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Formerly known as Sanidumps.
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RV Parks In Livingston, Montana

45.6624° N, 110.5610° W

Quick Overview

Livingston is the historic northern gateway to Yellowstone National Park, a railroad town wrapped in mountains where the Yellowstone River swings north out of Paradise Valley. For RVers it is one of the most practical basecamps in the region: you are about 55 miles from the park's north entrance at Gardiner, the only Yellowstone gate open to vehicles all year, with a real downtown of galleries, fly shops, and good food when you roll back into town. The camping here divides into riverfront private parks and scenic public ground, and picking the right one shapes the whole trip.

The private parks are where the hookups and big-rig comfort live. The Livingston / Paradise Valley KOA Holiday sits on the Yellowstone River with pull-through sites up to 72 feet, full 50-amp hookups, and easy access from I-90. South down Paradise Valley, Yellowstone's Edge RV Park lines the riverbank closer to the park entrance, and in town Osen's RV Park and Livingston Campground both offer full-hookup, pull-through sites. These are the picks for water, sewer, power, and room to run your slides after a long day in the park.

The public side trades hookups for setting. Pine Creek Campground, 13 miles south in the Custer Gallatin National Forest, tucks into the Absaroka foothills with drinking water, trout fishing, and reservable sites on recreation.gov. Yellowstone's Mammoth Campground, the park's only year-round campground, sits just inside the north entrance for early-morning wildlife in the Lamar Valley. Montana fishing-access sites like Mallards Rest add primitive, first-come riverside spots. One honest warning that shapes every Livingston trip: this is one of the windiest places in the country, and the I-90 gap east of town regularly gusts hard enough to restrict towing. Below we break down the standout campgrounds, hookups and big-rig fit, reservation timing, the wind, and what a Paradise Valley stay costs through the seasons.

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Traveling to Livingston by RV

Livingston sits right on Interstate 90 at exits 330 to 333, with US-89 dropping south through Paradise Valley toward Gardiner and Yellowstone's north entrance, about 55 miles away. I-90 is the main artery in and out, fully big-rig friendly with diesel and services at the interchanges, and Bozeman Yellowstone International Airport sits 35 miles west for fly-and-rent trips. The drive south on US-89 along the Yellowstone River is the scenic approach to the park and where many of the riverfront RV parks are strung.

The defining travel factor here is wind, not grade. The Livingston gap funnels powerful sustained winds, and the stretch of I-90 east of town frequently sees gusts of 30 to 40 miles per hour, enough that the Montana DOT posts advisories and at times restricts light, high-profile vehicles like travel trailers. Check the MDT Livingston wind page before towing east, plan to travel in the calmer morning window, and be willing to sit out a blow. Once you turn south into Paradise Valley the wind usually eases, and the run to the park is gorgeous. Fuel and stock up in Livingston or Bozeman, since services thin south of town.

Before You Go: RV Trip Essentials

Dump stations are only one piece of the trip puzzle. Before you set out for your trip to Livingston, Montana, it's worth taking thirty minutes to check that the basics are in place — the four areas below are where unprepared RVers most often get stung.

Check your RV insurance coverage

A standard auto policy rarely covers a Class A, Class C, or travel trailer the way a dedicated RV insurance policy does. If you're financing a motorhome, lenders typically require comprehensive and collision; full-timers should additionally price in vacation liability and personal belongings coverage. Rates vary widely by state and travel pattern — compare quotes from multiple RV-focused carriers before each season.

Know your roadside assistance options

RV-specific roadside plans tow motorhomes and trailers that regular AAA coverage won't touch — flat beds, mobile mechanics, tire service for duallies, and even emergency lockouts at remote campgrounds. Good plans cover your spouse and trailer even if you're driving a separate vehicle, and some include trip interruption reimbursement if a breakdown costs you a reservation.

Decide about an extended warranty early

Original manufacturer warranties on new RVs typically run 12–24 months — shorter than most buyers realize. An extended service contract (essentially a mechanical breakdown policy) covers the appliances, slides, levelling systems, and drivetrain components that can run $3,000–$10,000 to replace. The time to price one is before the factory coverage expires, not after something breaks.

