YELLOWSTONE BEST PACKING GUIDE FOR SUMMER

Yellowstone is a stunning national park with a wide variety of natural beauty including geothermal features, incredible waterfalls, amazing wildlife, great hiking trails, and world-class fishing.

In fact, the Park has more activities and things to see than you can imagine. To fully enjoy these activities, however, it is important to arrive prepared, especially since the weather can change rapidly.

I still remember my first visit to Yellowstone when in July the weather suddenly turned very cold. I packed for summer, not winter, and ending up spending a lot of money to keep warm making the local merchants very happy.

It took 3 visits before I figured out what to pack and what to leave home. So you don’t make the same packing mistakes I did, keep reading. For here you will find an extensive Yellowstone Packing Guide.

Not only does the guide include essential items such as comfortable hiking shoes, it includes other less thought of items such as walkie talkies and bear spray along with helpful tips for how to choose them.

Note: This guide is not designed to address the needs of those who will be camping in Yellowstone’s backcountry nor the needs of families traveling with very small children. I do not feel qualified to offer any advice on those subjects.

Be forewarned, this Yellowstone Packing List is long but you don’t have to read it all if you are short on time. Simple click the arrow in the table of contents, go to the sections you are interest in, click on the name, and it will take you directly to that section of this post.

Yellowstone Table of Contents

Clothes to Pack for Yellowstone

Layers, layers, and more layers. It is important to pack clothing that can be layered, accommodate multiple activities, and quickly be put on or removed. Also the clothes should be compact enough to store in a backpack when not being worn.

For those unfamiliar with the Basics of Layering here is a quick overview:

Lightweight and breathable fabrics are ideal for a bottom layer in summer’s warmer weather. Clothes should not require ironing, dry quickly, be moisture wicking, and washable in a sink if needed.

For cool summer mornings, a light jacket for protection from rain or lightweight fleece for warmth should be all you need.

As mentioned above, expect wide temperature fluctuations in Yellowstone during the day by as much as 40+ degrees as well as significant temperature changes between the different park locations. For example, Mammoth Hot Springs will usually be much warmer than places like Mt Washburn.

Don’t forget to pack comfortable walking shoes for exploring Yellowstone as well as a hat and sunglasses for protection from the sun’s strong rays.

Tip: Clothes that can be rinsed off easily will mean you can pack fewer cloths and have more room for fun items.

Now let’s dig a bit deeper into exactly what clothing items you should pack.

Pants

Convertible Pants- Look for pants that are convertible, lightweight and quick to dry.  Also check to see if the side pockets on the pants are deep enough to carry important items such as keys, and cell phones. 

I am a pocket hog and tend to favor pants with that extra little side pocket just above the knee for holding things like lens cloths, polarizers, etc.  

Here are two of my favorite convertible pants: women’s –Columbia Silver Ridge Convertible Pants and REI Sahara Convertible Hiking Pants.

Note: I have owned the REI pants for years and they have held up well. However, a new version has some changes on the front side pocket that I am not wild about. Check them out and see if they work for you.

Similar pants are available for men: Columbia Silver Ridge Mens Pants

Women’s Knee Length pants– Sorry men but I doubt these will interest you.  For those of you who prefer to not deal with zipper pants or for those especially hot days and warmer climates, these Columbia Women’s Saturday Trail Knee Pants are great.  I have 4 pairs, some 5 years old, and they have all held up very well.

Jeans- Bring one pair of blue jeans when you want to get dressed up for dinner! I’m not kidding.

Women’s Shorts– How many pairs of shorts you bring to Yellowstone will depend on your personal preference. For me, I only pack one pair of shorts for Yellowstone since I prefer to wear capri pants or convertible pants there. However, the REI Co-op Sahara Shorts are great for outdoor summer adventures. For a little looser fit and a shorter short, Columbia Women’s Sandy River Cargo Shorts are great and last for years.

Men’s Shorts- Again, my top recommendation is the REI Co-op Sahara Shorts.

Tops

For tops, keep with the theme of layers and pack moisture-wicking short sleeve t-shirts coupled with long sleeve roll-up sleeve shirts. Also be sure to pack a fleece jacket along with a light weight rain jacket and possibly an outer jacket for those cold days.

