Campground

Slough Creek Campground

Near Yellowstone National Park, Wyoming

Slough Creek is near some of the best wildlife watching opportunities in the park. The campground is at the end of a two mile dirt road, and best suited for tents and small RVs. There are plenty of hiking and fishing opportunities in the area, including the Slough Creek Trail which begins nearby. Nighttime offers a quiet, unimpeded view of the stars and the possibility of hearing wolves howl. Elevation: 6,250 ft (1905 m).

Facilities

Slough Creek Campground offers:

16 campsites
Food Storage Lockers - Seasonal
Trash/Recycling Collection - Seasonal
Staff or Volunteer Host On Site - Seasonal
Potable Water - May be available, seasonal
Vault Toilets - seasonal

The campground does not have showers

Natural Features

Slough Creek Campground is on the park's Northern Range, a few miles from where Slough Creek meets the Lamar River. The Lamar Valley is a major summer ground for bison and elk, which attracts predators like wolves and grizzly bears, making it an excellent place to view wildlife.

Elk, bison, deer, and pronghorn thrive in the grasslands of this area, known as the northern range. In fact, some of the largest wild herds of bison and elk in North America are found here. The northern range is critical winter habitat for these large animals, which in turn provide food for several packs of wolves. Coyotes are also common, and occasional bobcat, cougar, or red fox are reported. The gorge and cliffs between the junction and Tower Fall provide habitat for bighorn sheep, osprey, peregrine falcons, and red-tailed hawks. Both grizzly and black bears are sighted throughout the area, particularly in the spring. Black bears are more commonly seen around Tower Fall and Tower Junction. Grizzlies are sometimes seen in the Lamar Valley and on the north slopes of Mount Washburn, particularly in the spring when elk are calving. Road pullouts provide excellent places from which to watch wildlife.

The campground offers access to the Slough Creek Trail, which follows a historic wagon trail into the Absaroka-Beartooth Wilderness beyond Yellowstone. It begins with a steep climb then descends to the first meadow. Stop and relax here or continue to the second meadow. Be alert for bears and moose. Slough Creek is a popular fishing area.

Recreation

There are many opportunties for recreation in the Slough Creek area including hiking, fishing, wildlife viewing, backpacking and photography. Visit the Tower-Roosevelt and the Northeast page on the Yellowstone National Park website to learn more.

Recreation Sites

Standard Nonelectric
Management
Overnight

Activities

Backpacking
Auto Touring
Birding
Camping
Hiking
Photography
Fishing
Wildlife Viewing

Amenities

Campfire Rings
Drinking Water (hand pump)
Food Storage Locker
Picnic Tables
Recycling
Vault Toilets
Tent Pads
Accessible Campsites

Nearby Attractions

Highlights in the area include the Slough Creek Trail, the Lamar and Yellowstone Rivers, and the Lamar Valley for wildlife viewing. For more information, visit the Yellowstone National Park's Tower–Roosevelt and the Northeast web page.

Getting Here

Latitude

44° 56' 55.8478" N

Longitude

110° 18' 24.7651" W

Slough Creek Campground is located about 7 miles from the Tower-Roosevelt junction within the park's Northern Range. It is about 30 miles from the park's North Entrance in Gardiner, MT and about 26 miles from the Northeast Entrance near Cooke City, MT. For more information, driving directions and maps, visit the park's website: https://www.nps.gov/yell/planyourvisit/directions.htm

Need to Know

Slough Creek Campground is managed by the park. If you are looking for campgrounds managed by Yellowstone National Park Lodges (Fishing Bridge RV Park, Bridge Bay, Canyon, Madison, and Grant Village campgrounds), please visit the Yellowstone National Park Lodges Camping web page.

RV or Camper Unit Delivery Prohibited. The delivery or pick-up of out-of-park RVs or other camper unit rentals is prohibited.

Notify the Campground of Late Arrivals. To notify campground of late arrival or cancellation please call 307-344-2289

Parking & Vehicle Length Limits. All wheeled vehicles including trailers and motorcycles must be parked on parking pads or established roadways, so as not to block or restrict traffic in campgrounds. This campground has a very tight turnaround - vehicles longer than 25 ft (7.6 m) are not recommended.

Maximum Campsite Occupancy. Maximum occupancy is six people per site. Camp only in designated sites. Camping is limited to 14 days from July 1 through Labor Day and to 30 days the rest of the year parkwide. The 44-day camping limit includes both concession- and park-operated campgrounds.

Wildlife/Bear Regulations.

• Keep all food and related items - beverages, cooking utensils, stoves, pet food and, empty or full, food and beverage containers such as coolers, ice chests, and water jugs - locked inside your vehicle or stored in a food storage box, unless in immediate use. Bear resistant food containers must be kept in a vehicle, in a hard-sided camping unit, or in a food storage box.

• All trash and garbage must be disposed of in the provided bear-proof trash cans. Do not leave food related trash or garbage unattended.

• Washing dishes or clothing at campground hydrants or spigots is prohibited. Carry all dishwater/wastewater to the restroom toilet for disposal.

Campfires and Firewood. Wood and charcoal fires are permitted. Campfires are permitted only in established fire grates. Fires must be attended at all times. Only dead, down, and detached wood may be gathered. Wood should not extend outside the fire grate perimeter. Do not break limbs off of standing trees, living or dead. Drown campfires thoroughly with water to make sure they are completely out.

NOTE: Wood and charcoal fires may be subject to special restrictions due to fire danger. Restrictions will be listed on campground information boards and on the Current Conditions web page. Propane grills and stoves are not usually affected by fire restrictions.

Quiet Hours & Generators. Quiet hours are from 10:00 p.m. to 6:00 a.m. and are strictly enforced. No loud audio devices or other noise disturbances will be allowed during this time. Generators are prohibited in Slough Creek Campground.

Stay on Boardwalks and Trails. All travel in thermal areas is restricted to NPS designated trails and boardwalks.

Fishing. To fish within the park, people 16 years of age and older are required to purchase and carry on their person a Yellowstone National Park Fishing Permit (you may purchase in advance). To learn more about fishing regulations, visit the park's Catch a Fish web page.