Jardine Road climbs out of Gardiner on a washboard surface that gets rougher the higher you go, eventually opening onto a series of pull-offs along a National Forest road with open sightlines toward Gardiner, Mammoth Hot Springs, and Electric Peak in the distance. This is dispersed camping on Custer-Gallatin National Forest land, free and first-come, with no bathrooms, no hookups, and no ranger station nearby. The area sits just outside the north entrance to Yellowstone, making it a practical base for visitors who want proximity to the park without paying for a reservation inside it.
The pull-offs along the road vary in size and exposure. Most hold one or two rigs comfortably, and several have fire rings positioned close to the roadside. Reviewers consistently note that the spots get occupied fast, even on weekday evenings, with one camper counting more than ten occupied sites on a Monday night. "No amenities, just the view and personal space," notes Aaron A., who accessed the area via the forest service road just past Eagle Creek Campground. A few sites sit slightly off the road and offer more seclusion if you take the time to look.
Wildlife is a real consideration here. A posted sign near the lower camping boundary warns of high grizzly activity, and elk sightings along the access road are common. Cell service is unreliable to nonexistent at most spots. One camper reached a small creek and used the area as a multi-day base for hiking, including a six-mile round trip to a lake, though specific trailhead details are not well documented in reviews.
Navigation deserves attention before you go. Coordinates listed on some mapping apps have sent campers to private driveways rather than the dispersed area. The most consistent directions from reviewers: take Jardine Road out of Gardiner, pass Eagle Creek Campground, turn left onto the forest service road, and drive several miles until the no-camping signs stop. Jardine Road Dispersed — Gallatin NF covers adjacent terrain and may offer additional context for route planning. Trash left behind at sites has been noted repeatedly, so pack out everything you bring in, and come prepared for waste disposal with no facilities on site.
RV Road Trip Guides
Map & DirectionsCuster-Gallatin National Forest Dispersed Camping is located in Montana near Gardiner
Coordinates
45.05160686 N
110.65806967 W
Connectivity
T-MobileNo Coverage
VerizonLTESome CoverageVerified by 2 usersLast on 8/1/26- AT&TNo CoverageVerified by 1 userLast on 4/2/26
Connectivity
- T-MobileNo Coverage
- VerizonLTESome CoverageVerified by 2 usersLast on 8/1/26
- AT&TNo CoverageVerified by 1 userLast on 4/2/26
Access
- Drive-InPark next to your site
- Walk-InPark in a lot, walk to your site.
Site Types
- Tent Sites
- Dispersed
Features
For Campers
- Firewood Available
- Phone Service
- Reservable
- Alcohol
- Pets
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 Custer-Gallatin National Forest Dispersed Camping needs a permit.
Drive Time
- 1 hr 22 min from Bozeman, MT
- 2 hrs 41 min from Billings, MT
- 2 hrs 46 min from Helena, MT
- 4 hrs 36 min from Idaho Falls, ID
