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Facilities

Free Camping Collection

Established Camping

Red Shale Campground & Geocache Site

Red Shale Campground, near Ashland, Montana, is a straightforward spot for those looking to escape into nature without the fuss. This free campground offers a peaceful atmosphere with spacious sites, perfect for pitching a tent or parking your RV, and it’s surrounded by stunning views of the mountains.

The campground features clean vault toilets and fire rings at each site, making it easy to enjoy a cozy evening under the stars. Visitors have noted the sites are well spread out, providing a sense of privacy, and many have appreciated the minimal road noise, especially in the second loop. One camper mentioned, “The pit toilet was extremely clean! Spacious site with peaceful, great views.”

While there’s no drinking water or trash pickup, the simplicity of Red Shale is part of its charm. It’s a great place for a quick stop or a weekend getaway, especially if you’re traveling through the area. Just be prepared to bring your own supplies and enjoy the natural beauty around you.

If you’re up for a little adventure, the surrounding Custer Gallatin National Forest offers plenty of opportunities for exploration, though hiking options nearby may be limited. Whether you’re passing through or planning a short stay, Red Shale Campground is a solid choice for a quiet retreat in the great outdoors.

Description

National Forest

Custer Gallatin National Forest

A campground on the Ashland Ranger District.__Camp sites: 14 Trash Pickup: NoFirewood: NoNo 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 10 day stay limit.Information:Ashland District OfficeBox 168, Hwy 212Ashland, MT 59003(406) 784-2344

Reservation Info

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 10 day stay limit.

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Location

Red Shale Campground & Geocache Site is located in Montana

Detail location of campground

Directions

From Ashland, MT go 6 miles east on US 212. Campground will be on your left.

Coordinates

45.5725 N
106.1477778 W

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Access

  • Drive-In
    Park next to your site
  • Walk-In
    Park in a lot, walk to your site.

Stay Connected

  • WiFi
    Fair
  • Verizon
    Good
  • AT&T
    Fair
  • T-Mobile
    Good

Site Types

  • Tent Sites
  • RV Sites
  • Standard (Tent/RV)

Features

For Campers

  • Trash
  • Firewood Available
  • Phone Service
  • Toilets
  • Alcohol

FREE established camping

Enjoy camping on government land. Limited or no services at this camping area.

Contact

General Info


Reviews

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out of 5

22 Reviews

Reviewed Oct. 8, 2023

Beautiful, great visit

Was a great visit, scored the lot spot of the night, and the pit toilet was extremely clean! Spacious sight with peaceful, great views.

Month of VisitOctober
  • Review photo of Red Shale Campground & Geocache Site by Mychaela , October 8, 2023
  • Review photo of Red Shale Campground & Geocache Site by Mychaela , October 8, 2023
Reviewed Sep. 29, 2023

Traveling through

We drive 25’ truck camper with Jeep Rubicon in tow. Camp road has two loops. No pull through so we unhooked. Sites are nice size. One clean pit toilet. Road noise was minimal on second loop. Road going in you cross cattle grate and road is doable with some ruts and pot holes. Nice spot.

Site2nd loop
Month of VisitSeptember
Reviewed Aug. 28, 2023

Simple

This is a dry campground. Each site has a picnic table and a fire ring. There are pit restrooms that were clean. We camped in the first loop in a 35’ fifth wheel. We would have been able to fit in most of the sites in the two loops. Access from the highway was easy and the dirt roads are in fairly good condition. We could hear some highway noise, but it wasn’t excessive. We were here the end of August. We were the only ones in this loop. Four rigs in the back loop.

Sitethere are not any site numbers
Month of VisitAugust
  • Review photo of Red Shale Campground & Geocache Site by Kellie , August 28, 2023
  • Review photo of Red Shale Campground & Geocache Site by Kellie , August 28, 2023
  • Review photo of Red Shale Campground & Geocache Site by Kellie , August 28, 2023
  • (7) View All
Reviewed Sep. 4, 2022

Easy access

Nice little (and free) campground right off of the highway. Sites were mostly level. There are 2 loops, one which is right next to the road, and the other away a bit. Vault toilets. No trash pickup. No water.

