Bird/Wildlife Watching

Old West RV Park

13 RV Sites

Old West RV Park in Reed Point, Montana, offers 13 full-hookup RV sites off Interstate 90 at mile marker 392, with 20, 30, and 50-amp service and rigs accepted to 75 feet on a big-rig-friendly layout. Back-in and pull-through sites carry water, sewer, and electric with picnic tables, on the Yellowstone River between Billings and Livingston. Thirteen sites carry full hookups on 20, 30, and 50-amp in both back-in and pull-through configurations, sized to 75 feet, with picnic tables. The big-rig-friendly layout means long coaches can get in and out without a difficult approach after a day on the interstate. Laundry, restrooms, and showers handle the practical side, and WiFi reaches the sites. Pets are welcome. The park is a stopover rather than a resort, and it is honest about that. What it offers is a clean full-hookup site with straightforward highway access in a genuinely rural Montana setting — a small agricultural community on the Yellowstone River rather than a strip of interstate frontage. On-site facilities stay deliberately simple: laundry, restrooms, hot showers, and site WiFi are what an overnight guest actually uses, and the pull-through sites mean you can stop for a night without unhitching. Hiking, biking, and birding run from the area. Reed Point sits in Stillwater County, 60 miles west of Billings and 50 miles east of Livingston, which makes it a natural midpoint on Montana's most traveled interstate corridor. The Yellowstone River carries excellent fishing, and the Absaroka Range forms the southern skyline. Yellowstone National Park is within reach via Livingston and Paradise Valley. The park serves the Montana travel season, with summer bringing the heaviest I-90 traffic and Yellowstone-bound visitors. With 13 sites, arriving late in the day during July and August is a gamble — reserve ahead.

from $67/night

Windy Waters at Alcova

18 RV Sites

At 21500 Kortes Road alongside the red-hued sandstone bluffs of Alcova Reservoir in Alcova, Wyoming—in Natrona County in the high Wyoming desert where the North Platte River's impoundment behind Alcova Dam created the 2,470-acre reservoir with 117 miles of shoreline that Wyoming's fishing, boating, and windsurfing community built one of the state's most active freshwater recreation cultures around, in the specific empty-sky, red-rock landscape that defines Wyoming's geographic character at an elevation and aridity that no other state quite replicates—Windy Waters at Alcova provides full hookup RV sites on oversized lots with three boat ramps, bathhouses, laundry, WiFi, and two park model rentals in the year-round configuration that serves everything from one-night fishing camp stays to annual seasonal RV residents who spend the Wyoming summer at Alcova's waterfront. The three boat ramps, the oversized lots with boat trailer capacity, and the reservoir's direct adjacency define what Windy Waters is for. Oversized lots—formerly mobile home lot dimensions, providing space substantially larger than standard RV campground sites—accommodate a large motorhome or fifth wheel alongside the truck that towed it and a boat trailer without requiring any three to compete for the same footprint. Full hookup connections with 30 and 50-amp electric, water, and sewer serve the full range of RV electrical requirements. Three boat ramps on the property provide the most direct private reservoir launch access available at any Alcova campground, eliminating the state park boat ramp wait and the parking logistics that the Alcova State Recreation Area's high-traffic summer launch imposes. Bathhouses with toilet and shower facilities, washer and dryer laundry, a general store, and WiFi complete the daily infrastructure. Two fully furnished park model rentals serve guests without RVs or those transitioning between camping setups. Daily, weekly, monthly, seasonal, and annual site rental options reflect the range of guest relationships the property serves. Alcova Reservoir's 117 miles of sandstone and red shale shoreline provide the geological context that makes the lake visually distinctive from the conventional Great Plains reservoir. The reservoir's warm-water fish population—walleye, smallmouth bass, rainbow trout, and perch in the varied thermal layers—along with the wind conditions that the Wyoming high desert reliably generates make Alcova a dual-use water recreation site for both the fishing and the sailing and windsurfing community that the reservoir's specific fetch and prevailing southwest winds make ideal. The walleye fishery is among the most productive in Wyoming, and the spring walleye run draws the state's dedicated walleye fishing community to Alcova from across the region. Pathfinder Reservoir—adjacent to Alcova via the Fremont Canyon corridor—provides the second major reservoir fishing opportunity in the same North Platte River system, with brown trout in the freestone reaches below Pathfinder Dam and the cold tailwater fishery that the Miracle Mile section of the North Platte—one of the most celebrated dry-fly trout stretches in the Rocky Mountain West—extends downstream. Casper, 32 miles northeast, provides the commercial services and the historic Wyoming character that the state's oil-and-ranching culture built into the state's second-largest city. Windy Waters at Alcova is open year-round on the daily-through-annual rate schedule. Summer from June through August represents the peak reservoir recreation season for boating, fishing, and the swimming beaches that Wyoming's high desert sun warms to comfortable temperatures by late June. Ice fishing on Alcova Reservoir in December through February provides the cold-season recreation that Wyoming's long winters make viable for the dedicated ice fishing guest. Book the oversized lot, launch the boat at the private ramp, and let the red-rock reservoir earn the Wyoming high-country lake reputation that 117 miles of sandstone shoreline supports from every approach.

