Bridge Bay Campground

Yellowstone’s largest campground — marina access on Yellowstone Lake

Location: Yellowstone National Park, WY (Yellowstone Lake), WY

Price: From $29 per night

Rating: 4.4 out of 5 (3211 reviews)

Season: Late May – mid-September

Bridge Bay is the largest campground in Yellowstone with 432 sites on the north shore of Yellowstone Lake — the largest high-elevation lake in North America at 7,733 feet. The adjacent Bridge Bay Marina offers boat rentals, guided fishing, and lake cruises. Sites are in an open sage and lodgepole pine setting. RVs up to 40ft accommodated. Central location makes it a good base for both the geyser basins (30 min north) and the southern wilderness. Bison frequently wander through the campground.

Cell coverage (FCC estimate): weak signal. Actual signal may vary in remote areas. Best carrier: Verizon. Verizon 4G: 100%. AT&T 4G: 0%. T-Mobile 4G: 0%.

Amenities: Flush Toilets, Potable Water, Fire Rings, Dump Station, Bridge Bay Marina (boat rentals, fishing), Lake Access, Pet Friendly (leash), Picnic Tables

Availability alerts: Set a free cancellation alert at camperwatch.org/campground/bridge-bay-yellowstone to be notified when sites open up.

Yellowstone’s largest campground with 432 sites on the north shore of Yellowstone Lake — the largest high-elevation lake in North America. The adjacent marina offers boat rentals and lake cruises. Central location for both the geyser basins and the southern wilderness.

The Storm Point trail (2.3 mi loop, starts 3 miles east at Indian Pond) is the best short wildlife hike in Yellowstone and almost never crowded. Bison regularly in the meadows, lake views, and Indian Pond often has nesting pelicans. Start at 7am for the best wildlife activity.

What is new at Bridge Bay Campground: Bridge Bay Marina expanded lake cruises to twice daily in peak season 2023.

Wildlife alert: Bison regularly walk through the campground — maintain 25-yard distance always. Bears present. Food storage in bear boxes mandatory. Wolves active in Hayden Valley.

Fire rules: Campfires in provided fire grates only. Wyoming fire restrictions apply. Check nps.gov/yell.

Things to do near Bridge Bay Campground: Yellowstone Lake boat cruise from the marina — 2-hour narrated tour of the lake’s thermal features. West Thumb Geyser Basin (20 mi west) — geysers and hot springs right on the lakeshore. Hayden Valley (20 mi north) — the best bison and wolf watching in the park.

Insider tips for Bridge Bay Campground: Sites closest to the lake (sites 1–50) book fastest Drive the Lake Hotel to Fishing Bridge stretch at dawn for excellent roadside bison and bear watching

Skip Bridge Bay Campground if: You need hookups — no electric or water hookups at most sites.

Best time to visit Bridge Bay Campground: Jun–Aug — Marina open, all roads accessible, wildflowers in Hayden Valley.. Sep — Elk rut, bison calves maturing, crowds dropping. Best wildlife month..

Common issues at Bridge Bay Campground: Yellowstone entry may require timed reservations May–October. Check nps.gov/yell for current entry requirements. Campsite reservation does not guarantee entry.

What campers say about Bridge Bay Campground: "Bison walked through the campground at dusk. Woke up to a foggy lake with the Absarokas behind it." — Recreation.gov reviewer "Boat cruise on Yellowstone Lake is one of the most underrated NPS activities anywhere." — Recreation.gov reviewer

Nearby campgrounds: Lewis Lake Campground (Yellowstone, WY), Madison Campground (Yellowstone National Park, WY), Threemile Campground (Cody, WY), Tower Fall Campground (YELLOWSTONE, WY).