Lewis Lake Campground
The Quick Take
Lewis Lake is Yellowstone's quiet rebel — a mid-sized campground that feels half its actual size thanks to a forested layout and a location most visitors blow right past on their way to Old Faithful. Sitting at nearly 7,800 feet between the South Entrance and West Thumb, it trades every modern convenience for genuine lakeside atmosphere. There are no showers, no dump station, no cell service, and no generators allowed — which is exactly the point. The boat ramp gives paddlers direct access to Lewis Lake and, via a short portage, to Shoshone Lake beyond it. The trade-off is real: you are far from the park's headline geysers and the nearest camp store requires a drive. But if you want a campground where the loudest thing after dark is a loon calling across the water, Lewis Lake rewards the self-sufficient camper who packs in everything they need and does not mind unplugging completely.
Booking
Reserve Your Campsite
All 85 sites are reservable.
Book at Yellowstone LodgesWhat You Get
Sites & Setup
RV Information
RVs allowed. Maximum length: 25 feet. No electrical hookups. Generators permitted during designated hours.
Accessibility
Most paths in the campground area are compacted gravel/dirt with limited gradient change. Paved Roads - All vehicles OK
Rules to Know
- Fires:Unless posted otherwise, wood and charcoal fires are permitted in all campgrounds except the Fishing Bridge RV Park.
- Generators:Where permitted, generators may only be operated from 8 am to 8 pm (60 dB limit).
- Bear Safety:All odorous items that may attract bears, including food, cooking gear, toiletries, and garbage, must be kept secured when not in use.
- Checkout:Checkout time is 10 am.
- Occupancy:Campsite occupancy is limited to six people per site.
- Stay Limit:Camping is limited to 14 days from July 1 through Labor Day, and 30 days for the rest of the year.
Pro Tips
Lewis Lake is now reservable, but it still fills slower than Yellowstone's big-name campgrounds. Book early for July weekends, but shoulder-season dates in September often have availability just a couple weeks out — and fall at this elevation means golden aspens and almost no crowds.
Bring a canoe or kayak. From Lewis Lake you can paddle south to the channel connecting to Shoshone Lake, one of the largest backcountry lakes in the Lower 48 with no road access. It is a full-day paddle but one of Yellowstone's most underrated experiences.
No camp store means no firewood sales on-site, and collecting dead-and-down wood in Yellowstone requires following specific rules. Buy bundled firewood at Grant Village or Canyon before you arrive — and bring a good camp stove as your primary cooking method, since fire restrictions can kick in with little notice.
Photos
NPS / Neal Herbert
NPS/Renkin
NPS / Neal Herbert
