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Camping

Free Camping Collection

Dispersed Camping

Acton Recreation Area

Acton Recreation Area, near Billings, Montana, is a fantastic spot for those looking to escape the hustle and bustle. This location offers a mix of beautiful scenery and a peaceful atmosphere, making it a great choice for a quiet getaway.

The area features spacious sites equipped with picnic tables and fire rings, perfect for evening campfires and stargazing. Visitors have noted that the sites are well-kept, and many appreciate the vault toilet available at the entrance. As one camper put it, “Each site has a picnic table and barbecue ring,” which adds to the convenience of your stay.

For those who enjoy outdoor activities, there are some cool trails nearby for walking or biking, making it easy to explore the natural beauty of the area. The access road can be a bit bumpy, but it’s worth it for the stunning views and the chance to unwind in a less crowded environment.

While you won't find amenities like drinking water or electric hookups here, the freedom to camp without reservations and the allowance for pets make it a popular choice among campers. Just remember to bring your own firewood and be prepared for some mosquitoes if you visit in the warmer months. Whether you're passing through or planning a longer stay, Acton Recreation Area is a solid pick for a laid-back camping experience.

Description

Bureau of Land Management

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.

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Location

Acton Recreation Area is located in Montana

Detail location of campground

Directions

Take Highway 3 north past the town of Acton. Take a right onto Oswald Road, which is located between mile marker 18 and 19. Continue 6.5 miles until Haeg Road and take a right. About 2.5 miles farther is the parking lot and entrance to the Acton Recreation Area.

Coordinates

46.04232432 N
108.66066182 W

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Access

  • Drive-In
    Park next to your site
  • Walk-In
    Park in a lot, walk to your site.

Stay Connected

  • WiFi
    Available
  • Verizon
    Good
  • AT&T
    Available
  • T-Mobile
    Good

Site Types

  • Dispersed

Features

For Campers

  • Picnic Table
  • Firewood Available
  • Phone Service
  • Toilets
  • Alcohol
  • Pets
  • Fires

For Vehicles

  • Pull-Through Sites
  • Big Rig Friendly

DISPERSED CAMPING

Enjoy dispersed camping on government land and leave no trace. Pack in and pack out. No (or limited) services at this camping area. Permit may be required.


PERMIT might be REQUIRED

We curate permit requirements across the US for our PRO members. Try PRO to see if Acton Recreation Area needs a permit.

Drive Time


Reviews

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17 Reviews

Reviewed Jul. 23, 2024

A little out of the way but beautiful and quiet

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.

Month of VisitJune
Reviewed Jul. 8, 2024

Great spot!!!!

Pretty 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.

Month of VisitJuly
  • Review photo of Acton Recreation Area by mark W., July 8, 2024
  • Review photo of Acton Recreation Area by mark W., July 8, 2024
  • Review photo of Acton Recreation Area by mark W., July 8, 2024
  • (4) View All
Reviewed Jun. 5, 2024

Excellent for disbursement camping

Beautiful 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

Sitenot numbered
Month of VisitJune
  • Review photo of Acton Recreation Area by Starla R., June 5, 2024
  • Review photo of Acton Recreation Area by Starla R., June 5, 2024
Reviewed Jun. 5, 2024

Fabulous free overnight spot close to billings

One 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.

Month of VisitApril
  • Review photo of Acton Recreation Area by Wild Berries B., June 5, 2024
  • Review photo of Acton Recreation Area by Wild Berries B., June 5, 2024
Reviewed Dec. 6, 2023

Great truck camping & overlanding

Rolled 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.

Month of VisitDecember
  • Review photo of Acton Recreation Area by AJ C., December 6, 2023
  • Review photo of Acton Recreation Area by AJ C., December 6, 2023
Reviewed Aug. 2, 2023

Bumpy road

Smokey view of sage brush. Extremely bumpy graded road to get here for over 6 miles. Couldn’t go faster then 15 mph. Campsites well kept with fire ring and picnic tables. Fine for one night . Put toilet at entrance by day use area.

Sitedispersed
Month of VisitAugust
Reviewed Jun. 29, 2023

Mosquitoes

Got swarmed by mosquitoes. Made putting up and taking down the tent terrible. Bring bug spray or stay in a vehicle/ rv if camping here in June. Could be from all the flooding, but it was dry when we got there.

Month of VisitJune
Reviewed Jun. 21, 2023

Off the path

Was better and bigger then expected, camp up top the first 1-2 sections if not have a truck/high suspension for the dirt road further down. Excellent place too take 21 speed mountain bike too. The bathroom near entrance so camp first section if need that daily for easy walk to it. Took my 3 kids and had a great time for 2 days.

Sitestay at 3rd site/section further down with my 4 wheel drive truck.
Month of VisitJune
  • Review photo of Acton Recreation Area by Dav , June 21, 2023
  • Review photo of Acton Recreation Area by Dav , June 21, 2023
  • Review photo of Acton Recreation Area by Dav , June 21, 2023
  • (8) View All
Reviewed May. 3, 2023

hidden gem

Needed a spot to stay for the night and settled on coming here. wonderful views and relatively private spots compared to some areas. I was also pleasantly surprised to find an array of sweet mtb trails so my quick stop for the night turned into an actual noteworthy experience. Will definitely return

  • Review photo of Acton Recreation Area by Kenneth , May 3, 2023
Reviewed Jan. 14, 2023

Really Nice!

So yes, the road leading to it is very washboard but stick with it! The views and trails are worth it. The wind does pick up at night so do stake out your tents fully!

