Best Places to RV Camp with Kids Near Yellowstone National Park (West vs. North Entrance)

Are you looking for the best places to RV camp with kids near Yellowstone National Park? For a child, Yellowstone is less of a national park and more of a living, breathing storybook. It’s a place where the earth burps mud, waterfalls roar louder than jet engines, and bison herds cause traffic jams that no one seems to mind. Seeing the world’s first national park through your kids’ eyes is magical—but planning the logistics can feel like a part-time job.

Reality Check

Here is the reality check: Yellowstone is massive. At nearly 3,500 square miles, it is larger than Rhode Island and Delaware combined. If you choose the wrong base camp, you could easily spend four hours a day just commuting to the sights, leading to cranky toddlers and exhausted parents.

This is why RVing is the ultimate cheat code for families. According to the RV Industry Association, RV vacations can save a family of four up to 60% compared to traditional fly-drive-hotel trips, but the real value is in the flexibility. You have your own kitchen, your own beds, and a bathroom that is always open—essential wins when you are exploring the wilderness with little ones.

However, not all campsites are created equal. You have a major decision to make before you book: Do you stay inside the park boundaries for immersion, or in the “gateway towns” for reliable Wi-Fi and swimming pools? In this guide, we’ll break down the best RV parks for families near the West and North entrances, weighing the trade-offs between modern amenities and proximity to Old Faithful.

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First Decision: Inside the Park vs. Outside the Park

Before you look at a single photo of a swimming pool or a fire pit, you need to decide where you want to be when you wake up: in the middle of the action or in the lap of civilization.

Staying Inside the Park: The Immersive Option

Staying inside the park boundaries is the dream for many. You might wake up to elk grazing right outside your RV window, and you are already past the entrance gates, saving you hours of driving time. However, this convenience comes with strict trade-offs.

• The “No-Hookup” Reality: With the exception of Fishing Bridge RV Park (which has strict hard-sided RV rules due to bear activity), most campgrounds inside the park do not offer water or electric hookups. You will need to be comfortable “boondocking” (dry camping).

• The Digital Detox: Be prepared for zero connectivity. While cell service exists in developed areas like Mammoth and Old Faithful, it is often too congested to send a text, let alone stream Netflix. You can check the current connectivity maps here.

• The Booking War: Competition is fierce.

  • Xanterra Campgrounds (like Fishing Bridge) open for reservations 13 months in advance.

  • NPS Campgrounds (like Mammoth) typically open on a rolling 6-month window via Recreation.gov.

Staying Outside (Gateway Towns): The Family-Friendly Option

For most families with young kids, staying in a “gateway town” just outside the park is the better choice. You get full hookups (vital for running A/C and microwaves), reliable Wi-Fi, and easy access to grocery stores and urgent care.

• The Trade-off: The “Commute.”

  • During peak summer (July/August), the line to enter the West Entrance can take 30–60 minutes.

  • Pro Tip: To beat the traffic, you need to be at the gate before 8:00 AM.

The Verdict for Families? If this is your first visit and you have kids who need evening entertainment (and parents who need Wi-Fi), stay outside at the West or North entrances. If you are experienced RVers who want to maximize nature time, stay inside at Fishing Bridge or Bridge Bay.

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The Top Hub: West Yellowstone (West Entrance)

• Why here? This is the most popular entrance for a reason. It offers the shortest drive to the park’s “greatest hits” (Old Faithful, Grand Prismatic Spring) and the town itself is packed with family entertainment.

• The Vibe: Bustling, convenient, and tourist-focused.

Option A: Yellowstone Grizzly RV Park (The “Gold Standard”)

If you ask an RV forum where to stay, this is the answer 90% of the time. It is meticulously landscaped with paved roads (perfect for kids on scooters) and sites that are easy to navigate for big rigs.

• For Kids: While it doesn’t have a pool, it features a massive, modern playground and borders the Gallatin National Forest for easy nature walks.

• The Big Win: Location. You are walking distance to the Grizzly & Wolf Discovery Center, where kids can see live bears and wolves safely—a guaranteed sighting even if the park wildlife is hiding.

• Check Availability: grizzlyrv.com

Option B: Yellowstone Holiday RV Campground (The “Lake Life” Escape)

Located about 20 minutes from the park gate on the shores of Hebgen Lake, this spot feels like a vacation within a vacation.

• For Kids: This is where you go if your kids are water babies. They have a swimming beach and a marina where you can rent boats or kayaks.

• The Big Win: The wide-open spaces. Unlike the tighter in-town parks, kids have room to run here. It’s a great decompression zone after a long day of “don’t touch that” inside the National Park.

