings RV Park (premium campground near Yellowstone)
- KOA Campground Westside (for KOA members)
Fishing Bridge RV Park Yellowstone
- Location – 22 Fishing Bridge RV Park Rd, Yellowstone National Park, WY 82190
- Entrance – East
- Full Hook-ups – Yes
- No of Sites – 310
- Cost – $83 per night
Fishing Bridge RV Park is popular among tourists visiting Yellowstone. That’s partly because it’s the only park in Yellowstone to have full hookups, with electrical, water, and sewer hook-ups available at the RV sites.
Thus, it makes camping inside Yellowstone much more manageable.
But the location and the ambiance is the main reason why this RV park makes it to the top of every ‘Best RV Parks in Yellowstone’ list. It’s located near the Yellowstone River as it exits Yellowstone Lake and makes its way to the Grand Canyon.
Therefore, the spot attracts an astounding amount of wildlife throughout the year. On any given day, you have a chance to spot a deer, moose, bison, grizzly bear, or a pack of gray wolves. Because of such a high concentration of wild animals, tent camping is not allowed at this RV park.
The RV park is named after ‘Fishing Bridge,’ a wooden pier now closed for fishing. But visitors can still stroll on the structure and explore the river.
The campground was recently renovated in 2022 and many of the amenities were upgraded in the process. Now you have a fully-functioning generator, flush toilet, and a laundry facility open to all campers. In case you get easily bored, walk up to the Fishing Bridge Store where you’ll find a cafeteria and souvenir shop.
Madison Campground Yellowstone
- Location – Madison Campground, 30 Madison Campground Rd
- Entrance – West
- Full Hook-ups – No
- No of Sites – 278
- Cost – $29 per night
Madison Campground is among the largest campgrounds in Yellowstone, with over 278 sites. During the peak season — which is September through October — it’s often booked out.
It’s located in proximity to Old Faithful, a cone geyser that erupts every 44 minutes to 120 minutes. In a day, you can spot 130-140 feet high eruptions as many as 20 times. These are so popular that there’s even a Twitter feed that keeps the public informed on the eruption timings.
Also, near the campground is the junction of the Gibbon and Firehole rivers, which together form the Madison River.
Thus, like Fishing Bridge RV Park, a rewarding wildlife viewing experience awaits at Madison.
But unlike Fishing Bridge, this campground doesn’t have full hook-up sites. You’ll only find a seasonal dump station, potable water, and a small laundry facility. However, a lack of amenities means a lower price. You can book a spot for as low as $29. Tent sites might cost even less depending on the season.
Madison Campground also has group camping sites. So if you’re visiting as part of a group tour, this RV campground is an ideal choice.
Rainbow Point Campground Yellowstone
- Location – 5100 Rainbow Point Road, West Yellowstone, MT 59758
- Entrance – West
- Full Hook-ups – No
- No of Sites – 83
- Cost – $20-28 per night
The Rainbow Point is an RV Park Near West Yellowstone, 10 miles from the entrance. Campers coming from Montana make a stop at this place to explore the scenic beauty of Herben Lake.
With a relaxing vibe and woody setting, the campground overlooks Herben Lake across the street. It’s a premier fishing lake in Montana with a large population of brown trout and rainbow trout.
Besides fishing, you’re open to participating in activities like boating, swimming, and tent camping.
The 65 miles-long shoreline allows you to explore the area at your own pace.
The RV sites are rustic yet well-maintained. You’ll find electrical hook-up along with potable water and vault toilets. Some sites have picnic tables and a campfire ring to offer the ultimate camping experience.
Most travelers complain of mosquitoes swarming at all times. So make necessary arrangements before coming.
Grant Village Campground Yellowstone
- Location – Grant Village Yellowstone National Park, WY 82190
- Entrance – South
- Full Hook-ups – No
- No of Sites – 430
- Cost – $33 per night
The Grant Village was set up in 1984 and had been serving visitors to Yellowstone since then. It’s located close to the park’s south entrance from Wyoming and is one of the largest campgrounds in Yellowstone.
Grant Village is next to the West Thumb of Yellowstone Lake. The place seems more like a settlement in the middle of Yellowstone than a campground. There are six two-story buildings, a restaurant, a gas station, a visitor center, a boat ramp, and a few stores.
The campground is part of this village and is meant for motorhomes. This is a large campground with 430 sites organized in a lodgepole pine forest.
Grant Village is the closest RV park to the West Thumb Geyser Basin. A boardwalk and trail system with magnificent views on both sides will guide you to the basin on the lakeshore. Terrific hot springs and thermal features await at the location.
You can also take a boat ride across the lake and tour the deeper side of it.
Furthermore, the campground is only 40 miles from Colter Bay Grand Teton National Park, both of which are outside Yellowstone. So you get easy access to many attractions from the Grant Village Campground.
Mammoth Campground Yellowstone
- Location – Mammoth Hot Springs, Yellowstone National Park, WY 82190
- Entrance – North
- Full Hook-ups – No
- No of Sites – 85
- Cost – $25 per night
Mammoth Campground is located in Gardiner, Montana, close to the north entrance of Yellowstone.