Tip: When packing for hotter days, be sure to bring long sleeve shirts in light colors.

For long sleeve shirts in summer these are a few things to look for:

A lighter weight option for men with only UPF of 30 is : Columbia’s Men’s Bahama Long Sleeve Fishing Shirt.

Jackets

Fleece Jackets -Everyone should pack a fleece jacket for any trip to Yellowstone regardless if it is July or October. In fact I keep a medium weight fleece jacket in my car at all times when I am in Yellowstone even if it is 80 degrees when I leave in the morning. (Well, I don’t remember it ever being 80 when I left in the morning but thought it sounded good)

Fleece jackets range from lightweight to heavy but since this post is Best Yellowstone Summer Packing Guide, I will focus more on lightweight to medium weight jackets. For all other spring, summer (late August) and fall months, I would definitely pack a medium to heavy weight fleece jacket.

For a lightweight fleece jacket here is my pick for men: Patagonia RI Air with Hoodie

For a lightweight fleece jacket here is my pick for women: Patagonia RI Air with Hoodie

For a medium weight fleece jacket here is my pick for men: Arcterxy Kyanite Medium Weight Fleece Jacket

For a medium weight fleece jacket here is my pick for women: Arc’Teryx Jacket with Hoodie

For heavy weight fleece jackets:

Women- a similar version of the North Face Denali II jacket is available at REI in a variety of colors. Amazon’s selection was limited.

Outer Jackets

All outer jackets should be waterproof and breathable. In the warmer months, which for Yellowstone consist of July and part of August, an outer jacket will primarily be used as protection from rain so a lightweight rain jacket should suffice. 

If you are visiting Yellowstone in late May to June and again in the fall months, consider bringing an outer jacket that also provides protection from wind and freezing temperatures.

Here are a few recommendations for your consideration:

Lightweight Rain Jacket: Lightweight, Breathable and Waterproof

For a great lightweight jacket that will keep the rain off you and add a light layer of protection when outdoors in Yellowstone this is my top choice for both men and women: Arc’eryx Beta LT Jacket

For those who are only outdoors on vacations or occasionally and looking for a more budget friendly option, the following are good options but may not hold up as long.

Cooler Months:  Waterproof, Wind Protection and Breathable 

Yellowstone can be cold, even in early June or late August/early September. If you are planning to visit during those times, plan to bring a heavier outer jacket that not only keeps you dry but also adds warmth while blocking wind.

Here is my top choice for a jacket that comes in a version for both men and women: Patagonia Tortoiseshell Jacket.

Footwear

Hiking Shoe/Walker

Hiking shoes and hiking boots have a place in your Yellowstone bound suitcase but if you only have room for one, go with the hiking shoe. Hiking shoes have more flexibility than hiking boots and will make all those long geyser basin and waterfall hikes much more comfortable than a hiking boot. They will also work well on many of Yellowstone’s flat and level terrain hikes.

Since everyone’s foot is so different it is hard to say any one brand is the perfect choice. In fact I highly recommend visiting a sporting goods store to try on as many brands as possible until you find a good fit for your feet.

Sorry men but I am not able to make a recommendation for mens hiking shoes. My friend has such a wide foot that he is too limited in his choices to evaluate many of the shoe brands.

Hiking Boots 

If you plan to do any hiking on rough terrain or long distance hikes, be sure to pack hiking boots in addition to hiking shoes. When looking for a good hiking boot, fit is most important since you will be spending a lot of time on your feet. Additionally decisions between a high top boot with great support or a mid top hiking boot that has a little less support but is lighter must be made.

Lastly, although waterproof boots due tend to get a bit warmer, I recommend buying waterproof boots. I once had a pair of boots come apart on a trail 3 miles from the trailhead due to standing water and quickly learned the value of paying for waterproof boots.

Tip: Always carry gaffer tape in case you need to tape a boot together.

Both of the boots below I have owned or currently own and would buy again without hesitation.

