Where to camp in Yellowstone July 2016

not sure but I think some areas are off limits for tents due to bears.
bumpy

Your rig would be able to go into most of the campgrounds within the park.
If you want hook ups, Fishing Bridge is the only one.
We have stayed at Indian Creek north of Norris Geyser Basin. Quiet, has water in spigots around campground. Either tent or trailer would work. No reservations required, get in early.
Madison has water dump station. Need reservations early.

Not sure if it still the case, but Fishing Bridge used to be hard sided campers/trailers only.

Check RV parks right outside the park in West Yellowstone if you run out of availability. It's a short drive in to the park from where we stayed.

Clicky for the sites and if they allow camper or tents or both. We live under an hour from Yellowstone. We have never camped in Yellowstone, usually outside of it and drive in. Lots cheaper to boondock in Island Park, ID and drive the 15 min to Yellowstone. No crowds of people.

We stayed at Indian Bridge and whatever the other one is for tents and liked both




























We have stayed at two of the campgrounds that do not have electricity and enjoyed both. Even in mid September the one that was open filled up by noon.
We camped the night before in a NF campground close to the park.

I tented it when I went to Yellowstone in 2012. I stayed at Towerfall the first night (tents only), Madison the 2nd night, and then the last night was at Grant village. When I drove through, Fishing Bridge was by and large RV only, Canyon was Hard-sided RV only (no hybrids) due to bears. Thing is, the roads will be PACKED! I went in September so no other traffic really. Read up on some of the in-park shuttle buses that drive around and see if you can use them.

Personally, I'll never do what I did in my 2012 trip ever again (spending each night at a different camp ground). That's a lot of packing and unpacking to keep doing!

Also, there's way more to yellowstone than Ol' Faithful. I really wish I had 2 weeks to really spend my time there and take in the sites more. That's probably what I'll do in 2019 or so when I decide to go back. Probably with a trailer or 5'er

Pro-tip: It's freaking cold at night. Never had snot frozen to my face before, and I used to be an avid snowboarder. make sure you dress warm for sleeping at night if you tent it. Also, the wildlife does like coming into the campgrounds. Had some sort of coyote thing near our tent at night, lots of elk and buffalo as well. Don't antagonize them, they will ram your vehicle.

In the south there's Grant Village a 430 space campground that could easily take your trailer. Reserve now if at all possible as the campground is only open from June 21 to September 21 or so. During the season the first come, no reservation campgrounds are full by 8:30 - 9AM every day.

Staying in West Yellowstone or Island Park are good alternatives.

I really our family camping at KOA West Yellowstone. Perhaps it is not the type of camping you want, but for us...lots of trees, rustic, indoor heated pool, activities, well maintained, secure, only six miles from Yellowstone West entrance.

Just went this past September. I can tell you even after the Holiday weekend there were PLENTY of people in the park and all main campgrounds full every day. Every main scenic lookout parking was full when we drove up, and required waiting a few minutes for a parking space to open up. Most visitors to Yellowstone say there is really not a time where it's not crowded, at least until they close the West Yellowstone Gate.