Camping in Yellowstone: Lewis Lake & Bridge Bay Campgrounds
Less than ten hours. That’s how long we had been the proud owners of our new Go Fast Camper setup before driving straight into Yellowstone National Park to enjoy hiking, camping and the next National Park to check off our list. Unlike the iKamper when we first purchased it, there was no test run in the driveway before heading out, only a single practice setup in the GFC headquarters’ parking lot. It was us, a brand-new roof top tent setup and a whole lot of excitement as we rolled through Montana and into Wyoming for the very first time. And let me be the first to tell you…I’m in love. The sprawling open landscape, lush green fields, dense forests and expansive river systems had my heart fluttering with joy from the moment we arrived.
Taking in views like that is incredible from any pullout or visitor center trail, but for me, there’s no substitute for actually sleeping out amongst it all.
Not only does camping provide me with some of the best night’s sleep, but there’s simply no better way to feel fully immersed in a national park than sleeping under the stars, completely surrounded by the wild.
While we’re no strangers to camping in a rooftop tent, for our Yellowstone trip we were on a maiden voyage to test out our brand-new GFC.
After a long two-days of driving through Nevada, Idaho and Montana, we finally rolled into Wyoming with two nights booked across two of Yellowstone’s 12 established campgrounds. It was time to put our new GFC to the test. But more than that? We were ready to indulge in some well-earned campground relaxation.
Camping at Lewis Lake Campground
Our first night of camping landed us at Lewis Lake Campground, tucked away 12 miles north of the South Entrance, at 7,800 feet in elevation. The air was crisp, the lodgepole pines were towering, and the quiet was incredible. And as it turned out, we weren’t the only ones who valued the peace. Upon arriving at the campground to check in, beyond the standard park rules and updates, the camp host also identified the loud camp groups in our site’s vicinity and assured us they were already on a final warning with him and if they made any noise, they were gone. When you camp for the sake of disconnecting and enjoying nature, that kind of proactive reassurance from a camp host strict on enforcing quiet hours is the absolute thing of dreams.
Riding a high from the excitement of seeing bison for the first time, pure bliss set in almost immediately after popping the GFC top. Between the birds chirping, the comfort of being surrounded by trees and a warm Mountain House dinner, that long-awaited feeling of total relaxation completely took over. After dinner, we took a short sunset stroll down to the dock, watching the lake turn into a mirror as the sun made its slow decent toward the horizon. Hoping to enjoy sunset, we soon realized that summer sunsets here roll at a gradual pace, so we settled for a few gorgeous photos before heading back to camp. The campsite throughout the evening was completely still: zero road noise, no generator hum and no noisy neighbors, just the faint crackle of nearby campfires and our occasional laughs as we played a round of Yahtzee by camp light.
Even with the sun stubbornly holding onto the sky until late, Mountain Time eventually won. By 8:30 p.m., we surrendered to exhaustion. Climbing into the GFC was pure comfort. A perfect cool breeze, a super comfy sleep setup and blacked-out panels to shut out the last slivers of daylight. We were out the second our heads hit the pillows.
Campground Details
Location: 12 miles north of the South entrance. 7,800 feet of elevation.
Capacity: 85 sites for back-in/pull-through and walk-in tent sites.
Rig Size Limit: Strict 25-foot maximum total vehicle length (perfect for a Tacoma and Go Fast Camper setup, but keeps massive motorhomes out).
Power/Generators: No generators allowed (hence why it’s so peaceful).
Reservations: The campground is run by the National Park Service. Campsites require reservations, which can be made at Recreation.gov.
Restrooms/Water: Vault toilets (seasonal) no showers, no dump station, no laundry, potable water (seasonal)
Wildlife Safety: Wildlife-proof food storage lockers at each campsite.
Extra Amenities: Boat ramp. Trash/recycling. On-site staff.
Connectivity: Zero cell reception, no wifi (a true camper’s dream)
Environment & Natural Appeal
Surrounding campsites are pretty close, however the trees are dense enough you still have privacy and the nearby lake views are stunning.
Amenities & Cleanliness
This was one of the nicest more primitive campgrounds I've stayed at. It was incredibly well taken care of and very clean.
Overall Satisfaction
This is the ultimate camping location if you are looking to completely disconnect and feel like you can be immersed in nature. I would 100% stay here again if I'm looking for the perfect escape to nature with some basic comforts.
While most luxury resort hoppers just call bellhop services to transfer their luggage between suites, moving your sleep setup as a camper requires packing down the rooftop tent (which was incredibly fast in comparison to previous setups) and keeping your eyes peeled for 1,000-pound local residents as you drive to your next destination. Of course, you can't just drive straight from one campground to the next without a proper day exploring in the park. We spent our morning and afternoon checking out Old Faithful, marveling at the erupting geysers, and hiking the scenic geyser trail loop before rolling over to our second home for the night.
Camping at Bridge Bay Campground
If night one was all about tranquil outdoor relaxation, night two at Bridge Bay Campground was a full-blown VIP wildlife experience. One of the largest campgrounds in Yellowstone, we knew we were in for an exciting evening when the camp host shared a stark warning at check in: due to tourists hand-feeding the wildlife, the local elk population had become aggressively comfortable around humans, even ramming parked cars in search of a handout. Packed with equal parts excitement and high alert, we headed to the upper loop to find our home for the night.
