Madison Campground: Tent and RV sites with trail access

Madison Campground bathhouse at Yellowstone National Park with accessible restroom signs.

Madison Campground sits along a river in Yellowstone, offering basic tent and RV sites. There are 278 individual sites and 3 group sites with no hookups. Bathrooms are flush, but showers are not on site; nearest showers are Canyon Campground or Old Faithful Inn. Generators are allowed on RV or combination sites from 8:00 a.m. to 8:00 p.m.; they must not exceed 60 decibels at 50 feet. Bear boxes are available for food storage, and quiet hours are enforced to keep the river noise from getting t...

Riverside campground in Yellowstone National Park featuring basic tent & RV sites, plus toilets.

Quick facts

Reservation System: Yellowstone National Park Lodges (Xanterra)
Reservation Window: Reservations open 13 months in advance on the 5th of each month
Reservation Tips: Book as soon as reservations open; use the official Yellowstone Lodges booking site
Season Dates: May 1 to October 18

Reservations & season

Reservation System: Yellowstone National Park Lodges (Xanterra)
Reservation Window: Reservations open 13 months in advance on the 5th of each month
Reservation Tips: Book as soon as reservations open; use the official Yellowstone Lodges booking site
Season Dates: May 1 to October 18
Fills Up Speed: High demand; sites sell out quickly once reservations open
Per Night Cost: $33/night plus tax
Extra Vehicle Fees: Varies
Day Use Fees: Not applicable; overnight campground only
Passes Accepted: Interagency Access Pass and Senior Pass holders receive 50% discount; promo code PASS when booking

Sites & RV fit

Sites Total: 278 individual sites and 3 group sites
Site Types: RV sites, tent sites, combination RV/tent sites, hiker/cyclist non-reservable, ADA-accessible
Site Type Breakdown: RV, tent, combination RV/tent; ADA-accessible; hiker/cyclist non-reservable
RV Max Length: 40 feet maximum combined length (RV + towed vehicle)
Group Sites Available: 1
Group Site Capacity: 3 group sites (tent camping only)
Hookups: No electricity, water, or sewer hookups at any campsites
Site Features: Picnic tables and fire rings at each site; bear boxes at most tent sites; flush toilets with cold running water; nearby potable water spigots; on-site seasonal dump station; small mercantile store; ADA-accessible sites
Ground Type: Gravel and dirt sites; some paved pads
Site Privacy: Moderate privacy; some screening by trees in loops

Facilities

Bathroom Types: Flush toilets
Showers Available: Shower facilities not on-site; nearest at Canyon Campground or Old Faithful Inn
Potable Water: Potable water spigots accessible near sites
Dump Station: On-site dump station; seasonal availability
Trash Service: Bear-proof dumpsters and recycling bins
Camp Store: No
Firewood Availability: Firewood sold on-site; gathering of standing wood prohibited
Cell Service: Extremely limited; weak in Mammoth, Old Faithful, Canyon
Nearby Facilities: Old Faithful 16 miles; West Yellowstone 14 miles; gas and supplies in West Yellowstone

Access

Road Type: Paved roads and parking areas
Road Conditions: Generally well-maintained; watch for washboard on park roads
Vehicle Restrictions: RVs not allowed in loops G and H; length limits apply (40 ft combined)
Clearance Needed: Standard
Gate Hours: Gate access is limited to daylight hours; quiet hours are enforced after dark.
Distance From Entrance: About 14 miles east of the West Entrance
Nearest Gas Services: Old Faithful area (16 miles); West Yellowstone (14 miles)
Elevation: Varies
Accessibility: ADA-accessible sites available; some loops with accessible amenities
ADA Accessible Sites: 3 reservable ADA sites

Rules & safety

Bear Country: Yes
Food Storage Requirements: Bear boxes available at most tent sites; food, coolers, and scented items must be stored properly when not in use
Fire Restrictions: Wood fires permitted in fire rings; wood must fit; dead, down, and detached wood allowed; firewood sold on-site
Pets Allowed: Yes
Pet Restrictions: Leashed at all times; not on trails; must stay within 100 feet of roads and parking areas
Generator Hours: 8:00 a.m. to 8:00 p.m. for RV/combination sites; not allowed at tent sites
Quiet Hours: 10:00 p.m. to 6:00 a.m.
Max Stay Limit: Varies
Alcohol Permitted: 0

