Yellowstone National Park boondocking locations that are free for you to use. which lies on a super volcano is one of the greatest iconic RV Destinations in America. The park is home to many fascinating landscapes and wildlife. Yellowstone National Park is particularly famous for its hydrothermal features such as geysers and hot springs. On top of that, it is only in Yellowstone National Park where you find graceful rivers, striking canyons, and lush forests. It is truly a land with a vast array of attractions where you should visit at least once in your lifetime.
Want more ideas to round-out your trip to Wyoming?
A lot of great ideas are in these posts!
- 12 Grand Teton National Park Free Campsites (Updated 2022)
- 14 Yellowstone National Park Boondocking (Updated 2022)
- 11 Fossil Butte Monument Boondocking (Updated 2022)
- The 10 Best Grand Canyon of the Yellowstone Rafting and Hiking Adventures
- 10 Great Grand Teton National Park Boondocking Areas
- 66 Free Boondocking Spots in Wyoming With Maps
- 44 Free Boondocking Campsites In Wyoming With Maps
- 49 Free Wyoming Boondocking Campsites With Maps
- 38 Free Boondocking Locations in Wyoming With Maps
- The Top 10 Easy Hikes In Yellowstone National Park
History of the Yellowstone National Park
Yellowstone National Park lies on a 2-million acre land and it was established in 1872 as the first national park in the USA. The bill to make it a national park was signed by President Grant. Many tribes including Indians used this land before it became a national park. They used the land as their home and hunting grounds before the arrival of European-Americans.
14 Yellowstone National Park Boondocking Locations
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1. Yellowstone National Park Boondocking Locations – National Forest Road 3243
Address
Gardiner, Montana
GPS: 45.070611, -110.680043
Elevation: 7064′
Management: Public – Forest Service
The road in is Dirt. There are primitive campsites off this road, basically just pull offs all along the road. The GPS coordinate takes you past a few to the spot we stayed which had a great view and was near water. I don’t know exactly how many spots there are, we passed at least 3 pull offs before getting to this one and a few more people went by and camped past us. It is a dirt road but easy for any car to go down.
Comment: Stayed here June 2018. Lovely spot overlooking Yellowstone area, super easy access to the park. Spent two chilly, bug-free sunsets here. I felt like a real hobo cooking in a wood fire in the dirt by the side of the road, but at least I got to use my hacksaw. I panicked about bears for about 15 mins every night we stayed here, but we didn’t have any trouble.
Best Review:
Came here as a backup plan from Mammoth campground in YNP and was glad I did! I stayed a bit further up than these coordinates, and it was a bit of a drive up, but very doable for all vehicles (I was in a Toyota matrix with little clearance). The views can’t be beat! Would recommend getting there with some daylight, as that might be finding the sites easier. My site was right off the road but only had one person drive by in the evening.
2. Free Yellowstone National Park Camping Spots – Cream Creek
Address
West Yellowstone, Montana
GPS: 44.64903, -111.20581
Elevation: 6804′
Amenities:
Fire Ring
Near Water
Pets Welcome
Management: Public – Forest Service (Official)
The road in is Dirt and 3 miles from a paved road. There are 1-5 campsites at this location. You may stay 14 days at Cream Creek. Dispersed camping on National Forest land, about 3 miles on a rocky, rutted dirt road. Could be reached by passenger car with care, but better suited for higher clearance autos. Room for smaller RV’s, but not recommended for larger RV’s or those with trailers. There are two sites with fire rings, the second site near a small creek.
Best Review:
Stayed here on a whim coming out of Yellowstone. About two campsites if you take the left ways till the end of the road. Really secluded with a small water source. Not good for hammock camping either Cowboy style or tents. Mosquitos are a menace however near the creek, so be prepared for that. Road was pretty easy to navigate, recommend 4×4 for the washouts. Lots of four wheelers during the weekend.
3. Yellowstone National Park Boondocking – West Fork Denny Creek
Address
West Yellowstone, Montana
GPS: 44.694, -111.2641
Elevation: 6818′
Management: Public – Forest Service (Official)
West Fork Denny Creek is open After snow melt, June maybe. There are 1-5 campsites at this location. You may stay 14 days at West Fork Denny Creek. There are a few campsites on the creek in a meadow about one mile off of Highway 20. The road in is gravel and dirt, but passable for any passenger car or RV to the bridge over the creek at about 1 mile.
