The Dyrt is here to help plan your best camping near Shawmut. Shawmut is filled with the activities, sights, and experiences to make everyone in your crew a happy camper. At The Dyrt, campers like you share their favorite spots, plus tips and photos. No matter where you're headed in Shawmut, you'll find the best spot for you and your camping crew.
$5 - $18 / night
$20 / night
Accessibility is not guaranteed, always scout ahead before driving down dirt roads. Learn more: https://www.campendium.com/camping/boondocking-101/
Map: https://www.blm.gov/sites/blm.gov/files/Acton_GeoRef_2019.pdf Located approximately 18 miles north of Billings, the Acton Recreation Area consists of an extremely diverse landscape. With Cretaceous Age upland bluffs of Eagle sandstone, minor badlands, steep drainages, weathered shale, and scattered ponderosa pine, this 3,800 acre parcel of land allows for many wildlife viewing opportunities. Open to camping, hiking, horseback riding, mountain biking, and hunting (during season), Acton provides multiple possibilities for use year-round. About 6.6 miles of mapped roads are open for motorized use. The Acton Recreation Area is located within the Hoskins Basin Archaeological District, an area containing the remains of both conical and cribbed aboriginal wooden dwellings. Both types are increasing rarities on the northwest plains. Reports of early explorers indicated that dwellings of this type were once common. Due to loss through natural causes (weathering, floods, and fire), many of the structures have been lost. Their use for firewood and fence posts account for other losses. Distribution of the both the cribbed and conical dwellings is quite limited. The cribbed type is reported to have been spotted only from south-central Montana to northern Wyoming. The conical types have a wider range but are not as common in southcentral Montana as the cribbed. Only a limited number of these dwellings are known to exist. Sites with both types represented are fewer still. No off-road motorized vehicle use is permitted to protect the archaeological sites and wildlife habitat.
Crystal Lake Campground located on Crystal Lake in the shadow of Mt. Harlow at an elevation of 5,700 feet. The camp is situated in a delightfully thick stand of spruce. The 28 campsites are large, secluded and widely spaced. The campground is attractive with several hiking trails and a picturesque lake, well suited for canoeing. Bring a tube, raft or canoe. This is an excellent family campground not only because of the lake, but also the large network of trails.
A campground in the east crazy mountains on the__Yellowstone District.__Camp sites: 12Maps: Halfmoon Campground Map (527 KB)Accessible Facilities:Toilet6 SitesTrash Pickup: NoFirewood: NoNo Reservations:This campground does not use a reservation system, it is managed on a first-come, first-served basis. Be aware the campground may fill up on weekends & holidays during the summer months and you should arrive in the early afternoon to ensure there is a space available for the night.Information:Livingston Office5242 Hwy 89.Livingston, MT 59047(406) 222-1892
The Crystal Lake Group Campground is located in the beautiful Big Snowies south of Lewistown, Montana, at 5,700 feet. Home to the Crystal Lake recreation area, visitors enjoy hiking and fishing in the Snowies.
The lake provides opportunities for swimming, fishing and canoeing. The various trails that stem from the Crystal Lake complex provide excellent views and interesting photo opportunities. One trail displays old hieroglyphs in a cave allowing visitors a glimpse of the past.
The lake provides opportunities for swimming, fishing and canoeing. The various trails that stem from the Crystal Lake complex provide excellent views and interesting photo opportunities. One trail displays old hieroglyphs in a cave allowing visitors a glimpse of the past.
Settled in the basin of Crystal Lake, the group site offers great access to trails and ta short drive or walk to the lake. Some trees are around the campsite but may not offer much shade.
Ice Caves Trail, Cascade Trails and the lake are all located in the complex.
$40 / night
Located only 4 miles from Highway 12, Spring Creek Campground is easily accessible. The 10 campsites are in a lush riparian zone along Spring Creek. Campers can wade in the creek, or fish Spring Creek Campground can only accommodate a maximum trailer length of 35 feet, and is not recommended for campers with large RVs. The campground is usually open from May through the middle of fall.An ATV trailhead in the campground connects to a non-motorized trail with sweeping views of the surrounding mountain ranges.All campgrounds on the Helena-Lewis and Clark National Forest are first-come, first-served. Reservations are not available. Camping is limited to 16 consecutive days in one location. A campground fee is required. Please pay at the self-serve campground fee station. Campsites cannot be reserved by simply paying for the site; camper must be present. A food storage order is in effect from March 1st to December 1st to prevent human-bear conflicts on the Helena-Lewis and Clark National Forest. Store all unattended food and attractants properly. Please see Food Storage Order for specifics. Open and close dates can vary depending on snowfall conditions. Please call the local district office or check our website. Leashed dogs are welcome. Horses are not allowed in campgrounds. Motorized OHVs must stay on the campground road. The campgrounds include access to potable water during the warmer months, and all have at least one handicap accessible vault toilet. Each campsite has a fire ring and/or grill, and a picnic table. Even if water is unavailable, campground fees are still required.
