A-Z Planning for Yellowstone’s Backcountry Camping Options

Call me biased, but I tend to think that the best places to camp in Yellowstone happen to be far off the pavement, surrounded by the wildlife and with not a single rental RV in sight. Also known as backcountry.

Sounds nice, right?

It is.

Sounds rugged and maybe a bit scary?

It doesn’t need to be!

You’ve got some options for backcountry camping in Yellowstone. All of them include best practices and important safety measures to make sure you have a great time. And, with some of the Yellowstone campgrounds and roads opening on April 19, that means it’s high time to start planning your summer adventures in the backcountry.

What are my Yellowstone backcountry camping options?

**I snagged this screenshot from the NPS Yellowstone Backcountry Trip Planner. It’s a great free resource that 10/10 recommend reviewing before your camping trip!

It’s no secret that national parks can be a bit of….well, a zoo. Especially during peak times. And, because of Yellowstone’s location in the mountains, a lot of the roads are impassable for most of the year. So that means all of summer is essentially high season.

Happy, happy, joy, joy. I know.

But fear not. You still have plenty of Yellowstone backcountry camping options that will get you away from the crowds.

In fact, there are hundreds of miles of hiking trails in Yellowstone and well over 300 backcountry camping sites. There are even backcountry hiking and camping options available year round. Yes, that includes the winter – and lots of snow.

Here is a list of backcountry campsites (read: the BEST places to camp in Yellowstone). I also included highlights you might expect in each. Remember, not all of the areas or all of the trails offer the same level of accessibility. Some allow for bikes, but most do not. Some are even wheelchair accessible.

It is best to contact the park and take a look at a few trail maps before you decide where is going to be the best place to camp in Yellowstone for your trip:

• Gallatin Area: A vast mountainous regions teeming with wildlife.
• Yellowstone River: Also referred to as Hellroaring Creek, and for good reason. It has unmatchable views of the Yellowstone River. Just be careful around the water and bring an extra set of dry clothes.
• Solfatara Plateau: Moderate area, good for an overnight or a long out and back hiking day.
• Canyon Area: One of the better areas for a beginner-friendly trip. Easier-access backcountry hikes with some camping within 2 miles of the trailhead.
• Slough Creek & Pebble Creek: Let’s just say that the Slough Creek Trail is cited as being an amazing intro to the Yellowstone backcountry.
• Lamar Area: Good for a moderate loop with some experience required. Would also make for a great 5-day backpacking trip.
• Old Faithful Area: A classic way to get away from the crowds, but not miss the views. This is where we found our bike-friendly backcountry option and camped next to bison!
• Yellowstone Lake: Along with being the second largest freshwater lake in the world above 7,000 feet, this area will connect you to some of the most remote trails (including Thorofare Trail). A perfect option for the Bear Grylls types that resent parking lots at trailheads.
• Shoshone Lake: One of the best non-motorized boat destinations for a backcountry water adventure. Bring a foldable kayak or inflatable SUP board and have a blast!
• Bechler Area: You’ll get to hike over the Continental Divide which is a really memorable experience.
• Pitchstone Plateau: Backcountry vibes with year-round accessibility, for the adventurer that won’t be deterred by unpredictable Yellowstone weather.
• Heart Lake & Snake River: Located at the base of Mount Sheridan, these are coveted backcountry destinations. You’ll want to make camping reservations at least a few months in advance for this one.
• Thorofare & Two Ocean Plateau: Of the more remote of the backcountry camping options in Yellowstone. Once you get there, you’ll enjoy empty trails spanning 70+ miles.

One of the best places I camped in Yellowstone during my tour last summer was the night we pedaled into Geyser Basin. It was raining and cold and miserable (see below: Yellowstone weather), and we had faced headwinds for multiple hours along the paved road through the park. That’s when we found the gravel turnoff that would take us to our magical camping site for the night.

After a few more miles, we reached one of the only bike-in backcountry camping options in the park. After a blustery night, we awake to a different world. Between the rays of sunlight cutting through the trees, I sat up to discover that a few bison had mosey-ed into our campsite during the night.

We carefully picked our path between too-hot-to-stand-on ground and potentially dangerous, but docile at the moment, wildlife. And after, as we weaved our way through steaming sulfur and colorful basins to see Old Faithful, we relished in the fact that we just shared a sunrise with bison.

