Looking for the best dispersed camping near Ralston? Here you'll find a diverse selection of places to camp, including remote dispersed camping to boondocking, and everything in-between. Each dispersed site offers quick access to one or more of Ralston's most popular destinations.
This dispersed camping area hosts five campsites with a canopy of pine and juniper surrounding the site. 16-day stay limit Water: Not available This site is not accessible to persons with mobility impairments No cell service Notes: Be prepared to store food properly. Picnic tables and bear boxes provided. However, water, Forest Service fire rings, and garbage pickup are not provided. Corrals and parking for horse trailers are available at the nearby trailhead.
The Shoshone National Forest allows dispersed camping along a mile or so of the Beartooth Highway in the Pilot Creek area. There is one large area on the south side of US 212 about 9 miles east of Cooke City which has multiple undeveloped campsites as well as a vault toilet. There are a number of additional potential campsites on both sides of the road for a mile or so. While most of these sites have “user-built” fire rings, there are no other amenities.
Camping is free in the remote areas of the Shoshone and is a great way to get away from it all.
Many people enjoy the solitude and primitive experience of camping away from developed campgrounds. Dispersed camping means there are no toilets, tables, or drinking water. Follow these guidelines to ensure these areas can be enjoyed by future generations.
Campsites must be 200 feet from trails, lakes, or wet meadows and 100 feet from streams or creeks. There is a 16 consecutive day stay limit. Any new location must be at least 5 miles from the previous location. Group size may be limited. Check with the local ranger district office for specifics in the area you want to go. Grizzly bear food storage regulations must be followed in designated grizzly bear use areas. See our Bear Safety page for more information. Dispersed camping or campfires are not allowed in the area commonly known as the North Fork Canyon and includes the area 1/2 mile on either side of the centerline of U. S. Highway 14/16/20 between the national forest boundary and the East Entrance of Yellowstone National Park. Within this special recreation corridor, all camping and campfires must be within developed recreation sites. Some areas on the Shoshone are closed and signed as such to dispersed camping due to grizzly bear activity or resource protection. Be alert to signage. Check with the local ranger district office in the area you want to be for any seasonal restrictions that may apply. Please use Leave No Trace ethics so those coming behind you will have the same pristine experience as you.
Dispersed/ backcountry camping is allowed on Bighorn Lake anywhere below the high water mark of 3640 feet elevation in undeveloped areas. Remember to pack out everything you bring in. Some dispersed camping sites might not be available during high lake elevation levels. Fires are allowed below the high water mark (3640 feet). Please check fire restrictions before going out. Dispersed/ backcountry camping is free and does not require a permit. Camping is on a first come first serve basis. No reservations will be taken.
Groups over 75 people are not allowed.
Dispersed camping is NOT allowed at trailheads, picnic sites, and fishing areas and within close proximity of campgrounds.
You need to be self-contained. No amenities are provided; such as water, restrooms or trash cans. Please pack out all your trash.
For information on occupancy and use, camping stay limits, weed free forage, visit Region 1 - Alerts & Notices (usda.gov). Travel to campsites must not create resource damage.
Travel to campsites must not create resource damage
Contact local district office for information on fire restrictions. It is your responsibility to know if fire restrictions are in effect before camping.
Be bear aware and know the food storage regulations before camping. These regulations are strictly enforced.Where can I disperse camp?
Please refer to each district's Motor Vehicle Use Map (MVUM). These maps will show which roadways allow disperse camping and it tells you the distance you are allowed to drive off the road to camp. Please note that some roads have more limitations and restrictions than others. Please consult the Motor Vehicle Use Map or call the district office for more details.
This dispersed camping area hosts five campsites with a canopy of pine and juniper surrounding the site. 16-day stay limit Water: Not available This site is not accessible to persons with mobility impairments No cell service Notes: Be prepared to store food properly. Picnic tables and bear boxes provided. However, water, Forest Service fire rings, and garbage pickup are not provided. Corrals and parking for horse trailers are available at the nearby trailhead.
The Shoshone National Forest allows dispersed camping along a mile or so of the Beartooth Highway in the Pilot Creek area. There is one large area on the south side of US 212 about 9 miles east of Cooke City which has multiple undeveloped campsites as well as a vault toilet. There are a number of additional potential campsites on both sides of the road for a mile or so. While most of these sites have “user-built” fire rings, there are no other amenities.
Camping is free in the remote areas of the Shoshone and is a great way to get away from it all.
Many people enjoy the solitude and primitive experience of camping away from developed campgrounds. Dispersed camping means there are no toilets, tables, or drinking water. Follow these guidelines to ensure these areas can be enjoyed by future generations.
Campsites must be 200 feet from trails, lakes, or wet meadows and 100 feet from streams or creeks. There is a 16 consecutive day stay limit. Any new location must be at least 5 miles from the previous location. Group size may be limited. Check with the local ranger district office for specifics in the area you want to go. Grizzly bear food storage regulations must be followed in designated grizzly bear use areas. See our Bear Safety page for more information. Dispersed camping or campfires are not allowed in the area commonly known as the North Fork Canyon and includes the area 1/2 mile on either side of the centerline of U. S. Highway 14/16/20 between the national forest boundary and the East Entrance of Yellowstone National Park. Within this special recreation corridor, all camping and campfires must be within developed recreation sites. Some areas on the Shoshone are closed and signed as such to dispersed camping due to grizzly bear activity or resource protection. Be alert to signage. Check with the local ranger district office in the area you want to be for any seasonal restrictions that may apply. Please use Leave No Trace ethics so those coming behind you will have the same pristine experience as you.
Groups over 75 people are not allowed.
Dispersed camping is NOT allowed at trailheads, picnic sites, and fishing areas and within close proximity of campgrounds.
You need to be self-contained. No amenities are provided; such as water, restrooms or trash cans. Please pack out all your trash.
For information on occupancy and use, camping stay limits, weed free forage, visit Region 1 - Alerts & Notices (usda.gov). Travel to campsites must not create resource damage.
Travel to campsites must not create resource damage
Contact local district office for information on fire restrictions. It is your responsibility to know if fire restrictions are in effect before camping.
Be bear aware and know the food storage regulations before camping. These regulations are strictly enforced.Where can I disperse camp?
Please refer to each district's Motor Vehicle Use Map (MVUM). These maps will show which roadways allow disperse camping and it tells you the distance you are allowed to drive off the road to camp. Please note that some roads have more limitations and restrictions than others. Please consult the Motor Vehicle Use Map or call the district office for more details.