About Slough Creek Campground
Nestled in Yellowstone's remote northeast corner within the Lamar Valley, Slough Creek Campground offers 16 primitive sites ideal for wildlife enthusiasts. Accessible via the Northeast Entrance road, it's open mid-June to early October and operates first-come, first-served only; arrive early as sites fill by noon in summer. Surrounded by sagebrush flats and the meandering Slough Creek, this spot provides front-row views of wolves, grizzlies, and pronghorn from trails like the Slough Creek Trailhead leading to backcountry sites. Practice Leave No Trace: bury human waste 6-8 inches deep, 200 feet from water, and use vault toilets sparingly.
Safety Considerations
High grizzly activity demands strict NPS food storage: all attractants in bear boxes or counter-balanced hangs 100 yards from tents. Recent aggressive bear behavior noted in forums underscores tent camping vigilance; group sites together for safety. Wolves and coyotes pose minimal threat but approach food aggressively. Lightning storms ravage open valleys; vacate ridges by noon. Ticks carry diseases in tall grass; check daily. Flash floods from summer rains can swell Slough Creek; camp high. Fire bans common due to dry conditions; check at Pebble Creek Ranger Station.
Essential Gear
Opt for durable, low-profile gear from Backcountry: Big Agnes Copper Spur tent for stealth, Ursack bear bag with odor-proof liner, UDAP bear spray holstered for quick draw. Garmin inReach satellite communicator for no-service areas, tick removal tool, and layered system with Arc'teryx insulation for cold nights dipping to 30F.
Emergency Tips
Predatory bear: run to vehicle, yell, spray. Defensive: play dead after knockdown. Wolf pack: appear large, back away. Injury: signal rangers via inReach to Silver Gate clinic 12 miles away or Cooke City hospital. Evac via Cooke City airstrip if severe.