Tip: Be sure to break in any hiking boots prior to undertaking any long hikes

Women for those who prefer a high top boot, here is my recommendation: La Sportiva High II GTX Hiking Boot. It is breathable while still being waterproof and has great cushion for your feet.

Water Shoes

The choices for water shoes will vary greatly depending on how many water activities you plan to do. If you are planning to fish while in Yellowstone and spend a lot of time on your feet in water, I recommend purchasing a good quality shoe with arch support. If you simply need a shoe that allows you to wade in water briefly, you can look for more economical options. Keens are my favorite brand of water shoes due to their great traction and arch support; besides they are so comfortable. Keen Water Shoes

Socks

Pack smart wool hiking socks. Do not scrimp as there is nothing worse than blisters about 4 miles from the trailhead as I well know.

Hats 

Everyone visiting Yellowstone should pack at least one good hat, possibly two. When deciding what hat to bring, here are a few guidelines to consider:

Beyond that, the choice is up to your personal preference. Personally, I am a fan of a straw hat with a 2 1/2 to 3 inch brim for everyday use. As a photographer, however, this hat does not always work as straw hat brims get in the way of the viewfinder. So when photographing, below is my top choice of hats.

Gloves

I hate wearing gloves but do find them essential in cold weather. Since this post is about packing for Yellowstone primarily in summertime, the focus here will be on gloves for cooler morning and evening outings and not all day cold weather protection.

Instead ofgloves, consider bringing a pair of glove liners. They provide some level of warmth without obstructing finger movement. In fact, I find glove liners work well on most summer days. Just be aware that they do not provide the level of weatherproofing or warmth needed on occasionally cold days.

As extra precaution, I recommend including one pair of fingerless gloves to your packing list. These gloves can be worn over the glove liners so that your fingers are not obstructed yet your hands are warm. REI has my favorite pair of fingerless gloves

For most tourists glove liners should be adequate.  

Bathing Suits

Just north of Mammoth Hot Springs is a very popular hot spring worth a visit if you have time so be sure to pack a bathing suit. Bathing suits are also great for kayaking and other water adventures.

Flip Flops for Showers

Yellowstone has a number of public shower facilities that receive a large number of users each day. Be sure to bring some type of waterproof shoes that you can wear when showering in these facilities. I keep a pair of cheap flip flops in my shower bag at all times.

Cooking and Food to Pack for Yellowstone

When visiting Yellowstone, I highly recommend bringing food and drinks with you in the park. First of all, Yellowstone is massive and it can often be hours between grocery stores and restaurants or much longer if you encounter a traffic jam due to animals.

Also the food is expensive, not great and selections are limited.

The most important reason to bring your own food, however, is to enjoy some of Yellowstone’s 52 scenic picnic areas. I once ate the most enjoyable peanut butter and jelly sandwich of my life while watching a herd of elk cross a beautiful river with trumpeter swans swimming nearby. Where else can you get that view?

Request: Please always pack out what you bring in, leave the area clean, and do not feed the wildlife. Many bears have been killed because of irresponsible picnic area behavior.

Things to Know Cooking in Yellowstone 

Next is a list of cooking related items I recommend everyone bring as they travel in the park. These food and cooking items are designed for day trips and campground stay only, not backpacking.

For those of you flying into the park, you many not have the ability to bring all these items on your flight but be sure to shop prior to arriving in the park or it’s adjacent small towns if at all possible.

An option for obtaining some of the items on this list, is to order from Amazon and have them shipped to one of Amazon box locations for pickup. In West Yellowstone, Quick Print accepted Amazon packages for pick up for a small fee up to a certain package size.

Food and Cooking Items to Bring

Tip: Stock up on food before you enter the park or adjacent small towns for better prices and selections.

Jackson, Wyoming has a great Smith Grocery Store that is reasonable priced. Bozeman, Montana also a number of good grocery stores including a WinCo and a Walmart. I don’t remember what is in Cody but know that Livingston also has a decent Albertsons.

Safety Items to Pack for Yellowstone

Visiting Yellowstone is all about being out in nature regardless if you are hiking to the bottom of a waterfall, watching one of Yellowstone’s many geyser’s erupt, viewing bears, fly fishing, or swimming.

