Campground

Rainbow Point Campground

CampgroundOPERATIONAL★ 4.1
Rainbow Point Campground in Yellowstone National Park with an RV, a tent canopy, and a wooden picnic table among tall pines.

Rainbow Point Campground sits on Hebgen Lake just outside West Yellowstone. There are 83-85 sites, with 46-47 electric hookups, mainly in Loop B and C. Vault toilets serve bathrooms and potable water spigots are spread around; no showers on-site. Fires are allowed in designated rings, and bear boxes protect food; the dirt ground has ample shade and nights are generally quiet.

Quick facts

Reservation System
Recreation.gov (with some Loop D FCFS sites)
Reservation Window
2-3 months in advance recommended
Reservation Tips
Book via Recreation.gov; expect Loop D FCFS on some dates; plan for electric site selection
Season Dates
May 17 - September 29 (weather dependent)

Reservations & season

Reservation System
Recreation.gov (with some Loop D FCFS sites)
Reservation Window
2-3 months in advance recommended
Reservation Tips
Book via Recreation.gov; expect Loop D FCFS on some dates; plan for electric site selection
Season Dates
May 17 - September 29 (weather dependent)
Fills Up Speed
Very busy on weekends; book early
Per Night Cost
$26-$35 electric; $20-$26 non-electric
Extra Vehicle Fees
$8-$9 per night
Day Use Fees
Varies
Passes Accepted
Federal Recreation Passes not applicable toward extra vehicle or electric fees

Sites & RV fit

Sites Total
83-85 sites
Site Types
Tent and RV sites; Loop B/C electric
Site Type Breakdown
Electric: 46-47; Non-electric: 36-39
RV Max Length
40 feet
Group Sites Available
0
Hookups
30-amp and 50-amp at some sites; potable water spigots; no sewer hookups
Site Features
Fire ring with grate; picnic table; bear boxes at each site; vault toilets; potable water spigots
Ground Type
Dirt or dusty ground
Site Privacy
Spacing is generally good; many sites feel private

Facilities

Bathroom Types
Vault toilets
Showers Available
No showers
Potable Water
Potable water spigots available
Dump Station
No on-site dump station; nearest West Yellowstone dump at Grizzly Park RV, fee approx $10-$20
Trash Service
Bear-proof dumpsters
Camp Store
Ice and basic supplies not listed on-site
Firewood Availability
Firewood available from campground host at ~ $10 per bundle
Cell Service
Fair to good; AT&T generally better than Verizon
Nearby Facilities
West Yellowstone ~10 miles for gas, groceries, dining; dump near West Yellowstone at Grizzly Park RV

Access

Road Type
Gravel internal roads; last 2-3 miles to camp are gravel
Road Conditions
Gravel, bumpy, washboarded; slow speeds recommended
Vehicle Restrictions
Max trailer length 40 feet
Clearance Needed
Standard clearance; use caution with larger rigs
Gate Hours
Seasonal access: May 17–September 29, weather permitting. Gate hours vary by day; verify current access times on Recreation.gov before your trip.
Distance From Entrance
8-10 miles to West Yellowstone Entrance Station (20-30 minute drive)
Nearest Gas Services
West Yellowstone (~10 miles) with gas, groceries, dining
Elevation
6,240 - 6,670 feet
Accessibility
Gravel roads; ADA accessible restrooms; some sites accessible
ADA Accessible Sites
ADA accessible restrooms available

Rules & safety

Bear Country
Yes
Food Storage Requirements
Food must be stored in provided bear boxes or secured when campsite is unoccupied
Fire Restrictions
Fires allowed in designated rings; seasonal bans common
Pets Allowed
Yes
Pet Restrictions
Leash at all times
Generator Hours
Generators not allowed during quiet hours (8 PM–8 AM)
Quiet Hours
Not stated; typical campground quiet hours apply (10pm-6am)
Max Stay Limit
16 days
Alcohol Permitted
0

What it is like

Onsite Activities
Boating, fishing, swimming, hiking, biking, wildlife viewing
Trailheads Nearby
Hiking and biking trails in surrounding area
Fishing Details
Fishing allowed in Hebgen Lake; license rules apply
Wildlife Viewing
Wildlife viewing opportunities around Hebgen Lake and nearby areas
Stargazing Quality
Possible; tree cover may limit dark-sky viewing
Shade Coverage
Ample shade across sites
Scenic Views
Hebgen Lake and forested hills
Noise Level
Generally quiet; occasional neighbor noise
Best Time To Visit
Late spring through early fall; operating season May 17–Sept 29
Vibe Check
Forest basecamp with lake access and spacious sites; functional and convenient, not a wilderness retreat.
Camp Here If Skip If
✅ BOOK IF: You need electric hookups (Loop B/C), value shade and Hebgen Lake access, and can skip on-site showers. ❌ SKIP IF: You must have abundant amenities or seek total wilderness solitude with zero road noise.
Tips Advice
  • Book 2–3 months ahead on Recreation.gov
  • Expect gravel approaches; slow down and plan for tight sites with trees
  • Store food in bear boxes; keep trash secured when away
  • No on-site showers—plan to use West Yellowstone facilities
  • Hebgen Lake access from camp enables boating and swimming; stock up in West Yellowstone for groceries

More details

Park Area
Hebgen Lake / West Yellowstone, MT
Family Friendly Notes
Family-friendly forest campground with lake access; shade and roomy sites; no on-site showers
Boat Launch
Boat launch and beach access to Hebgen Lake within campground
Nearby Attractions
Hebgen Lake beach; West Yellowstone town ~10 miles; nearby trails
Terrain Type
Mostly flat loops with some wooded areas
Setup Strategy
Pull-through and back-in options exist; last 2-3 miles are gravel and washboard; internal roads are rough—drive slow. Most sites are level, though a few may need leveling blocks; bear boxes and dirt/gravel terrain define the layout.
Bath Laundry Recon
Showers: none; Bathhouse: vault toilets; Laundry: none
Review Summary
Rainbow Point Campground rates 4.1 stars from 304 reviews. Reviewers highlight shade, lake access, and forest calm, with some noting gravel roads and tighter sites for larger rigs; overall it remains a solid, family-friendly basecamp near West Yellowstone.

Location

Sunset over Rainbow Point Campground at Yellowstone National Park, with calm lake reflections and distant rugged mountains.Hebgen Lake boat ramp sign at Kirkwood Marina on the north shore in Yellowstone National Park.Lakeside shoreline at Rainbow Point Campground in Yellowstone National Park, with calm water and a pine forest backdrop.Low Water Boat Ramp sign at Hebgen Lake's north shore at Kirkwood Marina in Yellowstone National Park.

Frequently asked questions

Are there bears here and how should I store food?

Yes, this is bear country. Use the provided bear boxes for all food and scented items; secure food when you’re away from the site.

Will my 35-foot RV fit?

Yes, but many sites are tight; the maximum trailer length is 40 feet; Loop B/C with electric offers better options.

Do I need a reservation?

Reservations via Recreation.gov are strongly recommended, especially in peak season; some Loop D sites may be first-come, first-served.

Are there showers at Rainbow Point?

No showers on-site; plan to use facilities in West Yellowstone if needed.

Is there a dump station on-site?

No; the nearest dump station is in West Yellowstone at Grizzly Park RV, with a typical fee.

Mammoth Campground

Water spigots; no on-site showers; bear-country camping near Mammoth Hot Springs.

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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.