🏕 Campground
Madison Campground (Yellowstone)
About This Permit
Madison Campground sits at the confluence of the Firehole and Gibbon Rivers and is prized as the most central Yellowstone campground for accessing geothermal features — Old Faithful is 16 miles south, Norris Geyser Basin 14 miles north. Bison herds are frequently visible from campsites. No hookups; generator use restricted to specific hours.
Frequently Asked Questions
Why is Madison Campground considered the best-positioned in Yellowstone?
Madison sits roughly equidistant from Old Faithful (south) and Norris (north) — giving campers easy access to both geyser basins. It opens earlier in spring than most Yellowstone campgrounds.
Are bison a concern at Madison Campground?
Bison are wild animals requiring 25 yards of distance at all times. Herds regularly move through the Madison area and occasionally into campgrounds. Seeing bison from your campsite is part of the experience — never approach or feed them.
Does Madison have hookups?
No — no electrical, water, or sewer hookups. Coin-operated showers and laundry are available at Old Faithful Inn (16 miles south). A dump station is available at the campground.
Key Facts
- State
- WY
- Season
- Approximately early May – mid-October (typically opens ~May 3, closes ~Oct 19–20; varies by year)
- Sites
- 278 sites (tent and RV; no hookups)
- Access
- West Entrance Road, Yellowstone NP — 16 miles from West Yellowstone, MT
- Reservation Window
- Reservations through Yellowstone National Park Lodges (not recreation.gov); opens 13 months in advance on the 5th of each month
- Difficulty to reserve
- 4/5(Very hard)
Get an SMS the moment a cancellation opens — we scan every 60 seconds.
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