Set up a travel rewards card for fuel and fees

A no-annual-fee travel or gas rewards card pays for itself on a single month of RV travel. Expect to spend $400–$800 per week combined on fuel, campgrounds, and propane — 3–5% cash back on gas alone covers the next oil change. For bigger trips, a sign-up bonus can offset campground fees for the whole season.

RVingLife is supported by advertising. Third-party ads on this page may include insurance quotes, roadside plans, warranty coverage, or financial products relevant to the topics above. We don't endorse any specific provider — compare multiple offers before you commit. Privacy policy.

Dump Station Costs in Livingston

Camping costs around Livingston span a wide band, so match the site to your trip. The cheapest beds are the first-come Montana fishing-access sites along the Yellowstone River, which are primitive and only a few dollars a night, ideal for self-contained rigs that do not need hookups. Public campgrounds like Pine Creek in the Custer Gallatin National Forest and Yellowstone's Mammoth Campground sit in the mid-range, often the mid-twenties and up per night, a strong value given the forest and in-park settings.

The private full-hookup parks in Livingston and down Paradise Valley are the higher tier, commonly in the forties to seventies per night for a riverfront pull-through, climbing in July and August when Yellowstone traffic peaks. You pay for the hookups, the river frontage, and the short hop to the park. The biggest savings lever is timing: shoulder-season stays in June or September run noticeably cheaper and midweek beats weekends everywhere. A smart budget play is to camp a public or fishing-access site for the scenery and use the city dump station for cheap tank service, rather than paying resort rates every night of a long Yellowstone trip.

Free: 1 station (33%)
Paid: 2 stations (67%)

Contact station for pricing details.

Prices may vary. Always confirm with the station before visiting.

What RVers Are Saying About Livingston

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Best Time to Visit Livingston by RV

❄️

Winter

Nov - Feb

18F - 34F

Crowds: Low

Freezing and windy. Almost every private and forest campground closes, but Yellowstone's Mammoth Campground stays open year-round for hardy winter visitors near the north entrance. Expect ground blizzards and bring cold-weather gear.

🌸

Spring

Mar - May

32F - 56F

Crowds: Low

Private parks reopen through April and May; the higher Paradise Valley forest campgrounds open late. The Yellowstone runs high with snowmelt, so wade carefully, and watch the wind when setting up.

☀️

Summer

Jun - Aug

50F - 86F

Crowds: High

The busy stretch as Yellowstone's north-gateway traffic peaks. Reserve riverfront private parks and Mammoth or Pine Creek well ahead for July and August weekends.

🍂

Fall

Sep - Oct

34F - 58F

Crowds: Medium

Our favorite: blue-ribbon fall trout fishing, gold cottonwoods down Paradise Valley, thinning park crowds, and easy bookings before the campgrounds close for the season.

Explore the Livingston Area

Here is what we have learned basing out of Livingston. First, use the City of Livingston self-serve dump station near I-90 to empty tanks cheaply, just $10 by card, on your way through; it is one of the better-kept secrets on the north side of Yellowstone. Second, respect the wind: check the MDT Livingston wind advisory before towing east on I-90, travel mornings when the air is calmer, and stake everything down well at camp, because afternoon gusts will toss an awning. Third, base in Paradise Valley along the Yellowstone if you can, since it shortens the run to the north entrance at Gardiner and puts you on blue-ribbon trout water.

For timing, fall is the local secret: September and early October bring the best trout fishing, gold cottonwoods, thinner park crowds, and easy bookings, though you will want to confirm campground closing dates first. If you are traveling in winter or shoulder season, remember Mammoth Campground is the only year-round option inside Yellowstone, near the north entrance. When the reservable parks are full in midsummer, fall back on the Montana fishing-access sites along the river, which are first-come and cheap for self-contained rigs. And handle propane, diesel, and groceries in Livingston or Bozeman before you head down the valley, where resupply gets sparse.

