Let me say this straight off the bat. There are as many ways to travel as there are travelers, but if you’re like me you probably go by the theory that the more you can save means the more you can do. If we’re going to give living on the road a serious try then we have to know how to make the money we have coming in go the furthest…literally.
Traveling these days isn’t cheap but there are ways that you can cut down on expenses in some places to make other things possible. For example, there will be some nights that any place will do. Those days when you’re trying to get from one destination to another and in-between are a shit ton of meaningless miles.
The park itself charges an admission of $25 for both Yellowstone and Grand Teton for 7 days which is a great deal. If you live close enough to travel often they have an annual pass for $50, but if you’re like us and travel to National Parks often then the $80 annual National Park pass is your best value. They even have a few free days throughout the year.
- January 21: Birthday of Martin Luther King, Jr.
- April 20: First day of National Park Week
- August 25: National Park Service Birthday
- September 28: National Public Lands Day
- November 11: Veterans Day
This article on Roadtrippers.com gives you examples and links to places where you can camp for free all over the country. A lot of National Forests and some National Parks will allow you to Van-camp for free. I’ve done this in Acadia National Park where we couldn’t get a campsite. Back then we had a Conversion Van and the Park Ranger told us we could sleep on any of the pullouts along the scenic road around the park. We chose Thunder Hole where the water crashes onto the rocks. We had a beautiful time that night it was if we had the whole park to ourselves!
In Yellowstone, they have 12 campgrounds with over 2,000 sites and most are reservable ( a few are first come first serve). Here’s a list from NPS.gov
Campground Details
| Campground | 2019 Dates | Nightly Fee* | Sites | Amenities |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Bridge Bay | 5/17–9/22 | $26 | 432 | A,B,F,NS,D,Gn,Gs |
| Canyon | 5/24–9/22 | $31 | 273 | A,B,F,S/L,2S,D,Gn |
| Fishing Bridge RV Park | Closed for 2019 | |||
| Grant Village | 6/7–9/15 | $31 | 430 | A,B,F,S/L,2S,D,Gn,Gs |
| Madison | 4/26–10/20 | $26 | 278 | A,B,F,NS,D,Gn,Gs |
*
–
Listed fee does not include taxes or utility fees
A – Accessible sites available
B – Limited number of campsites set aside for bicyclists and hikers; check availability at campground
F – Flush toilets
D – Dump station (may close when temperatures are below freezing)
Gn – Generators allowed from 8 am to 8pm (60db limit)
Gs – Group site available (reservation required)
H – Full hookups
NS – Showers not included
S/L – Pay showers/laundry onsite
2S – Two showers included each night
| Campground | 2019 Dates | Nightly Fee | Sites | Amenities | RV Information** |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Indian Creek | 6/14–9/9 | $15 | 70 | A,B,V | 10 @ 35′ (10.7 m) and 35 @ 30′ (9.1 m) |
| Lewis Lake | 6/26–11/3 | $15 | 85 | B,V | 25′ (7.6 m) or less |
| Mammoth | All year | $20 | 85 | A,B,F,Gn | 65′ (19.8 m) summer limit and 30′ (9.1 m) winter limit |
| Norris | 5/17–9/29 | $20 | 111 | A,B,F,Gn | 2 @ 50′ (15.2 m) and 5 @ 30′ (9.1 m) |
| Pebble Creek | 6/15–9/29 | $15 | 27 | A,B,V | Some long pull-throughs |
| Slough Creek | 6/15–10/15 | $15 | 16 | A,V | 14 @ 30′ (9.1 m) / Walk through first to assess |
| Tower Fall | 5/24–9/29 | $15 | 31 | B,V | 30′ (9.1 m) or less / Loop has hairpin curve |
** – Sizes are for total length of vehicle and towed equipment
A – Accessible sites available
B – Limited number of campsites set aside for bicyclists and hikers; check availability at campground
F – Flush toilets
Gn – Generators allowed from 8 am to 8pm (60db limit)
V – Vault toilet
This is all inside the park and if roughing it isn’t your cup of tea you’ll be happy to hear about West Yellowstone Montana which is called the gateway to Yellowstone National Park because it is literally right outside the park. There you will find the creature comforts that you’re used to.
If you still want to camp there is a KOA right there that has lots of campsites & even some little camping cabins if tents aren’t your thing. I’ve stayed here before and it’s great for a couple, a small group of friends, or a family with children. It’s a cute, clean little spot that allows you to feel as if you’re roughing it while basically being right in town.
There are as you can probably imagine plenty of hotels & motels in town along with your usual tourist traps and restaurants. It’s very easy to be completely submerged in wildlife in the morning and spend the evening eating a steak and kicking up your boots…if that’s your thing!
Rena McDaniel
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I have been to Yellowstone quite a number of times and I absolutely love it. You have some great ideas to keep you on budget when you’re on a vacation like this.
Yellowstone is a place we hope to someday take the kids. We love traveling outside of the city, just to get away, and what more perfect place than Yellowstone? Thank you for sharing these tips. It will make the experience much more enjoyable.
I would love to try RVing and a trip in one seems so much fun. I love animals and seeing them up close in the parks is a great idea for a vacation in a park.
We do need to go one day! And I do like going on a budget, so I’ll keep this in mind. I never like spending a whole lot.
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I would love to go to Yellowstone and get familiar with the wildlife. It’s great to know that you can go on a budget so we can enjoy an affordable family vacation.
We are thinking of heading there next year, so this post is timely as I am in the midst of initial travel plans. We are excited to see all of this first hand.
I am from Jackson – so this brings back LOTS of memories! LOTSSSSSS!!! 😀 Lots of them include going to Yellowstone too. I never remember it being too expensive though!
National parks, libraries, and public gardens are definitely always in our list whenever we go budget travel. Yellowstore looks like a great place to visit with the kids.
I have been dying to go to Yellowstone for years. I didn’t realize that it was expensive to visit so I appreciate all the tips.
I really enjoyed reading this post. It’s really informative. I would love to visit Yellowstone with my family.
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One of the places I’d love to visit! Thank you sharing all these information and tips!
I have never been to Yellowstone before. My husband has though and we want to take our family there one day.
I would love to visit and explore Yellowstone Park with my husband and son one of these days. That said, thank you for all the info and tips.
This is the kind of information I like to read about when planning a trip. I want to know the details so I can make the best decision for my family.
We are planning to visit Yellowstone may be next summer. It is has lot of wildlife and attractions we can see. Thanks for sharing I need to check for amenities before visiting there.
wow! Thank you for sharing this important information!
Wow, Yellowstone is a great place. I want to take my family there too! I’m sure the kids would it there.
One day I’d love to be able to visit Yellowstone! I will have to keep these tips in mind for when I do
We are planning a trip here, all these tips are so helpful. We want to go but still stay on a budget