Did you know that YHS now has camping spots and an RV park? That’s right, Yellowstone Hot Springs, through its partner/sister company Yellowstone Destinations, now has camping sites available close to the pools at YHS, and an RV park just a short stroll away. Both locations make access to the pools, showers, and wifi as simple as walking a couple hundred feet from your campsite, to YHS.

We have both full-hookup RV spaces and also offer electric-only sites for RVers (yes, we might have made up that word) who want a more “nature oriented” experience.

Full-Hookup and Electric Only RV Parking Options

Our Electric Only RV sites are located on the south side of the campground. You will take a left just before the bridge. Each site is located to the LEFT of the numbered post. Generators are allowed. Quiet hours are 11pm-7am

Our Full-Hookup RV Spaces are located on the north side of the campground, directly next to our campground shower house. Please make a one way loop past the tent sites, the Yellowstone Hot Springs parking lot, and continue into the full-hookup area. Please bring extension hoses as our hookups are on opposite ends of each pad. Picnic tables and fire rings are provided. Outdoor cooking is allowed.

YHS Wifi Pavilion

Do you need wifi access to check your email, upload some wildlife photos, or map out your route through Yellowstone National Park? We provide wifi access for anyone camping or staying at our RV park, but we also have a wifi pavilion where you can plug into electrical outlets while you sit and enjoy the view, get some work done, or reconnect with any digital services you need to manage.

Yellowstone National Park

Camping Sites at YHS

Camping sites are located directly adjacent to Yellowstone Hot Springs and are really popular with people traveling through Yellowstone National Park, or planning to visit YHS for a few days at a time. One of the benefits is that our camping sites are close to YHS, so you can walk from your camp to enjoy a relaxing soak in the pools just a few steps away.

So the next time you are in the area or planning a mini vacation, don’t just come soak at YHS; bring the whole family and stay for a few days. With so many amazing things nearby:

• Visit Yellowstone National Park
• Go river rafting along the Yellowstone River
• Soaking in hot and cold pools at YHS
• Nearby mountain trails (ask some of YHS staff about hiking in the area)
• Beautiful mountain views and wildlife
• Camping at YHS camp sites & roasting marshmallows by the river
• Staying at our RV park
• Restaurants and gift shops just a few minutes away in Gardiner
• Fishing
• Horseback riding
• Ziplining

…a weekend trip to YHS is bound to be a fun adventure for the whole family.

Mental health and medical professionals would all agree that taking a vacation is essential to an individual’s health in many ways. However, just the process of planning your next vacation can be overwhelming for some people. The stress that can sometimes happen as a result of the planning process can significantly impact a person’s view or feeling about their trip. Let’s look at some tips for planning your next vacation that could relieve some of those stressors and make the process a lot easier for you this year.

1. Make a Checklist

With all of the planning that has to go into setting up a fun and exciting vacation, that often we either miss something, give up because there is just too much to do, or procrastinate due to struggling to figure out where to begin. Understanding where to start could take a significant amount of pressure off of you while planning your next vacation.  This checklist can be as detailed as you would like, or you could just be using it as a guide. Try things like listing what you would like to do on your trip, places you would like to visit, weather that would be most relaxing for you. By answering these questions, you can pick the right destination for you. For example, if you like beautiful scenery, relaxing soak in a natural hot spring, nature galore, and everything in between, you might decide that visiting Yellowstone Hot Springs is the right choice for you. Once your destination is chosen, then your checklist can move on to the steps you will need to take for travel, lodging, food, activities, etc. You might even request a travel guide from the location that you are considering visiting. Most states/welcome centers have guides for visitors that tell you all of the fun things to do while you are visiting. It all begins with the destination.

2. Taking Time Away

Planning your next vacation will also require you to designate time away from work. Too often we hesitate when it comes to taking time for ourselves and focus too much on the things that we still need to get done for work. Maybe your ability to take time away from work is impacted by how much leave time you have or maybe other people taking their vacation time. Determining how much time you have for your vacation and when you would be traveling will help lead you right into the next step.

3. Preparing Your Budget

The only person who can do this part is you. This is a very personalized piece of planning your trip, and only you know how much you can afford to spend for your vacation. Maybe you can only take a weekend trip, or you might be able to take 10 days. This is entirely unique to your situation, and should be carefully considered when planning your next vacation. Research the area you are planning to visit (i.e. cost of lodging, food, transportation, etc.). Whatever expenses you might encounter on your vacation should be added in here for an approximate total cost.