What it is like

Onsite Activities: Fishing on Madison River (seasonal); short walks; wildlife watching
Trailheads Nearby: Nearby Madison River trails; access to riverbank routes
Fishing Details: Madison River trout; license required
Wildlife Viewing: Bear country; observe food storage rules; wildlife common in area
Stargazing Quality: Good; dark skies away from town
Shade Coverage: Partial shade from trees along the river
Scenic Views: River views and forest backdrop
Noise Level: Generally quiet with river ambience and park sounds
Best Time To Visit: Late spring through early fall; plan for bears and crowds
Vibe Check: Functional basecamp vibe: river setting, basic amenities, no on-site showers, and strong wildlife awareness; prioritize convenience over luxury
Camp Here If Skip If: ✅ BOOK IF: You want a riverfront, basic campground with no hookups, ADA sites, and are prepared for bear country. ❌ SKIP IF: You need full hookups and on-site showers, or you want a more secluded wilderness experience.
Tips Advice: Book 13 months ahead on the 5th
Use bear boxes for all food
Shower planning: Canyon or Old Faithful Inn if needed
Expect washboard on park roads; allow extra driving time

More details

Sample Reviews: Madison Campground Madison Campground is a peaceful and scenic spot in Yellowstone, offering majestic views of the Madison Valley and frequent bison sightings. It’s also just a short drive to the West Entrance—the fastest way to exit the park—and the area has plenty of great restaurants for dining.While showers are not available at the campground, you can find them at Canyon Village or Old Faithful (about 30–40 minutes away). The campground is well-maintained and makes an excellent base for exploring Yellowstone’s western and central regions. Consider visiting Gibbon Falls and Artist Paintpots as well which are at a short distance between Norris and Madison.: 5: Gaurav
Great campsite. Easy access to park areas, while being able to hop into town if needed. No cell service but we just drove 5 miles toward west Yellowstone at the bridge to connect. Right there is where the elk hang out and occasional bison, or bear, so always got wildlife fix in evenings.Campsite is clean, everyone is friendly and shocked at how quiet it is all the time. People are quite respectful. And of course, easy access to river for fly fishing.: 5: Dee NJ
Madison Campground is a great place to set up camp for a week at Yellowstone. Very clean, Heated bathrooms with flush toilets, a fully stocked camp store centrally located are great. There is also a 4 bay dump station on site. The campground itself is essentially in the middle of the 2 loops of the park, so all areas can be reached after a short drive. Since we came in from the west, it was also convenient for us entering and exiting the park.: 5: Tom Welsh
Camp Types: tent
cabin
Park Area: Yellowstone National Park, Wyoming
Reservation Info: Yellowstone National Park Lodges provides reservations for in this campground. Call 307-344-7311 (307-344-5395 for TDD service) or select the "Reservations >" button to open their online reservation system.
Family Friendly Notes: Family-friendly with flush toilets and bear safety rules; quiet hours help with nighttime sleep
Senior Access Discounts: 50% discount with Senior Pass
Amphitheater: Not specified
Boat Launch: No on-site boat launch
Nearby Attractions: Old Faithful area (16 miles), West Yellowstone (14 miles), Mammoth area nearby
Terrain Type: Riverside, generally flat with river backdrop
Temperature Ranges: Varies by season; nights can be cold
Snow Season: Seasonal; snow can linger into spring
Monsoon Season: Varies
Wind Exposure: Variable; river valley can be breezy
Bug Season: Mosquito activity in warm months
Setup Strategy: Internal roads are paved; aim for a site on the main loops with river proximity; large rigs must fit within 40 ft combined and avoid loops G/H
Bath Laundry Recon: No on-site showers; pay showers off-site at Canyon Campground or Old Faithful Inn; wash facilities limited
Review Summary: Rated 4.5 stars from 916 reviews; a reliable riverfront campground with basic amenities and high demand; plan ahead for reservations and bear safety.
Sources: National Park Service — Yellowstone National Park fees, hours & conditions: https://www.nps.gov/yell/index.htm: 2026-07-05
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