Anglers and paddlers heading to the Yellowstone River will find a functional base at Otter Creek Fishing Access Site, a free Montana Fish, Wildlife & Parks campground just outside Big Timber. The site sits directly along the river, with several spots positioned close enough to the water that campers have reported falling asleep to the sound of the current a few feet away. A boat ramp gives direct river access, making it a practical stop for anyone floating or fishing the Yellowstone.
The layout includes a handful of pull-in spots with fire rings near the river, plus additional tent sites and open grassy field space where campers spread out when the riverfront fills. Sites are exposed, with limited morning shade. One clean vault toilet serves the area. No water, no trash service, and no hookups are available, so campers need to arrive self-sufficient. Abby M. notes "no amenities other than a vault toilet which was clean & stocked," which has held up across multiple reviews over several years.
Crowd levels vary by season. Weekends in summer draw more visitors, and the riverfront spots go first. Mid-October visits have found the site nearly empty, with just one or two other campers. The field provides room for dogs to run. Wildlife sightings, including deer and ducks, have come up in multiple reviews. One detail worth knowing: freight trains pass nearby, and the horn can break the silence at night more than once.
A free camping permit may be required. Look for posted signage at the site, as at least one reviewer noted it can be easy to overlook on arrival. The stay limit is seven days. Cell service on T-Mobile has been reported as reliable. Nearby alternatives include Spring Creek Campground & Trout Ranch and Sweet Grass County Fairgrounds - Big Timber for campers who want more amenities. Bring your own water and a trash bag, and plan to pack everything out.
RV Road Trip Guides
Map & DirectionsOtter Creek Fishing Access Site is located in Montana near Big Timber
Coordinates
45.85469559 N
109.91602682 W
Connectivity
- T-Mobile5GExcellent CoverageVerified by 26 usersLast on 8/19/26
- Verizon5GExcellent CoverageVerified by 13 usersLast on 8/19/26
- AT&T5GExcellent CoverageVerified by 17 usersLast on 8/19/26
Connectivity
- T-Mobile5GExcellent CoverageVerified by 26 usersLast on 8/19/26
- Verizon5GExcellent CoverageVerified by 13 usersLast on 8/19/26
- AT&T5GExcellent CoverageVerified by 17 usersLast on 8/19/26
Access
- Drive-InPark next to your site
- Walk-InPark in a lot, walk to your site.
Site Types
- Tent Sites
- RV Sites
- Standard (Tent/RV)
- Dispersed
- Group
Features
For Campers
- ADA Access
- Trash
- Picnic Table
- Phone Service
- Toilets
- Alcohol
- Pets
- Fires
For Vehicles
- Pull-Through Sites
- Big Rig Friendly
FREE established camping
Enjoy camping on government land. Limited or no services at this camping area.
PERMIT might be REQUIRED
We curate permit requirements across the US for our PRO members. Try PRO to see if Otter Creek Fishing Access Site needs a permit.
Drive Time
- 50 min from Bozeman, MT
- 1 hr 10 min from Billings, MT
- 2 hrs 14 min from Helena, MT
- 2 hrs 45 min from Great Falls, MT
















