• Check Availability: yellowstoneholiday.com

Option C: Buffalo Crossing RV Park (The “Convenience King”)

This park doesn’t offer much in the way of “nature” (it’s essentially a large paved parking lot), but it is arguably the most convenient location in town.

• For Kids: It is literally steps away from the Yellowstone Giant Screen Theatre (IMAX), which is a lifesaver on rainy days. You are also walking distance to virtually every ice cream shop in West Yellowstone.

• The Big Win: Full hookups with zero mud. If you are just using your RV as a place to sleep and plan to be in the park 12 hours a day, this is your most efficient option.

• Check Availability: buffalocrossingrvpark.com

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The Nature Lover’s Spot: Gardiner (North Entrance)

• Why here? This is the only entrance open year-round. It feels less like a “tourist trap” and more like a rugged Montana mountain town. It is also the closest access to Mammoth Hot Springs and the famous Lamar Valley (the best place in the world to see wolves).

• The Vibe: Authentic, historic, and wild. It is common to see huge herds of elk sleeping on the high school football field or wandering between RVs.

Option A: Rocky Mountain RV Park (The “Room with a View”)

Perched on a hill overlooking the town and the park entrance, this campground relies on its scenery.

• For Kids: The “Old West” feel is strong here. It’s a short walk to the Roosevelt Arch, the original stone gateway to the park dedicated by Teddy Roosevelt in 1903—a great photo op.

• The Big Win: You are 4 blocks from the center of town, meaning you can walk to dinner instead of unhooking the truck.

• Check Availability: rockymountainrvpark.com

Option B: Sun Outdoors Yellowstone North (The Modern Choice)

Formerly known as Yellowstone RV Park, this spot has been upgraded under the Sun Outdoors brand. It sits right along the Yellowstone River.

• For Kids: It’s clean, well-managed, and offers easier river access. Since the popular “Boiling River” swimming spot inside the park is permanently closed following the 2022 floods, this is a great base camp to visit Yellowstone Hot Springs just down the road—a commercial pool fed by natural mineral waters that is very family-friendly.

• The Big Win: The sites are generally more level and spacious than others in the area, which can be tight due to the mountainous terrain.

• Check Availability: sunoutdoors.com

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Staying Inside the Park: The “Full Hookup” Unicorn

For many RVers, the holy grail is staying inside the park without sacrificing their creature comforts. There is exactly one place where this is possible, but it comes with a strict set of rules that you must follow.

Fishing Bridge RV Park

Located near the mouth of the Yellowstone River, this is the only campground inside Yellowstone National Park that offers water, sewer, and electrical hookups. Because of this, it is arguably the most coveted reservation in the entire National Park system.

• The Critical Restriction: Hard-Sided RVs Only.

  • Because Fishing Bridge is located in prime grizzly bear habitat, no soft-sided units are allowed. This means absolutely no tents, no pop-up campers with canvas sides, and no rooftop tents. If you show up with one of these, you will be turned away. You can verify your rig’s eligibility on the official Yellowstone Lodges policy page.

• The Vibe: Functional and busy. Following a major renovation that finished in 2022, the park now features paved roads and larger sites to accommodate modern rigs. However, don’t expect a secluded forest experience; the sites are arranged “parking lot style,” meaning your neighbor will be close.

• For Kids: While there is no playground or pool, the location is the amenity. You are central to everything, minimizing the dreaded “are we there yet?” chants. You are also close to the Fishing Bridge General Store, which is great for grabbing ice cream or forgotten supplies.

• Note on Campfires: To further reduce bear attractants, wood fires are prohibited here. You may only use propane fire pits.

• Booking Tip: Reservations open 13 months in advance and sell out almost instantly. If you want this spot for next summer, you likely need to be booking it right now.

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The History Hub: Cody, Wyoming (East Entrance)

• Why here? Staying in Cody feels less like a “staging area” for Yellowstone and more like a vacation in itself. Known as the “Rodeo Capital of the World,” this town offers a distinct cowboy culture you won’t find at the other entrances.

• The Trade-off: The drive. You are about 52 miles (roughly 1 hour) from the East Entrance gate, and from there, it is another hour over Sylvan Pass to reach the main park loop. This option is best for families who plan to spend a few days exploring the town and a few days in the park, rather than driving in daily.

Cody KOA Holiday

This isn’t just a place to park; it is a resort. If your kids are “parked out” after three days of looking at geysers, this campground will save your sanity.

• For Kids: It is packed with amenities: a heated pool and hot tub, a giant bounce pillow, mini-golf, and bike rentals.

• The Big Win: The Free Rodeo Shuttle. During the summer (June–August), the campground runs a bus directly to the Cody Nite Rodeo, so you don’t have to worry about parking or driving your rig to the stadium.