Amenities:
Fire Ring
Near Water
Pets Welcome
Best Review:
This was great! Stayed here 2 nights mid-May 2021. Our spot had a nice creek running thru it. The water sound was relaxing and provided a nice option to put out our fire at night. Toured Yellowstone during the day and got lucky to snag the same spot the next night. I imagine during the summer it would be hard to find a spot.
4. Free Yellowstone National Park RV Parking – Red Canyon Road
Address
US Forest Service Road 681A
West Yellowstone, Montana
GPS: 44.840936, -111.204412
Elevation: 7073′
Management: Public – Forest Service
This is a free dispersed campsite. Reservations are not accepted at this campsite. This is a high elevation location.
Best Review:
Stayed here in early may. Great free campsite! Creek nearby makes for a peaceful sleep. Unfortunately it snowed our second day so we slept in the car, but in the same area. We stayed in the second campsite and both had service! (T-Mobile and ATT)
5. Yellowstone National Park Boondocking Locations – Cherry Creek Campground
Address
West Yellowstone, Montana
GPS: 44.751121, -111.264005
Elevation: 6551′
Management: Public – USDA Forest Service
A campground by Hebgen Lake on the Hebgen Lake District. 2020: They have developed this once dispersed camping area. It was free but is now $16/night. No Reservations. This campground does not use a reservation system, it is managed on a first-come, first-served basis. Be aware the campground may fill up on weekends and holidays during the summer months and you should arrive in the early afternoon to ensure there is a space available for the night.
Amenities:
Near Water
Best Review:
Great little campground. First come for sites. They are no longer free starting 2020. These cost $16 a night unless you have a senior pass and then it is $8 a night. I think the max was 14 but it could have been 16. Sites 8 and 9 are the first ones you come upon as you enter. Site 7 is a little further down and the rest are all clumped together. We stayed in 8 with our 36′ Class A parked sideways. 8 and 9 are by far the biggest sites.
6. Free Yellowstone National Park Camping Spots – Grassy Lake Reservoir
Address
Ashton-Flagg Ranch Road
Alta, Wyoming
GPS: 44.130748, -110.81489
Elevation: 7218′
Management – State Park
This is a free dispersed campsite. Reservations are not accepted at this campsite. This is a high elevation location.
Comments: great spot to stay loved it lots of spots just keep driving down the road we had a problem all camp sites were booked no room in national park .. so everybody was desperate to find a spot had 7 campers on our site first night .. set up for 2 was not bad though next day they all left. no cell phone service This is a free dispersed campsite. Reservations are not accepted at this campsite. This is a high elevation location.
Best Review:
My family and I stayed here recently. We started down Grassy Lake Rd. in the evening and all of the early campsites were taken, plus several of the sites were closed because of a semi-recent fire in the area. The first stretch of the road was pretty sad because of the fire, but we just kept going for about 10 miles and ended up in a very pretty campsite across from Grassy Lake. The bugs didn’t really bother us and there was plenty of firewood.
7. Yellowstone National Park Boondocking – Grand Teton NP South Entrance to Yellowstone
Address
Ashton Flag Ranch Rd
Flag Ranch/ S Entrance to Y-Stone NP, Wyoming
GPS: 44.097, -110.689446
Elevation: 6804′
Management: Public – National Park Service (Official)
The road in is Gravel. Grand Teton NP South Entrance to Yellowstone is open Late June to Oct weather permitting. There are 16-29 campsites at this location.
Comments: This is a special place visited mostly by locals! Right on the southern border between Grand Teton & Yellowstone Nat’l Parks! West of Flag Ranch along the Ashton/Flag Ranch Road. The road is maintained, but a tad rough right after snow melt, which might be in late June. Fishing in the Snake River for trout is very good! Services at Flag Ranch are complete as they have their own cabins and camp ground. Yellowstone National Park Lodges and Sites here are $50/night so see what a bargain you’re getting!
Amenities:
Boat Ramp
Fire Ring
Near Water
Picnic Tables
Restrooms
Best Review:
Awesome spot! clean toilet, bear boxes and trash. Good spot in relation to Grand Teton. Road is a little bumpy gravel on the way in. made it through with an Acura. Nearby restaurant, groceries and gas station. Cool to be by the river too. No service for Verizon.
