Bridge Bay Campground is the largest campground in Yellowstone National Park with 432 sites.
The campground is located near Yellowstone Lake, which is one of the largest High-elevation fresh-water lakes in North America. The campground is Located on the Grand Loop Road just a few miles southwest of Lake Village and next to the Bridge Bay Marina, with access to several of Yellowstone's top attractions. It is especially popular with those who seek to go fishing and boating. The Bridge Bay Marina and Stores offer something for everyone. They have a restaurant, gift shops, post office, tours, boat ramp, boat fuel, rental boats, guided fishing trips, and more. Campers lucky enough to get a distant view of Lake Yellowstone will enjoy seeing the lake with the Absaroka Range rising above the Lake's Eastern Shore.
Bridge Bay Campground
Bridge Bay Campground offers numerous options to campers. Portions of the lower loops of the campground are open sites in open meadows with fewer trees, except for the top of the loops in more wooded areas. These loops have few to no trees and shade, so you will want to be prepared. We suggest bringing a pop-up table cover or gazebo to provide shade. We have seen many reviews of people having elk and bison in their campsites. This is just something to be aware of when planning your trip. Loops E and F do provide a distant view of Lake Yellowstone. They also have nice wooded areas with some shade, but not enough to block your view. They were my personal favorite camp sites in the campground. The wooded upper loops have shadier options and the most privacy.
Yellowstone National Park Entrance Fee
Park entrance fees are separate from camping and lodging fees.
Park Entrance Pass - $35.00 Per private vehicle (valid for 1-7 days from the date of purchase)
Park Entrance Pass - Motorcycle/snowmobile - $30.00 Per motorcycle/snowmobile (valid for 1-7 days from the date of purchase)
Per-Person Entrance Pass - $20.00 Visitors 16 years or older who enter on foot, bicycle, or as part of an organized group not involved in a commercial tour.
Annual Park Entrance Pass - $70.00, Admits pass holder and all passengers in a non-commercial vehicle. Valid for one year from the month of purchase.
$20.00 for non-commercial groups (16+ persons)
$20.00 for a Commercial Sedan with 1-6 seats. The cost is $25.00 + $20.00 per person.
$125 for a Commercial Van with 7-15 seats
$200.00 for a Commercial Mini-bus with 16-25 seats
$300.00 for a Commercial Motor Coach with 26+ seats
Learn more about National Park Passes for parks that have an entrance fee.
$80.00 - For the America the Beautiful/National Park Pass. The pass covers entrance fees to all US National Park Sites and over 2,000 Federal Recreation Fee Sites for an entire year and covers everyone in the car for per-vehicle sites and up to 4 adults for per-person sites.
Buy your pass at this link, and REI will donate 10% of pass proceeds to the National Forest Foundation, National Park Foundation, and the U.S. Endowment for Forestry & Communities.
National Park Free Entrance Days -Mark your calendars with the five free entrance days the National Park Service offers annually.
Bridge Bay Campground Camping Fees
Make sure to check with the park for the most updated camping fees.
Bridge Bay Campground Map
Bridge Bay Campground Reservations
Are Campground Reservations Available? Yes, Bridge Bay Campground is typically open from mid-May to early September.
Campground Information
Season: only open during summer from 5/15 to 9/7, 2020
Number of Sites: 432
Latitude/Longitude: N 44 32.070 W 110 26.218
Elevation: 7,800 feet (2377 m)
Location in the park: near Yellowstone Lake, Located on the Grand Loop Road just a few miles southwest of Lake Village and next to the Bridge Bay Marina.
Campground Amenities
The campground offers running water, dishwashing stations, easy access to the main park loop road.
Flush Restrooms: Yes, there are 16 public restrooms available in the campground. Most restrooms also have dishwashing stations available.
Hot Showers: no, the closest place with laundry and shower services is the Fishing Bridge RV Park. Personal portable showers are allowed if the wastewater is collected and disposed of properly.
Laundry: No
Payphone: Yes, near the entrance
Is WIFI available? No
Is Cellular Phone Service Available? There is a cell phone tower near Lake Village. Check with your provider to verify coverage. We did not have any service with T-mobile.
Is there a camp host available on site? Yes
Is firewood available for purchase? Yes
Is there a Bear Box/ Food storage locker available? Yes, Bear boxes are available for most tent sites.
Campground Amphitheater: Yes, seasonal
Amenities at each campsite:
Is there a fire ring/fire pit available in the site? Yes
Is there a Picnic Table available in the site? Yes
Is potable Water available? Yes
RV Camping at Bridge Bay Campground
When calling to make a reservation, be prepared to give the size of your tent (in feet) or the combined length of your RV and any other vehicles or towed vehicles.
RV Length: Campground sites that will accommodate a maximum combined length of 40 feet or more are limited. Pull-through sites available: Yes, there is a mix of pull-through and back-in sites available
Generators: Generators may only be operated from 8 am to 8 pm (60 dB limit)
Dump Station: yes, seasonally. It is located at the entrance to the campground.