It is worth noting that while planning your next vacation, you should always over budget for your trip as there could be expenses you did not account for in the planning process. This will help prevent you from finding yourself in a financial hardship because of possible surprise costs.

4. Stay Focused & Motivated

Sometimes when planning a vacation, the timeline is so distant that we lose focus. It is also possible that we do not feel supported by friends and family about our vacation destination choice. This can lead to diminished excitement about your trip or possible overspending instead of saving for your trip. Don’t let this derail your exciting vacation. Try doing things like making a “Vacation Tip Jar” where you designate a specific amount of money to put in the container weekly or you could put any loose change/paper money that you have at the end of the day into the “bank.” This way you can watch the money growing daily for your trip. You might be surprised how much adds up after just a few months of putting money into your “Vacation Tip Jar.”

5. Plan Ahead

Packing can be a struggle for any traveler, so plan ahead. “Overpacking is one of the biggest mistakes travelers make,” according to Greg Rodgers from tripsavvy.com. He notes that people tend to go into a “survival mode” state of mind when they are planning a vacation. This filters over to their packing trends. Avoid going down the “what if” rabbit hole, and focus on what you will actually use while traveling. One recommendation is to only pack your bag half full. This will allow you space for anything you might purchase while traveling, dirty laundry, or possibly having to add your toiletries bag the morning you will be traveling. Remember the old saying, “Less is more?” This is true with travel as well. You can plan to do laundry while you are traveling, which would save even more space in your suitcase for your local retail therapy sessions…

6. Most Important Tip When Planning Your Next Vacation!!!

Remember to have fun on your trip. Once you have planned everything to where you feel comfortable and confident about your trip, you have your bag packed, your travel in place, and your lodging set, don’t forget the whole reason you are going on vacation. Make sure you have not over booked yourself by turning your vacation into a stress ball of time constraints. Enjoy the location you have chosen. Combine relaxed sight seeing or nature days with some planned events sprinkled in. By making your trip less rigid, you will take the stress off of yourself of having to be specific places by exact times in a packed day. Go enjoy yourself.

Although planning your next vacation can be stressful, you can take several steps to decrease those worries. We have shared a few tips that we hope will help you in your planning process. We would love to see you here at Yellowstone Hot Springs for your next vacation. You even have your choice of lodging whether you want to try out one of our cozy cabins or rough it camping, we’ve got you covered. After a long day of sight-seeing, shopping, or nature walks, you can come relax in our geothermal natural hot springs before turning in for the night.

When someone asks you if you want to get back to nature and enjoy camping and the great outdoors, most people would agree that one of the best places to explore is Montana. This is one of the reasons Yellowstone National Park has become one of the top attractions for individuals from all over the world. The beauty, serenity, and tranquility found in the Montana mountains is second to none. Whether you are an experienced camper, or you are just getting your feet wet with nature, there are some things that you will want to know as you plan your journey and set off on your expedition through the hills.

Hiking, Camping, or Traveling in Montana…Mind the Weather

Any local will tell you that you can never count on the weather here in Montana. I can’t count the number of times I have heard people say, “Oh it’s nice right now, but give it 5 minutes.” I use to think it was a joke until I experienced all four seasons in one day! That is a true story. This is why you will see most Montanans walking around with a jacket or sweatshirt tied around their waist. That being said, you should ensure that you always pack accordingly. Even if you come in the middle of August, you will want to make sure you have at least one warm outfit in case the sunny weather hides out for a few hours.

If you are one of those people who enjoy sleeping under the stars, or find comfort in a tent, then you will want to make sure that you include the following in your packing list:

• Tent (you might choose a 3 or 4 season tent)
• Sleeping Bag (comfort level of 20 degrees Fahrenheit or less)
• Camping Pillow
• All Weather Backpack (if you plan on hiking)
• Tarp
• Lantern
• Headlamp

Those of you who prefer a more “glamping” (hey, we’re not judging, we like comfort too) style of camping are welcome as well. There are lots of places you can inexpensively park your RV, camper, or trailer that will also give you access to some of the most beautiful scenery Montana has to offer. Although those of you who own one of these houses on wheels probably have the weatherization covered to stay warm and cozy at night, you will still want to be aware of the type of clothing that you bring in order to enjoy the nature around you. This brings us to our next point.

