Gallatin National Forest's dispersed camping along the Lady of the Lake Trail on Lulu Pass sits just outside Cooke City, giving campers a backcountry feel with relatively straightforward access. Sites are scattered along the trail rather than clustered together, which means neighbors are rarely within earshot. Nights run cold, even in August, so extra layers are worth packing regardless of the forecast.
The road in starts as gravel but turns rough and rocky higher up. At least one visitor had difficulty locating a site after driving all the way to the top crossroad, so arriving earlier in the day gives more time to scout. Those who find a good spot tend to stay longer than planned. Views of the surrounding mountains are open from much of the area, and wildlife sightings are common. Moose, deer, and grizzly bears have all been reported near the trail, so standard bear country protocols apply.
Colter Campground sits about 0.4 miles east for campers who want a more developed alternative, and Soda Butte Campground is roughly 0.7 miles southwest. As Henry W. puts it, this is "an easy close to Yellowstone campsite with good views." Campers who can handle a rougher drive and want dispersed sites with some separation from the developed campground scene will find this stretch of Lulu Pass worth the scouting effort.
RV Road Trip Guides
Map & DirectionsLady of the Lake Trail on Lulu Pass is located in Montana near Cooke City
Dispersed CampingCoordinates
45.02985037 N
109.9011882 W
Connectivity
T-MobileNo Coverage- VerizonNo Coverage
- AT&TNo CoverageVerified by 6 usersLast on 5/16/26
Connectivity
- T-MobileNo Coverage
- VerizonNo Coverage
- AT&TNo CoverageVerified by 6 usersLast on 5/16/26
Access
- Drive-InPark next to your site
- Walk-InPark in a lot, walk to your site.
Site Types
- Tent Sites
- Dispersed
- Group
Features
For Campers
- Alcohol
- Pets
- Fires
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 Lady of the Lake Trail on Lulu Pass needs a permit.
Drive Time
- 2 hrs 57 min from Bozeman, MT
- 4 hrs 17 min from Billings, MT
- 4 hrs 21 min from Helena, MT
- 6 hrs 12 min from Idaho Falls, ID
