Captain Clark, near Custer, Montana, is a unique camping spot that offers a peaceful escape right by the Yellowstone River. With a few well-spaced sites, each equipped with fire rings and picnic tables, it’s a solid choice for those looking to unwind in nature.

This location is perfect for fishing and enjoying the river views, though be prepared for some pesky mosquitoes—bring your repellent! Visitors have noted the serene atmosphere, with one camper mentioning, “It’s quiet even with other campers.” The area is also home to various wildlife, including geese and wild turkeys, adding to the natural charm.

Accessing Captain Clark is straightforward, and while it’s close enough to I94 for convenience, the noise from the highway is minimal. Just remember, a Montana Conservation License is required to camp here, which can be easily obtained online. Whether you're stopping for a night or planning a longer stay, Captain Clark offers a relaxing retreat with beautiful scenery and a touch of history.

Accessibility is not guaranteed, always scout ahead before driving down dirt roads. Learn more: https://www.campendium.com/camping/boondocking-101/

Captain Clark

Pompeys Pillar, MT is a great camping destination for adventurers of all types. Pompeys Pillar is a great camping destination for everyone. There are tons of nearby hikes, adventurous activities, and sights to see. Find the best campgrounds near Pompeys Pillar, MT. Read reviews from campers like you and find your perfect campsite.

Pompeys Pillar

The Best Camping Near Pompeys Pillar, Montana

Jam up camp site by the river. Off the main highway and doesn’t look like too many people know about it. A small tow behind camper would fit in here. There is a boat launch too. 

River camping

A few miles off of the highway and you will find this nice camping area along the Yellowstone River.  Very windy the day we were there, but the campsites were nice with fire rings and the scenery was exceptional.  This is close to Pompey’s Pillar(which is currently closed for repair), and the Little Bighorn battlefield. Also not far from Billings. 

Nice spot with boat launch

Great spot right next to the river. Has toilet and boat ramp. Shade is good. Not too many things to do around the area unless a boat is brought in, but great for quick one night camping.

Good views and easy to get too. 

Dirt road to get to, keep going all the way back past train tracks and houses. Sites are nice, everyone dispersed pretty well. Vault toilet super clean. Right on the river, so silent. 

Loved it

This spot is a hidden gem. If you like a view along the river where it’s quiet even with other campers  this is the spot! Some nice tall trees, but up against the river and some bluffs off on the other side of the river

Great spot along river 

Beautiful spot by the river. Kind of crowded for how secluded it was, but we got a good camp site by a gorgeous old cottonwood tree that provided some privacy. Downside is people come in and out all night long to load boats in and out, which got obnoxious, but overall we had a really nice night there. 

Great place to stop for a night

Approx 4 spots right on the Yellowstone River. Pretty buggy. Bring your mosquito repellent. The. site is experiencing some river bank erosion due to runoff. Fire grates at each site. Some overflow make due sites that could work at the boat ramp. 

Right on the Yellowstone River

A Montana State Parks Conservation Permit is now required to camp here. Don't know if they enforce that requirement.  Here's the link. Your permit is good all year.

https://ols.fwp.mt.gov/landing_input

This is a great spot. I was here on a week night very quiet. Only one other couple. Lots of birds.
You can see where the beavers have been at work felling trees on they way in. Wild turkeys were pretty vocal last evening.

Easy to imagine Capt. William Clark floating past in 1806 in 
his lashed together canoes on his way to the Missouri to rejoin Capt. Merriweather Lewis. 

It is actually a fishing access point with boat ramp. A little slow going in on the dirt road. Could be slick if rainy. There are 4 campsites with fire rings and a pit toilet at the far end. 

Length limit on vehicles is 20 feet.  They clarify 20 ft tow vehicle and 20 ft trailer. 
Don't know how strict they are on this. It would be tough to get anything big in here anyway.
You can stay here up to 7 days.



Montana Conservation License Required!

Fortunately, there is good signage guiding you in here from the frontage road.   If there wasn’t, one would almost feel as though they were driving onto someone’s property as opposed to public land.  

I loved this place because it was close enough to I94 to feel convenient but far enough away that the noise from the freeway wasn’t bothersome although it’s so peaceful here, you can still hear the road.   But you’re hearing it from a distance.   It’s far from overpowering.  

We were lucky enough to get the site under this truly massive tree that was likely here when captain clark was on his expedition.   The pics don’t do justice to its size but use my camper for comparison.   Haha

Sites are well spread apart.   Fire rings and picnic tables at each.  FYI, there is no place nearby to purchase firewood.    Stop in Miles City or Billings on your way in depending on the direction you’re coming from if you need it.  

You do have to have a MT Conservation License to stay here.   They out of state variety that I had to purchase was $10 and is good for an entire year at this and any other location in the state that requires it.  The good news is that the sign board at the campground has a QR code on it and I had three bars of Verizon to do it from the campsite.  

No one ever came through to check if I had it, but one would have to understand that they do maintain these places to some degree and that maintenance has a cost.  

We saw several geese.   Heard several wild turkeys but never saw them.  And we were greeted with an amazing sunrise right before we set out on our way.  

Definitely recommend this place if you’re traveling I94.   Would most definitely stay again.  

Hidden gem convenient location

There are only four spots to camp here but they are large and grassy. Each of them faces the river with a firepit and a table. There is a vault toilet near the boat launch. The spots are relatively secluded. The Yellowstone River is a fast moving and dangerous ricer but there is a great swimming hole on the other side of the boat launch. It’s easy to get to the campsites. There is a train track near by. LOTS of cool bird activity. 

Convenient, views, swimming hole

Didnt camp but stopped to cook lunch, seems fine for tent or car camp, theres a few old picknick tables and an outhouse toilet. A few boaters at the boat ramp and one small area to get down to the river for dip (beware fast rapid spots), or use pier for fishing. No bites after a few casts but wasnt planning to stay as it was 92 degrees with not much shade.

Nice spot for fishing

We needed an easy stop crossing from WA to the Midwest. When we arrived, a number of sites were being used, but they were just there for the day. We loved our spacious spot with an amazing view of the river. Few bugs in September. We backtracked the next morning to explore Pompey's Pillar National Monument.

Photos of Captain Clark

Real photos from real campers