8. Free Yellowstone National Park RV Parking – Targhee Creek Trailhead
Address
Island Park, Idaho
GPS: 44.669074, -111.315755
Elevation: 6864′
Management: Public – Forest Service (Official)
The road in is Dirt and 1 miles from a paved road. There are 1-5 campsites at this location and the maximum RV length is 35 feet. You may stay 16 days at Targhee Creek Trailhead BLM & National Forest free dispersed camping right off Hwy 20.
Amenities:
Fire Ring
Near Water
Pets Welcome
Best Review:
Really pleasant campsite, we saw approximately 7-10 sites along the road, arrived at 6.30pm on a Saturday night at the end of August and we got the last campsite next to the river, didn’t notice any road noise, had a bear box at our site which was awesome, did not notice any bugs or people driving around after dark looking for spots
9. Yellowstone National Park Boondocking Locations – Island Park Boondocking
Address
Off Hwy 20
Island Park, Idaho
GPS: 44.57835, -111.34218
Elevation: 6490′
Management: Public – Fish and Wildlife (Unofficial)
The road in is Dirt and >1 miles from a paved road. Island Park Boondocking is open Spring, Summer, Fall. The maximum RV length at Island Park Boondocking is Any. You may stay 16 days at Island Park Boondocking.
Best Review:
This is an awesome place to stay while visiting Yellowstone! Maybe 20 to 25 minutes outside of the west entrance (which is about as close as you’ll get for free). I had great cell service and a beautiful site. I had a few neighbors, but there will still sites open when I got there around sunset.
10. Yellowstone National Park Boondocking – Red Rock Pass
Address
Island Park, Idaho
GPS: 44.5864, -111.3697
Elevation: 6519′
Management: Public – Forest Service (Official)
The road in is Paved. Red Rock Pass is open Closed in the winter. There are 6-15 campsites at this location and the maximum RV length is unlimited. You may stay 14 at Red Rock Pass.
Comments: Pulled in on Sunday afternoon and there were several spots open. There is plenty of space and we just grabbed a beautiful spots surrounded by Aspens. Just glorious. Stayed here in a 30 foot-long Trailer (RV).
Best Review:
Absolutely gorgeous area with tons of land to camp!!! Was a tad worried when I saw a limited amount stated in description, but when we arrived …there are vast areas for campers… tents and RV’s. Nice quiet area- I would 100% camp here again!!!
11. Free Yellowstone National Park Camping Spots – Targee Forest Service Road 413
Address
Island Park, Idaho
GPS: 44.436124, -111.373781
Elevation: 6309′
Management: Public – Forest Service (Official)
The road in is Gravel and One mile miles from a paved road. Targee forest service road 413 is open Unknown. There are 16-29 campsites at this location and the maximum RV length is unlimited. You may stay 16 days at Targee forest service road 413.
Best Review:
Fantastic site close to W Yellowstone entrance. Came at 5pm on a Saturday night and found a perfect tent site with a small private access to lake (left of the boat dock). But nearly eaten alive by mosquitoes. They disappeared towards nightfall but I have over 10 bites on my feet, a few on my body and 4 on my face! Despite all that, I’d love to come back with my RV next time. Tried to do some fishing but nothing caught. You can see schools of tiny fish with the naked eye. Had LTE signal
12. Free Yellowstone National Park RV Parking – Henry Lake BLM
Address
Island Park, Idaho
GPS: 44.616671, -111.415721
Elevation: 6516′
Management: Public – Bureau of Land Management (Official)
The road in is Gravel and 2 miles from a paved road. There are 6-15 campsites at this location and the maximum RV length is 45 feet. You may stay 14 at Henry Lake BLM.
Amenities:
Near Water
Restrooms
Best Review:
Most excellent location. Highly recommend. Stayed here in a 40′ DP motorhome towing a jeep. One hill on the gravel road in looks a bit daunting for a DP, but was very doable.
13. Yellowstone National Park Boondocking – Sawtell Mountain
Address
Island Park, Idaho
GPS: 44.533943, -111.418132
Elevation: 7736′
Management: Public – Forest Service (Official)
The road in is Gravel and 6 miles from a paved road. Sawtell Mountain is open may-sept. There are 6-15 campsites at this location and the maximum RV length is 25 feet. You may stay 14 days at Sawtell Mountain.
