Ever rolled into a town and felt like the park already started before you hit the gate? That’s Gardiner, Montana, long known as “Nature’s Gateway” to Yellowstone, with the Roosevelt Arch standing tall at the North Entrance.
You’ll hear the Yellowstone River pushing hard through the canyon, spot elk strolling like they own the place (sometimes they do), and wake up minutes from Mammoth Hot Springs.
Gardiner camping is a smart play: fast runs to Lamar Valley for wolves and bears, earlier starts that dodge the long lines, and choices that range from polished RV resorts to quiet Forest Service sites on the hill.
Sun Outdoors Yellowstone North
At a Glance
- Location: 14 Jardine Rd, Gardiner, MT 59030
- Website: https://www.sunoutdoors.com/montana/sun-outdoors-yellowstone-north
- Best Time to Visit: Late May through September for full services and easiest access to Yellowstone’s North Entrance
- Cost: Approximately $49 to $136 per night, depending on site type and season
Sun Outdoors Yellowstone North sits roughly a quarter mile from the Roosevelt Arch, so you can start park days fast and come back just as quickly. Most sites are full hookup RV pads with 20, 30, or 50 amp power, plus water and sewer, so your fridge stays cold and your tanks stay happy.
Big rigs get pull-through options, and smaller setups still find level spots with picnic tables for dinner outside. People like the views up the canyon and toward the mountains, especially at sunrise. On site, you’ll find restrooms, showers, laundry, and a small store for ice, snacks, and the random adapter you forgot at home.
The campground typically runs from spring into fall, and summer weekends book out early, so locking in dates ahead of time saves headaches. If you plan to chase Lamar Valley wildlife at dawn, this close to the gate feels like a gift.
Yellowstone RV Park
At a Glance
- Location: 121 US Hwy 89 S, Gardiner, MT 59030
- Website: https://www.yellowstonevacations.com/stay/lodging/yellowstone-rv-park/
- Best Time to Visit: June through early October for the best weather and full riverfront camping experience
- Cost: Around $130+ per night for full-hookup RV sites in recent seasons
Yellowstone RV Park hugs the Yellowstone River about a mile from the North Entrance, and that riverfront setting is the whole point. You can sip coffee while the current slides by, then drive into the park before the day heats up.
The park offers RV pads with full hookups, including power, water, and sewer, plus roomy pull-through spaces that make arrivals smoother for longer rigs. Tent campers also have spots, though most people come for the RV comfort and the sound of water at night.
After a long loop through Mammoth and Tower, hot showers and clean restrooms feel pretty great, and laundry on site helps on multi-day trips. Cable TV is included for downtime.
Some seasons offer discounts for AAA, Good Sam, seniors, and military, so it’s worth asking when you book. Evenings bring cool air off the river, and you’ll sleep with that steady rush nearby.
Eagle Creek Campground
At a Glance
- Location: NF 3243, about 2 miles northeast of Gardiner, MT 59030, off Jardine Road
- Website: https://www.recreation.gov/camping/campgrounds/10134047
- Best Time to Visit: Late June through early September, when the gravel access road is usually clear and nights are milder
- Cost: Typically $15 per night for single sites and $30 for double or horse sites
Eagle Creek Campground sits above Gardiner in the national forest, and it feels removed, even though the town is close. You drive about two miles up a rough gravel road off Jardine Road, so smaller RVs, vans, and tent campers do best here.
The reward is space, quiet, and wide views back toward the Yellowstone River corridor and the peaks beyond. The campground keeps things simple with about 16 primitive sites, no hookups, and only basic services like vault toilets, picnic tables, and bear boxes.
Nights can get chilly, even in summer, and the dark sky comes on strong once the sun drops behind the ridge. If you want a low-cost stay near the North Entrance without the busy feel of inside park campgrounds, Eagle Creek does the job.
Show up early in peak season because spots disappear fast. Bring your own water, and keep food locked up every time.
Yellowstone Hot Springs Campground
At a Glance
- Location: 1 E Gate Rd, Gardiner, MT 59030
- Website: https://yellowstonehotspringsmt.com
- Best Time to Visit: Late spring through early fall to enjoy both camping and soaking in the nearby hot springs under comfortable weather
- Cost: Rates usually sit in the moderate range for RV and tent sites; check the official site for current nightly pricing
Yellowstone Hot Springs Campground is a solid pick when you want your trip to feel balanced, not just packed. It sits a short drive from Gardiner near the Yellowstone River and pairs camping with access to the hot spring pools nearby.
That means you can do a full morning in the park, come back tired and dusty, then slip into warm mineral water before dinner. The campground itself stays fairly simple, with RV sites that commonly include electric and water hookups, plus restrooms and showers that people often describe as clean and practical.
Because the North Entrance is close, it’s easy to split your days between Mammoth, Lamar, and a slower evening back at camp. One thing to know is that the camping area can feel compact, so it fits best for travelers who care more about soaking access and location than having a big, spread out site. Bring a camp chair you like…you’ll use it.
