It’s the oldest national park in the country, the one that started it all, and still one of the most breathtaking. At nearly 3,500 square miles, it’s also one of the largest national parks in the country, spanning across three different states. With so much to explore and so much ground to cover, most people can’t spend just one day in the park, especially if you want to get the full experience. That’s why you’ll want to think about staying nearby to give yourself two or more days to enjoy it.
But why stop there? Just camp in the park! Yellowstone offers lots of camping opportunities for RVers (and other overnight accommodations) so take some time to plan out your ideal trip to this monumental park. To help you get started, we here at Airstream Of Montana have offered a look at what our ideal trip would look like, but we’d love to hear some of your ideas as well, so visit us in Missoula to share your Yellowstone stories.
Where to Camp
There are campgrounds scattered all throughout the park, but if you’re going to use an RV, then it’s important to know most of your options won’t come with full hookups, so you’ll probably need to be prepared to boondock (with the exception of Fishing Bridge RV Park). This is going to require different prep than what you may be used to, but you’ll be surrounded by some of the most beautiful landscapes straight from the days of the Wild West.
You’ll also want to think about where most of your activities will be when you’re in the park itself. That way, you can reserve a spot near your interests. And, of course, you can always camp outside Yellowstone in one of the many surrounding cities, forests, and parks.
When to Camp
It’s important to note that, as the colder months draw nearer and nearer, most campgrounds will be closing for the season. The only exception for RVers is Mammoth Campground, so if you want to brave the cold in your Airstream motorhome and see Yellowstone covered in several inches of fresh powder, this is where you’ll want to book your site.
While all times of the year are great times to visit Yellowstone, there’s more to consider than just weather changes. June through September is the busiest time of the year, so if this is when you plan on arriving, you’ll need to book your spot anywhere from six months to a year in advance. Even during spring and fall, you’ll want to try to reserve your spot three to six months ahead of time. Otherwise, you’re likely to encounter full campgrounds and hotels.
You’ll also want to keep holidays in mind. With a world-famous park like Yellowstone, campgrounds can fill up fast, even outside the park. You might just want to avoid these times of the year altogether.
Bonus tip: try to hit the trails and see the sights as early as possible. It’ll help you beat the crowds and give you more time to relax in the evening.
How to Get There
Even small RVs have a hard time on certain roads. While much of Yellowstone is RV-friendly, there are certain routes you’ll want to avoid. Steer clear of areas with a steep grade and excessively windy roads. This includes the Bighorn Mountains and the Beartooth Highway. Find alternate routes to these parts of the park that will be safer to traverse in your Airstream trailer.
What to Do
Maybe the better question is: what isn’t there to do? During the day, Yellowstone offers a number of exciting activities that you can join in on, like ranger programs, hiking, biking, boating and fishing, photography, guided tours, and horseback riding and llama packing. During the winter, you can enjoy snowmobile rentals and tours, as well as skiing and snowshoeing for a one-of-a-kind look at the park. Plus, there’s lots for kids to do as well.
Then again, many people are content with driving to some of the more popular nature watch points and simply enjoying the view. Some of the most heavily-photographed areas can be found on the west side, including Madison, Old Faithful, and Mammoth Hot Springs. But keep moving east and you’ll find other great spots, like Fishing Bridge, Canyon Village, and Tower-Roosevelt. Along the way, you might spot one of the many wildlife species that thrives in this park, including bison, wolves, coyotes, deer, elk and maybe even a bear or two. Just remember to be careful and respectful around wildlife. Keep your distance and use the zoom feature on your camera instead of trying to get up close.
Fired up to see Yellowstone? Then it’s time to book your reservation. But before you can do that, you need the right RV! Stop by Airstream of Montana and we’ll show you some of the models we have available right now, including Airstream motorhomes, trailers and RVs. We proudly serve Kalispell and Bozeman, Montana.