With all these activities, accidents and animal encounters may happen and medical help can be hours away. Do as much as possible to keep yourself safe by packing the items on this list.

Bear Spray

If you don’t pack anything else, pack bear spray and don’t go anywhere without it. Yellowstone is home to roughly 100+ grizzly bears and an unknown number of black bears. Although most bears will run from you, bears with cubs or on a food source may attack.

Simply bringing bear spray is not enough. You need to know what to look for in bear spray, understand how to use it, and the best way to carry it along with having an awareness of how wind direction and how wind speed affects the spray.

First up, you can’t fly with bear spray and will need to buy it once you arrive. I suggest buying it wherever you fly into to as it will be much more expensive in the park. You can also rent bear spray if you prefer.

Things to consider when buying bear spray

I recommend buying or renting two cans of bear spray and not just one. If you are alone, keep one can within easy access on the front of your body and a second can where you can get to it as quick as possible if the first can fails to stop a bear. If you are with two or more people, make sure each adult has bear spray within easy access.

The brand I have always carried (never had to use) is Assault Guard but there are several other good brands. Above all else, make sure you know how to properly use it.

Tip: Watching bear spray videos is a great idea.

1st Aid Kit

As mentioned, Yellowstone is a long way from a city so always be sure to pack a good 1st aid kit along with all medicines you take. In fact it is a good idea to always keep a well stocked first aid kit in your car along with a smaller kit in your backpack.

The items the 1st Aid Kit should contain will depend on what you do along with your location. For instance, burn items from geyser spray will be more important than snake bite items in Yellowstone.

Only you can decide what items are most important to have in your kit but at minimum be sure it includes something to stop bleeding, wraps for sprains, and other similar items. If you are allergic to bees, be sure to also bring an epinephrine auto-injector. 

Here is a link to the top 1st Aid Kits on Amazon to help you get started shopping for a kit: 1st Aid Kits.

Fog Horn

This is another item that I highly recommend having with you when visiting Yellowstone. Not only is a fog horn good for warding off animals but it is also great for general protection. I traveled solo both in a motorhome and travel trailer and now in a van (not always alone today) and keep a small fog horn on me at all times. I also keep a larger horn in my RV/van.

Other sizes are available depending on your needs.

Flashlight

A flashlight that has a long reach and a very bright light is extremely important In Yellowstone as bears in particular can be everywhere. Even if you plan to stay in a surrounding town and only visit the park during the day, there will still be times you will be going to your car, stores or restaurants in the dark. Make sure any flashlight you pack is up to the task.

When looking for flashlights also look for a flashlight that is water resistant and rechargeable. I can’t recommend any particular flashlight since there are many flashlights that will meet the above criteria.

Headlamp

One of my favorite pieces of outdoor gear is a headlamp which I consider an essential item to pack for any Yellowstone trip. It allows for hands free illumination which is especially helpful in the dark regardless if your are carrying groceries, setting up camp, or working a camera for a night shot. In fact I find headlamps so versatile that I keep my headlamp hanging from my gear shift on my car so that it is always within reach. 

In addition to the hands free illumination, headlamps can provide better visibility than a flashlight and they are more energy efficient.

These are the things you should look for in any headlamp:

You can expect to pay anywhere from $40 to $200 for a good headlamp depending on how many lumens and other features it has, however, for basic walking around at night,a $40 headlamp should suffice.

Tip: Buy a head lamp with a red light option so it will not be blinding to others at night. Also bugs are not as drawn to red or orange light.

The headlamp I use for camping and night photography is a Petzl Actik Core Headlamp. It has a 600 lumen light, is rechargeable via a micro USB port and can also be operated with 3 AAA batteries.

Note: Although this product is also available on Amazon, the rechargeable versions they offer only have 350 to 450 lumens max but are priced the same as this REI model so go with the REI lamp.

For those who will only be using a headlamp occasionally and prefer economical models, here is a link to all Amazon headlamps.

Photography Gear for Yellowstone

Cameras and Lens

Yes bring a camera and not just the camera on your phone. At this time, I will not recommend a particular camera or brand since that discussion is too extensive for this already long post.

