CamperWatch

National campground directory. Verified data, live availability, community tips.

info@camperwatch.org

Explore

  • Search all campgrounds
  • Free dispersed camping
  • National park campgrounds
  • When Yosemite is sold out
  • When Yellowstone is sold out
  • Availability alerts
  • Community feed
  • Baja California RV parks
  • Pyramid Lake Paiute Tribe

Featured Campgrounds

  • Emerald Bay — Lake Tahoe CAState
  • Pyramid Lake Paiute Tribe ParksTribal
  • Slough Creek — Yellowstone
  • North Pines — Yosemite Valley
  • Jenny Lake — Grand Teton
  • Many Glacier — Glacier NP

For Owners

  • List your campground free
  • Hipcamp alternative
  • Campspot alternative
  • Campground booking software
  • List campground free guide

© 2026 CamperWatch · Not affiliated with Recreation.gov, NPS, or USFS

TermsPrivacyCancellationContactllms.txt

Slough Creek Campground

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

Location: Northern Range, Yellowstone National Park, WY, WY

Price: From $20 per night

Rating: 4.9 out of 5 (1840 reviews)

Season: Mid-May – late October

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.

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

Amenities: Vault Toilets, Potable Water, Picnic Tables, Fire Grates, Fishing Access (Yellowstone permit required)

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

Slough Creek is where serious wildlife watchers come to Yellowstone. The Lamar Valley is North America's best accessible wildlife viewing corridor — wolf packs, grizzly families, bison herds, pronghorn, and elk all visible from pullouts within miles of camp. At 16 sites with no generators allowed, it's intimate. The Slough Creek cutthroat fishery is legendary among fly fishermen. And at night, you may hear wolves.

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. ⇒ Water: The first meadow section of Slough Creek, 1.5 miles south of camp, holds trophy Yellowstone cutthroat trout averaging 16–18 inches. One of the least-pressured blue-ribbon streams in the park. Fly fishing only in this section; no bait.

What is new at Slough Creek Campground: 2026: All Yellowstone campgrounds require reservations. Book on Recreation.gov as soon as your window opens. Slough Creek fills weeks in advance.

Wildlife alert: 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.

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

Things to do 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).

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

Skip Slough Creek Campground if: You have a rig over 25 ft. You need hookups or generators. You want to be near park amenities.

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..

Common issues at Slough Creek Campground: 25 ft hard limit — the dirt access road has a tight turnaround. Tent campers and small Class B/C motorhomes are ideal. Large rigs cannot stay here. Very remote — 7 miles from Tower-Roosevelt, 26 from Cooke City. Fill gas and groceries at Mammoth Hotel or Gardner before heading east. The road to camp is rough. Fishing requires a Yellowstone-specific permit, not a state fishing license. Buy the Yellowstone Fishing Permit in advance at nps.gov/yell or at any visitor center. $18 for 3 days.

What campers say about Slough Creek Campground: "Woke at 5am, drove to the Lamar Valley, saw a wolf pack chasing elk. Back for coffee by 7. Best morning of my life." — Reddit r/Yellowstone "Heard wolves howling from the campsite at 2am. I cried." — The Dyrt "The 2-mile dirt road to camp is slow and rough. Don't arrive after dark your first night." — Campendium

Nearby campgrounds: Tower Fall Campground (YELLOWSTONE, WY), Pebble Creek Campground (Yellowstone National Park, WY), Snowbank Campground (Gardiner, MT), Mammoth Campground (Mammoth Hot Springs, Yellowstone National Park, WY).

Cell Phone Coverage at Slough Creek Campground

Cell signal at Slough Creek Campground (Northern Range, Yellowstone National Park, WY): none overall signal based on FCC broadband data.

    Coverage data source: FCC Broadband Data Collection (BDC). Actual signal may vary due to terrain, tree cover, and distance from towers. Camper reports are more reliable than coverage maps in remote areas.

