Established Camping
Emerald Lake Campground
Emerald Lake Campground, near Custer Gallatin National Forest, is a fantastic destination for those looking to immerse themselves in nature. With its stunning lakes and surrounding wilderness, it’s a prime spot for fishing, kayaking, and paddleboarding.
The campground offers a variety of sites, many nestled among the trees and close to a creek, providing a serene backdrop for your stay. Visitors have noted that the area is popular, especially on weekends, so arriving early is a smart move. As one camper shared, “We got to the campground on a Thursday, by Friday evening all the RV spots seemed to be taken.”
Facilities include basic toilets and hand pump water, keeping things simple and rustic. Campers appreciate the cleanliness of the area, and the lack of distractions like electric hookups or showers means you can truly disconnect and enjoy the great outdoors.
For those eager to explore, the nearby Mystic Lake trailhead offers excellent hiking opportunities, while the calm waters of Emerald Lake are perfect for a relaxing day on the water. Whether you’re fishing for trout or just soaking in the views, Emerald Lake Campground is a great choice for a memorable outdoor experience.
Description
US Forest Service
Custer National Forest
Emerald Lake is in the West Rosebud drainage and is nestled in the trees between Emerald Lake and West Rosebud Lake. West Rosebud Trail (#19), Pine Grove Campground, Emerald Lake Fishing Access and West Rosebud Lake Fishing Access are also located in the West Rosebud drainage.There is a 16 day maximum stay in all Beartooth Ranger District campgrounds. For a road map of the area, with locations of campgrounds, please see our Motor Vehicle Use Map (MVUM).Camp sites: 32Host: NoMax trailer length: 30ftAccessible Facilities: ToiletTrash Pickup: Centrally located Bear resistant dumpsterFirewood: No. Don't move firewood to other areas or bring in outside firewood. Prevent the spread of tree-killing insects by obtaining firewood near your destination and burning it there.Reservations:No Reservations: This campground does not use a reservation system; it is managed on a first-come, first-served basis. Be aware that the campground is very popular and may fill up on weekends & holidays during the summer months. You should arrive early to ensure there is a space available for the night. There is a 16 day stay limit. Some sites are equipped with bear resistant food storage lockers.This campground is maintained from approximately Memorial Day to Labor Day (call district office for exact season dates). During these dates there is a fee to stay in the campground (listed below).Outside of the peak summer dates (Memorial Day- Labor Day), the campground remains ungated, free, and available for use (no services, not maintained, roads are not plowed). If you visit outside the peak fee season, please bring your own water, toilet paper (outhouse will remain open), and please pack out your trash.Directions from district office:Drive north on US Hwy 212 for 2.1 miles and turn left (west) onto MT-78. Drive 30.0 miles and turn left (west) onto MT-419 towards Fishtail. Drive 4.4 miles (through Fishtail) and turn left (south) onto West Rosebud Rd. Drive 6.5 miles and turn left (south) to continue on West Rosebud Rd. Drive 12.4 miles to the campground, on the left.Information:Beartooth Ranger District6811 US Hwy 212Red Lodge, MT 59068(406) 446-2103
Location
Emerald Lake Campground is located in Montana
Coordinates
45.253398 N
109.700292 W
Access
- Drive-InPark next to your site
- Walk-InPark in a lot, walk to your site.
- Boat-InSites accessible by watercraft.
Stay Connected
- WiFiFair
- VerizonGood
- AT&TUnknown
- T-MobileAvailable
Site Types
- Tent Sites
- RV Sites
- Standard (Tent/RV)
- Tent Cabin
- Equestrian
Features
For Campers
- Trash
- Drinking Water
- Toilets
Drive Time
- 2 hrs 17 min from Billings
- 2 hrs 56 min from Bozeman
- 4 hrs 20 min from Helena
- 6 hrs 11 min from Idaho Falls
