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One of our great national treasures, Yellowstone National Park is wild and untamed place. And, as the Park Rangers are fond of telling tourists, this is also a place fraught with peril and danger. Wildlife in Yellowstone can be unpredictable, especially when spooked or provoked, and this element of risk adds an extra zing to your camping experience.
We spent the better part of a week touring Yellowstone, often looking nervously over our shoulders, and used Fishing Bridge as our home base. We were able to see many of the park’s splendors from this centrally located campground.
Yellowstone offers eleven campgrounds, but only four can be reserved in advance. Most of the first-come campgrounds are primitive sites and have length restrictions under 30 feet. Fishing Bridge Campground can be reserved well in advance – 2 years is recommended for holiday weekends – and accepts rigs up to 40’ long. Full hook-ups are available at Fishing Bridge, but throughout Yellowstone you must have a hard-sided RV to camp overnight. Evidently, bears are fond of ripping open canvas soft-sides to search for a snack.
On our way to Fishing Bridge we stopped at West Thumb to gawk at the prismatic springs and bubbling mud pots. These geothermal features are the result of steam rising through the earth’s crust, heated by magma way down below. The smell of sulfur lingers about the area, but gladly it’s not overpowering. How strange and beautiful the colors of the springs are! You can peer down into the depths of underground caverns from which the boiling water emerges.
We arrived at Fishing Bridge just as dusk was setting in. The campground is set way back in the woods, remote and spooky. It is darkity-dark at night, with pines looming ominously overhead. At check-in, we had to sign a consent form stating You’re In Grizzly Country. Then we were handed several pamphlets about bear attacks which absurdly instruct, “Do not run away!”, which certainly would be my first instinct.
These dire warnings, combined with the inky shadows and strange night rustlings among the deep woods are likely to provoke chills and a certain uneasy feeling. In short, we loved it! What a great way to immerse yourself in the Yellowstone experience and really feel the spirit of the wilderness.
There are 340 campsites are Fishing Bridge, all double-wide to accommodate your RV and car. However, limited landscaping separates you from your neighbors, and there’s just barely room to put out a couple of slides. Many creatures in Yellowstone are curious about your belongings, so pack away your coolers and barbeques at night and make sure the dog is inside. Leave nothing outside to tempt the voracious appetite of wandering bears and coyotes. Even the local population of ravens are known to snatch shiny objects from your campsite.
We took advantage of several guided bus tours that leave from Fishing Bridge Campground. One of the best was the Circle of Fire tour, an all-day excursion in one of Yellowstone’s iconic yellow buses. Tour guides are extremely well versed in the history and geothermic features of the park, and it’s well worth the money to let an experienced guide shuttle you to the prime highlights and viewing locations.
Within a short walk from Fishing Bridge is the large General Store with groceries, camping supplies, and gift shop. A service station offering fuel, propane and mechanic services is also in this area.
Lake Yellowstone is one of the largest alpine lakes in the world, and nearby Lake Yellowstone Hotel and Lake Lodge are worth the visit. These are historic properties, some of Yellowstone’s first lodgings, with wonderful views of the lake and many waterfront trails to explore.
We encountered bison throughout this area. They wander free and uninhibited, and often use the park’s roadways for convenience. Remember not to crowd the bison on the road – they have the right of way – and usually traffic stops to let them pass.
We loved the thrills of Yellowstone, and were happy to settle back into the wilds of Fishing Bridge Campground, complete with the luxury of hookups! Stay alert, be bear aware, and thoroughly enjoy this wonderful national park!
Websites:
www.nps.gov/yell/planyourvisit/fishingbridge.htm
July 7, 2023