from $50/night

Sun Outdoors Yellowstone North

1 Apartment

A quarter mile from the Roosevelt Arch—the stone gateway through which millions of Yellowstone visitors have passed since 1903—Sun Outdoors Yellowstone North in Gardiner, Montana occupies perhaps the most dramatically positioned RV park in the national park system. Just steps from the North Entrance to Yellowstone National Park, the resort anchors travelers in a small Montana mountain town where the Yellowstone River runs cold and clear, the surrounding mountains rise in every direction, and the wildlife that defines Yellowstone begins making appearances long before you pass through the arch itself. Gardiner is the only Yellowstone entrance open to wheeled vehicles year-round, making this an essential stop for any season. Premium full hookup RV sites offer 20, 30, and 50-amp electric service alongside WiFi, cable, and picnic tables at each site, creating a comfortable and well-connected base for Yellowstone exploration. Pet-friendly standard sites with full hookups provide additional options, and cabin rentals are available for travelers who prefer a roof. A camp-wide WiFi network, a general store stocked with supplies and local information, and a main deck area for gathering complete the essential amenities. The resort's proximity to Gardiner's restaurants, art galleries, and shops—all within a short walk—eliminates the need to drive for meals or supplies after a long day in the park. Gardiner sits at 5,314 feet in the Yellowstone River canyon just north of the park boundary, surrounded by the dry, sage-covered slopes of the Absaroka Range that frame one of America's most celebrated mountain landscapes. Elk are visible from camp throughout the year—the Northern Yellowstone herd migrates through Gardiner and the surrounding valleys in massive numbers each fall and spring, and individual animals are present on the slopes and river bottoms in virtually every season. Pronghorn, bighorn sheep, and mule deer are regular sights on the hillsides above town. Yellowstone National Park's Northern Range, accessible directly through Gardiner, contains the highest concentration of predictably visible large mammals in North America—wolves of the Lamar Valley, grizzly bears and black bears on the hillsides, bison herds on the valley floors, and the full complement of Yellowstone's thermal features along the road to Mammoth Hot Springs. The Lamar Valley, often called "America's Serengeti," is the premier wildlife viewing corridor in the continental United States. The Yellowstone River through the Black Canyon and through the Grand Canyon of the Yellowstone provides extraordinary scenery and fishing for native Yellowstone cutthroat trout. Yellowstone's North Entrance operates 365 days a year, making Sun Outdoors Yellowstone North uniquely positioned as a winter gateway when all other park entrances close to wheeled vehicles. January and February offer the remarkable experience of wolf watching, bison in the snow-covered valleys, and thermal features surrounded by winter silence. Summer season is at full capacity from June through September—book as early as possible. Spring and fall offer excellent wildlife activity as animals migrate through the corridor. Reserve your site at Sun Outdoors Yellowstone North and wake up within walking distance of one of the world's great natural wonders.

