5 Essential Tips for Planning a Trip to Yellowstone

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You can’t talk about Yellowstone the TV series without talking about the real thing—Yellowstone National Park. It’s one of the most incredible places on Earth, and let’s be real: there’s a reason it’s the busiest National Park in the U.S. In 2023, 4.7 million people visited Yellowstone. That’s right—4.7 million!

If you're planning to visit, you need a game plan. Yellowstone isn’t the kind of park you just decide to visit last minute—at least not if you want to make the most of your trip. After three visits, we've learned what works (and what doesn't), and I’m sharing my top five tips to help you plan an amazing Yellowstone adventure.

1. Plan Ahead—Like, Way Ahead

Yellowstone is massive, and it fills up fast. If you’re hoping to visit in the summer, start planning at least a year in advance. Lodging and campground reservations inside the park operate on a rolling 13-month schedule—meaning reservations open on the 5th of each month for the following year. If you’re eyeing a summer trip, mark your calendar and be ready!

Here’s what you need to know about booking:

• Mammoth Campground is first-come, first-served October 15 – April 15, but all other campgrounds inside the park require reservations and are only open in summer.

• Outside the park: Research the best area for you! We’ve stayed in Gardiner at Yellowstone RV Park and West Yellowstone at Yellowstone Grizzly RV Park and loved both. Be prepared—prices in peak season are high.

• Booking tips:

  • Create an account at Recreation.gov ahead of time.

  • Be online 30 minutes before reservations open.

  • Know your RV details: length, slide position, tow vehicle size, and whether you need hookups. We also know how long are hoses are to get to hookups.

  • I always make sure there’s potable water and at least a pit toilet nearby—just in case!

2. Decide What You Really Want to See

You won’t see everything in Yellowstone in a few days—or even a week. The park is huge, and driving between major attractions takes time.

Figure out what excites you most:
✔️ Geysers like Old Faithful or Grand Prismatic? Stay near the southern part of the park.
✔️ Wildlife spotting in Lamar Valley? Consider staying near Gardiner.
✔️ Hiking, fishing, or exploring Mammoth Hot Springs? Factor that into your lodging choices.

⚠️ Important: Park roads always have construction, and driving from one end to the other takes forever. I highly recommend moving campgrounds or lodging locations during your stay. Trust me, long days in the car + tired kids = not fun.

And this should go without saying, but… never feed or approach wildlife! That bison may look cute, but it does not want to be your friend.

3. Explore Early (or Late) & Don't Fear the Rain

Yellowstone’s busiest hours are 10 AM – 6 PM. If you don’t want to spend your entire trip fighting crowds, adjust your schedule.

• Early risers win the day. We like to hit the road by 7:30 AM and explore until about 10 AM before heading back to camp.

• Evenings are magical. Dinner time is a perfect window to revisit popular spots—Grand Prismatic at sunset is chef’s kiss.

• Go out in the rain! Seriously, rainy days = fewer crowds. Bring raincoats, waterproof shoes, and a change of clothes, and embrace it. It rains every time we visit, and we always have a blast.

• Wear layers! Yellowstone’s weather can flip in an instant. A warm morning can turn into a chilly afternoon fast.

4. Parking is a Sport—Be Strategic

Parking at Yellowstone is a situation. It’s tight, it’s crowded, and people are everywhere. Here’s how to handle it:

• DO NOT drive your RV around the park. Roads are narrow, parking lots are full, and clearance is tricky. You can drive through, but once you want to stop and explore? Forget it.

• Our parking mantra: We will find a spot! We say this every time we pull into a lot, and guess what? We usually do.

• Pack your patience: Most people give up and park miles away. We drive the lot a few times before deciding to try again later.

• Some locations have better parking:

  • Old Faithful’s lot is huge (even has RV parking). Mornings are best for snagging a spot.

  • Popular roadside stops? Expect parking to be a nightmare. Plan accordingly. Bring lots of water if you need to walk.

5. Know the Park Pass Rules & Other Must-Know Info

• Get an Annual National Park Pass. If you plan to visit more than two National Parks in a year, the America the Beautiful Pass is totally worth it.

• New rule alert! Whoever signs the park pass must be present to enter. (Honestly, I hate this. Sometimes Tim or I want a day off, but now we both have to go in if we signed the pass. Ugh.)

• Fourth graders get in free! If you have a 4th grader, check out the Every Kid Outdoors program. Our kids loved getting their own passes.

• Read the park guide. When you enter the park, they’ll hand you a guide and newsletter—read them! They have road closures, wildlife safety reminders, and other key info.

Final Thoughts

Yellowstone is one of the most incredible places on Earth, but to truly enjoy it, you have to plan ahead, know what you want to see, and be flexible. Early mornings, smart parking strategies, and a little patience go a long way toward making your trip unforgettable.

Now, I’d love to hear from you! Have you been to Yellowstone? What was your favorite part? Drop a comment below or share your experience!

If you found this helpful, be sure to sign up for my Lush Letter for more travel tips, RV hacks, and adventure inspiration! 🚐✨

Have you checked out my Bison Burger recipe? It’s perfect for your next trip to Yellowstone.

Happy Travels,

Courtney