Campground
Lonesomehurst Campground
Lonesomehurst Campground sits on Hebgen Lake, offering a calm lakeside base for exploring Yellowstone's surroundings. It’s about 20 minutes from the West Yellowstone entrance, with 27 sites for tents, RVs, and trailers. Vault toilets, potable water spigots, and bear boxes are at each site, and the vibe is simple, family-friendly camping. Plan for modest amenities and good cell service nearby.
Quick facts
- Reservation System
- Recreation.gov
- Reservation Window
- Reservations can be made from 3 days up to 6 months in advance.
- Reservation Tips
- Book 3 days to 6 months ahead on Recreation.gov; peak season fills fast
- Season Dates
- Mid-May through late September (weather dependent).
Reservations & season
- Reservation System
- Recreation.gov
- Reservation Window
- Reservations can be made from 3 days up to 6 months in advance.
- Reservation Tips
- Book 3 days to 6 months ahead on Recreation.gov; peak season fills fast
- Season Dates
- Mid-May through late September (weather dependent).
- Fills Up Speed
- High demand; sells out quickly during peak season.
- Per Night Cost
- $20–$35/night
- Extra Vehicle Fees
- $8–$9 per additional vehicle
- Day Use Fees
- Varies
- Passes Accepted
- America the Beautiful Pass accepted for campsite fees; electric and extra vehicle fees excluded.
Sites & RV fit
- Sites Total
- 27
- Site Types
- Tent, RV, trailer
- Site Type Breakdown
- Tent sites, RV sites, Trailer sites
- RV Max Length
- Site-dependent; some permit up to 45 ft; others cap at 30 ft combined.
- Group Sites Available
- 0
- Hookups
- Electric 30/50 amp at 4-5 sites; water spigots throughout; no sewer.
- Site Features
- Picnic table, fire ring/grate, bear box at each site.
- Ground Type
- Dirt and gravel; some level dirt pads
- Site Privacy
- Moderate privacy; some sites near neighbors
Facilities
- Bathroom Types
- Vault toilets (pit toilets)
- Showers Available
- No showers
- Potable Water
- Potable water spigots throughout
- Dump Station
- No dump station
- Trash Service
- Bear-proof dumpsters
- Camp Store
- No camp store
- Firewood Availability
- Firewood available from campground host for about $10 per bundle
- Cell Service
- Good cell service (AT&T, Verizon, T-Mobile)
- Nearby Facilities
- West Yellowstone, MT: gas, groceries, services
Access
- Road Type
- Paved access road; final approach on Forest Road 167 (Denny Creek Road) is gravel
- Road Conditions
- Generally good; washboard sections possible on gravel
- Vehicle Restrictions
- Trailers may be restricted on rougher forest roads
- Clearance Needed
- High-clearance recommended
- Gate Hours
- No gate hours are published.
- Distance From Entrance
- Approx. 12 miles (about 20 minutes) from West Yellowstone Entrance
- Nearest Gas Services
- West Yellowstone, MT (gas, groceries, services)
- Accessibility
- ADA toilets; site numbers not listed; some accessible facilities
- ADA Accessible Sites
- ADA toilets available; specific site numbers not listed
Rules & safety
- Bear Country
- Yes
- Food Storage Requirements
- Bear boxes at each site; store food inside
- Fire Restrictions
- Campfires in designated rings; seasonal bans common
- Pets Allowed
- Yes
- Pet Restrictions
- Leash at all times; not on park trails
- Generator Hours
- 7 a.m. to 10 p.m.
- Quiet Hours
- 10 p.m.–7 a.m.
- Max Stay Limit
- 16 days
- Alcohol Permitted
- 0
What it is like
- Onsite Activities
- Hebgen Lake access for boating/fishing; nearby hiking options
- Trailheads Nearby
- Hebgen Lake area; trails accessible from West Yellowstone and Yellowstone region
- Fishing Details
- Hebgen Lake fishing; algae bloom warnings at the boat dock
- Wildlife Viewing
- Bear country; wildlife common around Hebgen Lake
- Stargazing Quality
- Good stargazing due to minimal light pollution
- Shade Coverage
- Partial shade; some sites open
- Scenic Views
- Hebgen Lake and surrounding pines
- Noise Level
- Quiet with occasional road noise
- Best Time To Visit
- Late spring through early fall; peak summer busiest; shoulder seasons quieter
- Vibe Check
- Functional basecamp near a popular gateway; not a wilderness retreat. Clean, convenient, with lake access and short drives to West Yellowstone; expect some crowds in peak season.