National Parks Nearby

Frequently Asked Questions About Dump Stations in Livingston

What are the best RV parks near Livingston, Montana?

For full hookups and big-rig room, the Livingston / Paradise Valley KOA Holiday is the headliner, with pull-through sites up to 72 feet right on the Yellowstone River. Down Paradise Valley, Yellowstone's Edge RV Park sits riverfront with full hookups and a shorter run to the park's north entrance. In town, Osen's RV Park and Livingston Campground both offer full-hookup, pull-through sites near I-90. On the public side, Pine Creek Campground in the Custer Gallatin National Forest and Yellowstone's year-round Mammoth Campground round out the options. Pick a private riverfront park for comfort, public for scenery and price.

Do Livingston RV parks have full hookups?

Yes, the private parks do. The Livingston / Paradise Valley KOA, Yellowstone's Edge RV Park, Osen's RV Park, and Livingston Campground all offer full hookups with water, sewer, and 30 or 50 amp electric, and several have long pull-through sites built for big rigs. The public campgrounds are a different setup: Pine Creek Campground in the national forest has drinking water and vault toilets but no hookups, and Yellowstone's Mammoth Campground has flush toilets but no hookups either. If you want to plug in for water and power, book a private park in town or down Paradise Valley and day-trip into the public land.

How close is Livingston to Yellowstone National Park?

Livingston is the original gateway to Yellowstone, sitting about 55 miles north of the park's north entrance at Gardiner via US-89 down Paradise Valley. That drive follows the Yellowstone River through one of Montana's prettiest valleys and takes a bit over an hour. The north entrance is the only Yellowstone gate open to vehicles year-round, which makes Livingston a smart shoulder-season and winter basecamp. Many RVers stay in Paradise Valley to cut the drive in half. Just note that the famous loops inside the park involve real distances, so plan full days and consider a tow vehicle rather than driving the RV around the park.

Can big rigs camp near Livingston?

Yes, easily, if you pick a private park. The Livingston / Paradise Valley KOA takes pull-through rigs up to 72 feet, and Yellowstone's Edge, Osen's, and Livingston Campground all handle large coaches and fifth-wheels with full-hookup, pull-through sites and room for slides. The public campgrounds are tighter: Pine Creek in the national forest and the forest fishing-access sites suit smaller rigs, and Yellowstone's Mammoth Campground has posted length limits, so check before booking a big rig there. Most big-rig travelers base at a full-hookup park in Livingston or Paradise Valley and tour Yellowstone in a tow vehicle, which is the easier way to see the park anyway.

How windy is it for towing around Livingston?

Very, and it is worth taking seriously. Livingston sits in a mountain gap that funnels some of the strongest sustained winds in the country, and the stretch of I-90 east of town regularly sees gusts of 30 to 40 miles per hour. The Montana Department of Transportation posts wind advisories and occasionally restricts or closes the interstate to light, high-profile vehicles like travel trailers and high-sided motorhomes. Check the MDT Livingston wind page before you tow east, travel in the calmer morning hours when you can, and be ready to wait out a blow. It is the single biggest driving hazard in the area, more than any grade or bridge.

How far ahead do I need to reserve a campsite near Livingston?

For summer, book early. As a Yellowstone gateway, Livingston and Paradise Valley fill through July and August, so reserve the private full-hookup parks like the KOA and Yellowstone's Edge a month or more ahead for peak weekends. Public sites move on recreation.gov: Pine Creek Campground in the national forest and Yellowstone's Mammoth Campground both take reservations and sell out for summer, with the park campground especially competitive. If you are flexible, midweek and shoulder-season dates in June or September are far easier to land, and fall is both quieter and prime fishing season. First-come fishing-access sites are a fallback when everything reservable is full.

Are there public or first-come campgrounds near Livingston?

