What are the hours and season for Slough Creek Campground?

Slough Creek Campground is open Mid-May – late October. Check-in: 12:00 PM. Check-out: 10:00 AM.

Does Slough Creek Campground have cell service?

Cell signal at Slough Creek Campground: No signal at camp or on the Slough Creek road. Faint signal occasionally at Tower-Roosevelt Junction (7 mi). Download everything before entering the Northern Range.

What are the fire rules at Slough Creek Campground?

Fire rules at Slough Creek Campground: Campfires in fire rings only. No outside firewood. Generators prohibited. Fire restrictions common in late summer — check current conditions at nps.gov/yell.

What is the best time to visit Slough Creek Campground?

May: Wolf pups visible. Calving season for bison and elk. Fewer visitors. Jun: Wildlife most active. Long days for watching. Sep: Elk bugling. Bison rut aftermath. Grizzlies feeding heavily before denning.

What are the best things to do near Slough Creek Campground?

Near Slough Creek Campground: Dawn wildlife drive in Lamar Valley. Slough Creek Trail (follows historic wagon route to backcountry meadows). Cutthroat trout fishing. Night sky from camp (no light pollution).

Is there wildlife at Slough Creek Campground?

Wildlife alert for Slough Creek Campground: Grizzly and black bear country. Hard-sided vehicles and bear canisters required. Wolf pack territory — keep all food secured. Bison wander through camp — maintain 25-yard distance.

What are the common problems at Slough Creek Campground?

At Slough Creek Campground: 25 ft hard limit — the dirt access road has a tight turnaround. Solution: Tent campers and small Class B/C motorhomes are ideal. Large rigs cannot stay here.

What are the insider tips for Slough Creek Campground?

Insider tips for Slough Creek Campground: Lamar Valley Institue wolf trackers post daily sighting reports — search "Yellowstone Wolf Project" on social media for real-time locations Bring a 20x spotting scope — binoculars alone won't cut it for wolf or bear viewing across the valley The Slough Creek Trail first meadow is 1.5 miles — accessible to all fitness levels and extraordinary for wildlife

What makes Slough Creek Campground unique?

Set your alarm for 5:00am, drive to the Lamar Valley pullouts as the sun rises, and watch the wildlife with a spotting scope. The Lamar has the highest density of megafauna viewing in North America outside of Africa. Most people sleep through it.

How do I book a campsite at Slough Creek Campground?

Slough Creek Campground is a federal campground — book at Recreation.gov (search "Slough Creek Campground"). Sites are released 6 months in advance and sell out quickly. Set a free CamperWatch cancellation alert at camperwatch.org/campground/slough-creek-campground-yellowstone to be notified the moment a site opens up.

The best wildlife-watching campground in the world’s first national park

Slough Creek Campground

Yellowstone’s premier wildlife-watching camp in the Lamar Valley

Northern Range, Yellowstone National Park, WY4.9 (1840)6,250 ft

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Slough Creek is the most beloved campground among serious wildlife watchers in Yellowstone. Sitting at the end of a 2-mile dirt road in the Northern Range at 6,250 ft, it places you deep in the Lamar Valley — the park’s wildlife corridor where bison herds, wolf packs, grizzlies, and elk converge daily. Only 16 sites, generators prohibited, best suited for tents and small rigs under 25 ft. The Slough Creek Trail begins here, following a historic wagon track into the Absaroka-Beartooth Wilderness. Evenings are extraordinary — unimpeded star views and the real possibility of hearing wolves howl.

Best For

Wildlife photographersWolf watchersFly fishermenMinimalist campers

Site Types

TentSmall RV (max 25 ft — tight turnaround)

Amenities

Vault Toilets

Potable Water

Picnic Tables

Fire Grates

Fishing Access (Yellowstone permit required)

Check-in

12:00 PM

Check-out

10:00 AM

Season

Mid-May – late October

Max/site

6 people

Known Issues

25 ft hard limit — larger rigs cannot make the turnaround. No hookups, no generators, no showers. 14-day limit Jul 1 – Labor Day. Fishing requires Yellowstone permit (not a state fishing license). Bear activity — food storage mandatory.

Cancellation Policy

Recreation.gov standard: full refund if cancelled 2+ days before arrival. $10 non-refundable reservation fee.

Frequently asked questions

How much does Slough Creek Campground cost per night?+

Slough Creek Campground costs $20 per night depending on site type and season. Hookup options: None. Generators prohibited.

What season is Slough Creek Campground open?+

Slough Creek Campground is open Mid-May – late October. Check-in is 12:00 PM, check-out is 10:00 AM.

Does Slough Creek Campground have hookups?+

None. Generators prohibited.

What is the maximum RV length at Slough Creek Campground?+

Slough Creek Campground can accommodate RVs up to 25 feet long.

How far is Slough Creek Campground from the nearest town?+

Nearest services: Tower-Roosevelt Junction — 7 miles (limited). Cooke City MT — 26 miles.

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