    CamperWatch
    CommunityPlan a tripCompareTribes

    Slough Creek Campground

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

    Northern Range, Yellowstone National Park, WY4.9 (1840)6,250 ft
    Share: X Facebook

    Why campers choose Slough Creek Campground

    Slough Creek is where serious wildlife watchers come to Yellowstone. The Lamar Valley is North America's best accessible wildlife viewing corridor — wolf packs, grizzly families, bison herds, pronghorn, and elk all visible from pullouts within miles of camp. At 16 sites with no generators allowed, it's intimate. The Slough Creek cutthroat fishery is legendary among fly fishermen. And at night, you may hear wolves.
    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
    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.

    Check-in

    12:00 PM

    Check-out

    10:00 AM

    Season

    Mid-May – late October

    Stay limit

    14 days

    Max RV

    25 ft

    Hookups

    None

    Cell signal:

    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.

    Things to do nearby

    Lamar Valley PulloutsSlough Creek TrailTower-Roosevelt JunctionDawn wildlife drive in Lamar Valley

    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.

    Why campers love Slough Creek Campground

    Slough Creek is where serious wildlife watchers come to Yellowstone. The Lamar Valley is North America's best accessible wildlife viewing corridor — wolf packs, grizzly families, bison herds, pronghorn, and elk all visible from pullouts within miles of camp. At 16 sites with no generators allowed, it's intimate. The Slough Creek cutthroat fishery is legendary among fly fishermen. And at night, you may hear wolves.

    What's new in 2026

    2026: All Yellowstone campgrounds require reservations. Book on Recreation.gov as soon as your window opens. Slough Creek fills weeks in advance.

    What campers say about Slough Creek Campground

    "Woke at 5am, drove to the Lamar Valley, saw a wolf pack chasing elk. Back for coffee by 7. Best morning of my life."

    — Reddit r/Yellowstone

    "Heard wolves howling from the campsite at 2am. I cried."

    — The Dyrt

    "The 2-mile dirt road to camp is slow and rough. Don't arrive after dark your first night."

    — Campendium

    Not the right fit if…

    • ✕You have a rig over 25 ft
    • ✕You need hookups or generators
    • ✕You want to be near park amenities

    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 do I make reservations at Slough Creek Campground?+
    Slough Creek Campground is a federal campground — reservations open 6 months in advance at Recreation.gov. Sites sell out quickly. Set a free CamperWatch cancellation alert at camperwatch.org/alerts to be notified the moment a site opens.
    What is the cell service like at Slough Creek Campground?+
    According to FCC coverage maps, cell signal at Slough Creek Campground is rated no. Note: FCC maps show theoretical coverage — actual signal in remote, mountainous, or heavily forested areas may be weaker. Check camper reports on the page for real-world experience.
    How far is Slough Creek Campground from the nearest town?+
    Nearest services: Tower-Roosevelt Junction — 7 miles (limited). Cooke City MT — 26 miles.
    Open in OpenStreetMap ↗

    Check live availability below

    Books 3–6 months ahead · Set an alert for cancellations

    Yellowstone National Park campgrounds book out months in advance

    Set a free cancellation alert and get notified the moment a site opens. Or read our guide: what to do when Yellowstone National Park is sold out.

    Set free alert →

    Nearby Campgrounds

    Tower Fall Campground Yellowstone National Park

    Tower Fall Campground

    YELLOWSTONE, WY

    From $20/night

    Lamar Valley Yellowstone National Park bison meadow sunrise Wyoming wildlife

    Pebble Creek Campground

    Yellowstone National Park, WY

    From $20/night

    Snowbank Campground Custer Gallatin National Forest

    Snowbank Campground

    Gardiner, MT

    From $26/night

    Mammoth Campground Yellowstone hot springs terraces year-round camping

    Mammoth Campground

    Mammoth Hot Springs, Yellowstone National Park, WY

    From $25/night

    Own a campground nearby?

    List free on CamperWatch — we take 5% only on bookings we send. No monthly fee.

    List your campground →
    $20/night
    4.9(1840)
    Book Now — No Fees

    Instant confirmation · No booking fees · Cancel free