Yes. Pine Creek Campground, about 13 miles south in the Custer Gallatin National Forest, offers reservable sites in the Absaroka foothills with drinking water and trout fishing. Yellowstone's Mammoth Campground, the park's only year-round campground, is reservable through recreation.gov near the north entrance. For first-come camping, Montana Fish, Wildlife and Parks operates fishing-access sites like Mallards Rest along the Yellowstone River in Paradise Valley, which are primitive, cheap, and a good fallback. These public options have no hookups and suit self-contained rigs. Always check current conditions, fire restrictions, and length limits before heading out, since the forest and river sites change with the season.

When is the best time to RV camp near Livingston?

June through September is the prime window, when the weather is warm and dry, Yellowstone is in full swing, and the campgrounds are open. July and August are the busiest and hardest to book. Our favorite time is September into early October, when the fall trout fishing on the Yellowstone is excellent, the cottonwoods turn gold down Paradise Valley, the park crowds thin out, and reservations get easy, though you should confirm campground closing dates. Spring is windy with high water, and winter shuts down most camping except Yellowstone's year-round Mammoth Campground. Whenever you come, keep an eye on the wind.

What is there to do near Livingston besides Yellowstone?

A lot, which is why Livingston rewards a longer stay. The Yellowstone River running through town is blue-ribbon trout water and one of Montana's best fly-fishing rivers, with guides and access sites all down Paradise Valley. Chico Hot Springs, about 22 miles south, is a historic resort with natural mineral pools and a well-known dining room. In town, the restored Livingston Depot Center and the Yellowstone Gateway Museum tell the railroad and park history, and the walkable downtown is full of galleries and farm-to-table restaurants. Add hiking in the Absaroka and Crazy Mountains, and you have a basecamp that stands on its own.

Are the campgrounds near Livingston pet-friendly?

Most are. The private RV parks in Livingston and Paradise Valley welcome leashed dogs, and many have pet areas and grassy space along the river. The Custer Gallatin National Forest is open to leashed, well-behaved pets on trails and at campgrounds like Pine Creek. Yellowstone National Park is the big restriction: pets are not allowed on trails, boardwalks, or in the backcountry, and may only be in parking areas, campgrounds, and along roads, always leashed. So you can camp with your dog at Mammoth or in Paradise Valley, but you cannot hike the park with them. Plan dog-friendly hikes on national-forest trails instead, and never leave a pet in a hot rig.

Is Mammoth Campground a good option for RVers?

It is, with caveats. Mammoth Campground sits near Yellowstone's north entrance and is the park's only campground open year-round, with 82 sites, flush toilets, and reservations required through recreation.gov. It has no hookups and no showers (the nearest are in Gardiner), so it suits self-contained rigs that can dry camp. The big advantages are being inside the park for early-morning wildlife in the nearby Lamar Valley and having a winter option when everything else is closed. Check the posted site length limits before booking a big rig, and bring full fresh water and empty waste tanks, since you will be dry camping at 6,200 feet.

Where can I dump and fill water near Livingston?

The City of Livingston runs a public self-serve RV dump station near I-90, open 24 hours in season, with non-potable water and a $10 card-only fee, which is one of the handiest and cheapest dump options on this side of Yellowstone. Beyond that, the private RV parks include a dump and potable fill with your stay, and Yellowstone's Mammoth area and the forest campgrounds have limited facilities. Fill your fresh tank at your RV park rather than the city station, since its water is non-potable. For the full breakdown of stations, hours, and seasonal closures, see our companion guide to RV dump stations in Livingston.

How much does RV camping cost around Livingston?

It covers a broad range. The cheapest beds are the first-come Montana fishing-access sites along the Yellowstone, which are primitive and only a few dollars. Public campgrounds like Pine Creek in the national forest and Yellowstone's Mammoth Campground run in the mid-range, often the mid-twenties and up per night for no-hookup sites in excellent settings. Private full-hookup parks in Livingston and Paradise Valley sit higher, commonly in the forties to seventies for a riverfront pull-through, with the riverside resorts topping the range in peak summer. Booking shoulder season in June or September, or choosing a public site for scenery and a town dump for service, keeps the trip noticeably cheaper.

