Camping with a Popup in Yellowstone

[samnmindy]

I tried to make reservations for camping with my popup in Yellowstone National Park, but was denied access with my popup.  It seems that the park will not accomadate any RV's with a canvas tent.  They will only allow hardside RV's.  Does anyone know why?

Does anyone know of a place near Yellowstone where my family and I can camp with a popup in June 2005?  I would like a site where I do not have to trave a great distance from Yellowstone.

Thanks
Sam
San Antonio, Texas

[Y-Guy]

Sam one word... Bears!

Issue comes up all the time, Popups and Hybrids with tent sides opened will be turned away.  I've heard of Hybrid owners getting setup to be told they must close the tent ends or leave the campground.  Bears would see the canvas as an open invitation to enter your camper.  Its for your own safety.  There are campgrounds that allow them, though they will be outside the immediate area.  You might to a quick search here for Yellowstone, you should find other threads and solutions on where to camp with your popup.

[chasd60]

There are other CG's in Yellowstone that do allow popups but they have no hookups or showers. You have to drive to the one that allows hardsides to use the showers. I stayed there two years ago in a tent and also saw some popups. It is not too far from the one for hardsides.

[deniski]

Well, OF COURSE you can camp in Yellowstone with a popup, tent or without any shelter!!!  :tent:  But not at every campground.  Especially those campgrounds with known bear problems.

Yellowstone Park manages some of their campgrounds themselves (Indian Creek, Lewis Lake, Mammoth, Norris, Pebble Creek, Slough Creek & Tower Falls).  These campgrounds are first come, first serve and can not be reserved ahead of time.  Most of them are more primitive than an RV park and only have pit privy (vaulted) toilets and hand pump water available.  The two exceptions are Mammoth and Norris where flush toilets and water are on hand.  If you are prepared to dry camp, then some of these sites might work for you.  You will have to visit a more developed campground in the park to take a shower though.

The rest of the park's campgrounds do have flush toilets and water (if not more amenities like showers etc.) but are managed by Xanterra Parks & Resorts (Bridge Bay, Canyon, Fishing Bridge RV Park, Grant Village & Madison).  These are reservable by contacting Xanterra.  As you already discovered, the only campground with full hookups (Fishing Bridge) is only available to hardsided RVs.

If you don't find anything suitable or available, there are also campgrounds & RV Parks located outside of the park that might work.  

good luck!!

[Dee4j]

I have this fear of bears shredding the canvas and snatching my kids..

[TheViking]

Put the kids in the Bear Box.....that's what I would do

[Dee4j]

Put the kids in the Bear Box.....that's what I would do

great Idea...can I get one to bring home?

[tlhdoc]

Dry camping is not an issue for us, so what campground would you recommend for a first time trip to Yellowstone?

[abbear]

I have camped at Madison and grant village.  For a first time with a popup its not so much which campground but what you want to see.  Do your research and figure out what you want to see and then figure out where to camp,  Be aware they are working on roads all through the park over the summer and a number of roads may be closed or restricted.  Check the Yellowstone Park site for specifics.

As far as bears go - I can remember when the bears would come up to the cars and regularly raid camps.  Nowadays if you follow the rules for food storage and prep the odds are you won't see a bear and if you do it will be at someone else's site.

It's a wonderful place - enjoy your time there

[tlhdoc]

Thanks for the information on the campgrounds.

I have camped at Madison and grant village. For a first time with a popup its not so much which campground but what you want to see. Do your research and figure out what you want to see and then figure out where to camp, Be aware they are working on roads all through the park over the summer and a number of roads may be closed or restricted. Check the Yellowstone Park site for specifics.
 
As far as bears go - I can remember when the bears would come up to the cars and regularly raid camps. Nowadays if you follow the rules for food storage and prep the odds are you won't see a bear and if you do it will be at someone else's site.
 
It's a wonderful place - enjoy your time there

[Petra]

Will  be visiting Yellowstone with ours in September. Last visited in PU 19 years ago and camped without any problems. Will also be visiting Canadian Rockies (Banff and Jasper) on same tip and have seen bears come through the campgrounds there (they restrict tents and PU to areas with bear traps). One time a big brown stepped right over the camper next to us who was sleeping on the gound without a tent. We were in a small 2 man and it was a bit unnerving. Main thing is to use the food lockers (if they have them) or lock ALL food in the car. Don't even keep any in the fridge if you have one.

[Petra]

Had a great time! 3,700 miles from Oregon to Banf & Jasper Alberta to Glacier Park to Yellowston & Jackson Hole then home. No problems finding a place to camp.