Looking for some advice on campgrounds inside Yellowstone NP. We are planing on staying inside the park this summer. While attempting to make reservations for Canyon campground I discovered they can not take anything with a total length over 40 feet. Combined length for me is 44 feet (truck and TT). So now I am looking for recommendations. We hope to stay 10 days total divided up between two campgrounds. We will have the kids in a tent so Fishing Bridge is out. It looks like Grant, Madison and Bridge Bay are the only three locations that can take us. I did search and did not find a answer to this.

Sounds like you have already figured out your answer. Old NPs continue to have issues with today's RV size. Hopefully they will remodel some day and make the spaces larger. Did you ask if they will allow you to park your Tow Vehicle at an overflow parking within the campground and just have your trailer at your site so you can meet the length restrictions so you can get into your desired campground?

I may be having one of those mental blocks, but something didn’t register right with me. Usually, the site length refers to the TT, not the total length. And one parks their TV alongside or at an angle to the TT to fit in the space. Your TT is moderate size or as bit smaller and I can’t believe you couldn’t get it in many of the campgrounds there. But for the life of me I can’t remember Canyon. Are you sure there wasn’t a miscommunication with the party? You do realize Fishing Bridge is your only option if you want hookups. Otherwise you’ll be dry camping or in a campground outside the park.

When we were there there was a place near the office of one CG to park cars and trucks. With just a 32' MH we had trouble finding a site that long.

rfryer wrote:I may be having one of those mental blocks, but something didn’t register right with me. Usually, the site length refers to the TT, not the total length. And one parks their TV alongside or at an angle to the TT to fit in the space. Your TT is moderate size or as bit smaller and I can’t believe you couldn’t get it in many of the campgrounds there. But for the life of me I can’t remember Canyon. Are you sure there wasn’t a miscommunication with the party? You do realize Fishing Bridge is your only option if you want hookups. Otherwise you’ll be dry camping or in a campground outside the park. If you ask the folks that run the park it is the combined length. If you ask here, most tell you to not worry about it. I opted for the sure side as I wouldn't want to get turned away.

do they allow tent campers at Madison?bumpy

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TNRIVERSIDE
Explorer
Jun 17, 2014
bikendan wrote:
TNRIVERSIDE wrote:
smkettner wrote:
TNRIVERSIDE wrote:
We are planing on staying inside the park in June 2015. While attempting to make reservations for Canyon campground I discovered they can not take anything with a total length over 40 feet. Combined length for me is 44 feet (truck and TT).

Did you call or just accept the website restrictions?

Yes I called. They asked for the overall length then explained that you cant parallel park. so length is important.

well, i can tell you that we camped at Madison and Grant, with a HTT longer than your trailer and our Avalanche.
tons of sites in both campgrounds big enough for larger combos.

Thanks. I'll give it a try.
bikendan
Explorer
Jun 17, 2014
TNRIVERSIDE wrote:
smkettner wrote:
TNRIVERSIDE wrote:
We are planing on staying inside the park in June 2015. While attempting to make reservations for Canyon campground I discovered they can not take anything with a total length over 40 feet. Combined length for me is 44 feet (truck and TT).

Did you call or just accept the website restrictions?

Yes I called. They asked for the overall length then explained that you cant parallel park. so length is important.

well, i can tell you that we camped at Madison and Grant, with a HTT longer than your trailer and our Avalanche.
tons of sites in both campgrounds big enough for larger combos.
bikendan
Explorer
Jun 17, 2014
Bumpyroad wrote:
do they allow tent campers at Madison?
bumpy

yes, there's a whole loop just for tent campers.

again, Fishing Bridge is the ONLY campground in YNP, that has a permanent ban on soft-sided campers and tents.
TNRIVERSIDE
Explorer
Jun 16, 2014
Thanks for the help. I was able to book Grant and Canyon. I may need to park the truck in a parking lot.
FYI Grant is out of double with sites with a tent pad.
TNRIVERSIDE
Explorer
Jun 16, 2014
smkettner wrote:
TNRIVERSIDE wrote:
We are planing on staying inside the park in June 2015. While attempting to make reservations for Canyon campground I discovered they can not take anything with a total length over 40 feet. Combined length for me is 44 feet (truck and TT).

Did you call or just accept the website restrictions?

Yes I called. They asked for the overall length then explained that you cant parallel park. so length is important.
AH64ID
Explorer
Jun 16, 2014
TexasShadow wrote:
a campsite's measurements are usually a bit deceiving. A campsite length will measure from road to some kind of marker at the end of the site..a log or some rocks, etc. The campsite is usually wide enough to park your tow vehicle alongside of your trailer, and the back end of your trailer will usually hang over the log or rocks that mark the back end.
Bridge Bay will hold you no problems. Can't speak for the others, but I'm betting they will, too.

Correct. I might be breaking the rules a little, but I have my 50' setup reserved in Canyon. I had my 43' setup in canyon 2 years ago with room to spare, if you park appropriately.

Madison will take up to 50', I don't recall where else will.
Bumpyroad
Explorer
Jun 16, 2014
just remembered from my stay at fishing bridge. at that time they had square wooden posts set in at the rear of the sites. many/most had been pushed back further at about 45 degrees from having RVs backed into them. :)
bumpy
time2roll
Nomad
Jun 16, 2014
TNRIVERSIDE wrote:
We are planing on staying inside the park in June 2015. While attempting to make reservations for Canyon campground I discovered they can not take anything with a total length over 40 feet. Combined length for me is 44 feet (truck and TT).

Did you call or just accept the website restrictions?
TNRIVERSIDE
Explorer
Jun 16, 2014
I could park my truck in the overflow BUT I Cary some of my needed items in the truck also tents and TT combinations are not allowed in Canyon. Also parking beside the TT is not allowed in Canyon. So combined length is what they go by. Thanks for the input. Still looking for recomendations.
rv2go
Explorer II
Jun 16, 2014
Bumpyroad wrote:
do they allow tent campers at Madison?
bumpy

Lots of tents at Madison last June, 2013. In fact my neighbor was a Chinese family in two tents. Curiosity must have gotten to them. About the 3rd day, one of the young girls that could speak English, asked if they could see inside the MH. They were truly amazed.

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