Slough Creek Campground
The Quick Take
Slough Creek is Yellowstone's worst-kept secret among wildlife enthusiasts, and for good reason. This tiny campground at the end of a bumpy two-mile dirt road offers something most Yellowstone camps cannot: genuine quiet. With only sixteen sites and no generators allowed, the loudest thing you will hear at night is the Lamar Valley wolf packs howling across the creek. The trade-offs are real -- no flush toilets, no camp store, no cell service, and that dirt road discourages anything longer than a small RV. But that is precisely the filter that keeps this place special. The fishing on Slough Creek is some of the best cutthroat trout water in the park, and the trailhead practically starts at your tent flap. Choose Slough Creek if you want Yellowstone the way it sounded before the parking lots.
Booking
Reserve Your Campsite
All 16 sites are reservable.
Book at Yellowstone LodgesWhat You Get
Sites & Setup
RV Information
RVs allowed. Maximum length: 30 feet. No electrical hookups. Generators permitted during designated hours.
Accessibility
Paths/roads in the campground area are compacted gravel/dirt with limited gradient change. Unpaved Roads - All vehicles OK in good weather
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
Reservations open on recreation.gov and Slough Creek fills almost instantly -- set calendar alerts and be logged in with payment ready the moment the booking window opens. Midweek arrivals in September offer the best shot at snagging a last-minute cancellation, and the fall colors along the creek are worth the cooler nights.
The Slough Creek Trail heading north into the first and second meadows is world-class wildlife viewing territory. Bring binoculars and a spotting scope -- wolves, grizzlies, and bison are regulars here, especially at dawn. The meadows are also prime fly fishing water, but check current regulations because some stretches are catch-and-release only.
Pack in everything you need, including firewood -- there is none for sale here. The nearest supplies are back at Tower-Roosevelt, which has a small general store but limited inventory. Bear canisters or the provided food lockers are non-negotiable; this is serious grizzly country, and leaving anything scented out will earn you a ranger visit and possibly a closed campsite.
Photos
NPS / Jacob W. Frank
NPS
NPSGetting There
Directions
Located 5.5 miles (8.8 km) east of Tower-Roosevelt Junction, 2 miles down a dirt road.
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