Timber Camp Campground
At a Glance
- Location: Near Gardiner, MT 59030 (Custer Gallatin National Forest; exact access details via Forest Service site)
- Website: https://www.fs.usda.gov/r01/custergallatin/recreation/timber-camp-campground
- Best Time to Visit: July through early September for the best chances of snow-free access and milder nights
- Cost: Usually a low nightly Forest Service fee (often in the $10 to $20 range); verify current posted rates before arrival
Timber Camp is the kind of place you pick when you want to hear the forest at night instead of hearing doors slam and generators hum. It’s a small Forest Service campground in the Gardiner Ranger District, and it keeps the setup basic in a good way.
Expect simple sites with picnic tables and fire rings, plus access to basic toilets, with no hookups. That setup works best for tent campers, vans, and smaller rigs that don’t need power to feel comfortable.
The quieter setting also means you need to show up prepared: bring enough water for cooking and cleaning, stock your food before you head in, and keep everything bear safe from the moment you park.
Nights can drop colder than people expect, even in summer, so a warm sleeping bag matters. If you want a traditional national forest stay close to Yellowstone, Timber Camp checks that box without fuss.
Gardiner District (USFS Camping Areas)
At a Glance
- Location: Along US 89 in the Gardiner Ranger District, Gardiner, MT 59030
- Website: https://www.fs.usda.gov/r01/custergallatin/recreation/gardiner-ranger-district
- Best Time to Visit: Summer and early fall, when most district campgrounds and forest roads are accessible
- Cost: Usually low nightly Forest Service fees per site, and pricing varies by campground and what’s provided
The Gardiner Ranger District is a good option when you want choices instead of one fixed campground plan. This district includes several developed and semi-developed camping areas along US 89 and on nearby forest roads, and they often feel more spread out than the private RV parks in town.
Many sites work for both RVs and tents, but access can change fast depending on road conditions, and some campgrounds have length limits that don’t play nice with bigger rigs.
Amenities also vary. Some places offer only the basics like toilets and tables, while others may provide more, so it pays to check the details before you commit. The main draw is value and flexibility.
You get lower nightly costs in many areas and you still keep quick access to the North Entrance, which makes early wildlife mornings realistic. If you’re comfortable being a bit self-sufficient, the district campgrounds can feel like the best deal near Gardiner.
Tips for Camping Near Yellowstone in Gardiner, MT
Gardiner camping is easy to love, but it runs smoother when you plan for bears, fast filling campgrounds, and cold nights that sneak up on you.
Bear Safety is Non Negotiable
Gardiner is grizzly country, plain and simple. Even if you’re staying in town or at a private RV park, follow bear camp habits every day, not just “most days.” Keep food sealed, keep cooking smells under control, and never leave coolers, trash, or toiletries sitting out.
Hard-sided lodging is safer, but tent campers can still do it right by using bear boxes when they’re provided and storing anything smelly the way the campground rules require. If you’re unsure what counts, assume it does. Toothpaste, sunscreen, and that bag of trail mix all belong in secure storage.
The First-Come Hustle
For Eagle Creek and Timber Camp, timing matters more than people think. In July and August, plan to be circling the campground loop by 10:00 AM, right as check-outs start opening up sites.
If you roll in mid afternoon, you might end up driving in circles, then driving back down the road with no plan. Have a backup option picked out before you arrive, and keep your setup quick. When you find a spot you like, take it. Don’t overthink it. A “maybe better” site rarely appears five minutes later.
Elevation and Weather
Gardiner sits lower than much of Yellowstone’s interior, and locals sometimes joke about it being the “Banana Belt” of the park area. Still, nights can drop to freezing, even in June, especially if the wind picks up or a storm slides through.
Pack layers like you mean it. Bring a warm hat, gloves, and a real jacket, not just a light hoodie. A sleeping bag rated for colder temps helps, too, because a chilly night can wreck your next day’s energy. Mornings start crisp, afternoons warm up, and evenings cool fast. Dress for the swing, not the noon photo.
Booking Windows
Private parks like Sun Outdoors and Yellowstone RV tend to book out well ahead of peak season. If you want prime summer dates, plan on reserving six to nine months in advance, especially for weekends and holiday weeks.
If you’re more flexible, look at weekdays or shoulder season dates when the crowds ease up. Either way, lock in your campground first, then build your Yellowstone day plan around it. That one move saves a lot of stress later.
Conclusion
Gardiner gives you a solid spread of camping choices, whether you want full hookups and easy comforts at Sun Outdoors, a riverfront stay at Yellowstone RV Park, or a quieter Forest Service night at places like Timber Camp.
You can keep the North Entrance close, start early for wildlife, and come back to a spot that fits your style.
Have you stayed at any of these Gardiner gateways? Share your experience or your favorite site number in the comments below.