Established Camping
Jimmy Joe Campground
About
National Forest
Custer Gallatin National Forest
Jimmy Joe Campground is a free campground on the banks of East Rosebud Creek in the East Rosebud drainage. __East Rosebud is considered one of the more scenic drainages in the Beartooths . East Rosebud Trail (#15), Spread Creek Trail (#13), and Phantom Creek Trail (#17). __East Rosebud Lake Campground and Sand Dunes Picnic Ground also located in the East Rosebud drainage.Camp sites: 12Host: NoMax Trailer Length: 30ftAccessible Facilities: Vault toiletsTrash Pickup: NoFirewood: NoFor a road map of the area, including campground locations, please see our Motor Vehicle Use Map (MVUM).Reservations:No Reservations. This campground does not use a reservation system; it is managed on a first-come, first-served basis. Be aware the campground may fill up on weekends & holidays during the summer months and you should arrive in the early afternoon to ensure there is a space available for the night. There is a 16 day stay limit.__ Some sites in campground have bear resistant food storage lockers. Individual camp sites vary in size, but the max trailer length is 30ft. Directions from district office:Drive north on US Hwy 212 for 2.1 miles. Turn left (west) onto MT-78 and drive 19.7 miles. Turn left (south) onto Roscoe Rd. Drive 2.3 miles, cross the bridge and turn right (south) onto East Rosebud Rd. Drive 6.5 miles and until the campground, on your right.Information:Beartooth Ranger District6811 US Hwy 212Red Lodge, MT 59068(406) 446-2103
Access
- Drive-InPark next to your site
- Walk-InPark in a lot, walk to your site.
- Hike-InBackcountry sites.
Stay Connected
- WiFiUnknown
- VerizonUnknown
- AT&TUnknown
- T-MobileUnknown
Site Types
- Tent Sites
- RV Sites
- Standard (Tent/RV)
- Group
Features
For Campers
- Drinking Water
- Toilets
- Alcohol
TravelerQuiet and Well Placed!
Pros:
- No fee!
- Sites are well spaced, so you aren't right on top of your neighbors. We were at the end of the line, so we were well secluded from the rest.
- Vault toilets were as clean as can be expected for as late in the season as it was when we camped. Either was a reasonable walking distance from any site.
- Our spot was one of the bigger ones, with fire pit, (2) picnic tables, (2) tent pads and plenty of parking for an RV and vehicles.
- Short walk through the trees to the river. Can hear the water from the campsite!
Con:
- Traffic noise from the East Rosebud Road was noticeable, but not terrible.
GuideGreat campground!
We tried out this campground so we could check out East Rosebud Lake. The campground was great. Large sites, spaced out, right on the creek. We only ended up staying one night though because East Rosebud Lake is pretty much a private lake to the people leasing land from the Forest Service. There is only one public boat launch and no shore access. It’s a 3.5 mile hike to a different lake that you park near East Rosebud Lake to access the trail. It’s a waste to go to East Rosebud Lake unless you are going to hike to the other lake. We wanted to paddle board so we left and went to Emerald Lake instead. Jimmy Joe Campground is a great campground though and it’s Free which is really nice and surprising.
ScoutWow! Has it all!
This campground is so clean!!! The sites are spaced apart very nicely, they’re all along a beautiful river with views of the incredible nearby mountains, near the unbelievable East Rosebud Lake with its hiking trails, and has clean, clean vault toilets. I highly recommend it to others. It’s a slow gravel road getting there, but we’ll worth it.
Location
Jimmy Joe Campground is located in Montana
Coordinates
45.231418 N
109.602893 W