We are likely camping as we haven't booked anything yet......Can you give me the names and numbers (if you have them) of some camp grounds close to Old Faithful keeping in mind that we likely only want to pay $50 per night to camp. We have our own gear and don't want to stay in a cabin or anything like that. Any advice would be great and will keep me from my inclination of just happening upon the place and talking my way into a last minute place to stay
If this fails then my plan B often includes making my own campground
Thanks in advance for sharing your experience in this area as I have only been there once before and it was years and years ago.....stayed in a cabin back then....
To camp in yellowstone reserve a spot, right now for this summer sometimes a week out or even day will do but it's risky so as soon as you know dates reserve. But not all campgrounds allow reservations. Xanterra runs Canyon, Madison, Bridge Bay, and Grant Village. 307-344-7311 For the rest it's walk up. Important for most of the camping you will have to circle the campground waiting for somone to leave their spot so try to get there between 8am and 11am, the earlier the better chance you have. The main campgrounds will fill up every night and there isn't much overflow into the other camp grounds so they fill up too. Also within the park you can only camp in campgrounds.
Outside the park in the National Forests it's more wide open as to wear you pitch your tent. The forest do have regular pay campground too.
My favorite spot to camp in the park is Norris. Nice camp ground, elk usually nearby to add to the atmosphere, Gibbon river flows near it, little hot spring at the end of the second loop on the left. It's also fairly central to the rest of the park.
Closest to Old Faithful is the Madison Campground, find a spot in the farthest locations from the entrance. There is a spot on the Madison river with some shallows hot spring pools to lay in at that end.
The other central park is Canyon. This is what I would call camping in the woods. Trees forever and not as exciting as the other two.
Camping is about $14-$20 a night, either pay ahead or cash or check when there. Exact change, you put your fee in an envelope and get a stub to put on your site post. Each day the post will be checked and the stub audited against who deposited the money. You can pay multiple days at once. And stay for upto 14 days. Though I have stayed 14 days then moved to the site next to me for 14 more.
The main camp grounds have flush toilets. The small ones have pit toilets. They have storage lockers for food (because of bears). Picnic tables, and pads to pitch tents on.
If you have more questions or need more details please let me know.