Not a human in sight. Just us and the animals with a backdrop of mountains barely visible through the steam rising off the ground.

It’s moments like that that make Yellowstone uniquely its own.

Yellowstone Backcountry Permits & Reservations

Next stop: making it official.

A backcountry permit is not just a nice to have but a NEED to have in Yellowstone. That being said, not necessary if you are just planning a day trip.

From June through August, permits are available seven days a week 8 a.m. – 4:30 p.m. at a number of different ranger stations. It is advised to pick up your permit at the ranger station nearest to your trailhead. It’s convenient, yes, but they’ll also be able to give you the most up to date trail conditions.

According to the NPS website, these are the ranger stations that will give you a backcountry permit:

• Bechler Ranger Station
• Bridge Bay Ranger Station
• Canyon Visitor Center
• Grant Village Visitor Center
• Mammoth Visitor Center
• Old Faithful Ranger Station
• South Entrance Ranger Station
• Tower Backcountry Office
• West Yellowstone Visitor Information Center

Just note that, during the off seasons, visitor centers and ranger stations do not have regular hours. Call ahead and embrace the added adventure that Yellowstone weather and road closures provides!

The rundown on permits

Permits do cost a little bit of money, but in the end are a much cheaper alternative to the other Yellowstone camping options. Plus, nature! For one person, it is only $3/night with a $15 price cap.

I like to think of it as the price you pay for not wanting to fall asleep to the soothing sounds of an RV generator.

Or also, the funds that help keep our National Parks running :).

For locals or just die-hard backpackers, they also offer an annual backcountry pass for $25 (you still need the National Park Pass, though). This would prevent you from paying the per night camping charge. It’s valid for a full summer season, so if you have a few Yellowstone trips on the horizon, it’s not a bad idea.

Camping reservations – for the backcountry?!?

I know, I know. One of the joys of going into the backcountry is that you can go where you want when you want.

But, since Yellowstone is a very busy park and with most of the backcountry camping options being first come first serve, it can be hard to know if you’ll get a spot.

I’d recommend checking out one of the sites that allow for reservations.

These cost an additional $25 per group/site and can be made on the Yellowstone National Park website. Even if you request a reservation, it is important to have a Plan B in case your reservation is not accepted. There is a limited number of campsites within the reservation list, and therefore, a limited number of spots available.

Usually, the park will contact you no earlier than 48 hours before the camping reservation date to tell you if your request was  accepted or not.

Yellowstone Backcountry Hiking, Biking, and Camping Rules

Within national parks, all camping is restricted and designated for a number of reasons. This helps keep nature wild, provides expectations for how to behave (like what to do with a fire, food and human waster), reduces human impact on the environment, and protects the wildlife that call your backcountry camping spot home.

There are a few areas of BLM land (government-managed open lands) outside the park and designated Yellowstone campgrounds where you really get out in the open and can camp anywhere. However, those are few and far between. In my experience, most of the land around Yellowstone is private property and owned by local ranchers.

This is PRIVATE land and trespassing is enforceable by law. While cycling near Gardiner – the North entrance of the park – I learned that Montana law puts the responsibility on the person doing the trespassing.

This is what that means: Even if there are no signs saying “private property,” “no trespassing,” or there’s even a marked road going through the property, it is up to you to know whether or not it is public lands.

There’s a cool $500 per person fine and a mandatory court appearance. If it sounds like I’m saying this from very specific personal experience, let’s just trust Averi, ok?

So, I think we can all agree that the best place to camp in Yellowstone is in the designated campgrounds or backcountry options. Whether it is your first or your hundredth trip to the park, you are in for a treat. From it’s hot geysers, roaming bison, bears and canyon views, you’re going to leave with memorable stories. 

Check out my full Guide to Bicycle Touring in Yellowstone National Park.

Backcountry camping best practices

Remember that having access to remote places like the backcountry of Yellowstone National Park is a privilege. As you explore your Yellowstone backcountry camping options and begin to make your reservations, here are the top things to keep in mind.

