In this blog post, we will answer the following question: Are rooftop tents allowed in Yellowstone? We will tell you about size restrictions, campsites and what to do in Yellowstone national park.
Are rooftop tents allowed in Yellowstone?
Yes, rooftop tents are allowed in Yellowstone. However, camping (in tents, vehicles, or caravans) is not allowed outside of designated camping areas. Yellowstone National Park, with its 2.2 million acres (890,308 ha), is one of the most important natural park areas in the United States.
Yellowstone National Park Size Restrictions
Below you can see a table with the size restriction in Yellowstone National Park. It also says whether tents are allowed or not. Read carefully and take notes so that you don’t have unpleasant surprises!
| Area | Size Restrictions | Additional equipment |
Fishing Bridge | RVs up to 40 feet or less | Towing vehicle of 25 feet or less; No tents, picnic tables or fire grates allowed. |
Bridge Bay | RV&Vehicle up to 40 feet or less | Tents – allowed Hookups – not permitted |
Canyon | RV&Vehicle up to 40 feet or less | No hookups, but tents allowed. This is an RV-only site! |
Grant | RV&Vehicle up to 40 feet or less | Tents – allowed Hookups – not permitted |
Madison | RV&Vehicle up to 40 feet or less | Tents – allowed Hookups – not permitted |
5 Reasons to Visit Yellowstone National Park with your camper
The Yellowstone national park is a popular destination for RV users. One of the greatest advantages is that you have plenty of campsites and parking spaces for your home on wheels and that you are able to wake up in the heart of nature and enjoy everything that this breathtaking park has to offer.
- Wild animals: The abundance and variety of wild animals that inhabit the park are unique in the continental United States. When exploring their domain, you can find brown and black bears, wolves, cougars, elk, bison, pronghorn, moose, Rocky Mountain sheep, and a wide variety of birds, including bald eagles.
- Old Faithful: The Old Faithful or Old Faithful geyser is one of the most famous in the park, and owes its name to its frequent and somewhat predictable eruptions. On-site are seating, ample parking, and a ranger station that watches the time, height, and length of one eruption to predict the next and inform visitors.
- The Grand Canyon of the Yellowstone: It is a spectacular canyon, which has platforms where you can contemplate the upper and lower falls of the Yellowstone River. The place is crossed by numerous trails, and in the southern area is Artist Point, a viewpoint from which many painters immortalized the beauty of the nature of the place.
- The area of the lake: Yellowstone Lake is among the highest in the world, and ranks first in size in North America. The lake area is the main habitat for many species of birds and many mammals, and invites you to sail, fish, go on hiking trips and take baths in hydrothermal waters.
- Grand Prismatic Spring: The Great Prismatic Fountain is the largest hot spring in the United States and the third-largest in the world. Its diameter reaches 80 meters, and its depth reaches 50 meters. It is surprising for its bright colours, the result of the action of certain bacteria, and for the temperature of 70 ° C that its waters have.
What are rooftop tents?
Converting your roof into sleeping space is basically the principle of roof tents! The only constraint is that you will need roof racks (strong enough to support the weight of the tent). Roof tents, therefore, allow you to create or add sleeping places to your vehicle. They can be used on all types of vehicles, on a city car, a station wagon, a 4 × 4, a van, a utility, a van and even on a motorhome!
- The width – An important criterion to consider when buying a rooftop tent. The width impacts the comfort, practicality and number of beds that the tent model will offer.
- The weight – Pay close attention to the weight of the tent when purchasing. You must make sure that your roof bars can support the weight of the tent when stationary but especially when driving! The standard for the maximum weight allowed to be carried on a roof is 75 kg per roof bar, so take a tent model that is less than the sum of the weight limits per bar.
- The materials – In order to guarantee you peaceful nights even in bad weather, take into account the materials, seams, thicknesses, finishes… They will impact the comfort of your tent but also its durability!
- The mattress – And yes, pay attention to the mattress when choosing your tent. Take a good look at the thickness and density of the foam, to measure its comfort and make sure it lasts over time. Again the best is to try!
- Homologation – No homologation is currently required for roof boxes and tents, however, there are recommended international standards. Do not hesitate to look on the manufacturer’s website to see if the tents meet these standards. Choose roof tents that meet the standards!
- Warranty – This can be a criterion that can tip the scales. When buying a new roof tent you usually get a warranty. This warranty generally varies from 1 to 5 years … It’s always good to know!
- The budget – The budget for roof tents varies according to all the criteria listed above. To give you a range, the prices vary between $1000 and $5000 . The more we move upmarket, the more the price increases. Do not hesitate to go and see the products on-site to see the differences in sizes, materials and finishes. You will find it at trade fairs, fairs, or in specialized stores.
The pros and cons of rooftop tents
The benefits of rooftop tents are:
- They are convenient and easy to use;
- A good alternative for those who are not lucky enough to have a van or motorhome
- An opportunity to create additional beds for your vehicle
- They can adapt to any roof so you can keep them even if you change vehicles!
Some of the downsides of rooftop tents:
- Increases the vehicle’s wind resistance, roof tents may slightly impact your fuel consumption.
- They are independent of the vehicle, so they are only accessible from the outside (unlike the pop-up roofs that can be found on vans)
Popular rooftop tents
Some of the models of rooftop tents are:
- DISCOVERY EVO
Price: starting from $2,634.00
- AIRTOP AUTOHOME
Price: starting from $2,459.00.
- DJEBEL LINE
Price: starting from $1,199.00.
- HOWLING MOON rooftop tent
Price: from $1600 to $4000.
The bottom line
You will absolutely love to drive an RV through Yellowstone National Park! It is a popular spot for campers, RVs, caravans and even nomads. There is plenty to see and every day is a new opportunity to enjoy everything the park has to offer.
Have you visited Yellowstone National Park before? Don’t hesitate to share your best memories with us!
FAQ on Are rooftop tents allowed in Yellowstone?
Can you drive through Yellowstone without paying?
No, you cannot drive through Yellowstone without paying. The entrance park to the national park is $35/vehicle and it doesn’t include a pass to the Grand Teton National Park.
How do I plan an RV trip to Yellowstone?
When planning an RV trip to Yellowstone, first, make sure you allow yourself plenty of time to see the park’s best sights. Second, do some research regarding vehicle length, campsites amenities and costs.
Where to park an RV in Yellowstone?
Some of the best places to park your RV in Yellowstone are at the Fishing Bridge, Canyon, Grant and Bridge Bay.
