Madison Campground

Dead center in Yellowstone — geysers, wildlife, and the Madison River at your door

Location: Yellowstone National Park, WY, WY

Price: From $30 per night

Price range: $30–$35 per night

Rating: 4.4 out of 5 (1203 reviews)

Elevation: 6913 feet

Season: May 1 – October 18, 2026 (dates subject to change). Booked via Yellowstone National Park Lodges (not Recreation.gov — moving to Recreation.gov for 2027 season).

The most strategically located campground in Yellowstone National Park. Madison sits at the confluence of the Firehole and Gibbon rivers where they form the Madison River — world-class fly fishing steps from your tent. Positioned exactly halfway between Old Faithful and Norris Geyser Basin, it's the only campground in the park interior with a ranger amphitheater. 278 individual sites plus 3 group sites — RV, tent, and combination available. Hikers and cyclists can walk in for $10/person (non-res

Cell coverage (FCC estimate): none signal. Actual signal may vary in remote areas.

Amenities: Flush Toilets, Drinking Water, Dump Station, Fire Rings, Bear Boxes, Amphitheater, Ranger Programs, Picnic Tables, Recycling, Accessible Sites

The most strategically positioned campground in Yellowstone. Madison sits at the exact center of the park — equidistant between Old Faithful (14 miles south) and Norris Geyser Basin (14 miles north). The confluence of the Firehole and Gibbon rivers at your doorstep creates the Madison River, one of the most famous fly fishing rivers in the American West. Bison and elk graze through Madison Valley every single morning without exception.

The Firehole River swimming area — 2 miles south of Madison Junction — is one of the only places in Yellowstone where swimming is permitted. The water is heated by geothermal activity to a perfect 80°F in summer. It's free, often empty by 7am, and one of the most surreal swim spots on Earth. Most Yellowstone visitors never know it exists.

What is new at Madison Campground: All Yellowstone campgrounds are now managed through Recreation.gov — Xanterra no longer handles reservations. Madison Campground fully reservable in advance for the first time in 2025.

Wildlife alert: BISON right-of-way always. Never approach — 2,000lb animals that charge with no warning. Grizzly bears present throughout Yellowstone. Bear spray required on all backcountry hikes.

Fire rules: Campfires in rings only. Fire restrictions common in dry summers. No firewood gathering in the park. Check nps.gov/yell for current conditions.

Things to do near Madison Campground: Madison Valley wildlife walk at 6am — bison and elk guaranteed. Firehole River swimming area (2 mi south) — geothermally heated, 80°F, often empty at dawn. Grand Prismatic Spring (4 miles) — most vivid thermal feature in the world, best seen from the overlook trail. Old Faithful Upper Geyser Basin (14 mi) — arrive before 9am or after 4pm. Norris Geyser Basin (14 mi) — most geologically active area, often overlooked for Old Faithful.

Insider tips for Madison Campground: The Firehole swimming area is 2 miles south — best kept secret in Yellowstone Enter the park before 9am or after 5pm — road congestion at Old Faithful is genuinely severe midday Wyoming fishing license required for Madison River — available online before you arrive

Skip Madison Campground if: You need RV hookups (none — only Fishing Bridge has them for hard-sided only). You need a camp store (none at Madison). You're visiting peak July–August without booking 6 months ahead.

Best time to visit Madison Campground: May — Newborn bison and elk. Snow can still fall but fewer crowds. Most dramatic wildlife.. Sep–Oct — Elk rut. Fall color. Crowds drop. Bears feeding before hibernation near the river..

Common issues at Madison Campground: No hookups at Madison — only Fishing Bridge has hookups inside Yellowstone (hard-sided RVs only). Fishing Bridge RV Park (requires hard-sided RV only — no soft-sided) for hookups. West Yellowstone gateway town has multiple full-hookup options 10 miles west. No camp store — no food, fuel, or supplies at Madison. Old Faithful Village (14 miles) has a general store, fast food, and restaurant. Stock up before arriving. Bears — food storage strictly enforced, rangers will cite and fine you. Everything with a scent goes in the bear box at all times, including inside your vehicle if it has a soft top. Rangers check sites.

What campers say about Madison Campground: "Woke up at 6am and bison were grazing 50 feet from my tent in the valley. This is what camping in America should be." — The Dyrt 2025 "Madison River brown trout fishing right from camp. Wyoming fishing license required. Best part of the whole trip." — Reddit 2025 "Ranger amphitheater program at night was the best I've seen in any national park. Particularly great for kids." — Campendium 2025 "Enter before 9am or after 5pm — midday the park is a parking lot. From Madison you can be at Old Faithful before the crowds arrive." — wereintherockies.com

What are the best sites at Madison Campground Yellowstone? Sites on the outer loops (A and B) back up to the Madison River and offer views of bison grazing. Inner loops are more sheltered from wind but less scenic. Sites 001–024 are most requested for river proximity. Madison is the only campground in the western part of Yellowstone — ideal base for Old Faithful (16 miles) and the Firehole geyser basin.

How do I get reservations at Madison Campground Yellowstone? Madison Campground opens for reservations 6 months in advance through Recreation.gov. It is one of the 12 reservable Yellowstone campgrounds and books out quickly for July and August. Cancellations appear frequently — check at 7 AM daily. The campground has a short season (late April through early November) — verify open dates before booking.

Can I see geysers from Madison Campground? Not directly — but the Madison River that runs alongside camp is home to the Firehole River geyser run, and bison are almost always visible. Old Faithful is 16 miles south (25-minute drive). The Midway Geyser Basin (Grand Prismatic) is 6 miles away. Madison Campground is the best positioned campground for covering Yellowstone's most popular thermal features in one base.

Are bears a problem at Madison Campground Yellowstone? Yes — bear activity is significant. All food must be stored in bear boxes provided at every site (this is a federal requirement, not optional). Grizzly bears are active throughout the park. Never leave food in tents or on picnic tables. Keep a clean camp. Madison Junction has had multiple bear incidents involving improper food storage in recent years.

Nearby campgrounds: Yellowstone Park / West Gate KOA Holiday (West Yellowstone, MT), Indian Creek Campground (Wy) (Yellowstone, WY), Rainbow Point Campground (West Yellowstone, MT), Basin Station Cabin (WEST YELLOWSTONE, MT).