What are the best RV parks near Livingston, Montana?

For full hookups and big-rig room, the Livingston / Paradise Valley KOA Holiday is the headliner, with pull-through sites up to 72 feet right on the Yellowstone River. Down Paradise Valley, Yellowstone's Edge RV Park sits riverfront with full hookups and a shorter run to the park's north entrance. In town, Osen's RV Park and Livingston Campground both offer full-hookup, pull-through sites near I-90. On the public side, Pine Creek Campground in the Custer Gallatin National Forest and Yellowstone's year-round Mammoth Campground round out the options. Pick a private riverfront park for comfort, public for scenery and price.

Do Livingston RV parks have full hookups?

Yes, the private parks do. The Livingston / Paradise Valley KOA, Yellowstone's Edge RV Park, Osen's RV Park, and Livingston Campground all offer full hookups with water, sewer, and 30 or 50 amp electric, and several have long pull-through sites built for big rigs. The public campgrounds are a different setup: Pine Creek Campground in the national forest has drinking water and vault toilets but no hookups, and Yellowstone's Mammoth Campground has flush toilets but no hookups either. If you want to plug in for water and power, book a private park in town or down Paradise Valley and day-trip into the public land.

How close is Livingston to Yellowstone National Park?

Livingston is the original gateway to Yellowstone, sitting about 55 miles north of the park's north entrance at Gardiner via US-89 down Paradise Valley. That drive follows the Yellowstone River through one of Montana's prettiest valleys and takes a bit over an hour. The north entrance is the only Yellowstone gate open to vehicles year-round, which makes Livingston a smart shoulder-season and winter basecamp. Many RVers stay in Paradise Valley to cut the drive in half. Just note that the famous loops inside the park involve real distances, so plan full days and consider a tow vehicle rather than driving the RV around the park.

Can big rigs camp near Livingston?

Yes, easily, if you pick a private park. The Livingston / Paradise Valley KOA takes pull-through rigs up to 72 feet, and Yellowstone's Edge, Osen's, and Livingston Campground all handle large coaches and fifth-wheels with full-hookup, pull-through sites and room for slides. The public campgrounds are tighter: Pine Creek in the national forest and the forest fishing-access sites suit smaller rigs, and Yellowstone's Mammoth Campground has posted length limits, so check before booking a big rig there. Most big-rig travelers base at a full-hookup park in Livingston or Paradise Valley and tour Yellowstone in a tow vehicle, which is the easier way to see the park anyway.

How windy is it for towing around Livingston?

Very, and it is worth taking seriously. Livingston sits in a mountain gap that funnels some of the strongest sustained winds in the country, and the stretch of I-90 east of town regularly sees gusts of 30 to 40 miles per hour. The Montana Department of Transportation posts wind advisories and occasionally restricts or closes the interstate to light, high-profile vehicles like travel trailers and high-sided motorhomes. Check the MDT Livingston wind page before you tow east, travel in the calmer morning hours when you can, and be ready to wait out a blow. It is the single biggest driving hazard in the area, more than any grade or bridge.

How far ahead do I need to reserve a campsite near Livingston?

For summer, book early. As a Yellowstone gateway, Livingston and Paradise Valley fill through July and August, so reserve the private full-hookup parks like the KOA and Yellowstone's Edge a month or more ahead for peak weekends. Public sites move on recreation.gov: Pine Creek Campground in the national forest and Yellowstone's Mammoth Campground both take reservations and sell out for summer, with the park campground especially competitive. If you are flexible, midweek and shoulder-season dates in June or September are far easier to land, and fall is both quieter and prime fishing season. First-come fishing-access sites are a fallback when everything reservable is full.

Are there public or first-come campgrounds near Livingston?