Hookups: There are no sites available with electric hookups, water hookups, or sewer hookups.
Group Camp Sites
The group campsites are all in a loop near each other. There are individual campsites near the group sites.
How to get to Bridge Bay Campground
Bridge Bay Campground Regulations
The maximum number of people in a campsite: Maximum 6 persons per site
The number of cars per campsite: Tent sites allow for up to two tents and two vehicles. RV sites allow for one RV (tow included) only. (For reference, 2 motorcycles = 1 vehicle)
Check-in Time: check-in any time of day that there is an unoccupied site.
Checkout time: 11 AM.
Quiet Hours: Quiet hours are from 10:00 p.m. to 7:00 a.m.
Maximum Stay: Camping is limited to 14 days from July 1 through Labor Day, and 30 days for the rest of the year. There is no stay limit at the Fishing Bridge RV Park.
Pets Allowed: Yes, You will want to be aware of the park pet policy
Don't forget to pack
Don't forget to pack
Insect repellent is always a great idea outdoors, especially around any body of water.
We use Permethrin Spray on our clothes before our park trips. Please read my article on preventing biting insects while enjoying the outdoors.
Sunscreen - I buy environmentally friendly sunscreen whenever possible because you inevitably pull it out at the beach.
Bring your water bottle and plenty of water with you. Plastic water bottles are not sold in the park.
Sunglasses - I always bring sunglasses with me. I personally love Goodr sunglasses because they are lightweight, durable, and have awesome National Park Designs from several National Parks like Joshua Tree, Yellowstone, Hawaii Volcanoes, Acadia, Denali, and more!
Click here to get your National Parks Edition of Goodr Sunglasses!
Binoculars/Spotting Scope - These will help spot birds and wildlife and make them easier to identify. We tend to see waterfowl in the distance, and they are always just a bit too far to identify them without binoculars.
Lodging near Bridge Bay Campground
Lodging options outside the park include several options in Gardiner, Montana, and West Yellowstone, Montana Lodging options inside the park near the Canyon Campground include:
Grant Village Lodge - is located near the West Thumb Geyser Basin lies Grant Village and makes the ideal spot for those who wish to explore both Yellowstone and Grand Teton National Parks. This lodge has 300 guest rooms spread across six two story hotel rooms and the dining room has EPIC VIEWS of Lake Yellowstone! Don't forget to make dinner reservations ahead of time.
Click here to book your stay at Grant Village Lodge.
Lake Lodge Cabins - These cabins are located on the Northern end of Lake Yellowstone and have breakfast available, a bar, a restaurant, free self-parking, shopping, a gift shop/newsstand, a fireplace in the lobby, and several room types available.
Click here to book your stay at Lake Lodge Cabins.
Canyon Lodge and Cabins - This beautiful lodge has breakfast available, a restaurant, a laundry, free self-parking, horseback riding/rentals, a grocery/convenience store, an elevator, a nice fireplace in the hotel lodge, and several room-type options.
Click here to book your stay at Canyon Lodge and Cabins.
For a fun adventure check out Escape Campervans. These campervans have built in beds, kitchen area with refrigerators, and more. You can have them fully set up with kitchen supplies, bedding, and other fun extras. They are painted with epic designs you can't miss!
Escape Campervans has offices in Vancouver, Seattle, Portland, San Francisco, Las Vegas, Los Angeles, Phoenix, Salt Lake City, Denver, New York, and Orlando
Bridge Bay Campground Photos
Loop A campsites 1-64 Loop A is in a wide-open field with no shade. They are close together and look like they could get quite loud.
Loop B campsites 65-123 Loop B is a wide-open field with no shade. They are close together and look like they could get quite loud.
Loop C campsites 124-185 Loop C is a wide-open field with no shade. They are close together and look like they could get quite loud.
Loop D campsites 186-231 Loop D is a wide-open field with no shade. They are close together and look like they could get quite loud. D - Loop is tents only. These sites have shared bear boxes.
Loop E (Sites 232-250) Loop E is tent-only. Some of the sites offer a view of the lake.
Loop F Campsites 251-281 Loop F sites are tent-only. Some of the sites offer epic views of the lake. Some sites are near the road and could be loud
Loop G campsites 282-326
Loop H campsites 328-419 Loop H would be great for RV's. It is at the back of the campground.
Loop I campsites 420-438 Loop I is Tents only, This was our favorite loop in the campground. One thing to know is it is uphill to the bathroom from most sites.
Loop J campsites 439-450 Loop J is tent-only, with 4 group sites between individual sites. The sites are forested, but depending on the groups, they could be loud.
Fun Yellowstone National Park Tours and Activities
4-Hour Morning Kayak on Yellowstone Lake with Lunch- Admire the tree-fringed banks, beaches, and thermal pools of Yellowstone Lake from the water on this morning tour.