Site2
Month of VisitAugust
  • Review photo of Red Shale Campground & Geocache Site by Leslie B., September 4, 2022
Reviewed Aug. 14, 2022

Great spot for weekend getaway

My pup and I had a good time here (aside from a sudden thunderstorm). There is no water sources and only vault toilets. The camping sites are well spread out and there is enough room to pull in a rig and park.

Site6
Month of VisitAugust
  • Review photo of Red Shale Campground & Geocache Site by Shy S., August 14, 2022
  • Review photo of Red Shale Campground & Geocache Site by Shy S., August 14, 2022
Reviewed Jul. 5, 2022

Lovely!

14 spots available, decently spread out. There are bathrooms with vault toilets and no running water. Great for a quick stop!

Site9
Month of VisitJuly
  • Review photo of Red Shale Campground & Geocache Site by Nola , July 5, 2022
  • Review photo of Red Shale Campground & Geocache Site by Nola , July 5, 2022
Reviewed Jun. 14, 2022

Peaceful

A very quiet campground near Ashland. Beautiful view from the top of the hill. Vault toilets are clean but bring your own TP

Month of VisitJune
  • Review photo of Red Shale Campground & Geocache Site by Nick M., June 14, 2022
Reviewed May. 31, 2022

Great views!

Quiet, right off highway, little to no road noise. Vault toilet only. FREE! Nice level sites, fire pits, huge picnic tables which I estimate to be about 14 feet long.

Site2
Month of VisitJune
  • Review photo of Red Shale Campground & Geocache Site by Cecilia M., May 31, 2022
Reviewed May. 24, 2022

Beautiful and easy

Needed a quick place to setup camp driving across the country. Pull straight in and up to a sight. Bathrooms, but nothing else. Simple tables and fire pits at each site. Beautiful property, mountains in the distance, wood for fires laying around. Perfect for a quick trip or passing through. And free:)

Month of VisitMay
  • Review photo of Red Shale Campground & Geocache Site by Fred , May 24, 2022
  • Review photo of Red Shale Campground & Geocache Site by Fred , May 24, 2022
  • Review photo of Red Shale Campground & Geocache Site by Fred , May 24, 2022
  • (5) View All
Reviewed Oct. 4, 2021

Nice spot in national forest

This was a cool spot for the night. It was free and far enough away from the road not to be too loud. There were about five other spots taken when I was there, so not too crowded. Beware, you can hear herds of cattle moo-ing at night. My big con is no hiking nearby really that I could find.

Month of VisitOctober
  • Review photo of Red Shale Campground & Geocache Site by Kat , October 4, 2021
Reviewed Sep. 20, 2021

Nice Overnight Stop

This is a little gem for a FCFS free campground.

Some sites are more level than others, but it was nearly empty when we rolled in so we had no problem finding a site that worked for our class C. We were impressed with the space between sites. It offered a lot of privacy.

More campers rolled in by early evening but the campground was far from full and remained wonderfully quiet. Any road noise heard during the day was gone by nightfall.

Bonus for having a geocache near the entrance if you are into geocaching.

Month of VisitSeptember
  • Review photo of Red Shale Campground & Geocache Site by Lori T., September 20, 2021
Reviewed Jul. 2, 2021

Great spot

We stayed here for one night while driving across Montana. There are two main areas with about 12 (?) sites total. We arrived at 5pm and had no trouble getting a spot although it did get quite full before dark. Some spots were too small for big rigs and there are no drive thru sites. We did have to level out a bit. Very quiet spot even though it’s right off the Highway. Enough space to explore for kids too.

Sitelower loop
Month of VisitJuly
Reviewed Jun. 29, 2021

Fun place!

We stayed here for a weekend in April. It’s was such a quiet place. There were only a few other people in the whole campground. It’s right off the highway, but not noisy at all.

