Thermal activity in Yellowstone National Park
Yellowstone National Park is one of America's oldest and most beloved national parks. From steaming geysers and mud pools to the water falls of the Yellowstone river, Yellowstone has a diverse range of geological features and wildlife. While Yellowstone has a few classic lodges, many people prefer to camp amid the natural beauty. Since many campgrounds in the park do not take reservations, you should arrive at non-reservation campgrounds at the crack of dawn to ensure a spot.
Camping Locations
Yellowstone has 12 campgrounds within park boundaries. Of those 12, only five campgrounds, all operated by Xanterra, take reservations. In the north of the park you will find the Pebble Creek, Slough Creek, Tower Fall, Mammoth Hot Springs and Indian Creek campgrounds, none of which take reservations. Further south, near Yellowstone's grand canyon is Xanterra's Canyon Village campground and the nearby Norris campground.
If you want to stay near the famous Old Faithful geyser, the closest three campgrounds are Xanterra's Madison campground to the north, the Lewis Lake campground to the south and Xanterra's Grant Village campground to the east. The other two Yellowstone campgrounds are Xanterra's Bridge Bay and Fishing Bridge campgrounds.
Fees and Reservations
If you wish to make a reservation at one of Xanterra's campgrounds, you can call 1-866-GEYSERLAND (439-7375) for future reservations or 307-344-7901 for same-day reservations. Prices and capacity vary by location. As of 2009, Canyon, Grant, Madison and Bridge Bay all cost $18.50 per night and the Fishing Bridge RV Park cost $35. The number of sites at each Xanterra campground range from 250 (Madison and Canyon) to 425 (Bridge Bay).
The remaining campgrounds do not take reservations. As of 2009, Indian Creek, Lewis Lake, Pebble Creek, Slough Creek and Tower cost $12 and Mammoth Hot Springs and Norris cost $14. The non-Xanterra campgrounds have fewer sites than the Xanterra campgrounds. Site numbers range from 29 (Slough Creek) to 85 (Mammoth and Lewis Lake).
Restrictions and Facilities
All the campgrounds except the Fishing Bridge RV park have 14-days limits during peak season (May through October) and 30-day limits at all other applicable times. The Mammoth campground is the only campground to remain open the whole year (including during Yellowstone's brutal winters). The other campgrounds remain open from late spring to mid-fall.
Generators are only allowed at Indian Creek, Lewis Lake, Pebble Creek, Tower Fall and Slough Creek (from 8AM to 8PM). Camp fires are allowed in designated fire rings only, but additional restrictions may be in place due to seasonal fire risk.
All campgrounds have either flush or vault toilets and every campground except Canyon, Fishing Bridge RV Park and Grant have laundry facilities and showers available on the premises or nearby. All campgrounds except Grant, Madison, Bridge Bay and Canyon have dump stations and Fishing Bridge RV Park has a sewer.
Tags: Fishing Bridge, Lewis Lake, Slough Creek, take reservations, Bridge Park, Creek Tower, Indian Creek