Best Review:
None
14. Free Yellowstone National Park Camping Spots – Teepee Creek Trailhead
Address
US HWY 191
Gallatin Gateway, Montana
GPS: 45.062958, -111.168478
Elevation: 6680′
Management: Public – Forest Service (Official)
The road in is Gravel and 100 yards miles from a paved road. Teepee Creek Trailhead is open Year round. There are 1-5 campsites at this location and the maximum RV length is 35 feet. You may stay 16 days at Teepee Creek Trailhead.
Best Review:
None
Top 10 Trails to Hike at the Yellowstone National Park
There are about 252 trails in Yellowstone National park where you can engage in activities like hiking, running, and biking. Below are the top trails in the park, these are some we tried and loved.
Yellowstone National Park Hiking Trail #1 – Grand Prismatic Hot Spring Trail
Grand Prismatic Hot Spring Trail is an out and back trail that is 2.6 kilometers long with an elevation gain of 61 meters. It is rated as easy and hence can be used by people of all ages and skill levels. The trail features hot springs and is mainly used for walking.
Length: 1.5 mi
Elevation gain: 200 ft
Route type: Out & back
Wheelchair friendly, Kid friendly, Stroller friendly, Walking, Hot springs, River
Yellowstone National Park Hiking Trail #2 – Artist Point
Artist Point is an out and back trail that is 0.3 kilometers long with an elevation gain of 5 meters only. The trail is rated as easy hence it is good for any person regardless of age or skill level. It features a waterfall and is best used between May and October mainly for walking.
Length: 0.2 mi
Elevation gain: 16 ft
Route type: Out & back
Wheelchair friendly, Kid friendly, Stroller friendly, Walking, Paved, River, Views, Waterfall, Wildlife
Yellowstone National Park Hiking Trail #3 – Mammoth Hot Springs Area Trail
Mammoth Hot Springs Area Trail is a loop type of trail that is 5.6 kilometers long with an elevation gain of 171 meters. It is also rated as easy and hence used by people of all ages and skill levels. It features a waterfall and is best used between April and October for hiking, birdwatching, and nature trips.
Length: 3.6 mi
Elevation gain: 538 ft
Route type: Loop
Kid friendly, Hiking, Walking, Bird watching, Hot springs, Views, Waterfall, Wildlife
Yellowstone National Park Hiking Trail #4 – Mystic Falls, Little Firehole Loop, and Fairy Creek
This is a loop trail where you cover a distance of 5.6 kilometers and gain an elevation of 185 meters in about 1 hour and 50 minutes. The difficulty level on this trail is moderate. The trail features a waterfall and is best used between May and October for a couple of activities such as hiking, running, and birdwatching.
Length: 3.5 mi
Elevation gain: 606 ft
Route type: Loop
Kid friendly, Hiking, Walking, Bird watching, Running, Forest, Hot springs, River, Views, Waterfall, Wildflowers, Wildlife
Yellowstone National Park Hiking Trail #5 – West Thumb Geyser Basin Trail
West Thumb Geyser Basin Trail is a loop trail that is 1.6 kilometers long with an elevation gain of 18 meters. It is rated as easy hence used by people of all ages and skill levels. The trail features a lake and is best used between May and October mainly for hiking, birdwatching, and nature trips.
Length: 1.0 mi
Elevation gain: 59 ft
Route type: Loop
Kid friendly, Hiking, Walking, Bird watching, Beach, Lake, Views, Wildflowers, Wildlife
Yellowstone National Park Hiking Trail #6 – Midway Geyser Basin Trail
Midway Geyser Basin Trail is of a loop type whose distance is 1.3 kilometers with an elevation gain of 17 meters. It is rated as easy and hence can be used by any person regardless of age or skill level. The trail features hot springs and is mainly used for walking.
Length: 0.7 mi
Elevation gain: 55 ft
Route type: Loop
Wheelchair friendly, Kid friendly, Stroller friendly, Walking, Hot springs, Paved, River, Views
Yellowstone National Park Hiking Trail #7 – Avalanche Peak Trail
Avalanche Peak Trail is an out and back trail that is 7.6 kilometers with an elevation gain of 632 meters. The trail is rated as hard. It features a lake and is best used between May and September for a couple of activity options such as rock climbing and snowshoeing.