For now, I simply recommend packing an interchangeable lens camera that fits your budget. Along with the camera, pack at minimum two lens. One lens should be in the range of 24-70mm and the other lens should be in the range of 100-400mm.

The 24-70mm lens will be used for general landscape photos along with photographs of Yellowstone’s geysers while the 100-400mm lens will come in handy for capturing wildlife.

For those with the funds and are serious about photography, I also recommend packing an ultra-wide lens in the range of 16-35 mm and a fixed lens in the 500mm range.

For those of you who are curious, I photograph with both Canon and Sony brands. Canon for wildlife and Sony for landscapes and my lens range from 16mm to 500mm. (Don’t ask, long story)

For video, a current model of an Iphone 13 and above will work just fine. Be sure you are up to date on National Public Land Rules for video.

Tripods

I highly recommend bringing a tripod. Most people who come to Yellowstone want to capture at minimum these three images regardless of what else they photograph: a photograph of Old Faithful geyser erupting, a photo of the Grand Canyon of Yellowstone Falls, and a photograph of a grizzly bear.

To create the best photos of the first two items, you will need to use a slow shutter speed to blur water which will not be possibly without a tripod. If you don’t own a tripod but are in the market, please check out my Tripod Buying Guide.

Camera Bags and Backpacks

Bringing a camera bag is especially important in Yellowstone since some of the Yellowstone geysers spray substances that can damage cameras, cars and other items. Steamboat Geyser, in Norris Geyser Basin is especially known to cause problems to cars, cameras and phones to the extent warning signs are posted in its parking lot.

To be on the safe side, always hike with your photography gear in a bag or backpack when not in use.

Now moving on the camera bags or backpacks. The type of bag and its size will vary greatly depending on how much gear you own and how far you plan to hike with that gear. There are many different opinions regarding the best bags but the right bag is what works for you, not anyone else.

Personally, I own a large number of camera bags and backpacks including two Think Tank backpacks, a Lowepro bag, two pelican cases and a Peak Design bag. When traveling by car I store my gear in two Think Tank bags/cases and use one of my smaller bags for hikes and walks depending on what I need to carry.

Since I RV, I do not need to worry about packing my gear for a flight so my recommendations may not work for you.

This first little camera backpack was a surprise find. It came as an add-on when I purchased a Sony AR7 model and I planned to sell it until I used it. Now it is my favorite bag when I go light, especially for travel photography.

My second recommendation is a slightly larger bag that can carry more gear yet still have a smaller profile than my large camera cases. Mindshift Gear Backlight 18L

Camera Filters

Polarizer –First up be sure to bring circular polarizer filters for each of your lens. For wide angle lens, slim circular polarizers work best since they reduce any vignetting that occurs with a regular polarizer. In fact if you don’t already own polarizing filters, only buy the slim polarizer filters if you can afford them.

UV Filter- Although I am someone who is opposed to adding any unneeded glass to a lens, in Yellowstone I break that rule. Due to the potential damage to lens and expensive filters from geyser spray, I encourage everyone to add a good but reasonably priced UV filter to the top of any polarizer or lens when photographing geysers. Do be sure, however, that any UV filter you purchase has no color cast.

Camera Accessories

Lens cloths -In addition to the above items, be sure to bring lots of lens clothes as you will be wiping the front of your lens frequently, not only at the geyser basins but also at the waterfalls.

Liquid lens cleaner – A discussed the spray from geysers contains a material that is abrasive and can quickly stick to the glass of your lens. Do not attempt to wipe it off until you almost soak the front of the lens with a liquid cleaner then apply a very light pressure.

Do everything you can to avoid any spray from getting on your lens by using the above mentioned UV Filter along with a lens hood at all times. Also bring a lens cover for the lens itself

Extra batteries –Photographing wildlife you can quickly deplete a battery so be sure to bring at least three batteries or more for each of your cameras.

Lots of memory cards- You do not want to run out of memory cards when that perfect shot appears regardless if it is geyser going off or a grizzly bear.

