Campground

Mammoth Campground

CampgroundOPERATIONAL★ 4.6
Mammoth Campground sign along a wet road at Yellowstone National Park, with hills in the background.

Set on a hillside at 6,200 ft, Mammoth Campground offers RV and tent sites with fire rings and picnic tables. Water spigots are scattered throughout, but there are no on-site showers; Gardiner provides the nearest public showers about 5 miles away. A Bear country campground with 85 sites, it stays busy in peak season and you should book far in advance on Recreation.gov. Trails to Mammoth Hot Springs are nearby, and quiet evenings are common—though a few late arrivals have been noted.

Scenic campground with spaces for tents & campers, plus a small shower house & picnic tables.

Quick facts

Reservation System
Recreation.gov
Reservation Window
Reservations up to six months in advance on a rolling basis
Reservation Tips
Book up to six months ahead on Recreation.gov; peak season sells out fast; set alarms
Season Dates
Operating year-round; reservations Apr 15–Oct 15; first-come Oct 16–Apr 1 with some January–mid-April closure

Reservations & season

Reservation System
Recreation.gov
Reservation Window
Reservations up to six months in advance on a rolling basis
Reservation Tips
Book up to six months ahead on Recreation.gov; peak season sells out fast; set alarms
Season Dates
Operating year-round; reservations Apr 15–Oct 15; first-come Oct 16–Apr 1 with some January–mid-April closure
Fills Up Speed
Highly competitive during peak season; book early
Per Night Cost
$25/night per site; America the Beautiful Pass holders receive a 50% discount
Extra Vehicle Fees
Varies
Day Use Fees
Not applicable for campers; park entrance fees apply separately
Passes Accepted
America the Beautiful Pass accepted; 50% discount

Sites & RV fit

Sites Total
85
Site Types
RV sites, Tent sites
Site Type Breakdown
RV sites, Tent sites
RV Max Length
40 ft generally; some sites up to 75 ft; winter limit 30 ft
Group Sites Available
0
Hookups
No hookups (no electrical, water, or sewer)
Site Features
Fire ring with grate, picnic table at most sites; some sites have tent pads; gravel parking pads; 3-vehicle max per site
Ground Type
Gravel parking pads; some tent pads
Site Privacy
Sites generally spacious; some with expansive views

Facilities

Bathroom Types
Flush toilets year-round
Showers Available
No on-site showers; Gardiner public showers ~5 miles away
Potable Water
Potable water spigots available throughout
Dump Station
No on-site dump station; nearest in Gardiner, MT (~5 miles)
Trash Service
Bear-proof dumpsters and recycling bins
Camp Store
No
Firewood Availability
Firewood sold seasonally; fires in designated rings per restrictions
Cell Service
Cell service is inconsistent at Mammoth Campground; signal is available in some pockets, but coverage depends on the carrier.
Nearby Facilities
Gas/groceries in Gardiner ~5 miles north

Access

Road Type
Paved and gravel roads
Road Conditions
Generally fair
Vehicle Restrictions
Three vehicles per site maximum
Clearance Needed
Standard clearance sufficient
Gate Hours
North Entrance Road remains open year-round; gate hours are posted at the entrance and may vary with the season.
Distance From Entrance
Approximately 5 miles south of the North Entrance at Gardiner, MT
Nearest Gas Services
Gas and groceries in Gardiner, MT ~5 miles north
Elevation
6200 feet (1890 m)
Accessibility
Five ADA sites; check accessibility details for each site
ADA Accessible Sites
Five accessible campsites

Rules & safety

Bear Country
Yes
Food Storage Requirements
Bear-proof storage boxes provided; proper food storage mandatory
Fire Restrictions
Wood and charcoal fires permitted in designated rings, subject to fire restrictions
Pets Allowed
Yes
Pet Restrictions
Leashed (6 feet max); not allowed on trails or boardwalks
Generator Hours
8:00–20:00; 60 dB limit
Quiet Hours
8 p.m. to 8 a.m.
Max Stay Limit
14 days (July 1–Labor Day); 30 days otherwise
Alcohol Permitted
0