from $224/night

Osen's RV Park

5 RV Sites, 1 Cabin

Osen's RV Park in Livingston, Montana earns its reputation through setting alone — positioned along the Yellowstone River in the shadow of the Absaroka-Beartooth mountain range, with Yellowstone National Park fifty miles south via one of the most spectacular valley drives in the American West. For travelers staging multiple Yellowstone day trips or drawn to Montana's world-renowned fly-fishing rivers, this campground in Livingston provides the obvious home base: close enough to the park for unhurried mornings, far enough to find the small-city character and hospitality that Livingston has cultivated across its history as a railroad and outfitting town. Full-service sites include 30- and 50-amp electrical, water, sewer, and cable TV connections for rigs of all sizes, with pull-through options simplifying arrival for larger motorhomes and fifth wheels. Shower facilities, a laundry room, a general store, a dump station, and Wi-Fi round out the practical amenities, while cabin rentals provide a comfortable alternative for guests traveling without their own RV who want to remain in this exceptional location. Pets are welcome throughout the park, and the staff brings a genuine Montanan hospitality that sets a warm tone from the moment of arrival — the kind of unpretentious welcome that becomes one of the things guests remember most clearly about a Livingston stay. The Montana landscape surrounding Osen's is cinematic in every direction — wide open sky, cottonwood-lined Yellowstone River banks, and the dramatic silhouette of the Absaroka range rising to the south. Sunrises over the mountain peaks, reflected in the river's surface, are among the defining experiences of a stay in Paradise Valley, and the quality of light here through the evening hours attracts photographers who time their visits specifically around golden hour. The river's blue-ribbon trout fishery, accessible directly from the Livingston area, draws fly-fishing devotees who build annual Montana trips around this stretch of the Yellowstone. The drive south to Yellowstone along Highway 89 through Paradise Valley is one of the most beautiful highway corridors in the lower 48 — the road threads between the Absaroka and Gallatin ranges with the Yellowstone River as a constant companion before delivering guests to the park's North Entrance at Gardiner. Old Faithful, the Grand Prismatic Spring, and Lamar Valley's extraordinary wildlife — bison herds, wolves, grizzly bears, and pronghorn — are all accessible as day-trip destinations. Back in Livingston, the historic Livingston Depot Center, the Yellowstone Gateway Museum, and a thoughtful collection of galleries and boutiques reward any afternoon not spent on the river. Chico Hot Springs, a historic resort just south of Livingston in the Paradise Valley, offers natural soaking pools and fine dining that makes the perfect evening counterbalance to a day of hard mountain hiking. Osen's RV Park sees peak demand from June through September, when Yellowstone visitation is at its annual high and the Livingston fly-fishing season reaches its prime. Reserve sites well in advance for any summer stay — campgrounds near Yellowstone consistently fill faster than available inventory can accommodate, and the park's Yellowstone River location makes it a particularly sought-after option. Spring and fall offer excellent fishing, quieter conditions, and the dramatic shoulder-season light that photographers and serious anglers specifically prefer.

from $58/night

Yellowstone Hot Springs Resort

39 RV Sites, 4 Cabins, 18 Tent Sites, 5 Hotel Rooms

Yellowstone Hot Springs Resort in Gardiner, Montana, offers 39 RV sites, nine cabin and hotel-room units, and 18 tent sites eight miles north of Yellowstone's North Entrance, with 20, 30, and 50-amp service and rigs accepted to 40 feet behind a gated entrance. Three mineral spring pools of graduated temperature are the reason to book. Thirty-nine sites run in full-hookup and electric-only categories carrying 20, 30, and 50-amp, sized to 40 feet, with fire pits, picnic tables, and site WiFi. The electric-only option suits self-contained rigs at a lower rate. Nine cabins and hotel rooms and 18 tent sites round out the accommodations. A laundry, dump station, restrooms, showers, and firewood handle the practical side, with a gated entrance controlling access. The hot springs define the property. Three mineral pools of graduated temperature — a cold plunge, a 100-degree pool, and a 106-degree pool — are fed continuously by water drawn straight from the earth, chemical-free. An outdoor pool, fitness center, clubhouse, and pavilion round out the amenities, with hiking, biking, birding, and picnicking from the area and skiing and a golf course nearby. Pets are welcome. Gardiner sits at the south end of Paradise Valley where the Yellowstone River emerges from the mountains with the Absaroka Range rising on both flanks — one of the most strategically positioned properties in the greater Yellowstone ecosystem, eight miles from the park's only year-round entrance. Summer is decisively the season, with the springs drawing guests year-round. Reserve well ahead for June through September.

