Make Your Yellowstone Visit-and Campsite-One to Remember
Whether you’re coming from Orem or Oshkosh, Toronto or Tampa, Bozeman or Billings, a road trip to Yellowstone can make memories that last a lifetime. Pile the kids in the camper, stock your cooler full of canned beer and sparkling sodas, and ban the devices once you roll through the gates—the crown jewel of our national parks is a place to keep the eyes wide open.
Be sure to leave room for some down time between your adventures to Artist Point, Old Faithful and Blacktail Plateau, because your favorite moments might happen while cooking a meal with the family at sunset, or during a game of cards when the bugs send you seeking shelter. Make your Yellowstone basecamp the ultimate relaxation station with the gear found here—designed to simplify your setup and enhance your experience while keeping your clan from resembling the Griswolds. You’ll be the envy of the campground. – The Editors
Whether tailgating at a bear jam (not recommended) or setting up basecamp at secluded Indian Creek Campground, GCI’s Master Cook Station has your kitchen covered. Popping open in a single piece, and breaking down just as easily, this bad boy features an aluminum counter top, a lower rack for storage, four plastic side tables, a telescopic lantern pole and a soft-shell sink with a collapsible drain. The side tables are fitted with conveniences as well: beverage holders for those who like to sip from stemmed wine glasses, and hooks to hang your garbage bags and cooking utensils. $120 gcioutdoor.comEvery successful camping adventure hinges on keeping bellies full and the calories coming—you don’t want anyone bonking halfway up the hike to Fairy Falls. The Camp Chef Pro 60X is your ticket to outdoor feasting, no matter the size of your clan. Add on the Deluxe Grill Box 30 for cooking the perfect burgers, dogs, or frozen Alaskan salmon you’ve been saving for a special trip—this stove can handle it all and then some. Camp Chef Pro 60X $230 | Grill Box 30 $100 campchef.comKick up your feet after a long day of cruising the geyser basins in the ultimate camp chair. With a three-position backrest, side table with built-in beverage holder and ottoman, you better call “quack-quack seat back” when you get up to flip the burgers. When you’re ready to hit your next stop, it stows easily thanks to GCI’s patent-pending folding technology, and the ottoman fits neatly in a side pocket. Food-serving offspring not included. $65 gcioutdoor.comHip look, great sound and sustainably crafted, House of Marley Bluetooth audio systems keep your campground tunes jamming until quiet hours. The Riddim BT is complete with a removable leather carrying strap, voice prompt and 10 hours of undisrupted playtime. Take the waterproof Chant Sport BT with you on a paddle around Yellowstone Lake and its eight hours of playtime will keep your favorite sounds rolling, rain or shine. Riddim BT $130 | Chant Sport BT $100 thehouseofmarley.comWhether you’re on a pit-stop picnic or staying for the night, this classic teepee-style tent is the perfect shelter for a game of Skip-Bo or fair-weather camping. The one-pole system with fast feet makes setup a breeze, and the three rollback window flaps and a hi-low ventilation design keep the outdoor elements in your control. Employ the two storage pockets to ensure your kids’ beloved micro machines won’t get left behind in the Yellowstone sagebrush. $120 wenzelco.comJELT BELT Snap on a Bozeman-made Jelt Belt for your days spent adventuring in the park. Whether touring the geysers on bicycle, strolling the boardwalks around Mammoth Hot Springs, or hiking in the backcountry, Jelt Belt’s stretchy comfort, versatility and grip will keep your shorts up—loops or no loops. With their retro-inspired designs and a flat clasp that eliminates any unsightly buckle bulge, they’ll also keep you looking snazzy in the firelight. You can also pat yourself on the back for supporting a company that’s earned B Corp status for its socially and environmentally conscious practices. $30 jeltbelt.comLong walks to hot pots and waterfalls can wear you out, so be sure to budget some lounging time when camping in Yellowstone. The Slacker Double Hammock sets up in seconds, can accommodate you and a snuggle buddy, or provide luxurious rest for one. The soft polyester fabric won’t leave your bare skin with a lattice-pattern tattoo either, and toss on the Slacker Hammock Bug Shelter when the mosquitos invade camp. Hammock $80 | Bug Shelter $80 thermarest.comYellowstone is no Central Park—it’s a land of wild animals, raging rivers and unpredictable weather. You could spend days putting together your own survival kit or instead, pony up a few Benjamins for the Seventy2 Survival System. Designed by wilderness first responders, doctors and mountain guides, this kit will keep you alive for the first 72 hours after an emergency. Just fill the water bottle, pack a pair of shoes and add a phone charger, and you’ll be ready for anything Yellowstone throws at you. $350 unchartedsupplyco.com