Length: 4.5 mi
Elevation gain: 2,070 ft
Route type: Out & back
Backpacking, Camping, Fishing, Hiking, Paddle sports, Rock climbing, Snowshoeing, Bird watching, Running, Forest, Lake, Views, Wildlife
Yellowstone National Park Hiking Trail #8 – Fountain Paint Pot Trail
Fountain Paint Pot is a loop trail that is 1 kilometer long with an elevation gain of 7 meters. The trail is rated as easy and hence good for any person regardless of age or skill levels. The trail is best used between May and September for hiking and birdwatching. The trail also leads you to see the other wildlife in Yellowstone National Park.
Length: 0.6 mi
Elevation gain: 22 ft
Route type: Loop
Kid friendly, Hiking, Walking, Bird watching, Views, Wildlife
Yellowstone National Park Hiking Trail #9 – Upper Geyser Basin & Old Faithful Point Loop
This is a loop trail where you cover a distance of 7.9 kilometers and gain an elevation of 109 meters in approximately 2 hours. The difficulty level on this trail is rated as moderate. The trail features hot springs and is best used between May and October mainly for hiking, birdwatching, nature trips, and walking.
Length: 4.9 mi
Elevation gain: 357 ft
Route type: Loop
Wheelchair friendly, Kid friendly, Stroller friendly, Walking, Bird watching, Running, Hot springs, Partially paved, River, Views, Wildflowers, Wildlife
Yellowstone National Park Hiking Trail #10 – Norris Geyser Basin Loop Trail
This is a heavily trafficked 4.7-kilometer trail that has an elevation gain of 58 meters. It is rated as easy and hence it is an excellent trail for both beginners and experienced adventurers. The trail features hot springs and is best used between March and October primarily for hiking, walking, and birdwatching.
Length: 2.9 mi
Elevation gain: 190 ft
Route type: Loop
Kid friendly, Hiking, Walking, Bird watching, Hot springs, Partially paved, Views, Wildflowers, Wildlife
Why Visit the Yellowstone National Park
There are many reasons why you should start planning for a trip to Yellowstone National Park. On top of being the oldest national park in the world, Yellowstone National Park is a place of breathtaking natural beauty that deserves your attention and time. There are plenty of things to do and see ranging from waterfalls and geysers to forests, wildlife, and lakes. If you can’t enjoy the beauty of a deep canyon that has two impressive waterfalls, maybe you can enjoy the abundant hot spots such as geysers, hissing fumaroles, and steaming pools within the park. If that still doesn’t excite you, you can as well opt for birdwatching, fishing, stargazing, or boating at Yellowstone Lake. Yellowstone National Park is simply an incredible place to be.
How to Get To the Yellowstone National Park
To have Yellowstone National Park within reach, you can fly to the nearby cities. Bozeman Yellowstone International Airport in Montana is the nearest airport to this park. You can then drive from this airport to the park in about 2 hours. To get around the Yellowstone National Park, you can either drive yourself or use the Yellowstone Yellow Bus Tours.
Costs and Camping For the Yellowstone National Park
To enter Yellowstone National Park, you will pay $ 35 per vehicle which is a seven-day pass ticket. For a motorcycle entrance, you are charged $30, and to enter on foot or a bicycle you pay $20 per person. There is also an option of an annual pass which costs $70 only. About camping, you will be charged as low as $15 per site in one night and if you get campgrounds with better amenities like flush toilets, you will pay between $20 and $31 per night.
Gate Options for Yellowstone and What Is Near Each One
These are options if you don’t want to boondock and drive into the park each visit. The park is so large our choice was to boondock as close as we could to one of the main gates. We would see the sites of one them move to another. Below you will find the places to visit near each gate.
1. North Entrance Brings You to Mammoth Hot Springs
From the North Entrance, you are well-situated to see the park’s incredible wildlife, as well as the famed Mammoth Hot Springs and the historic hotel and dining room located near the hot springs. From Mammoth, you can head east on the northern most road in the park to get to the expansive Lamar Valley, referred to as the Serengeti of the United States, because of the extraordinary diversity of mammals living there.
2. Northeast Entrance Puts You at Doorstep of Park’s Wildlife
With its sweeping alpine vistas, Beartooth Highway, along US 212, is the closest you may get to feeling as if you are on top of the world. Cooke City itself is a tiny town but offers a number of services from lodging to restaurants and gas. From it, you can drive to the Northeast Entrance is a matter of minutes. Once you go through the entrance gate, the Lamar Valley unfolds before your eyes.
