Free Camping Near Yellowstone National Park: Boondocking Near West Yellowstone
Camping near Yellowstone National Park can get expensive.
But during our Yellowstone adventure, we found another option:
Free boondocking just outside West Yellowstone.
And not only was it free—it turned out to be one of the best boondocking sites we’d ever had.
We found a huge campsite surrounded by trees, had plenty of room for our RV, and were only about 15 minutes from the town of West Yellowstone and the western entrance to Yellowstone National Park.
If you’re comfortable camping without hookups, this area can be a great alternative to staying in an RV park while exploring Yellowstone.
Here’s what we found during our stay.
Our Free Campsite Near West Yellowstone
Our site was on public land outside West Yellowstone.
We ended up all the way at the end of a small road in a huge campsite, which gave us plenty of room and privacy.
No one tried to squeeze into the site with us, even though there was enough space that someone probably could have.
There was another large campsite nearby, along with several smaller camping areas scattered among the trees.
For boondocking, we thought our particular spot was fantastic.
At that point in our travels, it was probably the best boondocking campsite we’d ever had.
How Close Were We to Yellowstone?
Location was one of the biggest advantages.
Our campsite was approximately 15 minutes from West Yellowstone.
West Yellowstone sits right outside the western entrance to Yellowstone National Park, making it a convenient gateway for exploring the park.
That meant we could stay for free outside town and still head into Yellowstone day after day.
And that’s exactly what we did.
We spent eight days exploring Yellowstone, so saving money on camping made a substantial difference.
Finding the Boondocking Area
We reached the area from Highway 20 outside West Yellowstone.
From Highway 20, we headed toward Red Rock Road, which was marked as Route 053 during our visit.
Once we got into the area, we began finding dirt roads leading back toward dispersed camping sites.
There were campers scattered throughout the area, so our campsite wasn’t the only possibility.
Because road names, land-management rules and access conditions can change, we’d strongly recommend checking current maps and regulations before relying on old directions—including ours.
Our description reflects exactly what we encountered during our visit.
What Was the Road Like?
The road leading into our campsite was dirt and somewhat rutted.
It wasn’t terrible for us.
We simply straddled the ruts where possible or moved slightly to one side or the other.
Interestingly, it rained on about four days during our stay, and the road didn’t deteriorate significantly.
We suspected some of the deeper rutting might have been left from heavier spring rains.
With our setup and during the conditions we experienced, getting in and out was manageable.
But dispersed camping roads can change dramatically with weather, so we’d always recommend checking current conditions before taking an RV down an unfamiliar dirt road.
Several Camping Areas to Choose From
One thing we liked about this area was that we weren’t limited to one isolated campsite.
There were multiple dispersed camping possibilities.
Along the roads we explored, we saw individual campsites, larger openings and camping areas tucked back among the trees.
One site we’d noticed while walking General was large enough that we’d seen three or four vehicles using it at the same time.
Closer to our site, several more campsites were scattered around wooded openings.
Our campsite was at the end of one of these little roads, which probably contributed to the privacy we enjoyed.
If one spot was occupied, there were other possibilities to investigate.
Public Land Means Different Rules
One important thing we noticed was that different portions of the area appeared to be managed by different agencies.
During our stay, some areas had a 14-day stay limit, while the Forest Service area where we camped showed a 16-day stay limit.
That’s something you definitely need to verify before settling into a dispersed camping site.
Public land doesn’t automatically mean you can camp anywhere indefinitely.
Rules can vary depending on exactly where you’re parked, and those rules can change over time.
Check current signs and information from the agency managing the specific land you’re considering.
More Dispersed Camping Along Red Rock Road
We also explored farther along Red Rock Road and saw additional small places where campers could potentially set up.
Some were simply little areas extending off the main road.
If you’re looking for a spot with a larger RV, we’d scout carefully before committing.
Our site worked very well for our travel trailer, but not every dispersed campsite or access road is suitable for every rig.
That’s one of the realities of boondocking.
Unlike pulling into a developed campground where you’ve reserved a site with listed dimensions, you may need to look around and decide whether a particular spot works for you.
Free Camping Near Henry’s Lake
We found another possibility farther out near Henry’s Lake.
During our visit, there was public land near the lake where camping was permitted.
There was even a boat ramp and pit toilet nearby.
We saw areas where campers could park near the edge of the lake, making this an interesting alternative for anyone who would rather have a more open lakeside setting.
