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Facilities
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Signs & Maps

Established Camping

Cascade Campground-Custer National Forest

Cascade Campground, near Red Lodge, Montana, is a fantastic spot for those looking to immerse themselves in nature without the distractions of modern life. With its basic yet comfortable sites, you’ll find a peaceful retreat right by the Clark Fork River, perfect for relaxing or enjoying a good book.

This campground is all about the great outdoors, featuring clean vault toilets and hand-pumped fresh water. Campers have noted the beauty of the area, with large, private sites that offer a chance to spot wildlife like moose and deer right from your campsite. One visitor mentioned, “You’re just left in awe of your surroundings,” which sums up the experience pretty well.

For adventure seekers, there’s a hiking trail nearby that leads to a stunning waterfall, making it a great way to spend your day. Just remember, this is bear country, so be sure to use the provided bear boxes to keep your food safe. The dirt road leading in can be a bit rough, but it’s manageable if you take it slow.

With no cell service to distract you, this campground is ideal for those wanting to disconnect and enjoy the natural beauty of Custer Gallatin National Forest. Whether you’re pitching a tent or parking your RV, Cascade Campground offers a refreshing escape into the wild.

Description

USDA Forest Service

Custer Gallatin National Forest

Overview

Cascade Campground is located 11 miles west of Red Lodge, in southern Montana. It conveniently sits along Forest Road 2071, which is paved for most of the route. The area is a popular location for hiking, backpacking and fishing.

Recreation

Fishing is a popular activity along the West Fork of Rock Creek and at nearby Wild Bill Lake. The small lake is open to kayaking and canoeing, and an accessible fishing dock is located on the shore. The Basin Lakes Trailhead is three miles away, across the road from Basin Campground. Silver Run Plateau, West Fork and Timberline Lakes trails offer access to the Absaroka-Beartooth Wilderness. Mountain bikers enjoy the Ingles Creek Trail and a variety of loop trails at Silver Run. Biking is also allowed on the Basin Lakes Trail.

Facilities

Fishing is a popular activity along the West Fork of Rock Creek and at nearby Wild Bill Lake. The small lake is open to kayaking and canoeing, and an accessible fishing dock is located on the shore. The Basin Lakes Trailhead is three miles away, across the road from Basin Campground. Silver Run Plateau, West Fork and Timberline Lakes trails offer access to the Absaroka-Beartooth Wilderness. Mountain bikers enjoy the Ingles Creek Trail and a variety of loop trails at Silver Run. Biking is also allowed on the Basin Lakes Trail.

Natural Features

The campground is situated on the banks of the West Fork of Rock Creek. The area surrounding the campground was burned by the Cascade Fire in 2008, which left many open glades with abundant wildflowers.

Nearby Attractions

The charming town of Red Lodge, Mont., offers a variety of dining and lodging options, galleries, shops and annual summer events. The Home of Champions Rodeo is held on the Fourth of July weekend, Beartooth Bike Rally and Iron Horse Rodeo take place in mid-July, the Mountain Man Rendezvous is in late July and the Festival of Nations happens in early August. The Beartooth Highway was deemed "the most beautiful drive in America," by the late Charles Kuralt. It snakes across the rugged Beartooth Mountains from Red Lodge to Cooke City. It is the highest elevation highway in the Northern Rockies. Along the way, visitors are treated to sweeping views and plentiful opportunities for outdoor recreation.

contact_info

For facility specific information, please call (928) 537-8888.

Charges & Cancellations

Refunds: Refund requests made through www.recreation.gov will be charged a $10 processing fee. This cancellation processing fee is retained by the reservation service contractor along with the non-refundable reservation fee. All requests for the return of the non-refundable reservation fee and the cancellation processing fee will be declined by the campground concessionaire as they did not receive these fees (these are the fees retained by the reservation contractor, a different entity).

Fee Info

The first vehicle is included in the basic fee; A second will be charged an extra $10 fee and collected at the campground, if your site will accomodate it.<br><br><br>Firewood bundles can be purchased from the campground host.

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Location

Cascade Campground-Custer National Forest is located in Montana

Detail location of campground

Directions

From U.S. Highway 212, go to the south end of Red Lodge. Turn west onto West Fork Rock Creek Road (Forest Road 2071) and travel 11 miles west. The campground is on the left.