3. East Entrance Brings You to Yellowstone Lake
The East Entrance brings you right to the Yellowstone Lake, the largest mountain lake at such a high elevation of 7,733 feet. It stretches 20 miles long and 14 miles across and its shorelines are dotted with geothermal features. From there, the West Thumb Geyser Basic and Old Faithful lie to the southeast and the Grand Canyon of the Yellowstone to the north.
4. South Entrance Allows You To Tackle Two National Parks in One Day
If you are looking to tackle two national parks in one day, the South Entrance is for you. From Jackson, Wyo., you can stop at the awe-inspiring Grand Teton National Park along your 57-mile drive north on the John D. Rockefeller Jr. Highway up to Yellowstone.
5. West Entrance Brings You to Geyser Paradise
When you enter the park through the West Entrance, you will drive 14 miles until you reach Madison, a jumping off point for geyser basins to the north and south. Head south and you will see the largest geyser basin in Yellowstone called the Lower Geyser Basin, which includes Fountain Paint Pot, Firehole Lake Drive area and the Great Fountain Geyser.
Places and Things to Do and See with Descriptions
There is truly too much to see and do at Yellowstone National Park and hence camping is essential for you to experience most of the things in this park. The key to getting a satisfying adventure at Yellowstone National Park is spending at least one night there at the popular campgrounds or boondocking spots. Below are the most popular campgrounds in and around Yellowstone National Park.
Paid Campground Options – NOT CHEAP
1. Grand Village Campground
Grand Village Campground has more than 400 non-electric campsites that allow for trailers, RVs, and tents. Each campsite has a fire ring, potable water, a picnic table, and flushing toilets. Grand Village Campground is surrounded by pine trees and is close to Yellowstone Lake and West Thumb Geyser Basin.
2. Madison Campground
Madison Campground is located near the West Entrance of Yellowstone National Park. It has about 270 campsites which allow trailers, RVs and tents. Each campsite offers restrooms, running water, a picnic table, and a fire pit. Madison Campground is close to Madison River as well as the Upper, Lower, and Midway Geyser Basins. Therefore if you find fun in fishing and hydrothermal wonders, Madison Campground is the best.
3. Bridge Bay Campground
Bridge Bay Campground provides 432 campsites and it accommodates trailers, RVs, and tents. Each campsite has flushing toilets, potable water, and dishwashing stations. The Yellowstone attractions near the campground are Bridge Bay Marina and Yellowstone Lake. The campsites fill up during summer and hence the need to book them up to one year before.
4. Mammoth Hot Springs Campground
Mammoth Hot Springs Campground is the only campground in Yellowstone National Park that is open throughout the year. This campground features 85 non-electric campsites that are given on a first-come, first-served basis. The campground can accommodate trailers, RVs, and tents. Each campsite provides potable water and flush toilets. The campground is close to many eye-catching attractions at Yellowstone National park. Such attractions include the Mammoth Hot Springs and the Boiling River
5. Canyon Campground
Canyon Campground has 270 non-electric campsites and is set among pine trees which provide a mix of sun and shadow as well as providing woodsy atmosphere. Canyon Campground is close to some of the best hiking trails in Yellowstone National Park including the trail that leads to the Yellowstone Grand Canyon. Each campsite provides potable water, flushing toilets, a picnic table, and a fire pit.
6. Norris Campground
Norris Campground is park-operated and it is located in Central Yellowstone. There are 100 campsites here which are given on a first-come, first-served basis. All the campsites are non-electric. The campsites are set amongst pine trees and it is very common to see the park’s native bison around this campground. Each campsite provides a fire ring, food-storage boxes, a picnic table, potable water, and flushing toilets. The Norris Geyser Basin and Park Ranger Museum are easily accessible from this campground.
7. Slough Creek Campground
Slough Creek Campground has 23 non-electric campsites and accommodates small trailers and tents. The campground is pretty far from the central Yellowstone attractions but close to Lamar Valley hence suitable for wildlife enthusiasts. Each campsite provides access to restroom facilities, potable water, a fire ring, and a picnic table.
8. Tower Fall Campground
Tower Fall Campground features 31 non-electric campsites and it accommodates tent campers only. The campsites are given on a first-come, first-served basis and they have potable water, restrooms, a fire ring, and a picnic table. From the Tower Fall Campground, you have a fascinating view of Tower Creek.
9. Lewis Lake Campground
Lewis Lake Campground provides 85 non-electric campsites which are given on a first-come, first-served basis. The campground which is located near Lewis and Shoshone Lake, accommodates trailers, RVs, and tents. Each campsite offers vault toilets and potable water.