Planning Your Hiking and Camping Near Yellowstone National Park

If you are planning to thoroughly enjoy the Mountains, hills, trails, and hidden waterfalls you will undoubtedly find while scavenging through nature, what you bring and wear will be of the utmost of importance. I know I already mentioned that you will want to bring at least one warm outfit to Montana, no matter what time of year you are visiting. However, this is not the only thing you need to remember.

• Pack for a range of temperatures.
• Don’t forget your swimsuit… There are hidden lakes, beautiful waterfalls, inviting rivers, and even the unforgettable hot springs! You would not want to miss the once-in-a-lifetime experience of soaking in geothermal hot springs. There is nothing that compares…
• Wicking layers for hikes will help keep you comfortable during the day while long underwear will keep you warm after dark.
• “Plan for the conditions” is going to be a major theme here. If you are planning to go hiking, make sure to bring hiking appropriate footwear. I can tell you from an embarrassing bad experience that wearing sandals may not be the best choice if you are going to be scaling rocks up trails…
• Bring extra socks… “Yes Mom, I know.” However, you will thank me. Your feet might become wet from walking through creeks, puddles, or just plain sweat. It will be much better for you if you can change your socks whether you are on the trail or just returning to camp. You will want your feet to stay dry and happy. 😊
• Bring a hat to keep the sun from invading your exciting day. Nothing ruins a relaxing trip like getting a nice toasty sunburn on the first day of your vacation.

Backpacking and Packing for a Wilderness Hike

A backpack can be like a woman’s purse: full of many “necessary” treasures when you need them. So, what should your backpack hold in store for you on your adventure. You should make sure that you at least have the basic necessities listed here in order to ensure you are prepared for your wilderness encounters.

• Sunscreen will allow you to enjoy your time hiking, soaking, or just hanging out without worrying about those pesky, possibly harmful, sun rays.
• Insect repellent is a must if you do not want to become the next meal on the menu for mosquitoes…
• It is always a good plan to carry a basic first aid kit with you where ever you go. Traveling for an outdoor paradise vacation is no exception. You can pick up a small first aid kit at most stores, or you could be creative and put your own together.
• Hiking/walking poles are optional, but may provide you with more stability while you’re traveling those winding nature trails.
• If you are one that likes to memorialize your special moments with photographs, this would be the perfect time to bring your camera. You never know what little critters you may meet, breath taking views that await around the next bend, or the amazing wild life that might greet you. You will want to share those incredible memories with friends and family.
• Bring a journal with a mapped route of your plans, a compass, a Swiss Army Knife, and a flashlight. You never want to lose your way in the woods right?
• What is the number one thing that your backpack treasure should contain??? WATER. People will get so into what they are doing, the sights they are taking in, and the friends that they are sharing this special time with, and they will forget to drink water. Dehydration is no fun for anyone. Remember to take plenty of water so you can stay hydrated.

Planning your next exciting journey takes a lot of time and energy. But when your full plan comes to fruition and you have the unique opportunity to take in the beauty Montana has to offer, all of your troubles while planning would have been completely worth it.

There is one place that has everything you need and more to enjoy nature, be close enough to town to get anything you may need, and is the most amazing set up for all of you outdoorsy people. To be a part of this perfection and have the experience of a lifetime, come out to Yellowstone Hot Springs. It has an idyllic set up. Did you know that Yellowstone Hot Springs has a campground? We now offer RV/Camper hook-ups for the glamping family, and then there are also tent spaces for those star gazers. And if the location was not stunning enough as it is, you also have the chance to relax in the geothermal hot springs right next to where you will lay your head down at night. What could be more perfect?

The idea of using geothermal pools of some kind for the purpose of relaxation, healing, recreation, or even cooking, is not a new concept. Civilizations have enjoyed the many benefits of geothermal pools since ancient times. Would you believe that the practice of utilizing natural thermal heat to release toxins has been dated back to the Neolithic Age. As nomadic tribes would travel from place to place, they would often seek reprieve from bitter or blustery cold by soaking in the various natural hot springs they would come across.

One of the earliest known “public baths” has been dated back to approximately 2500 BC in Mohenjo-Daro (present day Pakistan). Archeologists unearthed this treasure from the past in the early 1900s. This early discover did not provide a definitive peek into the uses of pools like this, and was believed to have been used in a temple due to the later links between religious beliefs and cleanliness. The Romans would later adopt the practice of “public bathing” in approximately 300 BC. This was a time for individuals to come together, relax and socialize, and re-energize after a long work week. Read more