Can you drive RV through Yellowstone?
In this blog post, we will answer the following question: Can you drive RV through Yellowstone? We will tell you about size restrictions, campsites and what to do in Yellowstone national park.
Can you drive RV through Yellowstone?
You can drive an RV through Yellowstone, but you will have to make sure you know the Yellowstone national park RVs size restrictions:
| 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 |
You will love driving an RV through Yellowstone National Park
Established in 1872, Yellowstone National Park was the first area to be declared a national park in the United States. It spans the states of Wyoming, Montana, and Idaho, and is home to a wide variety of wild animals, including brown bears, bison, elk, and wolves.
Since 1978, Yellowstone National Park has been on the UNESCO World Heritage List. In its territory, it is home to the Grand Canyon of the Yellowstone and the most impressive set of geysers and hot springs in the world.
Many travellers explore the park only once in their life, while others make visiting a family tradition. It is a pleasure to walk along paths that emerge between dreamy landscapes, swim in hot springs and observe the many wonderful natural phenomena that can be seen in the park.
Top 5 Reasons to Visit Yellowstone National Park with your RV
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 to do in Yellowstone national park
- Explore the Norris area: In the Norris area, the geothermal phenomena are somewhat less impressive than in Old Faithful, although the large array of geysers there is worth admiring. They can be visited through walkways, and there is a constant emergence of fumaroles and small geysers. There are also areas of green and blue waters that add beauty and exoticism to the landscape.
- Get information at the Albright Visitor Center: At this visitor centre, you can chat with a ranger about Yellowstone’s history and wildlife. You will also have the opportunity to receive advice to plan visits and you can also stamp your passport. If you are travelling with children, they can become Junior Rangers and have fun exploring the children’s area.
- Gaze at the terraces of Mammoth Hot Springs: Mammoth Hot Springs is the only hot spring in the park that lies outside the Yellowstone caldera. The terraces in the area are constantly changing, even on the same day. You can enjoy relaxing walks on the walkways located next to the travertine hydrothermal terraces.
- Admire the mud volcano: It is a mudpot, that is, a place where the hot springs are acidic enough to dissolve the surrounding rock. Its characteristic odour is due to hydrogen sulfide gas. The minerals stain the mud pots with a very showy colour palette, where pinks, beiges and greys appear like those of Fountain Paint Pot.
- Ascend Mount Washburn: This mountain rises more than 3000 meters above sea level. It is possible to reach the top, from where you can see unique views. The most scenic route is offered by a path carpeted with wildflowers that begins about 430 meters before the summit. Be sure to bring warm clothing even if the morning is warm, as the weather in Yellowstone is highly variable.
When to visit Yellowstone national park with your RV
The best time to visit Yellowstone National Park is between May and September. This season the snow melts, making it possible to go hiking, swimming and observing wildlife more comfortably.
During winter, the park attracts fans of snow sports. Most of it is dry powder snow, so it’s epic for downhill skiing, cross-country skiing and snowmobiling.
Where to park your RV in Yellowstone National Park
The good thing about travelling with your RV is that you will not need to pre-book a hotel room! The moment you enter the park, there is guidance towards organised campsites for RVs and caravans. However, here are our recommendations:
- Bridge Bay. This area extends around Lake Yellowstone. Therefore, it is ideal for those who want to sail, fish, participate in guided tours and also enjoy hot springs.
- Madison. It is an area crossed by the Madison River, located between Old Faithful and the Norris Basin. It is home to sites like Gibbon Falls, Artists Paintpots’, and Firehole Falls.
- Tower-Roosevelt. This region is perfect for observing local wildlife and viewing animals such as moose, mouflon, and buffalo. The area also has fascinating trails, overlooks with spectacular panoramic views, and historic buildings, such as the Roosevelt Lodge.
Cost of living in Yellowstone National Park
And to our final point, there are several general stores and park stores located in Bridge Bay, Lake Village, Grant Village, and West Yellowstone. There you can buy food, sports accessories, souvenirs and other items.
The main grocery stores are located in Mammoth Hot Springs and Canyon Village. To get an idea of the prices, consider that a dozen eggs cost $5.
The Grant Village Dining Room is open from May to September and serves delicious local cuisine such as bison sirloin and wild Alaskan salmon. A meal for two costs between $50 and $60.
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 Can you drive RV through 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/vehicles 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.