At the time of our visit, the posted stay limit there was 14 days.
Again, verify current land ownership, camping rules and stay limits before planning to camp there today.
The Biggest Challenge: No Hookups
Of course, free camping comes with a tradeoff.
We had no hookups.
That meant we needed to manage our own fresh water, wastewater and power while we were there.
For experienced boondockers, that’s nothing unusual.
But if you’ve always stayed at developed RV campgrounds, it’s something to think about before deciding that free camping sounds perfect.
The good news was that we found options nearby for taking care of our tanks and replenishing water.
Where We Dumped Our RV Tanks
During our visit, we used the dump station at an RV park in West Yellowstone.
I had called several RV parks in the area looking for somewhere that would allow us to dump, and surprisingly, most didn’t offer that option to people who weren’t staying there.
We eventually found one that did.
At the time, we paid $10 to use the dump station and $5 for water.
Those were the prices when we visited and should not be considered current rates.
This is another thing we’d recommend researching before arriving, especially if you plan to boondock for an extended period.
Know where you’re going to dump and where you can legally refill fresh water before you actually need either one.
Another Dump Station Option Inside Yellowstone
We also discovered another possibility inside Yellowstone National Park.
During our visit, Madison Campground had a dump station and water available.
From our campsite, it was roughly:
- 15 minutes to West Yellowstone
- Another 15 minutes or so from the park entrance to Madison
That put it approximately half an hour from our campsite.
For us, having multiple options made managing an extended boondocking stay much easier.
Facilities and access policies can change, though, so check current Yellowstone information before planning to use a park campground’s dump station or water facilities.
What We Loved About This Boondocking Spot
There was a lot to like:
- Camping was free
- Our site was huge
- We had plenty of privacy
- We were surrounded by trees
- Several other dispersed sites were nearby
- We were only about 15 minutes from West Yellowstone
- Yellowstone National Park was easily accessible
- The access road was manageable for our setup
- We could stay long enough to thoroughly explore the area
- Dumping and fresh water were available within a reasonable drive
For us, the combination of location, space and price was hard to beat.
The Downsides of Boondocking Near Yellowstone
There were a few tradeoffs.
Obviously, there were no hookups at our site.
We had to leave the campsite when we needed to dump our tanks or replenish our water.
The dirt access road was rutted in places.
And although our actual campsite felt private, there could be quite a bit of traffic on the nearby paved road during the weekends because of other activities farther up the road.
None of those things were deal-breakers for us.
Considering how close we were to Yellowstone—and what we were paying to camp—we were extremely happy.
Would We Boondock Here Again?
Absolutely.
Our campsite near West Yellowstone was probably our favorite boondocking site we’d found up to that point.
It gave us the best of both worlds.
During the day, we could explore one of America’s most spectacular national parks.
Then we could return to a spacious campsite among the trees without paying nightly campground fees.
For an eight-day Yellowstone adventure, that was a pretty wonderful arrangement.
Tips for Boondocking Near Yellowstone
If you’re thinking about trying something similar, we’d suggest doing a little preparation first.
Check current land-management maps. Make sure you know whether you’re on Forest Service, BLM or other public land and what regulations apply.
Verify the stay limit. Different areas can have different limits.
Scout questionable roads when possible. Dirt roads can change significantly after rain or snow.
Have a plan for water. Know how much fresh water you can carry and where you can legally refill.
Have a plan for your holding tanks. Don’t wait until they’re full before figuring out where the nearest dump station is.
Be prepared to camp without hookups. Make sure your battery, propane, generator, solar or whatever off-grid system you use can support your needs.
Don’t assume old information is still accurate. Public-land rules, roads, dump stations and access can all change.
Free Camping Made Our Yellowstone Trip Even Better
Yellowstone was one of the most incredible places we’d visited.
We spent eight days driving into the park, seeing geysers, hot springs, waterfalls, wildlife and landscapes that seemed almost too beautiful to be real.
Being able to camp for free nearby made the experience even better.
We didn’t need a fancy RV resort.
We had a huge spot among the trees, enough room for our home on wheels, and Yellowstone practically in our backyard.
Sometimes the best campsite doesn’t have a swimming pool, laundry room or full hookups.
Sometimes it’s simply a quiet piece of public land in exactly the right location.
And this one was pretty hard to beat.
We’ll see you down the road…and Over the Hills.
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