Accessibility is not guaranteed, always scout ahead before driving down dirt roads. Learn more: https://www.campendium.com/camping/boondocking-101/
Map: https://www.blm.gov/sites/blm.gov/files/Acton_GeoRef_2019.pdf Located approximately 18 miles north of Billings, the Acton Recreation Area consists of an extremely diverse landscape. With Cretaceous Age upland bluffs of Eagle sandstone, minor badlands, steep drainages, weathered shale, and scattered ponderosa pine, this 3,800 acre parcel of land allows for many wildlife viewing opportunities. Open to camping, hiking, horseback riding, mountain biking, and hunting (during season), Acton provides multiple possibilities for use year-round. About 6.6 miles of mapped roads are open for motorized use. The Acton Recreation Area is located within the Hoskins Basin Archaeological District, an area containing the remains of both conical and cribbed aboriginal wooden dwellings. Both types are increasing rarities on the northwest plains. Reports of early explorers indicated that dwellings of this type were once common. Due to loss through natural causes (weathering, floods, and fire), many of the structures have been lost. Their use for firewood and fence posts account for other losses. Distribution of the both the cribbed and conical dwellings is quite limited. The cribbed type is reported to have been spotted only from south-central Montana to northern Wyoming. The conical types have a wider range but are not as common in southcentral Montana as the cribbed. Only a limited number of these dwellings are known to exist. Sites with both types represented are fewer still. No off-road motorized vehicle use is permitted to protect the archaeological sites and wildlife habitat.
Scout
Great place to pull off to get some rest at drive up campsites. The road right before getting to the park was washboard like (late Sept. 2024). Can drive quite a ways down but make sure your vehicle has Clearance cause the dirt road gets rough.
Scout
Easy to find off of I90. Nice clean and safe place. Once the rafters and fisherman rolled out in the evening it was peaceful. Will return.
Guide
Worth the drive, had great scenery and a vault toilet. I checked out the first couple groups of sites with my Subaru Crosstrek pulling a square drop trailer without issue. About half the sites were available just before sun down, didn't have an issue picking a great spot for the night. Some cool trails to walk the dog and bike leading from the area. Cool little place to stay.
Traveler
Windy, free range cattle, no trees but beautiful.
TravelerGreat spot short drive into Billing’s but in the countryside
TravelerPretty nice spot. A few spots were open. Need 4x4 to get down road all the way down, but few spots before it gets rough. Got there late and there was a few spots left. Overlooks a ridge line. Spots have firepits and picnic tables. Bring wood. Awesome spot and definitely recommend.
Guide
We called last minute for an overnight and there was one spot left. We were welcomed and taken care of even arriving after hours. Nice pull through sites, clean bathrooms and showers, (laundry too, although we did not use this stop), and a nice area with horse shoes and another toss game. Trains can be heard occasionally while outside but inside with our fan running we never heard them.
RangerBeautiful location with several spots. All have fire pits but picnic tables are in bad shape. Going to sleep with sound of Rushing Water 20 ft away from me. Good cell reception on T-Mobile but no trash, water or power hookups. However, only 3 mi from Big Timber and very easy to get here. Beautiful, almost unbeatable spot.
LegendPlenty of room. A few special spots. Beautiful views on the river.
TravelerCampground is what is described; a field where you can choose where you want to set up. Nice and clean pit toilet and looks like a good boat launch. Beware if you are close to the eastern (close to the double-barbed wires fence), the irrigation sprinklers turned on around 1030pm…would have been unfortunate if I was tenting.