Sensor cleaners– Sensors can get dirty quickly when changing lens, especially with all the dust in the air from the animals and terrain. Be sure you have your favorite sensor cleaning equipment with you in Yellowstone because you will need it.

General Items to Pack for Yellowstone

Bug Spray

For some reason I have never had a problem with bugs on any of my 20 visits to the park but know others that have experienced many issues with bitting bugs. Be sure to pack your favorite bug spray but keep it small enough to fix comfortably in a back pack.

Chair

The chairs I have included under this general section are chairs that can easily be carrying in a vehicle as well as on a hike. I also have a chair recommendation under camping that I believe may be a bit heavy to take hiking but is great for relaxing at the campsite.

My first recommendation below is the popular Helinox chair. This chair is wonderful but does tend to sink into softer soil due to the leg structure so keep this in mind when purchasing it. Also this chair will take a bit of time to put together initially until you get the hang of it. Otherwise it is a very comfortable lightweight and portable chair that is great to carry on hikes.

The next recommendation is best for short hikes or walks as well as for picnicking. However I don’t recommend this chair for very long hikes where every ounce matters. That being said, this is my go to chair when I am sitting waiting to photograph certain animals.

Multipurpose Pocket Knife

A multipurpose tool/pocket knife is an essential item to pack when visiting Yellowstone. A tool that includes a knife, can opener, bottle opener, scissors, cork screw and pliers should be all you need for most Yellowstone adventures with the exclusion of extensive backpacking.

Trekking Poles

If you are planning to do any distance hikes in Yellowstone, I recommend bringing a pair of good trekking poles. For short distance hikes, one pole or hiking stick will work but one pole will not provide the symmetrical support needed over a distance or on difficult terrain and can actually lead to knee or back pain. A good source for choosing hiking poles is this article by: Switchback Travel.

Daypack

It is difficult to recommend any specific backpack for a Yellowstone trip as people vary so much in how they spend time in Yellowstone. In fact, if your plan is to just tour the main attractions along the Loop Road, I doubt you need anything more than room in a camera bag for water and energy bars.

If your plan is to go on a few day hikes, bringing a daypack is a great idea. For day hikes where you don’t need to carry much gear, an Osprey Daylight Daypack should be all you need. As previously mentioned, gear for extended hiking is beyond the scope of this post.

Binoculars

Next to bear spray and clothes, make binoculars the very next thing you pack. Seriously, you will regret not bringing a good pair of binoculars to Yellowstone.

Choosing the right pair of binoculars can be a bit complicated so here is a link to a binocular buying guide. Using this guide along with recommendations from a photographer friend, here is my choice for binoculars, especially as a photographer looking for wildlife.

Walkie Talkies

Walkie Talkies may be something you don’t think about when packing for Yellowstone but you should. Cell service in Yellowstone is only available in a few areas and non existent in many areas of the park. If you are traveling in a caravan, hiking with others or camping as a group, walkie talkies may be your only way to stay in touch.

Be sure to consider walkie talkies that have a good range since Yellowstone is so large and distance between parties may be miles. Also be sure to check how well they work with any type of obstructions and if they require a license to operate.

I could name a few walkie talkies here but am not comfortable doing so due to the mountainous terrain in Yellowstone. Instead, I suggest calling the Bozeman REI store ( 406-587-1938) or other outdoor stores in the area for names of walkie talkies that will work in Yellowstone without having a license.

Spotting Scopes

For many visiting Yellowstone, a good pair of binoculars will be enough. For wildlife enthusiasts however, this optional item is worth a consideration.

Why? Although binoculars are great for scanning an area, they can’t offer the extreme close up view a spotting scope can provide due to a scope’s higher magnification in the range of 20 to 60x Of course that extra magnification comes at a price.

Good spotting scopes are more expensive than good binoculars although scopes range in price from $30 to upwards of $15,000. Spotting scopes are also heavier than binoculars and should be used on a tripod which makes them less portable.

So for those of you who plan to visit Yellowstone in hopes of spending hours watching wildlife, I suggest you read Audubon’s post on spotting scopes to help you decide if a scope if right for you.