What it is like

Onsite Activities
Hiking, fishing, wildlife viewing, ranger programs (seasonal); nearby Mammoth Hot Springs trails
Trailheads Nearby
Trails to Mammoth Hot Springs and Beaver Ponds nearby
Fishing Details
Fishing nearby
Wildlife Viewing
Wildlife viewing opportunities
Stargazing Quality
Open sky with some tree cover; good stargazing
Shade Coverage
Scattered trees provide some shade
Scenic Views
Expansive views from some sites
Noise Level
Generally quiet; occasional late arrivals
Best Time To Visit
Summer to early fall; book six months out
Vibe Check
Functional basecamp with hillside charm; not a resort, but clean, quiet, and close to Mammoth area
Camp Here If Skip If
✅ BOOK IF: You need affordable Yellowstone access with pull-through sites up to 40 ft (75 ft on select sites) and no hookups. ❌ SKIP IF: You require on-site showers, full hookups, or a resort vibe.
Tips Advice
  • Book six months ahead on Recreation.gov
  • Bear safety: store food in bear boxes
  • Pack warm layers for 6,200 ft
  • Bring a water bottle and refill at potable spigots
  • Pack it in, pack it out

More details

Camp Types
  • tent
  • cabin
Park Area
Yellowstone National Park
Reservation Info
Sites are reservation-only from early April to mid-October and first-come, first-served from mid-October to late March on Recreation.gov. Individual campsites at this campground can be reserved up to six months in advance. Reservations open on a rolling basis, meaning you can book your site exactly six months before the date of your stay, as long as reservations are available for that time.
Family Friendly Notes
Flush toilets; kid-friendly; quiet hours; be bear-aware
Senior Access Discounts
Varies
Amphitheater
Seasonal ranger programs at the on-site amphitheater
Boat Launch
No boat launch at campground
Nearby Attractions
Mammoth Hot Springs; Gardiner; Yellowstone attractions within short drive
Terrain Type
Hillside with juniper and Douglas fir
Temperature Ranges
Temps vary by season; nights can be cool
Snow Season
Part of campground closed Jan–mid-April; winter restrictions in effect
Monsoon Season
Afternoon thunderstorms possible in summer
Wind Exposure
Can be windy in exposed areas
Bug Season
Mosquitoes common in warmer months; bring repellent
Setup Strategy
Most sites are pull-through; some back-in; internal roads paved; expect some leveling on gravel pads; limit of 3 vehicles; winter length may affect site choice
Bath Laundry Recon
No on-site showers; nearest Gardiner showers; flush toilets; no on-site laundry
Review Summary
Visitors praise the spacious RV and tent sites and easy access to Mammoth Hot Springs trails; water spigots work well; no on-site showers, plan Gardiner showers; some late-arrival noise observed. Overall, a solid Yellowstone basecamp with ample access to park highlights.

Location

Mammoth Campground in Yellowstone National Park with a gravel site, trees, and the surrounding rugged hillside on a clear summer day.Bighorn sheep ram stands on rocky terrain at Mammoth Campground, Yellowstone National Park.Mammoth Campground in Yellowstone National Park with an RV parked under pines and a distant mountain range.Mammoth Campground at Yellowstone National Park with a gravel road, parked cars, and a sign near rolling hills and distant mountains.

Frequently asked questions

Are there bears?

Yes. Bear country; store food properly and use bear boxes.

Do sites have hookups?

No hookups at Mammoth Campground.

Is there a dump station on-site?

No; nearest dump station is in Gardiner, MT.

Is Wi-Fi available?

Cell service exists but varies by carrier; no campground Wi-Fi.

When can I reserve?

Reservations open up to six months in advance on Recreation.gov.

Tower Fall Campground

Tent sites, some small RV spots; 30' max; no hookups; bear country; showers nearby at Roosevelt Lodge.

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Sources

Editorial review: YourNPGuide Editorial Team. Information is compiled from official sources, verified traveler reviews, and editorial research; no firsthand visit is implied unless explicitly documented. Learn how YourNPGuide works.

Last updated January 2026. Report an issue.