Sitelast on the right before the gravel ends.
Month of VisitJanuary
  • Review photo of Acton Recreation Area by Daniel S., January 14, 2023
  • Review photo of Acton Recreation Area by Daniel S., January 14, 2023
Reviewed Aug. 22, 2022

Middle of nowhere oasis

We needed a quick place for the night on our cross country travels. We came across this spot on the Dyrt . Best part ? Free!! Let’s talk about the way there. We went thru Billings & it’s about 20 miles outside of the city. It’s mostly smooth sailing until you get to the gravel roads . Yikes ! We were towing a travel trailer & we were a shake, rattlin & rollin! Boy oh boy! I was a little worried. But once we got there, my nerves were put to rest . As you travel thru miles & miles off flat , farmland- it does not look like this place would be anywhere out here but boom! It suddenly appears & the landscape shifts . It’s a ways off the beaten path for sure ! And that’s fabulous! There are some spots right as you roll in but we went a touch further & found a primo spot nestled in the trees. There were some other campers but not anywhere close enough to feel like you have company. Some sites have trees & some are a touch more open . The sites are huge , well kept & most have a fire pit/ring & a picnic table. There are pretty decent bathrooms as you’re entering the grounds too. Be aware that At one point the gravel road thru the grounds ends and turns to a dirt road. A very very narrow one. If you’re tempted to go further down this road, don’t bother . There aren’t really any sites, just a few that might be & the road is anxiety inducing if you’re towing anything! If your mountain biking though, it’s pretty primo territory! The winds got pretty gnarly at night but it made for a cozy night in the camper. It’s quiet as can be out here & the stars are plenty. The views are spectacular too ! Pull up a rock , have a seat & sip a hot morning beverage under a beautiful blue sky . Just do it - it’s worth the voyage !

Month of VisitAugust
  • Review photo of Acton Recreation Area by PJ F., August 22, 2022
  • Review photo of Acton Recreation Area by PJ F., August 22, 2022
  • Review photo of Acton Recreation Area by PJ F., August 22, 2022
  • (10) View All
Reviewed Aug. 9, 2022

Quiet, Secluded, Pretty views!

Loved this campsite. A bit out of the way from the highway but worth it. About 6 spots, the first 4 are huddled in a circle but we drove further down the rough road and found a secluded spot far from the others. Some trash at the site which was sad to see, remember to leave no trace! Great quiet night except for the cows!

Month of VisitAugust
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  • Review photo of Acton Recreation Area by Alyson M., August 9, 2022
  • Review photo of Acton Recreation Area by Alyson M., August 9, 2022
Reviewed Aug. 7, 2022

Acton Recreation Area

Beautiful little spot about 25 miles north of Billings MT. Trails for biking and hiking. Fairly quiet and not to crowded. Just a bit windy at times.

Siteno designated numbers
Month of VisitAugust
Reviewed Nov. 29, 2021

One night stay

Nice open campsites, but glass everywhere. We stayed at one of the first sites and found gladd scattered throughout the site. We were only staying for one night so we didn't bother looking at others. The site had amazing views. It was very quiet and peaceful.

Month of VisitNovember
  • Review photo of Acton Recreation Area by vicki , November 29, 2021
  • Review photo of Acton Recreation Area by vicki , November 29, 2021
  • Review photo of Acton Recreation Area by vicki , November 29, 2021
  • (6) View All
Reviewed Oct. 30, 2021

Beautifully quiet

Went just past the vault toilets before the road turned to dirt as I knew it was supposed to rain. Lots of open campsites with picnic tables, fire pits and great views. It was super quiet and cozy. Heard some coyotes over night and saw some hunters in the morning

Month of VisitOctober
  • Review photo of Acton Recreation Area by Jennifer , October 30, 2021
  • Review photo of Acton Recreation Area by Jennifer , October 30, 2021
  • Review photo of Acton Recreation Area by Jennifer , October 30, 2021
  • (7) View All
Reviewed Sep. 23, 2021

10/10 an Incredible Location

This campsite is awesome. The gravel road in is great except the last two miles offer quite a bit of turbulence. When you get in you are greeted with gorgeous, large campsites, for any size rig. Each campsite has a fire ring (fire permitting) and a picnic table as well as ample space to spread out. It’s truly gorgeous.

Month of VisitSeptember
  • Review photo of Acton Recreation Area by Alexandra T., September 23, 2021
  • road to camping
    Play button icon
  • Review photo of Acton Recreation Area by Alexandra T., September 23, 2021
Reviewed Feb. 28, 2021

Great horseback, hiking & bicycle trails

This is one of my favorite local riding spots. The trails are well used and vary from flat and easy to moderately difficult. Lots of bicyclers on the trails. There are some camping spots.

  • Review photo of Acton Recreation Area by Kathi F., February 28, 2021
  • Review photo of Acton Recreation Area by Kathi F., February 28, 2021
  • Review photo of Acton Recreation Area by Kathi F., February 28, 2021

Frequently Asked Questions

  • Are fires allowed at Acton Recreation Area?

    Yes, according to campers on TheDyrt.com, fires are allowed at Acton Recreation Area, although make sure to check current fire restrictions in the area.

  • Does Acton Recreation Area have wifi?

    No, according to campers on TheDyrt.com, Acton Recreation Area does not have wifi.

  • Is there cell phone reception at Acton Recreation Area?

    According to campers on TheDyrt.com, Verizon signal is good, AT&T is available, and T-Mobile is good.