Norris Campground
The Quick Take
Here's the hard truth: Norris Campground is closed indefinitely, and there's no timeline for reopening. Once one of Yellowstone's more character-rich options -- tucked into lodgepole pine forest just north of Norris Junction with easy access to the park's most volatile geyser basin -- it's been shuttered for five years due to staffing shortages in this remote stretch of the park. The closure means no emergency services, no maintenance, no campers. If Norris was on your shortlist for its relative quiet and proximity to some of Yellowstone's most underappreciated thermal features, redirect your plans to Indian Creek (smaller and more primitive, about nine miles north) or Madison (busier but well-positioned). Do not show up expecting to camp here -- you will find locked gates and an empty loop road.
Booking
Reserve Your Campsite
All 112 sites are reservable.
What You Get
Sites & Setup
RV Information
RVs allowed. Maximum length: 50 feet. No electrical hookups. Generators permitted during designated hours.
Accessibility
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
Check the Yellowstone NPS website or call the backcountry office before any trip planning that involves Norris -- reopening announcements, if they come, will likely drop with little advance notice and sites will book immediately given pent-up demand.
If you loved Norris for its access to Norris Geyser Basin, book at Madison Campground instead -- it's about 14 miles southwest and still puts you within an easy morning drive of Porcelain Basin and Back Basin without fighting Canyon Village traffic.
For the closest experience to what Norris offered -- no hookups, quiet forest setting, genuine seclusion -- try Indian Creek Campground. It's first-come-first-served, smaller, and has that same off-the-beaten-path feel that made Norris a favorite among repeat visitors.
Photos
NPS/Renkin
NPS/Renkin
NPS/Renkin