After a kayak lesson and time to familiarize yourself with your kayak, set out to explore the West Thumb with your guide. You will paddle for approximately two miles along the West Thumb Geyser Basin as you look for elk and bear along the lakeshore and marvel at the steaming geysers in this incredible area of the park!
Click here to book your tour for the 4-hour Morning Kayak on Yellowstone Lake with Lunch!
Lamar Valley Safari Hiking Tour with Lunch - the lush riverside plains of the Lamar Valley are a wildlife watching hotspot within Yellowstone National Park. With this guided hike, you get to explore the natural landscapes as you venture off-road and seek out little-known spots, increasing your chances of seeing wildlife. Look out for buffalo, wolves, eagles, and other animals along the way and watch them from a safe distance in their natural habitat. Tour includes lunch, bear spray, binoculars, trekking pole, backpack(if necessary), coffee and/or tea.
Click here to book your tour for the Lamar Valley Safari Hiking Tour with Lunch.
Yellowstone National Park Private Wildlife Tour - Book your private tour with Yellowstone Exposures to ensure a truly unforgettable day with a local expert. Have your day designed and mapped for you by a local professional so that you can utilize it to the fullest.
With snacks, High-quality spotting scopes and binos. Your guide will take photos and video throughout the day. Included a full picnic lunch, snacks, and refreshments.
Click here to book your tour for the Yellowstone National Park Private Wildlife Tour.
Additional Yellowstone National Park Resources
Yellowstone National Park Guide - Your complete guide to exploring the world's first National Park! Things to do in Yellowstone - These are the top things to do that you don't want to miss, including exploring the Mammoth Hot Springs, the Museum of the National Park Ranger, Yellowstone Waterfalls, Kayaking in Yellowstone, fishing in Yellowstone, Fairy Falls Trail, and more! Yellowstone National Park Facts - Learn more about our 1st National Park and fun facts about the wildlife in the park. Yellowstone Wildlife Guide- Complete Guide to seeing wildlife in Yellowstone National Park, including the most popular wildlife viewing areas, including Lamar Valley and Hayden Valley.
Yellowstone Geyser Basin Areas
Upper Geyser Basin, including Biscuit Basin, Black Sand Basin, and Old Faithful Geyser. Midway Geyser Basin, including Grand Prismatic Spring and Firehole Lake Drive. Lower Geyser Basin, including Fountain Paint Pot Trail and Firehole Canyon Drive Norris Geyser Basin—This basin is known for having some of the hottest water and springs in the park. It is actually two basins: Porcelain Basin and Black Basin, with famous geysers, including Ledge Geyser, Cistern Geyser, and Steamboat Geyser. West Thumb Geyser Basin - Beautiful boardwalk trail with hydrothermal features right next to Lake Yellowstone! Mud Volcano - The Mud Volcano area is Located south of Canyon Village and North of Lake Yellowstone. It has several hydrothermal features, including a mud volcano and Dragon's Mouth Spring.
Yellowstone Camping Resources
Ultimate Yellowstone Camping Guide - This complete guide to camping in Yellowstone includes all front country campgrounds including: Bridge Bay Campground, Canyon Campground, Fishing Bridge RV Park, Grant Village Campground, Indian Creek Campground, Lewis Lake Campground, Madison Campground, Mammoth Campground, Norris Campground, Pebble Creek Campground, Slough Creek Campground, and Tower Fall Campground.
Yellowstone Lodging Resources
Ultimate Yellowstone National Park Lodging Guide - This complete guide to all of Yellowstone National Park's Lodges and cabins, including Canyon Lodge, Canyon Lodge Cabins, Grant Village Lodge, Lake Hotel, Lake Lodge Cabins, Mammoth Hot Springs Hotel, Mammoth Hot Springs Hotel Cabins, Old Faithful Inn, Old Faithful Lodge (Cabin Accommodations), Old Faithful Snow Lodge, and Roosevelt Lodge (cabin accommodations)
Parks near Yellowstone National Park
Grand Teron National Park Complete Guide to Grand Teton National Park - Your complete guide to go explore Grand Teton National Park before or after you visit Yellowstone! Grand Teton Camping Guide - Complete Guide to all of Grand Teton National Parks campgrounds. Grand Teton Lodging Guide - Complete Guide to all of Grand Teton's Lodges.
Glacier National Park Epic Guide to Glacier National Park - Complete guide to exploring Glacier National Park Glacier National Park Camping Guide - Complete Guide to all of Glacier National Park front country campgrounds Glacier National Park Lodging Guide - Complete Guide to Glacier National Park Lodges
Additional Montana National Parks Little Bighorn Battlefield - Also known as Custer's Last Stand, a place where the Plains Tribes fought their last major battle and won. Big Hole National Battlefield - site of the pivotal battle in the Nez Perce War of 1877 between Colonel Gibbon's troops and five bands of the Nez Perce Indians led by the famous Native American Leader, Cheif Joseph. Grant Kohr's Ranch National Historic Site - See what ranch life was like in the 1800s in Montana
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