Sunglasses

I doubt this needs an explanation- bring good quality sunglasses that have 100 percent protection from both UVB and UVA rays. 

Fishing Poles

For those of you who love to fish, Yellowstone has some incredibly beautiful fly fishing rivers and streams. If you can’t bring your own gear, consider taking a guided trip or renting equipment.

Kayaks

Kayaking is another great way to see Yellowstone. If you own a kayak and have the room, consider bringing it along. If not, don’t worry as there are a number of canoe and kayaking tours without having to bring all the gear.

Portable Power Station

Access to electricity is very limited in Yellowstone. In fact the only place I have charged items from a power plug is at the Canyon Village Laundromat. Therefore bringing a portable power station such as a Bluetti or Jackery will keep your smaller devices charged and ready to go.

Due to the amount of driving involved in touring Yellowstone, you may not need to bring a solar panel but instead can keep a power station charged through the car. I will leave that up to you.

For charging camera batteries, cell phones and other small devices, a power station in the 200-600 watt range is perfect. It is small, compact and easy to carry and why I chose it for Yellowstone.

Other models with more power are available but will not be as easy to move due to their weight. In fact I travel in my van with 3 power stations, a 1000 Jackery, a 500 Jackery and this Bluetti. For portability, this Bluetti can’t be beat.

Tote for Showers

As previously mentioned, many of you will be showering in one of Yellowstone’s public shower facilities so be sure to pack a tote large enough to hold toiletries, a towel, and a change of clothes.

Linens and Bedding

If you are camping, be sure to pack these items. For those staying in Yellowstone hotels or in your RV, the only extra item I would recommend packing is a quick dry towel for each person.

Personal Hygiene Items

Be sure to bring all personal items, especially toilet paper and keep a roll in the car. Yellowstone has a number of restroom facilities but they do get busy and can be out of toilet paper later in the day. Come prepared. Oh, also be sure to also keep hand sanitizer with you.

Camping in Yellowstone -What to Pack

All campsites have either flushable toilets or port-lets. Potable water is also available throughout every campground but not at every site. There are no hook ups at any campground besides Fishing Bridge RV Park.

Tent

For those without an RV or van, you will likely be camping in a tent and may already own one. However, prior to packing that tent for Yellowstone, here are a few things that are beneficial to consider:

Let me share a story from one of my camping experiences. It was late August and I had been camping at Bridge Bay Campground in very comfortable summer weather. The next day a cold front was forecast to come in with only a dusting of snow. I woke up, however, to a sagging tent roof from a ton of snow.

It was then I knew then I needed to change tents if I continued to camp in Yellowstone. (By the way, I had a wonderful North Face tent, it was just not designed for camping in the snow.)

I can’t recommend the right tent for you without knowing your specific needs but I will direct you to a helpful tent shopping guide by REI: Choosing the Best Tent Guide.

Personally, based on the places I camp and the comfort I look for at my campsite, I now prefer canvas tents like this one: Teton Canvas Tent. They are not for everyone and they are expensive but great for camping in Yellowstone and similar areas.

Heater

If you are planning to do any tent camping, a heater buddy will come in very handy but please do not ever use it without properly venting the tent. It is great for heating the tent up before you get out of bed in the morning or for warmth prior to bed at night but I don’t recommend sleeping all night with it on.

The Little Buddy Mr. Heater is a great size for most tents although larger heaters are available. Use it carefully and the heater buddy is a great addition to camping.

Sleeping Bags and Pads

Even in the summer, nights can turn cold in Yellowstone with some nights dipping below freezing depending on where you are camping in the park.

Pack a sleeping bag rated for the coldest nightly temperatures in your particular campground and remember to take the average rating for the sleeping bag and add 10-15 degrees. For instance a bag rated for 30 degrees will keep you comfortable at 45 degrees, not 30 degrees.

Also consider packing a synthetic sleeping bag for summer as it will stay dry while keeping you warm.

Also be sure to bring a sleeping pad.

Tarps

Pack at least one tarp larger enough to cover your tent on those rainy nights. Even better, pack two tarps, one for the tent and one to cover the picnic table. Harbor Freight has a large selection of tarps at great prices.