• Rainy Day Plan: You are minutes away from the Buffalo Bill Center of the West, a massive Smithsonian-affiliated facility with five museums under one roof (including a natural history wing that kids love).

• Check Availability: koa.com/campgrounds/cody

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Essential Tips for RV Camp with Kids Near Yellowstone

You’ve booked the campsite and packed the RV, but surviving Yellowstone requires a different strategy than your typical state park weekend. Here is how to keep the trip safe and fun.

Unlock the “Junior Ranger” Badge

The first thing you should do upon entering the park is stop at a Visitor Center (Old Faithful or Albright are great) and ask for a Junior Ranger booklet.

• How it works: The program is free and age-appropriate (starting at age 4). Kids complete activities in the book while you tour the park—like spotting wildlife or identifying thermal features.

• The Reward: When they turn it in, a Park Ranger reviews their work and “swears them in” with an official wooden badge. It is the best souvenir in the park.

• Learn More: NPS Junior Ranger Program

Bear Safety (Without the Nightmares)

Yellowstone is bear country, and yes, they do walk through campgrounds.

• The “Bare” Table Rule: Never leave food, coolers, trash, or even unwashed dishes outside your RV when you aren’t right there using them. Park Rangers can and will fine you for a “dirty camp.”

• Bear Spray: If you plan to hike, buy a canister of bear spray in town (you cannot fly with it). Treat it like a seatbelt: you wear it hoping you never have to use it.

• The Talk: Explain to kids that we don’t run from animals (which triggers a chase instinct) and we don’t run toward them for selfies.

• Official Safety Guide: NPS Safety in Bear Country

Have “The Internet Talk” Before You Leave

We cannot stress this enough: Assume you will have zero signal.

• Prepare your kids for the reality that their iPads will be offline.

• Action Item: Download movies, music, and audiobooks while you are still on your home Wi-Fi.

• Navigation: Download the entire Yellowstone area on Google Maps for offline use. Do not rely on live GPS; it will fail you at the most confusing intersections.

The “Bison Jam” Factor

On a map, Old Faithful looks like a quick 30-mile drive from West Yellowstone. In reality, that drive can take 90 minutes.

• Why? “Bison Jams.” When a herd decides to walk down the center of the road, traffic stops until they decide to move.

• Parent Tip: Always empty bladders before leaving the campsite. There are no bathrooms in the middle of a herd of bison.

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Packing List Extras for RV Camp with Kids Near Yellowstone

You have the basics (marshmallows, sunscreen), but Yellowstone requires a few specific items to keep the peace.

• The “Drive Saver” Audio Tour:

  • Why: You will be driving a lot.

  • The Fix: Download the GuideAlong (formerly GyPSy Guide) app. It uses your phone’s GPS to play audio stories automatically as you drive. It’s like having a private tour guide in the truck who points out elk herds and explains geyser science. It works offline and keeps kids surprisingly engaged.

• Blackout Shades (Crucial!):

  • Why: In June and July, the sun in Montana doesn’t fully set until after 9:00 PM, with twilight lasting even longer.

  • The Fix: If you want your kids asleep by 8:30 PM, you need to trick their bodies into thinking it’s night. Foil bubble wrap (Reflectix) cut to window size works wonders.

• Binoculars (One Pair Per Child):

  • Why: If you only have one good pair, your kids will fight over them exactly when the wolf pack appears.

  • The Fix: Buy cheap, durable kid-sized binoculars. They don’t need to be high-end; they just need to give the kids “ownership” of the spotting experience.

• The “Four-Season” wardrobe:

  • Why: It is common to wake up to 30°F (-1°C) frost in the morning and be sweating in 80°F (26°C) heat by 2:00 PM.

  • The Fix: Follow the NPS Weather guidelines and pack layers. Do not leave the RV without a hoodie, even in July.

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Conclusion

Yellowstone is one of the few places left on Earth that genuinely shocks you with its scale and beauty. But as any parent knows, a beautiful view doesn’t matter if everyone is hungry, tired, or stuck in traffic.

By choosing the right RV basecamp, you can mitigate the chaos.

• Choose West Yellowstone (Grizzly RV or Buffalo Crossing) if you want maximum convenience, pools, and proximity to geysers.

• Choose Gardiner (Rocky Mountain RV) if you want year-round access and elk grazing in town.

• Choose Fishing Bridge if you have a hard-sided rig and want to be in the center of the park map.

The bison will be there, the geysers will erupt, and yes, the traffic will be slow. But with a stocked fridge and a comfortable bed waiting for you at the end of the day, you’ll be ready to do it all again tomorrow.

Have you RV’d in Yellowstone with kids? Tell us which campground was your favorite (and why!) in the comments below.

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