Yellowstone National Park

Photos: Wildlife of America's National Parks

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To diehard outdoors enthusiasts, the only way to experience the park is to camp it. To live in the land is the best way to explore its incredible variety of flora and fauna, it's steaming geysers and bubbling thermal mud pots, spectacular lakes and river canyons, extraordinary vistas...

Luckily, then, Yellowstone has camping facilities at a dozen sites scattered around the park. Five of Yellowstone's campgrounds are operated by TW Recreational Services, Inc. and accept reservations. TWRS accepts letter requests up to two years in advance by writing TW Recreational Services, P.O. Box 165, Yellowstone National Park, WY 82190. Please call (307) 344-7311 for more reservation information about camping at the following locations:

Bridge Bay Campground - open from mid-May to mid-September.

Grant Village Campground - open from mid-June to early October.

Madison Campground - open from early May to late October.

Canyon Campground - open from early June to early September.

Fishing Bridge RV Park - open from mid-May to mid-September.

Many of Yellowstone's campgrounds are operated by the National Park Service and are on a first-come, first-served basis. During the height of the tourist season (late June through mid-August), these campgrounds are full by late morning so it is best to obtain a site early in the day. These NPS-operated campgrounds are located at:

Mammoth - open year-round.

Indian Creek - open from early June to late October.

Pebble Creek - open from early June to the end of September.

Slough Creek - open from late May to late October.

Tower Fall - open from early May to the end of September.

Word to the wise: Plan on getting your campsite as early in the day as possible; campgrounds may fill, especially during peak season (early July-late August).

Camping or overnight vehicle parking in pullouts, parking areas, picnic grounds, or any place other than a designated campground is not permitted, and there are no overflow camping facilities. However, most often camping is available in neighboring communities and forests outside the park. All camping is limited to 14 days between June 15 and Labor Day, and to 30 days the rest of the year. Check out time for all campgrounds is 10 a.m.

RV Park - A trailer village (no tents or tent trailers allowed) is operated by TW Recreation Services, Inc. at Fishing Bridge from May 20-September 19. Water, sewer, and electrical hookups are available; the cost was $19 plus tax per night in 1993. For information and reservations, call TW Recreational Services, Inc. at (307) 344-7311 or write TW Recreational Services, Inc., Yellowstone National Park, WY 82190.

Group Camping - Group camping areas are available for large organized groups with a designated leader such as youth groups, educational groups, etc. (family reunions or similar gatherings do not qualify). The fees range from $20-50 per night depending on the size of the group.

Advance reservations are required and can be made beginning January 1 by contacting Yellowstone National Park, Attention: Visitor Services Office, Yellowstone National Park, Wyoming 82190, (307) 344-2107.

Bear Sense
Common sense advice that's often ignored: Never camp in an area that has obvious evidence of bear activity such as digging, tracks, or scat. Odors attract bears, so avoid carrying or cooking odorous foods. Keep a clean camp and do not cook or store food in your tent. All food, garbage, or other odorous items used for preparing or cooking food must be secured from bears. Most backcountry campsites have food poles from which all food, cooking gear, and scented articles must be suspended when not being used. Treat all odorous products such as soap, deodorant, or other toiletries in the same manner as food. Do not leave packs containing food unattended, even for a few minutes. Allowing a bear to obtain human food even once often results in the bear becoming aggressive about obtaining such food in the future. Aggressive bears present a threat to human safety and eventually must be destroyed or removed from the park. Please obey the law and do not allow bears or other wildlife to obtain human food.

Sleep a minimum of 100 yards (91 meters) from where you hang, cook, and eat your food. Keep your sleeping gear clean and free of food odor. Don't sleep in the same clothes worn while cooking and eating; hang clothing worn while cooking and eating in plastic bags.

Considering bears' highly developed sense of smell, it may seem logical that they could be attracted to odors associated with menstruation. Studies on this subject are few and inconclusive. If a woman chooses to hike or camp in bear country during menstruation, a basic precaution should be to wear internal tampons, not external pads. Used tampons should be double-bagged in a zip-lock type bag and stored the same as garbage.

