Now is the time to secure reservations for summer campsites in Yellowstone Park. Unfortunately, the days of just showing up to claim a campsite are over and you must have an advance reservation if you want to camp in Yellowstone. The historic flooding in 2022 closed several campgrounds that may remain closed in 2023 so it will be tougher than usual to find a site. Make your plans now and get your reservations as soon as possible
Yellowstone Park Campgrounds
Yellowstone Park campgrounds are operated by two different entities, the National Park Service and Yellowstone Park Lodges and each operates it’s own reservation system. Most campground reservations are available now but a few don’t open reservations until Feb 15.
The National Park Service takes reservations through Recreation.gov. for these 7 campgrounds:
- Mammoth Campground – Closed in 2023 until further notice
- Slough Creek Campground – Closed in 2023 until further notice
- Pebble Creek Campground – Closed in 2023 until further notice
- Indian Creek Campground
- Lewis Lake Campground
- Norris Campground – Closed in 2023 until further notice
- Tower Fall Campground – Closed in 2023 until further notice
As of 2/10/2023, Yellowstone Park has not determined the status of the 5 campgrounds noted above. They may or may not be opened and the final decisions are expected by mid-March.
Yellowstone National Park Lodges takes reservations for these five campgrounds.
- Bridge Bay Campground
- Canyon Campground
- Fishing Bridge RV Park
- Grant Village Campground
- Madison Campground
Camping Outside Yellowstone Park
Since every campsite fills every night in the summer, you will have to camp outside the park if you don’t make advance reservations. Yellowstone is surrounded by national forest lands which offer many options for camping. There are also many private campgrounds in the surrounding communities.
Here is complete information about campgrounds and campsites in Montana and Wyoming north of Yellowstone:
Camping and Campgrounds along the Beartooth Highway – Northeast Entrance areas
Camping and Campgrounds in Montana’s Paradise Valley near Yellowstone Park’s North Entrance – North Entrance areas
Make Your Campground Reservations Early!
Yellowstone Park campsites are reserved far in advance and many of the other campgrounds around the park fill completely every night. Most of the national forest campgrounds take advance reservations and it can be very hard to find a campsite if you don’t have an advance reservation. As hard as it is to believe, now (February) is the time to schedule and reserve your summer camping site.
The Absaroka Beartooth Wilderness and the surrounding forests are special places that need our support. You can help advocate for these lands by supporting the Absaroka Beartooth Wilderness Association. They are a positive force in support of the wilderness and we all need to give them our support!