Traveler
Other than BNSF it’s a real cool stop over spot for a day or two
TravelerBeautiful camping area well maintained would expect it to be an actual fee Campground but it's disbursement. Each site has a picnic table and barbecue ring. Only bathrooms are at the entrance so bring your own. AT&t has decent signal
GuideOne of the nicest BLMs if that’s what’s called. 30 min from Billings, easy access, nice gravel even road, well marked entrance and even leveled sites. We got some screaming teenagers passing in the car but soon they stopped. We had a restful night to continue our roadtrip.
Traveler
Full hookups available. Basically, downtown in a population 96 town of 4 blocks. Showers laundry available. Biggest attraction for us was a very nice and friendly little bar in easy walking distance. If you have a quarter, you can hamme r it in the wall at the bar and sign your name.
Traveler
Very nice ladies at the office/store. Little creek runs alone one side, tall pine trees…just a nice feel to the campground. The showers had plenty of hot water and great water pressure. It was nice that they have a little off leash enclosed dog run. Just right for our 1 year old puppy. Saw kids enjoying the huge bouncy “platform”. We have this on the list to come back if we journey this way again.
Scout
Nice and friendly management. Easy access from Hwy. both back in and drive through sites. Full hookups.
ScoutPost says no permit required, but signage and website requires permit.
https://www.visitmt.com/listings/general/fishing-access-site/otter-creek-fishing-access-site
Guide
Well maintained. Pay per camp
ScoutRolled up to Billings and needed a place to post up for the night. A quick 30 minutes and I made it to Acton. Lots of cool spots to camp, great view as I was able to back right up to a ledge. Some nice trails which were fun to crawl around.
Guide10 spots full hook up
Guide
Not sure this is an actual campsite
GuideThe Google map directed me to the park. I couldn't see how to park nor could I determine if it was pay to stay
Guide
Quiet. Close to the musselshell river. Some town traffic. Non camping traffic.
LegendWe followed our RV GPS right to the campground (CG), which is a favorite of ours for a two-night stay. Check-in was quick and easy. We proceeded to Deluxe River site 18 with 30 AMP and water. You can angle the rig in as you want to get set up on the wide pad area. The utilities were in the middle of the gravel pad, and we could park where our 9’ patio could come out to enjoy the gorgeous view of the river. They have free WiFi, but it was not very fast, and we used our Starlink. There are mature trees here, but we got a clear shot north for Starlink. We got 3 bars on Verizon. The water pressure was okay. Talking to our next-door neighbors, who have stayed here over the years, this CG is under new management by a couple who also owned a KOA in Billings. There are already changes, such as getting rid of the cabins and putting in some new FHU sites. There may be plans for new cabins in the future. We also noticed that from staying here in September 2019, the ponds are now state-stocked, and you need a Montana fishing license following regular fishing regulations versus no-license pay for the trout you catch. They also have a military and senior discount, but this wasn't mentioned/given when we made our reservations online. We mentioned it to the lady who checked us in, but she didn't offer to refund us the discount like other CG's have done in the past. There is no dog park, but there’s plenty of area to walk your dog. Someday we are going to plan a longer than two-day stay so we can further explore the area and fly fish the river.
Guide
2 different amounts written on the board so I had no idea what the overnight charge was.
GuideCurrently rooftop tent camping all over Montana had stopped here for the night ran into a guy and was told this was the Last river that does not have dams and that the locals are fighting to keep it that way
GuideThe campground was nice, typical KOA experience, which is good. Downside is spots are close together and LOTS of freeway noise
Camping near Shawmut, Montana, offers a mix of beautiful landscapes and friendly campgrounds. Whether you're looking for a quick overnight stay or a longer adventure, there are plenty of options to explore.
Camping near Shawmut, Montana, has something for everyone, from families to RV enthusiasts. Enjoy the great outdoors and make some lasting memories!
Frequently Asked Questions
What camping is available near Shawmut, MT?
According to TheDyrt.com, Shawmut, MT offers a wide range of camping options, with 44 campgrounds and RV parks near Shawmut, MT and 6 free dispersed camping spots.
Which is the most popular campground near Shawmut, MT?
According to TheDyrt.com, the most popular campground near Shawmut, MT is Deadmans Basin with a 4.3-star rating from 7 reviews.
Where can I find free dispersed camping near Shawmut, MT?
According to TheDyrt.com, there are 6 free dispersed camping spots near Shawmut, MT.
What parks are near Shawmut, MT?
According to TheDyrt.com, there are 7 parks near Shawmut, MT that allow camping, notably Gallatin National Forest and Canyon Ferry Lake.