If you are involved in a conflict with a bear, regardless of how minor, report it to a park ranger as soon as possible. Another's safety may depend on it.

Exceptional combinations of food, shelter, and space draw grizzlies to some parts of Yellowstone more than others. In these Bear Management Areas, human access is restricted to reduce impacts on the bears and their habitat. Ask at ranger stations or visitor centers for more information.

All refuse must be carried out of the backcountry. Human waste must be buried 6 to 8 inches (15-20 centimeters) below the ground and a minimum of 100 feet (30 meters) from a watercourse. Waste water should be disposed of at least 100 feet (30 meters) from a watercourse or campsite. Do not pollute lakes, ponds, rivers, or streams by washing yourself, clothing, or dishes in them.

Should you drink the water? Intestinal infections from drinking untreated water are increasingly common. Waters may be polluted by animal and/or human wastes. When possible, carry a supply of water from a domestic source. If you drink water from lakes and streams, bring it to a boil to reduce the chance of infection.

Don't take chances in backcountry thermal areas. Scalding water underlies thin, breakable crusts; pools are near or above boiling temperatures. Each year, visitors traveling off trail have been seriously burned, and people have died from the scalding water. No swimming or bathing is allowed in thermal pools.

Rules and Regulations
Visiting Yellowstone is the trip of a lifetime, but you have to be prepared for any situation. To preserve Yellowstone's backcountry and enhance your wilderness experience, the National Park Service has established the following regulations and permit guidelines. Contact a park ranger before you begin a day hike or overnight trip for updated info.

A Backcountry Use Permit is required for all overnight stays. Each designated campsite has a maximum limit for the number of people and stock allowed per night. The maximum stay per campsite varies from 1 to 3 nights per trip. Campfires are permitted only in established fire pits. Wood fires are not allowed in some backcountry campsites. A food storage pole is provided at most designated campsites so that food and attractants may be secured from bears.

Permits may be obtained only in person and no more than 48 hours in advance of your trip. Permits are available from most ranger and visitor centers. The Backcountry Use Permit is valid only for the itinerary and dates specified. Backcountry travelers must have their permits in possession while in the backcountry.

Advance Reservations for Backcountry Campsites
Although permits must be obtained in person no more than 48 hours in advance, backcountry campsites may be reserved in advance. Requests for reservations must be submitted by mail or in person, and booked on a first-come, first-served basis. A confirmation notice, not a permit, is given or mailed to the camper. This confirmation notice must then be converted to the actual permit no more than 48 hours in advance of the first camping date. Details are provided on the confirmation notice. The reservation fee is $15 regardless of the number of nights out or the number of people involved. The fee is not refundable. To receive the forms to make an advance reservation, contact the National Park Service to request forms.

Permits and Reservations Made Less Than 48 Hours in Advance
Because only a portion of the approximately 300 backcountry campsites are available for advance reservations, you may choose to wait until you arrive in the park to reserve your site(s) and obtain your permit. The $15 fee applies only to reservations made more than 48 hours in advance of the start of your trip.

Removing, defacing or destroying any plant, animal, or mineral is prohibited. Leave historical and archeological items in place.

Where to Get Your Permit
During the summer season (June-August), permits are available 7 days a week between 8 a.m. and 4:30 p.m. at the following locations:

Bechler Ranger Station

Grant Village Visitor Center

Mammoth Ranger Station/Visitor Center

Old Faithful Ranger Station

Lake Ranger Station

South Entrance Ranger Station

Tower Ranger Station

West Entrance Ranger Station

In addition, permits may sometimes be obtained from rangers on duty at the Northeast Entrance, East Entrance, and Bridge Bay Ranger Station. However, during the spring, fall, and winter seasons, ranger stations and visitor centers do not have set hours. To obtain a Backcountry Use Permit during these seasons, check the office hours posted at the nearest ranger station or visitor center.