Chairs

Chairs are listed under General but also included here. The chairs I have listed under general are great of when you are out and about or hiking and also well around the campsite. But if you travel in an RV or have extra room in your car, consider packing this chair for an extra bit of campsite comfort.

Collapsible Table

Many campsites as well as some picnic areas in Yellowstone come with a picnic table but that table may not always be in the best location. Having a separate table for cooking also allows you to keep the picnic table top free for eating.

When shopping for a table, look for one with adjustable legs and one that comes with a carrying case. I did not buy one with a carrying case and still regret it. Walmart has a great selection of these tables at good prices and the table I bought has lasted for years.

When I am not using my collapsible table for cooking, I set it up in my Clam Outdoor Shelter as a work table.

 Outdoor Shelter

I am biased and love having an outdoor shelter at my campsite, even when I camped in an RV. I have tried a cheap Walmart version before deciding to make the investment in a Clam Shell Outdoor Shelter and will never go back. The Clam is so well built and does such a great job of keeping bugs out that I can’t recommend any other outdoor shelter.

In fact I am now on my third Clam Shell Shelter and this is what I have learned.

I started out in a 12 foot ” target=”_blank” rel=”noreferrer noopener sponsored nofollow”>Outdoor Escape which was wonderful for the amount of space it provided. However, it took up too much space at a campsite, was too long and heavy to handle easily and its roof would cave in whenever it rained or was windy. Next I ordered a 6 by 6 Traveler and decided it was too small. Finally I ordered a 9 by 9 Venture which is a perfect size both for handling and the room it provides.

Venture

Note: You will need more stakes than what comes with the tent and you will also need some type of string or rope. Be sure to tie down the top, sides and bottom of the tent for it to function properly in windy conditions

If you are looking for a budget tent that will only cover your picnic table without being bug proof or wind resistant, Walmart tents may be an option but will not hold up as well.

Outdoor Rug

Outdoors rugs increase living space, especially when camping in a tent or van but they also help keep dirt out. This is particularly true after it rains and the ground is muddy. 

When shopping for a camping rug, look for a material that is easy to keep clean, lightweight and will fit into your vehicle. In fact, sometimes it is better to have two smaller rugs than one big one. For instance, two rugs pack easier, can be placed together to cover a big space but can also be used in two different areas. The following is a good example of a nice camping rug.

Camping Lanterns

Camping lanterns are a necessity in Yellowstone if you do any camping at all. Although, there are a number of different outdoor lighting options to choose from, I recommend solar lanterns and string lights that can also charge a phone. Battery operated lights are great as a back up for cloudy days but they tend to dim very quickly. For the best set up, consider using string lights above with lanterns on tables.

For lanterns I have a combination of LuminAid lanterns, MPowered Luci Outdoor Lights and one Lumopal Collapsable Light. I do not favor one over the other and have been pleased with all three. The Lumopal is rechargeable with a USB port while the other lights are solely dependent on solar.

For string lights, I only have one brand to recommend as I haven’t been satisfied with any others I have tried: it is MPOWERD Luci Portable Solar String Lights There are cheaper alternatives that will work fine if you only plan to camp occasionally but the alternatives I have used never help up to extended use.

Final Thoughts on What to Pack for Yellowstone in Summer

I hope you find this Yellowstone Best Packing Guide For Summer helpful and that it saves you from having to run around buying essential items while in the park.

Everything I have recommended comes from 20 trips to Yellowstone and has been carefully thought out to cover what the majority of visitors will likely do while in the park.

However, there are a few items that may pertain to your group that I have not included. For example I have not made recommendations specific to children because I have no experience with packing for children.

In addition to this Yellowstone summer packing guide, I also have written Yellowstone guides to the Upper Geyser Basin, Black Sands, Biscuit and Midway Basins, and Mammoth Hot Springs. As a photographer, the guides are tailored to helping other photographers capture the beauty of these basins but the guides are for everyone who wants to know what to see and how to photograph it.

As always thanks for checking out my blog and be sure to subscribe to get informed of my latest posts.

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