Address

FOREST ROAD 2071
Red lodge, MT 59068

Coordinates

45.1733333 N
109.4508333 W

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Access

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

Stay Connected

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

Site Types

  • Tent Sites
  • RV Sites
  • Standard (Tent/RV)

Features

For Campers

  • Trash
  • Picnic Table
  • Firewood Available
  • Reservable
  • Drinking Water
  • Toilets
  • Pets
  • Fires

Drive Time


Reviews

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5 Reviews

Reviewed Sep. 18, 2021

This is why we camp

We love to be off the beaten path. Right off MT- 135. It is a one way road. Entrance on one end and exit on the other. The road is dirt, so go slow. There is a little road noise, but it wasn't enough to bother us. The Clark Fork River is right across the main road. A beautiful drive to get to the CG and the sites were basic. Vault toilets. Hand pump frest water.We didn't have cell (AT&T), but that's just fine with me. This is bear country, so be bear aware. Bear boxes provided. There is a hiking trail up to a waterfalls.

Month of VisitAugust
Reviewed Jul. 30, 2021

Cascade

Beautiful campground. Large private sites with many right on the River. Bathrooms were clean. We saw a moose and deer right from the campground. Took off one star for the dirt road coming in, it was pretty rough but ok with the trailer as long as you went slow.

Site25
Month of VisitJuly
  • Review photo of Cascade Campground-Custer National Forest by Scott B., July 30, 2021
  • Review photo of Cascade Campground-Custer National Forest by Scott B., July 30, 2021
  • Review photo of Cascade Campground-Custer National Forest by Scott B., July 30, 2021
  • (4) View All
Reviewed Aug. 31, 2020

Pretty place

This was a pretty nice area beside the stream. The water is super cold if you want to try to grab a bath. The sites are a little more open for my liking, but it wasn’t too bad. The host was a little grumpy when we first pulled in, but seemed to be a little more nice in the morning.

  • Review photo of Cascade Campground-Custer National Forest by Timothy , August 31, 2020
  • Review photo of Cascade Campground-Custer National Forest by Timothy , August 31, 2020
  • Review photo of Cascade Campground-Custer National Forest by Timothy , August 31, 2020
  • (4) View All
Reviewed Jun. 11, 2020

A Very Special Something

This locale epitomizes wild and scenic:  that endless Montana stratosphere, an exited mountain river, a dark and humongous mountain range (that people are still skiing on in June), low traffic from a dirt road (as people pull off at Basin Campground before they get here), great hiking all over the place and a nice bit of differentiation between the individual campsites. There are 30 sites total, so it feels like a combo of seclusion and community. You’re just left in awe of your surroundings. My little Prius made it down the dirt road fine - so so glad it did. And if you get a site like #14, consider this a 5 star plus.

Month of VisitJune
  • Review photo of Cascade Campground-Custer National Forest by Bjorn S., June 11, 2020
  • Review photo of Cascade Campground-Custer National Forest by Bjorn S., June 11, 2020
  • Review photo of Cascade Campground-Custer National Forest by Bjorn S., June 11, 2020
  • (12) View All
Reviewed Aug. 12, 2019

Wonderful Surprise

The wife and I were here in summer 2018 and my what a treat it was. This campsite sits in a beautiful valley. Bearbox included along with bathrooms. You can collect your own firewood. Up the road is a fantastic scenic trail. I would absolutely be here again in the future.

  • Review photo of Cascade Campground-Custer National Forest by Tristan D., August 12, 2019

Frequently Asked Questions

  • How much does it cost to camp at Cascade Campground-Custer National Forest?

    Camping at Cascade Campground-Custer National Forest can cost between $18.00 and $33.97 depending on the site.

  • What is the elevation of Cascade Campground-Custer National Forest?

    Cascade Campground-Custer National Forest is located at 7534 feet.

  • What is the max vehicle length at Cascade Campground-Custer National Forest?

    Cascade Campground-Custer National Forest allows vehicles up to 40 feet.

  • Are fires allowed at Cascade Campground-Custer National Forest?

    Yes, according to campers on TheDyrt.com, fires are allowed at Cascade Campground-Custer National Forest, although make sure to check current fire restrictions in the area.

  • Does Cascade Campground-Custer National Forest have wifi?

    No, according to campers on TheDyrt.com, Cascade Campground-Custer National Forest does not have wifi.

  • How hard is it to get a campsite at Cascade Campground-Custer National Forest?

    Some campers book as far as 6 months in advance, so on high-demand weekends it can be very difficult to get a campsite at Cascade Campground-Custer National Forest. If you want to get a last-minute campsite at Cascade Campground-Custer National Forest, try setting up a text message Alert atTheDyrt.com/alerts

  • Why is it so hard to get a campsite at Cascade Campground-Custer National Forest?

    There are 31 campsites at Cascade Campground-Custer National Forest and over 80 million Americans who camp! Try snagging a cancellation by setting up a text message Alert atTheDyrt.com/alerts