Map showing campground location near Roscoe, Montana

Camper submitted image from Emerald Lake Campground

Emerald Lake Campground

Forest Service sites between two mountain lakes define the camping experience at Emerald Lake Campground, where the sound of West Rosebud Creek flows past roughly half the campsites. Located within Custer National Forest near Roscoe, this established campground operates from late May through early September with drive-in, walk-in, and boat-in access options.

Most sites sit tucked into forested areas about 300 yards from the lake, though a few spots along the creek offer closer water access. The campground fills quickly on summer weekends, with RV sites becoming scarce by Friday evenings according to multiple campers. Sites accommodate big rigs, though reviewers note limited options for larger RVs. Brodie B. found "sites were tidy and bathrooms were very clean with no flies or stench," highlighting the maintained condition despite the remote setting.

Emerald Lake supports fishing, kayaking, and paddleboarding in its shallow waters, while nearby streams provide fly fishing opportunities for trout and whitefish. The Mystic Lake trailhead sits about a mile south for day hiking options. Campers can find places to camp near Roscoe for additional area exploration.

Hand-pump water, vault toilets, and trash service provide basic amenities, though no camp host is present. The rough access road requires careful driving, and pets are not permitted at this location.

Description

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

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Map & DirectionsEmerald Lake Campground is located in Montana near Roscoe

Public Campground

Coordinates

45.253398 N
109.700292 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)
Tent Cabin
Equestrian

Features

For Campers

Trash
Drinking Water
Toilets

For Vehicles

Big Rig Friendly

Contact

General Info

Visit Website

Drive Time

2 hrs 17 min from Billings, MT
2 hrs 56 min from Bozeman, MT
4 hrs 20 min from Helena, MT
6 hrs 11 min from Idaho Falls, ID

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Reviews6 Camper Reviews - Emerald Lake Campground

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5 Stars

4 Stars

3 Stars

2 Stars

1 Star

4.5

out of 5

6 Reviews

Campers regularly cited excellent fishing opportunities and beautiful lake access with nice wooded sites. Several guests observed that larger RVs may have limited options and noted occasional nighttime noise issues due to the lack of a camp host.

Brodie B.

Guide

Reviewed Sep. 1, 2025

Nifty Campground

Spent 3 nights at spot #12 over Labor Day weekend. Sites were tidy and bathrooms were very clean with no flies or stench. I walked around looking at the various sites and only thought 2 or 3 spots might be worthy of a 5 star. If I return I will try to snag #20 or #13. There is no camp host so nefarious folks stroll through at off hours of the night or others feel entitled to run a generator all night. This is a Forest Service campground so it is definitely a government run joint that very little funds get earmarked for upgrades and signage. It’s not directly on the lake but about 300yds away and no views from majority of the sites of the lake. The Majestic Lake trailhead is about a mile further south and that was a fun excursion for the day. I accidentally left a new hammock at the spot so if you score this enjoy!

Site13

Month of VisitAugust

(4) View All

Callie B.

Ranger

Reviewed Jul. 31, 2021

Busy Site on the way to Mystic Lake

Lots of campsites most in the woods with only a few next to the creek between the two lakes. I got there on Saturday at 3 pm and there were only 2 spots open. With the final gone within 30 minutes. Bathroom are a little far from the sites and don’t smell great but most of the sites have campers or RVs with many people spending the night to hike up to mystic or kayak in emerald lake.

Site13

Month of VisitJuly

(6) View All

Danae P.

Guide

Reviewed Jun. 29, 2021

So Beautiful!!

We loved it here. It rained a few of the days, but it was nice to get out of the heat in town. We still got to try out our new paddle boards on the lake and it was such a nice place to try them out for the first time. The lake isn’t very deep so it’s great for paddle boards, kayaks and fishing. The campground was clean. The spots were really nice, not a lot of spots for RVs our size 28ft, but we found one. We got to the campground on a Thursday, by Friday evening all the RV spots seemed to be taken. It cleared out almost completely by Sunday.

Site2

Month of VisitJune

(19) View All

Mia

Scout

Reviewed Mar. 13, 2021

words dont describe the beauty

i go here every year so beautiful

Steven K.

Scout

Reviewed Aug. 1, 2018

lots of spots close to creek

we had a great time. situated between emerald lake and west rosebud lake with a creek going next to half the camp spots. toilets and hand pump water.

Rayne M.

Traveler

Reviewed Mar. 12, 2018

My Favorite campground by far.

I have visited this campground many times. The lakes around the campground are amazing for fishing and any other light water sports. I mostly fly fish and the streams feeding the lakes are great to fish. Fish of all types from whitefish to brown and rainbow trout. The campground is great and easy to camp in. I mostly tent camo and have yet to find a camp spot I didn't like. Great place for family camping and anyone else looking for great views and awesome fishing. Also an easy drive to the mystic lake trailhead.

Site#8

Month of VisitJuly

(5) View All

Frequently Asked Questions

What do reviews say about Emerald Lake Campground?

Emerald Lake Campground is highly regarded by visitors who praise its beautiful setting between Emerald Lake and West Rosebud Lake. The campground features multiple sites, mostly nestled in the woods with a few premium spots located next to the creek that connects the two lakes. Facilities include toilets and hand pump water. The campground doesn't have a camp host, so visitors should be prepared for self-check-in. Sites are generally tidy, and the bathrooms are maintained, though they can sometimes be located a fair distance from some campsites.

Do I need reservations for Emerald Lake Campground?

Emerald Lake Campground operates on a first-come, first-served basis without a reservation system. The campground can fill up quickly, especially on weekends and during summer months. Sites have been known to fill by mid-afternoon on Saturdays. For the best chance of securing a spot, arrive early in the day, particularly if visiting during peak periods. Sites #13 and #20 are considered particularly desirable by regular visitors. Contact the managing agency before your trip for the most current information about availability.

Are there photos available of Emerald Lake Campground?

Yes, photos of Emerald Lake Campground are available on The Dyrt's campground page. These images showcase the natural beauty of the area, including the campground's setting between Emerald Lake and West Rosebud Lake. Photos typically feature the wooded campsites, the creek that runs between the lakes, and the stunning mountain scenery. Visual documentation of the campground helps potential visitors assess site layouts and amenities before their trip.

Where is Emerald Lake Campground located in Montana?

Emerald Lake Campground is located in south-central Montana, nestled between Emerald Lake and West Rosebud Lake. The campground sits in a scenic mountain setting, with the two lakes connected by a creek that runs alongside some of the campsites. This picturesque location offers visitors easy access to both bodies of water while providing a cooler mountain retreat, especially during hot summer months.

What activities can I do at Emerald Lake and West Rosebud Lake?

Both lakes offer excellent fishing opportunities with various species including rainbow trout, brown trout, and whitefish available in the lakes and connecting streams. The lakes are perfect for paddle boarding and kayaking, with their relatively shallow waters making them ideal for beginners. Other popular activities include swimming and general water recreation. The surrounding area provides opportunities for hiking and wildlife viewing. Fly fishing is particularly good in the streams that feed the lakes. The cooler mountain setting makes these lakes a refreshing escape during hot summer weather.

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