Lava Creek

Yellowstone

Lava Creek

Yellowstone

At a glance

CampgroundBackcountryTent Site

About this campsite

Campground: Lava Creek. Operated by National Park Service.

What this place offers

Accommodation Types

Backcountry

Tent Site

Location

Lava Creek•WY

Explore on our map Get Directions Open in Maps

Weather Forecast

via Open-Meteo

MON☁️

18° / 6°

💧 39%

TODAY☀️

21° / 5°

💧 1%

WED☁️

21° / 8°

💧 1%

THU☁️

18° / 7°

💧 4%

FRI☁️

20° / 7°

💧 9%

Common questions about Lava Creek

Is Lava Creek free to camp at?

Yes. Lava Creek in WY is a free camp, so there is no nightly fee to stay. There is no booking system for it, so plan on first in, best dressed, especially on long weekends. Facilities on site: backcountry and tent site.

What facilities does Lava Creek have?

Lava Creek has backcountry and tent site. Facilities at camps change, particularly after a wet season, so check the operator or the managing authority if one of them decides your trip. The list comes from the site record rather than a visit, so treat it as a guide.

Can you book Lava Creek online?

We hold no online booking link for Lava Creek, so it is not bookable through this page. For sites like this, turning up early in the day is the surest way to get a spot, particularly in peak season. If a managing authority takes bookings by phone, their number is the fastest way to confirm a site.

Where is Lava Creek?

Lava Creek sits in WY. The map on this page shows the exact spot, and the coordinates travel straight into your navigation app. Check road conditions before you set out if you are towing, since access tracks can change with the weather.

Facilities at Lava Creek

Facilities recorded for Lava Creek
Facility	On site
Backcountry	Yes
Tent Site	Yes

Nearby Campsites

within 50km

3.9 km away

Mammoth Campground (Yellowstone)

Overview Starting Tuesday April 15th, the Mammoth Campground is open and reservations are required. For reservations at the 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 website. Recreation There are many recreational opportunities in the Mammoth Hot Springs and the North area. Visit these pages to learn more: Boating Fishing Hiking Photography & Wildlife Watching Explore the boardwalks above Mammoth Hot Springs to view the the steaming Hydrothermal Features or take a drive around the vibrant travertine terraces. Explore in Winter. Ski or snowshoe among the whiffs of sulfur along the Upper Terraces. Explore the historic Fort Yellowstone area. Visit the park's Mammoth & Hot Springs North web page to learn more. Facilities Mammoth Campground offers: 82 campsites Some Cell Phone Reception Food Storage Lockers Trash/Recycling Collection Amphitheater - Seasonal Staff or Volunteer Host On Site - Seasonal Potable Water spigots Flush Toilets - year round There are no showers at the campground Natural Features The Mammoth Campground is in a high sagebrush steppe, scattered juniper and Douglas fir trees provide shade during hot summer months. Wildlife including elk, bison, pronghorn, and mule deer frequent the Mammoth Hot Springs and the North area of the park, depending on the season. The road from the North Entrance to the Mammoth Campground winds up the Gardner River canyon, past crumbling walls of sandstone and ancient mudflows. The vegetation is much thicker in the canyon than on the open prairie down below, the common trees being Rocky Mountain juniper, cottonwood, and Douglas-fir. Low-growing willows also crowd the river's edge in the flatter, flood-prone sections of the canyon. Watch for wildlife, which varies by the season. Eagles, osprey, dippers, and kingfishers can be spotted along the river, while bighorn sheep climb along the steeper parts of the canyon. Elk are common in Mammoth Hot Springs, while bison can often been seen along the road out to Tower–Roosevelt. Spring and Fall daytime temperatures range from 30°F (-1°C) to 60°F (15°C) with overnight lows in the teens to single digits. Snow is common in the spring and fall. Summer temperatures are often around 70°F (21°) to 80°F (27°C) and occasionally 90°F (32°F) at lower elevations. Nights are usually cool and temperatures may drop below freezing at higher elevations. Thunderstorms are common in the afternoons. During winter, sub-zero temperatures and snow are common, especially at night and at higher elevations. Winter temperatures range from 0—20°F (-20—-5°C) throughout the day, with sub-zero temperatures overnight. Nearby Attractions Visit t