- Camp Here If Skip If
- ✅ BOOK IF: You want lakeside camping near West Yellowstone with select electric sites and solid cell coverage. ❌ SKIP IF: You need full amenity range (showers, on-site dump).
- Tips Advice
- Book early on Recreation.gov (3 days to 6 months).
- Bring water jug and plan for no showers on most sites.
- Pack bear storage habits and check food storage rules.
- Have a headlamp for late-night trips to vault toilets.
- Use a map to navigate Forest Road 167; expect some washboard on gravel roads.
- Bring extra layers and sun protection for lake winds.
More details
- Park Area
- Hebgen Lake / West Yellowstone area, Montana
- Family Friendly Notes
- Vault toilets, bear boxes, lake access; no showers; West Yellowstone nearby for services
- Boat Launch
- Boat launch on Hebgen Lake; beach access
- Nearby Attractions
- Hebgen Lake, West Yellowstone, gateway to Yellowstone National Park
- Terrain Type
- Lakeside with pine forest; forest roads
- Setup Strategy
- Big rigs: some sites handle up to 45 ft; others cap at 30 ft combined. Internal roads are paved with a gravel final approach; if you want electric, target one of the 4–5 electric sites. Bring leveling blocks for uneven sites and set up near a water spigot when possible.
- Bath Laundry Recon
- No on-site showers and no laundry facilities. Plan to use West Yellowstone facilities or your own setup; pack extra towels.
- Review Summary
- Lonesomehurst Campground sits on Hebgen Lake just west of the West Yellowstone gateway, about a 20-minute drive to the park entrance. The 27-site campground hosts mostly modest rigs, with roughly four to five sites offering 30/50-amp electrical hookups; the largest spur accommodates up to a 30' x 45' trailer. Water comes from scattered potable spigots; vault toilets are available, but there are no showers. A dump station isn’t available; the nearest services are in West Yellowstone. Trash is kept in bear-proof dumpsters, and campers must pack out all waste or pay a cleaning fee. Firewood is sold on site by the camp host for $10 per bundle, and collecting firewood is prohibited. Cell service is generally reliable in the area. Reservations are handled via Recreation.gov, with a booking window of 3 days to 6 months in advance, and the operating season runs May 17 through Sept 29, weather permitting. Nightly rates are around $20 for a single site with two vehicles; extra vehicles are $9. Electric-site fees and additional vehicle charges may apply. The campground sits about 8 miles west of the West Yellowstone Entrance Station, roughly a 20-minute drive to the park entrance.
Location
Frequently asked questions
Are there showers at Lonesomehurst Campground?
No showers are available; vault toilets are provided.
Can I bring more than two vehicles?
Extra vehicles incur an $8–$9 per-vehicle fee; count beyond the first two.
Is there cell service?
Yes; AT&T, Verizon, and T-Mobile typically have service.
What are the RV length limits?
Length limits vary by site: some sites allow up to 45 ft, others impose a 30 ft combined vehicle+trailer cap.
Are electric hookups available?
Yes, on about 4–5 sites, with 30/50 amp service.
More at Yellowstone National Park
Slough Creek Campground
Remote tent/RV campsite (30 ft max), 16 sites, no hookups, water by hand pump (2025).
Buffalo Bluff RV Park
Big Rig friendly, full hookups, Cody bluff— Yellowstone access nearby.
Bakers Hole Campground
33 electric sites; 75-ft rigs welcome; vault toilets; West Yellowstone 3 miles away
Canyon Campground
270+ sites, no hookups, bear lockers, showers nearby
Indian Creek Campground
Quiet Yellowstone campground: no hookups, seasonal water, and mountain views.
Mammoth Campground
Water spigots; no on-site showers; bear-country camping near Mammoth Hot Springs.
Recommended gear for Yellowstone National Park
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Sources
- usda.gov
- nps.gov
- mt.gov
- visitmt.com
- campsitephotos.com
- thedyrt.com
- perfectcamp.com
- hipcamp.com
- youtube.com
- reddit.com
- yellowstonenationalpark.com
- wealwayswander.com
- wanderlog.com
- bivy.com
- National Park Service
- Google Reviews
- YourNPGuide Editorial
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.