from $29/night

Bearded Buffalo Resort

Two miles from the entrance to Custer State Park in Custer, South Dakota—in the heart of the Black Hills where the granite dome geology, the open-range bison herd of nearly 1,400 animals in Custer State Park, and the concentrated national monument and cave heritage that positions Custer County as the most historically significant single county in South Dakota—Bearded Buffalo Resort provides 35 full hookup RV sites with 30 and 50-amp service, four spacious cabin rentals with full kitchens and private bathrooms, a general store, a turf play area with lawn games, and the Black Hills access that Mount Rushmore, Crazy Horse Memorial, Jewel Cave, Wind Cave, and the 1880 Train make available within a radius that no South Dakota campground can match more completely than the Custer area concentration. The two-mile Custer State Park proximity and the four-cabin full-kitchen configuration define the resort's appeal for the family group that wants both the Black Hills outdoor access and the enclosed accommodation comfort. Thirty-five full hookup RV sites with 30 and 50-amp electric, water, and sewer in daily and seasonal configurations serve the RV camping market. Four cabin rentals—each with air conditioning, WiFi, a full kitchen, private bathroom, in-unit washer and dryer, two-vehicle parking, and provided linens and towels—provide the complete domestic setup for families or groups who want the Black Hills base camp in an enclosed space that the South Dakota weather system makes reliably practical from the Dakotas' spring to fall. A general store stocked with supplies and gifts serves the daily practical needs. A turf play area with lawn games provides the outdoor recreation for the youngest visitors. Dog park, pickleball courts, and a fire pit planned as additions will expand the recreation and social gathering options. The pet-friendly policy accommodates the canine travelers. Custer State Park's 71,000 acres contain the most ecologically diverse wildlife habitat in South Dakota's Black Hills managed for public recreation: the nearly 1,400-animal bison herd that roams the park's open-range interior grasslands in the largest publicly owned bison herd in the United States, the Prairie Dog Town that its anthropomorphic inhabitants populate in the specific social complexity that prairie dog colonies maintain in concentrated surface display, and the Needles Highway and Wildlife Loop Road scenic drives that produce the granite spire and wildlife encounter experience within a single state park that most national parks spread across hundreds of miles. Mount Rushmore National Memorial—30 minutes north—provides the presidential sculptural monument that Gutzon Borglum's 14-year carving project produced from 1927 to 1941, with the evening lighting ceremony from Memorial Day through Labor Day that illuminates the 60-foot faces in the context of an outdoor patriotic program. The Crazy Horse Memorial—continuing in construction since 1948 under the Ziolkowski family's direction as the world's largest mountain carving in progress—provides the specific counterpoint to Rushmore's presidential theme in the Lakota warrior's Korczak Ziolkowski-designed monument to Indigenous heritage. Jewel Cave National Monument's 212 miles of mapped passages make it the world's third-longest known cave system, with guided tours of its boxwork calcite crystal formations providing the most geologically specific cave tour in the Black Hills. Bearded Buffalo Resort is open seasonally through the Black Hills' camping calendar. Summer from Memorial Day through Labor Day fills the Custer area to capacity. The Sturgis Motorcycle Rally in August draws 700,000-plus riders to the Black Hills region annually—the single largest campground demand event in South Dakota. Reserve the cabin or hookup site well in advance for summer season, plan the Wildlife Loop Road bison drive at dawn, and let Custer County's two-mile park proximity earn the Black Hills concentration that South Dakota's most monument-dense corner genuinely delivers.