Yes. Pine Creek Campground, about 13 miles south in the Custer Gallatin National Forest, offers reservable sites in the Absaroka foothills with drinking water and trout fishing. Yellowstone's Mammoth Campground, the park's only year-round campground, is reservable through recreation.gov near the north entrance. For first-come camping, Montana Fish, Wildlife and Parks operates fishing-access sites like Mallards Rest along the Yellowstone River in Paradise Valley, which are primitive, cheap, and a good fallback. These public options have no hookups and suit self-contained rigs. Always check current conditions, fire restrictions, and length limits before heading out, since the forest and river sites change with the season.

When is the best time to RV camp near Livingston?

June through September is the prime window, when the weather is warm and dry, Yellowstone is in full swing, and the campgrounds are open. July and August are the busiest and hardest to book. Our favorite time is September into early October, when the fall trout fishing on the Yellowstone is excellent, the cottonwoods turn gold down Paradise Valley, the park crowds thin out, and reservations get easy, though you should confirm campground closing dates. Spring is windy with high water, and winter shuts down most camping except Yellowstone's year-round Mammoth Campground. Whenever you come, keep an eye on the wind.

What is there to do near Livingston besides Yellowstone?

A lot, which is why Livingston rewards a longer stay. The Yellowstone River running through town is blue-ribbon trout water and one of Montana's best fly-fishing rivers, with guides and access sites all down Paradise Valley. Chico Hot Springs, about 22 miles south, is a historic resort with natural mineral pools and a well-known dining room. In town, the restored Livingston Depot Center and the Yellowstone Gateway Museum tell the railroad and park history, and the walkable downtown is full of galleries and farm-to-table restaurants. Add hiking in the Absaroka and Crazy Mountains, and you have a basecamp that stands on its own.

Are the campgrounds near Livingston pet-friendly?

Most are. The private RV parks in Livingston and Paradise Valley welcome leashed dogs, and many have pet areas and grassy space along the river. The Custer Gallatin National Forest is open to leashed, well-behaved pets on trails and at campgrounds like Pine Creek. Yellowstone National Park is the big restriction: pets are not allowed on trails, boardwalks, or in the backcountry, and may only be in parking areas, campgrounds, and along roads, always leashed. So you can camp with your dog at Mammoth or in Paradise Valley, but you cannot hike the park with them. Plan dog-friendly hikes on national-forest trails instead, and never leave a pet in a hot rig.

Is Mammoth Campground a good option for RVers?

It is, with caveats. Mammoth Campground sits near Yellowstone's north entrance and is the park's only campground open year-round, with 82 sites, flush toilets, and reservations required through recreation.gov. It has no hookups and no showers (the nearest are in Gardiner), so it suits self-contained rigs that can dry camp. The big advantages are being inside the park for early-morning wildlife in the nearby Lamar Valley and having a winter option when everything else is closed. Check the posted site length limits before booking a big rig, and bring full fresh water and empty waste tanks, since you will be dry camping at 6,200 feet.

Where can I dump and fill water near Livingston?

The City of Livingston runs a public self-serve RV dump station near I-90, open 24 hours in season, with non-potable water and a $10 card-only fee, which is one of the handiest and cheapest dump options on this side of Yellowstone. Beyond that, the private RV parks include a dump and potable fill with your stay, and Yellowstone's Mammoth area and the forest campgrounds have limited facilities. Fill your fresh tank at your RV park rather than the city station, since its water is non-potable. For the full breakdown of stations, hours, and seasonal closures, see our companion guide to RV dump stations in Livingston.

How much does RV camping cost around Livingston?

It covers a broad range. The cheapest beds are the first-come Montana fishing-access sites along the Yellowstone, which are primitive and only a few dollars. Public campgrounds like Pine Creek in the national forest and Yellowstone's Mammoth Campground run in the mid-range, often the mid-twenties and up per night for no-hookup sites in excellent settings. Private full-hookup parks in Livingston and Paradise Valley sit higher, commonly in the forties to seventies for a riverfront pull-through, with the riverside resorts topping the range in peak summer. Booking shoulder season in June or September, or choosing a public site for scenery and a town dump for service, keeps the trip noticeably cheaper.

Are there free dump stations in Livingston?

Yes — there are free RV waste disposal options available near Livingston.