The Best Campgrounds Outside Yellowstone & The Tetons

Most travelers coming to Wyoming and Montana focus their time on the national parks, often trying to reserve campsites within park boundaries. What many people don’t know is that there are amazing campgrounds just outside Yellowstone and Grand Teton. These incredibly scenic spots won’t add much driving time to your vacation and are often significantly less crowded. We have compiled a list of some of our favorites, including links that can help you gather more information.

Campgrounds Outside Yellowstone

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North Yellowstone/Gardiner:

10 min from North Entrance

Eagle Creek Campground– A first-come first-served campground run by the forest service on the Yellowstone river. This beautiful site is also a great fishing hole, so don’t forget your rod.

Rocky Mountain RV Camp. If you are looking for a scenic campground with all the amenities, this is the spot for you. With elk and bison frequently passing through the campground, this is a great place to base as you explore the Upper Loop of Yellowstone.

West Yellowstone

20 minutes from West Entrance

KOA Campground– Located 6 miles from Yellowstone’s West Entrance. With added amenities such as mini golf, a hot tub, and WI-FI, this is camping at its most glamorous.

Rainbow Point Campground– This campground is located on the north shore of Hebgen Lake, just a 20 minute drive from Yellowstone’s West Entrance. Rainbow point also accepts advance reservations, so you can make your bookings early to be safe.

Lonesomehurst Campground– Located on the south shore of Hebgen Lake, only 20 minutes from Yellowstone’s west entrance. This campground also books in advance.

Cody

10-20 minutes from East Entrance

Buffalo Bill Campground– Located on the shores of the Buffalo Bill Reservoir, one hour from Yellowstone lake. This campground has both reservable and first-come first-served sites.

Newton Creek Campground– Located in the Shanone National forest, this small 31 site campground is all first-come first-served and reserved for hard sided campers only.

Campgrounds Outside Grand Teton

North of Jackson

5-15 minutes from Park Entrance

Shadow Mountain– Located in the Gros Ventre mountain range, this is one of the best view of the Tetons you can get! All sites are first come first served, so you will want to get here early to get the best spots!

Hatchet Campground– Located 15 minutes from the northern Moran entrance this small 9 site campground offers primitive sites. All sites are first come first served.

South of Jackson

30-60 minutes from Park Entrance

Granite Hot Springs– Located 40 miles south of town, this gem is a well kept secret and often off the beaten track for most tours. All sites are first come, first served but rarely fill up. If they do, the campground is located in the National Forest, so you can park anywhere and camp for the night.

Hoback Campground– Located south of the town of Jackson Hole. This small campground is first come first served, and offers incredible fishing opportunities just steps from your campsite!

Jackson KOA– Located south of Jackson Hole along the riverbank of the Snake River, this is possibly the best KOA anywhere. Just 20 minutes from the town of Jackson & 40-minutes from the Grand Teton National Park.