We had barely finished setting up camp before deciding to stretch-our-legs and enjoy a walk around our camp loop. As we looped back toward our truck, we quickly discovered we were sharing the campground with a giant male (bull) elk casually strolling through campsites like he owned the place (which, to be fair, they do). Lounging in the grass, we laughed at discovering he had officially evicted a neighboring camping duo, claiming their campsite as his personal rest spot. We shared a laugh with the momentarily displaced, and very amused, campers before backtracking to our site with a detour to give him space.
Wanting to clean up our mugs from the morning and begin prepping dinner, we cautiously began gathering our camp kitchen and gear, Jason setting things up in the bear locker and me keeping an eye out in case our four-legged neighbor had other plans. Right on cue, he began strolling toward our site, putting our meal prep on a brief hold. With still plenty of distance between us, we decided to bring our cups to the dishwasher station and hope he’d be gone by the time we returned so we could begin dinner. As we began our walk around the loop, we saw him strolling between campsite. Coming around the loop, we gave a quick heads-up to a family eating outside; we all watched as the elk methodically made his way through the grass in their direction. Soon, they packed up their meal to retreat inside their motorhome and we prepared to duck behind the bathroom building before deciding it was safe to take the scenic route back to our rig, and watch him roam from a safe distance. Back at our campsite, as Jason prepared our dinner setup, I watched with amusement, chatting with other campers as we were entertained by the elk proceeding to hold several campers hostage inside the bathroom and dishwashing station. The comedic display was unexpected but I was relieved to watch as most every camper acted responsibly and no negative encounters took place.
Eventually he disappeared into the trees and out of our camp loop. With the coast clear, we enjoyed dinner and a bit of relaxation time just enjoying the views and sounds of our surroundings as we enjoyed passing the time. Despite it being nearly 7:30 p.m., with the coast clear of elk, dinner complete and a well lit sky above us, we took a serene post-dinner walk toward the campground’s main entrance, keeping our fingers crossed for zero bear or bison encounters. While the walk to the entry was significantly longer than we realized, it was incredibly pleasant with views of Yellowstone Lake and the Absaroka Mountain Range. We were even rewarded with a sighting of a single deer peacefully grazing between the trees. Getting back to our campground around 8:00 p.m., the wildlife show hit its peak. Coming into our loop, a beautiful female (cow) elk grazed in the open meadow across from our site. Ready to unwind, Jason climbed up into the GFC while I lingered by the truck to soak in the evening atmosphere and watch her move about. It was as I was blissfully taking photos, and keeping one eye on the tree line, that the bull elk reappeared right down the road from where we’d first spotted him.
Watching on, an additional cow and bull elk emerged from the woods behind our site. I calmly called up to Jason, let him know we had company, and closed him into the truck bed for safety. I stepped to the side of the Tacoma to snap a few photos, but when the bull elk stepped further out of the woods and together the three elk began walking straight into our campsite, I decided it was time to retreat into the safety of the truck cab. For the next 15 minutes, we sat locked in the truck, watching these beautiful animals move unperturbed through our campsite as they munched on grass. Were we exhausted and ready to call it a night? Yes. Were we completely captivated and deeply grateful they cared more about the grass than charging our rig? Absolutely. Sitting in the truck with an antlered audience grazing around us gave the idea of a room with a view a whole new meaning. It was up-close, personal and the exact kind of thrilling, chaotic nature dynamic that made camping at Bridge Bay Campground totally unforgettable and a full-blown VIP safari.
The next morning, a lone cow elk grazed through the neighboring meadow, acting as our morning audience while we enjoyed breakfast. It was the perfect send-off before we packed up the GFC for a day of museums, trails and our next big stop: Grand Teton National Park.
Campground Details
Location: Near the western shore of Yellowstone Lake, close to Lake Village. 7,800 feet of elevation.
Capacity: 432 sites (4 group sites) across multiple sprawling loops for tents and RVs.
Rig Size Limit: Accommodates RVs up to 40-feet.
Power/Generators: No hookups, but generators are permitted in designated loops from 8 am to 8 pm (60 dB limit).
Reservations: The campground is operated by Yellowstone National Park Lodges. Campsites require reservations, which can be made on a rolling basis at Recreation.gov
Restrooms/Water: Flush toilets (seasonal), dump station (seasonal), no showers, no laundry, potable water (seasonal) (the perfect amenities for a comfortable camping experience)
Wildlife Safety: Wildlife-proof food storage lockers at each campsite, and a very responsive staff who drives the loops when wildlife are reported to ensure wildlife and visitor safety.
Extra Amenities: Firewood and ice sold on-site seasonally. Trash/recycling. On-site staff. The nearby Lake Village has a general store, restaurants, medical clinic and post office).
Connectivity: Limited/spotty cell service (a bit busier of a campground but still a nice gathering of nature lovers wanting to disconnect)
Environment & Natural Appeal
The campground feels much more open which provides a lot of horizons and sightseeing options not to mention incredible wildlife viewing. You do however have direct sightline to all the neighboring campers.
Amenities & Cleanliness
This campground has all the amenities you need to have enough comfort to feel like elevated camping, however they could have been a tad cleaner. I appreciated having spotty signal to help minimize non-nature people.
Overall Satisfaction
This was an incredibly comfortable campground for an easy nature retreat, however, because of how large it is, the larger number of campers means more human interactions so you don't feel quite as disconnected. I would 100% stay here again if I wanted an easy camping option.
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