10. Ponderosa Campground
Ponderosa Campground is positioned in a scenic setting and it accommodates RVs for as low as $37 in one night. The campground has a vast array of amenities such as free Wi-Fi and a playground.
Things to Do at the Yellowstone National Park
The things to do at Yellowstone National Park are just limitless and it would not be possible to write about all of them. There are plenty of attractions that you need to explore anytime you visit Yellowstone. Below is the list of must-do things at Yellowstone National Park:
1. Explore Grand Prismatic Spring
The Grand Prismatic Spring holds the third position in the list of the biggest hot springs on earth and is the most photographed spot at Yellowstone National Park. It is a great attraction that you should not miss while at Yellowstone. The incredible colors resembling a rainbow make it a very beautiful hot spring. You can visit the Grand Prismatic Spring early in the morning when there are fewer people in the area.
2. A Visit to the Old Faithful Geyser.
Your visit to Yellowstone National Park would not be complete if you do not see the Old Faithful Geyser, one of the six geysers found in this park. The unique thing about Old Faithful geyser is that during eruptions water can jump even as high as 56 meters. Eruptions take place every 90 minutes.
3. Mammoth Hot Springs
Mammoth Hot springs are located near the North Entrance of Yellowstone National Park. You can explore Mammoth Hot springs through a series of boardwalks. The springs here keep on changing in shape and color and hence creating an amazing activity that needs to be explored within Yellowstone National Park. The major attractions at Mammoth Hot springs include Liberty Cap, Minerva Terrace, Palette Spring, and Canary Spring.
4. Norris Geyser Basin
Norris Geyser Basin is one of the major highlights that you should explore at Yellowstone National Park. It consists of two areas which are Porcelain Basin and Back Basin. In the Porcelain Basin you find geothermal features while in the Back Basin you find steamboat Geyser and forest. The colorful springs in this basin are due to minerals and microorganisms.
5. Upper Geyser Basin
25% of the geysers in the world including the Old Faithful are found in the Upper Geyser Basin. While there may be a lot of people in Old Faithful geyser, the rest of the area in Upper Geyser Basin is usually quieter and has some solitude that you can enjoy. Some of the interesting areas where you can visit in this basin include Morning Glory Pool, Daisy Geyser, Castle Geyser, and Grotto Geyser.
6. The Yellowstone Grand Canyon
The Yellowstone River Grand Canyon is a must-see once you make your way into Yellowstone National Park because it is one of the most popular landmarks here. The places of interest around the Yellowstone Canyon are the Artist Point, Inspiration Point, the Upper Falls, and the Lower Falls.
7. Yellowstone Lake
Yellowstone Lake is another important area of attraction in Yellowstone National Park and hence it is a must-see. It is the largest lake at high elevation in North America. It freezes during winter and the water temperatures are too low for you to swim during summer. However, despite the water temperature, you can go fishing here.
8. Lamar Valley and Hayden Valley
These are the best places where you can watch wildlife when you visit Yellowstone National Park. The common wildlife here are the wild bison and they are always in huge groups that sometimes cause jam around these areas. Other wildlife you can see in these two valleys are the elk, bears, wolves, deer, and coyotes.
Top 10 Trails to Hike at the Yellowstone National Park
There are about 252 trails in Yellowstone National park where you can engage in activities like hiking, running, and biking. Below are the top trails in the park:
1. Grand Prismatic Hot Spring Trail
Grand Prismatic Hot Spring Trail is an out and back trail that is 2.6 kilometers long with an elevation gain of 61 meters. It is rated as easy and hence can be used by people of all ages and skill levels. The trail features hot springs and is mainly used for walking.
2. Artist Point
Artist Point is an out and back trail that is 0.3 kilometers long with an elevation gain of 5 meters only. The trail is rated as easy hence it is good for any person regardless of age or skill level. It features a waterfall and is best used between May and October mainly for walking.
3. Mammoth Hot Springs Area Trail
Mammoth Hot Springs Area Trail is a loop type of trail that is 5.6 kilometers long with an elevation gain of 171 meters. It is also rated as easy and hence used by people of all ages and skill levels. It features a waterfall and is best used between April and October for hiking, birdwatching, and nature trips
4. Mystic Falls, Little Firehole Loop, and Fairy Creek
This is a loop trail where you cover a distance of 5.6 kilometers and gain an elevation of 185 meters in about 1 hour and 50 minutes. The difficulty level on this trail is moderate. The trail features a waterfall and is best used between May and October for a couple of activities such as hiking, running, and birdwatching.
