Map showing campground location near Cowley, Montana

Camper submitted image from Trail Creek/Barrys Landing - Bighorn Canyon National Rec Area

Trail Creek/Barrys Landing - Bighorn Canyon National Rec Area

SUMMARY PRESENTED BY

Bighorn Canyon National Recreation Area, managed by the National Park Service, includes this campground just uphill from a reservoir boat launch on the Montana side of the canyon. The setup draws a mix of boaters, anglers, and campers who come specifically for water access, and the sites are laid out in three separate sections, which gives groups some natural spacing even on busier weekends. Cell signal is nonexistent here. That absence tends to filter the crowd toward campers who are deliberately looking to disconnect.

Each site includes a fire ring, picnic table, lantern hanger, and bear box. Two sets of pit toilets serve the campground, and sites 1 through 3 have access to a covered pavilion. The sites sit near a creek with some tree cover, and reviewers consistently note the campground stays clean. At around $10 per site with no utilities, it runs on the affordable end for a National Park Service facility. RVs are limited to 20 feet.

Samantha L. sums up the experience as "clean camping areas without any frills," which fits the campground's character well. Hikers have access to trails within the broader recreation area, and the canyon's cliff walls and valley floor are visible from multiple points around camp. Nearby options within the same corridor include Medicine Creek Campground — Bighorn Canyon National Recreation Area for those wanting to compare sites before committing. Campers who appreciate low-key, water-adjacent camping with reliable basic amenities will find this a solid base for a few nights in the canyon.

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Map & DirectionsTrail Creek/Barrys Landing is located in Montana near Cowley

Public Campground

Coordinates

45.10317029 N
108.22210036 W

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Access

Drive-In
Park next to your site
Walk-In
Park in a lot, walk to your site.
Boat-In
Sites accessible by watercraft.

Site Types

Tent Sites
RV Sites
Standard (Tent/RV)
Group

Features

For Campers

ADA Access
Trash
Picnic Table
Toilets
Alcohol
Pets
Fires

Contact

General Info

Drive Time

2 hrs 41 min from Billings, MT
3 hrs 58 min from Bozeman, MT
4 hrs 38 min from Casper, WY
5 hrs 21 min from Helena, MT

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Reviews6 Camper Reviews - Trail Creek/Barrys Landing

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5 Stars

4 Stars

3 Stars

2 Stars

1 Star

5.0

out of 5

6 Reviews

Many campers appreciated the spacious, clean creek-side sites and peaceful atmosphere away from tourist crowds. Visitors frequently mentioned well-maintained pit toilets and comprehensive amenities at excellent $10 value pricing.

SUMMARY PRESENTED BY

Ellery K.

Guide

Reviewed Jul. 24, 2024

Gorgeous views

Didn’t end up staying overnight, but enjoyed some day use of the area. Gorgeous views, well-kept pit toilets (with hand sanitizer!) and it wasn’t too busy.

Month of VisitJuly

Van S.

Guide

Reviewed Aug. 26, 2021

Relaxing Low Key Camp

Clean creek side campsite with tent only and RV sites available. Each site has a fire ring, picnic table, utility post and bear-box

Month of VisitAugust

Ali J.

Scout

Reviewed Aug. 19, 2018

Primitive frontcountry campsite

This was a great spot to camp. It’s just up the hill from a reservoir put-in and has three separate sections so if it’s not busy, you can stay pretty well in your own little world. There are also two separate sets of two pit toilets, and each site has its own large bear locker. They also each have their own picnic tables, fire rings, and lantern hangers. Sites 1-3 have access to a pavilion as well which is really nice. I would highly recommend these sites, and at $10 per site (no utilities), you can’t beat it! It’s also pretty well protected from the wind and shaded.

SiteC4

Month of VisitAugust

Kristen B.

Traveler

Reviewed Aug. 11, 2018

Beautiful Campsites Awesome Hiking!

This campground is beautiful! And affordable! And provides wonderful hiking and boating opportunities with amazing views in walking distance from the sites. There weren’t any bugs. The spots were spacious. There are toilets available as well as a boat launch and plenty of dry firewood. One of my favorite sites!

Samantha L.

Traveler

Reviewed Aug. 3, 2018

Beautiful and remote.

Be warned: ZERO cell signal. I mean none at all.

But that's my favorite part! It is so peaceful and beautiful! Clean camping areas without any frills. Decent bathroom, but no shower

Month of VisitJuly

Evan H.

Ranger

Reviewed Jul. 31, 2017

Great Variety

This place is not quite in the most traveled areas of Montana which makes it wonderful if you want to escape the tourist crowds in the summer. Plenty of locals and informed people realize the beauty of this area and will show up to camp for the weekend, fish, or just get out there on the water and play. There is a boat dock just up the road and the campground allows you to pull through so there is plenty of room at each site. The actual campsites are away from the road and near some trees with a nice stream close by. If you feel like getting out and hiking there are a fair amount of trails in the Bighorn Canyon area as well as some fantastic views. Overall, this place turned out to offer a whole lot of fun in a place that you wouldn't expect it.

Month of VisitMay

Frequently Asked Questions

How do I get to Barry's Landing and Trail Creek Campground?

Barry's Landing and Trail Creek Campground are located in the Bighorn Canyon National Recreation Area in Montana. The campground sits on a hill just above a reservoir put-in area. The location is somewhat remote and off the main tourist routes, making it less crowded than other Montana destinations. Due to its secluded nature, you should prepare for absolutely no cell service in the area. It's advisable to download offline maps and directions before heading out, as navigation assistance won't be available once you're in the vicinity of the campground.

What activities can I do near Barry's Landing and Trail Creek Campground?

Barry's Landing and Trail Creek Campground offer excellent outdoor recreation opportunities. The campground is situated near a reservoir with a boat launch, making it perfect for fishing and water activities. Hiking trails with spectacular views are within walking distance of the campsites. The area features amazing scenic vistas of Bighorn Canyon and its surroundings. The peaceful location is ideal for nature photography, wildlife watching, and stargazing thanks to minimal light pollution. For those seeking solitude, the campground's remote location provides a perfect escape from crowds, especially during weekdays.

What amenities are available at Barry's Landing and Trail Creek Campground?

Trail Creek/Barry's Landing Campground offers basic but functional amenities. Each campsite features a fire ring, picnic table, utility post, and bear box for secure food storage. The campground has clean pit toilets with hand sanitizer but no showers. The area is divided into three separate sections, with two sets of pit toilets distributed throughout. Both tent-only sites and RV-compatible sites are available. The campground is clean and well-maintained with plenty of dry firewood available. There's no cell service whatsoever, so plan accordingly for an unplugged camping experience.

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