It’s the only campground in Yellowstone that’s open year-round for tourists. Thus, during the off-season, tourists flock to this campground before entering Yellowstone.
Mammoth is a relatively small campground with 85 RV sites, most of them being pull-through.
There are no full hook-up sites, but you’ll find several amenities like potable water, restrooms with flush toilets, a gas station, and a general store. There is a laundromat a 10-minute drive from the campground in Gardiner town.
The Mammoth Campground is situated on a high sagebrush steppe with the Mount Everts dominating the scene. The Gardner River runs close to the campground and attracts elks and bison. Sit under the shade of a Douglas fir tree and enjoy the summer months at Mammoth.
A trip to Yellowstone takes 10-15 minutes, and you’ll get easy access to attractions like Yellowstone Lake, Old Faithful, and Grand Canyon. You can also enter the park through Roosevelt Arch, a ceremonial entrance dedicated to President Theodore Roosevelt.
Buffalo Crossing RV Park Yellowstone
- Location – Grant Village Yellowstone National Park, WY 82190
- Entrance – West
- Full Hook-ups – Yes
- No of Sites – 50
- Cost – $78-85 per night
One of the newest campgrounds near Yellowstone, Buffalo Crossings RV Park is located at the edge of Yellowstone, near the West entrance.
It’s a private campground designed to offer the highest level of comfort and convenience, especially to families.
All the sites have full hook-ups with electric (20/30/50-amps), water, and sewer hookups. You’ll find both back-in and pull-through sites, which can accommodate large coaches. There’s a laundry room, restrooms with showers, and free Wi-Fi for all the guests.
Next to the campground, there’s the Giant Screen Theater, which used to be an IMAX theater. This is where you can enjoy the latest Hollywood hits on a 60-feet tall screen. Also in the neighborhood is the Yellowstone Trading Post where you can shop for jewelry, apparel, souvenirs, and gourmet foods.
After exploring the rest of West Yellowstone, head over to Yellowstone NP and enter via the West entrance, the most popular of all the entrances. You get easy access to the Madison Valley, Madison Junction, Gibbon Falls, and the Grand Canyon.
Being a private campground, the price is relatively higher at around $80. But given the high number of amenities, it’s well worth it. Furthermore, the RV park is part of the Good Sam Club, and members can receive additional discounts!
KOA Campground Yellowstone, Mountainside
- Location – 1545 Targhee Pass Hwy, West Yellowstone
- Entrance – West
- Full Hook-ups – Yes
- No of Sites – 75
- Cost – $70-150 per night
You can stay at a KOA (Kampgrounds of America) RV park in Yellowstone. In fact, there are two KOAs located near the West entrance, one of which is KOA Mountainside.
The RV Park is equipped with all the modern amenities that you’d expect in a KOA campground. All of the 75 sites have full hookups.
Among other amenities, you’ll find picnic tables, free cable TV and Wi-Fi, firewood, a snack bar, and propane fill service.
Mountainside offers several recreation opportunities right near the campground. There’s a creek next to the RV park, which is suitable for fishing year-round. Or you can embark on one of the hiking trails that lead to secluded spots. Shopping centers and eateries galore near Mountainside to keep you busy throughout your stay.
The RV sites are big enough to accommodate a 105 feet motorhome. Each site offers an excellent view of the rugged Continental Divide and part of Yellowstone.
It takes less than 15 minutes to reach the west Yellowstone entrance. From there, the Old Faithful is only 37 miles away.
The other KOA campground — the West Gate — has even more amenities, including a golf course. But it tends to be pricier. Mountainside offers a better balance of price and amenities.
Can You Drive an RV Through Yellowstone National Park?
Yes, you can drive an RV through the Yellowstone NP. All five entrances are connected to one another through a network of paved roads. And along those roads, you’ll find campgrounds at different locations, mostly near notable tourist spots.
Taking a road trip through Yellowstone in a motorhome is on the bucket list of many travel junkies.
The itinerary from Grand Teton National Park, starting from Jackson, Wyoming to Gardiner, Montana, will take you from South to North Yellowstone. Along the way, you’ll come across West Thumb, Old Faithful, and Grand Prismatic Springs, among other attractions.
Similarly, you’ll find routes from West to East, North to West, South to West, and other combinations.
But you should keep an eye on the road closure status and the overall conditions. The flood of 2022 forced the authorities to close several roads.
What Size RV is Allowed in Yellowstone?
There are no restrictions on the size of an RV.
RVs of all sizes are allowed in Yellowstone, but you should check the RV size allowed at a particular campground. Not all campgrounds can accommodate large motorhomes, and some of them have a set limit, which can be 40 feet, 50 feet, or 60 feet.
Since the RV sites at these campgrounds aren’t that big, you can’t essentially park your motorhome there.
How Much Does it Cost to Park an RV at Yellowstone?
The cost of parking an RV varies by the campground. Every campsite has its own rates.
But generally speaking, it costs somewhere between $20 to $90 to park an RV at Yellowstone. Campgrounds with full hook-up sites like Fishing Bridge RV Park will charge you more per day. On the other hand, rustic campgrounds like Rainbow Point have much lower fees.