5. West Thumb Geyser Basin Trail
West Thumb Geyser Basin Trail is a loop trail that is 1.6 kilometers long with an elevation gain of 18 meters. It is rated as easy hence used by people of all ages and skill levels. The trail features a lake and is best used between May and October mainly for hiking, birdwatching, and nature trips.
6. Midway Geyser Basin Trail
Midway Geyser Basin Trail is of a loop type whose distance is 1.3 kilometers with an elevation gain of 17 meters. It is rated as easy and hence can be used by any person regardless of age or skill level. The trail features hot springs and is mainly used for walking.
7. Avalanche Peak Trail
Avalanche Peak Trail is an out and back trail that is 7.6 kilometers with an elevation gain of 632 meters. The trail is rated as hard. It features a lake and is best used between May and September for a couple of activity options such as rock climbing and snowshoeing.
8. Fountain Paint Pot Trail
Fountain Paint Pot is a loop trail that is 1 kilometer long with an elevation gain of 7 meters. The trail is rated as easy and hence good for any person regardless of age or skill levels. The trail is best used between May and September for hiking and birdwatching. The trail also leads you to see the other wildlife in Yellowstone National Park.
9. Upper Geyser Basin & Old Faithful Point Loop
This is a loop trail where you cover a distance of 7.9 kilometers and gain an elevation of 109 meters in approximately 2 hours. The difficulty level on this trail is rated as moderate. The trail features hot springs and is best used between May and October mainly for hiking, birdwatching, nature trips, and walking.
10. Norris Geyser Basin Loop Trail
This is a heavily trafficked 4.7-kilometer trail that has an elevation gain of 58 meters. It is rated as easy and hence it is an excellent trail for both beginners and experienced adventurers. The trail features hot springs and is best used between March and October primarily for hiking, walking, and birdwatching.
How Much Time Do You Need For Your Visit
To explore Yellowstone National Park in detail, you will need at least 3 days there. Three days allow you to visit most of the eye-catching attractions within the park and spend enough time on each attraction as you take photos. On the first day, for instance, you can visit Upper Geyser Basin, Old Faithful, and Grand Prismatic Spring as well as hike to the Fairy Falls. On the second day, you can tour the Yellowstone Grand Canyon, and drive through Hayden Valley and Dunraven Pass. On day three you have an opportunity to tour Norris Geyser Basin, Mammoth Hot Springs, and Lamar Valley for wildlife sightings. With this plan, you have toured the main attractions of Yellowstone National Park but you can stay even for a week if you have time to get a deeper experience.
Accommodations and Dining Near the Yellowstone National Park
If the campgrounds are full or you do not wish to camp in them, there are many accommodation options in and around Yellowstone National Park which will enhance your experience there. The accommodation options available vary in terms of costs and experience. For instance, if you need more luxury, you can stay in hotels such as Crosswinds Inn, and Holiday Inn West Yellowstone. For a lower budget, you can opt for City Center Motel and Elkhorn Cabins & Inn. The places where you eat depend on what type of food you want to eat. For instance, if you need a burger, Old Faithful Lodge Dining Room is excellent, and for best seafood go-to Grant Village Dining Room.
Best Time to Visit the Yellowstone National Park
There is no best time to visit Yellowstone National Park because each season has its pros and cons. However, most people visit the park during the summer season when the temperatures are above the freezing point and most of the popular trails used for hiking, horseback riding, and biking are clear of snow. This means that during the summer season the park is usually crowded. If you need peace and solitude, then you can visit the park during fall or winter although most of the parts are not accessible.
What to Pack For Your Visit To the Yellowstone National Park
If you tour Yellowstone National Park with enough cash, then you can get nearly anything that you need for your tour from the nearby stores and visitor centers. However, it is always good to carry what you need and only buy what you forgot to carry. First, Yellowstone National Park is a high-altitude area that is chilly most of the time and hence you need to pack extra layers including rain and a windproof jacket. Also, carry sturdy hiking boots if you are planning to hike which is almost certain. Binoculars are also important for viewing distant sceneries. Lastly and very important, carry enough water or a water bottle to keep yourself hydrated throughout the tour.
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