Mt. Rushmore and Yellowstine around July 4

July 4 is the unofficial beginning of the height of tourist season in YNP. Lately, with all the (usually foreign) bus tours starting in the spring, it's been quite busy, but it always is during camping season these days, so we deal with it. We need hookups but Bridge Bay is tight, so we usually camp in West Yellowstone now. (Grizzly is great; if you have kids with you who might want to blow off steam in a playground or pool, the KOA closest to town is good, though pricey - but then, everything is pricey there.) Agreed with those who say, make reservations early, both for Yellowstone and for the Black Hills. Years ago we stayed at the Rafter J Bar in the Black Hills and loved it; depends what section of that large campground you choose though.