1. Make your camping reservation in advance to ensure there is availability.
2. Get and pay for a permit from the parks service if you want to camp overnight. Day hikes don’t require this – but you should still register at the office so that the rangers know you are out there.
3. Abide by Leave No Trace guidelines and be sure to pack it in, pack it out. Yellowstone allows you to dig catholes, as long as they are at least 100 feet from a campsite, water source or trail.
4. Stay out of and a safe distance from the thermal waters. The backcountry options don’t have safety fences or boardwalks over them, so the parks system relies on your safe judgement.
5. Camp only in the designated campsites.
6. Secure all food and scented things – like deodorant and toothpaste – when they are not in use.
7. Use only the approved bear resistant containers and hanging methods to safely store food items. 
8. Know that fires are only allowed in designated fire rings. During times of high fire risk, it will be posted that no fires are permitted. However, camp stoves are allowed at all times.
9. Leave your pets at home. Bringing a dog into bear country can be unsafe, but its also prohibited in Yellowstone National Park.
10. Map out where your bike and wheeled vehicle is and IS NOT allowed. I was bike touring in Yellowstone and most sites prohibit bikes. Our backcountry camping options were limited, so we had a bit more research to do than hikers.
11. If you are camping with pack animals, make sure you talk to the Rangers beforehand in order to get all of the information you need to keep you and your herd safe.
12. Leave the wildlife alone. Don’t feed them, don’t touch them, don’t get really close to take a picture, and don’t pollute their home.

I mentioned my bison story above. Well, after unzipping my tent and whisper-yelling to my friends in the tent next to me, we realized that we were closer than the recommended 300 feet from them. But they literally came up to our tents.

If something like this happens to you, try to stay calm, talk in a relaxed tone, avoid eye contact and get out of the area. Don’t turn your back on any wild animal or run.

There are more specific camping regulations found on the Yellowstone National Park website. It is important to keep in mind that not all parks and wilderness have the same rules. Always do thorough research and never be afraid to ask the Rangers questions!

Yellowstone Weather and Wildlife

Oh hey, mountain weather! One minute it’s hailing, the next, warm sunlight suggests that you merely dreamt up being pelted with ice a moment ago.

Even though the summer is the most popular time of year for Yellowstone, there are backcountry hiking and camping options available year-round (even in the dead of winter). With that in mind, staying up to date on the forecasted weather in the Greater Yellowstone Area is vital for a fun and safe backcountry experience.

Reference the backcountry situation report or contact the park directly for up to date information.

Beyond that, ask the rangers for up to date trail and weather conditions when you arrive to be sure that it is safe to start down the trail.

Speaking of snow, most areas in Yellowstone will retain some snow until late May or sometimes early June (we were pedaling through multiple feet of snow the first week of June). There may still be snow on the mountain passes in July. Prepare accordingly and enjoy the views of year-round snow caps on higher peaks!

Be aware of bears (and all wildlife for that matter)

Bear in mind (pun intended) that the entire Greater Yellowstone Area is bear country. That means that all parts of the park and the areas surrounding the park should be considered their home. So, be a respectful guest.

Even if you aren’t in the backcountry, it’s important to know how to handle a potential bear encounter.

You will need a bear resistant food storage container, bear spray (the park recommends carrying one can per person), and constant awareness. There are some areas that close down for bear management. The Yellowstone website does a good job of updating their website on which areas this is happening in and at what time. Bear management areas will also have warnings and signs posted in those areas.

Take these warnings seriously and do not enter any trails where bear management is in progress.

There is only one backcountry campsite in Yellowstone that I am aware of that has a bear box and pit toilet provided – the one near Geyser Basin. Any backcountry camping situation will require you to abide by bear safety regulations and to avoid camping in a spot with obvious bear markings or scat.

An encounter with a bear can’t always be avoided, but there are a number of precautions you can take in order to lower your risk. Play it safe and play by the rules when it comes to bear country.

That means never getting closer than 300 feet to any bear. You’ll see tourists that don’t follow these rules. Don’t be those tourists.

Yellowstone National Park is a wonder in so many respects. Whether you are biking through the park, taking a casual stroll, or backpacking through its rugged wilderness, you’ll get an immediate sense of stepping back in time to the wild american west.

It will activate your inner explorer, putting you up close and personal with nature. Both the good and the bad.

I, of course, think that the best places to camp in Yellowstone are those far-off corners of the park where the air is a bit crisper. But there is no shortage of options when it comes to seeing and staying in America’s First National Park.

In search of more information on Yellowstone backcountry specifics and guidance on trip planning? Drop me a line or head over the to the Yellowstone National Park Trip Planner so you have an even better idea of what to expect and how to prepare.

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