Mammoth Campground – Yellowstone National Park, Wyoming

Mammoth Campground is one of Yellowstone National Park’s most historic and distinctive campgrounds, located near Mammoth Hot Springs and just inside the park’s North Entrance. Open year-round (weather permitting), it offers a rare opportunity to camp in Yellowstone during all four seasons while enjoying sweeping valley views, abundant wildlife, and excellent access to both geothermal features and park facilities. Its combination of scenery, convenience, and wildlife encounters makes Mammoth one of the park’s most unique base camps.

Location & Setting

Mammoth Campground sits at approximately 6,200 feet along the Gardner River corridor, just below the Mammoth Hot Springs Terraces and within minutes of the North Entrance at Gardiner, Montana. The surrounding sagebrush hillsides and open terrain provide wide-open views and excellent wildlife visibility. Elk, mule deer, and pronghorn are commonly seen wandering through the campground, particularly in spring and fall. Its location along the Grand Loop Road also makes it a convenient launching point for exploring the Northern Range, including Lamar Valley.

Campground Overview & Facilities

Mammoth Campground features around 85 sites that accommodate tents, trailers, and RVs, though no electrical hookups are provided. The layout is open and terraced, offering a mixture of small trees, sagebrush, and rocky hillsides. Campsites include picnic tables and fire rings, and the campground provides flush toilets during summer and vault toilets in colder months. Potable water is generally available, and the campground’s close proximity to Mammoth Hot Springs Village means additional services — including dining, fuel, restrooms, and visitor information — are just minutes away.

Amenities

Campers at Mammoth have access to essential amenities including drinking water, restrooms, trash and recycling, and ranger support at the nearby visitor center. While the campground itself is rustic, the nearby Mammoth Hot Springs area offers modern conveniences such as a general store, gift shop, grill, gas station, and post office. This makes Mammoth an excellent option for visitors who want the feel of traditional park camping with easy access to services and supplies. Bear-proof storage lockers are available, and food storage rules are strictly enforced.

Activities & Nearby Recreation

With its location near some of Yellowstone’s oldest and most iconic thermal features, Mammoth Campground provides instant access to the boardwalk trails that wind among the Mammoth Hot Springs Terraces. Wildlife viewing is exceptional year-round, especially for elk and bison. The campground is also close to the Boiling River area (when open), the Blacktail Plateau Drive, Undine Falls, and numerous day hikes. The short drive into Lamar Valley makes it one of the best bases in the park for early morning wolf watching. Winter visitors can enjoy snowshoeing, cross-country skiing, and solitude seldom found elsewhere in the park.

Summary

Mammoth Campground blends convenient access, unique geothermal scenery, and abundant wildlife into a classic Yellowstone experience. As the park’s only year-round front-country campground, it offers unparalleled opportunities to enjoy Yellowstone in every season. Whether you’re exploring Mammoth Hot Springs, heading into Lamar Valley, or simply watching elk graze from your campsite, Mammoth Campground delivers an unforgettable mix of scenery, comfort, and adventure in one of the park’s most historic regions.