Month of VisitApril
  • Review photo of Red Shale Campground & Geocache Site by Danae P., June 29, 2021
  • Review photo of Red Shale Campground & Geocache Site by Danae P., June 29, 2021
  • Review photo of Red Shale Campground & Geocache Site by Danae P., June 29, 2021
  • (7) View All
Reviewed May. 31, 2021

So perfect

I had been driving for 10 hours and when I got there the sun was setting I was pretty tired and stiff from the drive and I bet my dog was to. So I got there and I found a nice spot pretty far from the toilet so I walked my dog there and walked around the trails which are very nice and neat by the way. I was almost expecting it to be too crowded because of how nice it was and it was memorial day weekend but seemed to have lots of available space. I didn't have any firewood with me but I found plenty of sticks and kindling from the surrounding area on the ground nice and dry and had no trouble starting a fire where I brewed cacao. And gave thanks to God for finding this lovely sanctuary! That night was clear and I watched the Stars. I have never seen so many stars! even from my farm house in the middle of nowhere. It was a pretty spiritual experience I had a good night's rest because I did not have rowdy neighbors or hardly any neighbors at all! That morning I packed my garbage gear and I went on continue my journey.♥️♥️

Site7
Month of VisitMay
  • Review photo of Red Shale Campground & Geocache Site by Grace T., May 31, 2021
  • Review photo of Red Shale Campground & Geocache Site by Grace T., May 31, 2021
  • Review photo of Red Shale Campground & Geocache Site by Grace T., May 31, 2021
Reviewed May. 26, 2021

So quiet and pretty!

What a gem of a campground (in my opinion). There are two loops, each loop having 6-7 sites and it’s own vault toilet. I camped in both loops while the loop to the right is more preferred due to being further from highway noise and the views! Each site has plenty is space. A long picnic table, nice fire ring with grate and gravel drive to back in. There are no pull thru sites. No trash, electric or water so come prepared and pack out your trash. Had a sheriff drive through a couple mornings then the NFS came to clean out the trash people left in the fire pits. Arrived on a Saturday, one loop was full, the other empty. Sunday evening, a little more traffic but still at least 5 spots open. You can stay up to 10 days (free). There isn’t much to do in the area but it is peaceful and relaxing. Ashland doesn’t have much of a grocery store (small merch for smaller hauls) so come stocked with all the food you need. Definitely would stay here again! Had 2-3 bars LTE via AT&T and could work with no issues.

Month of VisitMay
Reviewed Apr. 30, 2021

Great set up, well managed

Very cute campsites, with large wooden tables and firepits with new grill grates. Bathrooms somewhat clean. Nice sunset views.

Site4
Month of VisitApril
  • Review photo of Red Shale Campground & Geocache Site by Allyse , April 30, 2021
  • Review photo of Red Shale Campground & Geocache Site by Allyse , April 30, 2021
  • Review photo of Red Shale Campground & Geocache Site by Allyse , April 30, 2021
  • (10) View All
Reviewed Apr. 15, 2021

Red Shale Campground

Great place to stop for a night of free camping. Spacious sites fire pits, vault toilets, and picnic tables.

  • Review photo of Red Shale Campground & Geocache Site by Jack T., April 15, 2021
  • Review photo of Red Shale Campground & Geocache Site by Jack T., April 15, 2021
  • Review photo of Red Shale Campground & Geocache Site by Jack T., April 15, 2021
Reviewed Jul. 2, 2020

Awesome spot

Great campground !! Wooded area with fire pits and cook tops and restrooms. No water but only 7 minutes to town. Plant of space between sites. Perfect tor tents, RV's and camper trailers. Definitely recommend

  • Review photo of Red Shale Campground & Geocache Site by Jesse R., July 2, 2020
  • Review photo of Red Shale Campground & Geocache Site by Jesse R., July 2, 2020
  • Review photo of Red Shale Campground & Geocache Site by Jesse R., July 2, 2020
  • (4) View All
Reviewed Oct. 27, 2019

Great!

It’s a really convenient little spot to stop and sleep in the pines along a trip but expect noise from the highway.

  • Review photo of Red Shale Campground & Geocache Site by Jeff M., October 27, 2019
Reviewed Apr. 2, 2019

Hammock

Stayed here overnight in both July and November. Sites are on a first come first serve basis but I was able to find a site both times. Plenty of trees for hammocks and a good pad for tents. Huge picnic table at each site.

  • Review photo of Red Shale Campground & Geocache Site by Joseph W., April 2, 2019
  • Review photo of Red Shale Campground & Geocache Site by Joseph W., April 2, 2019
  • Review photo of Red Shale Campground & Geocache Site by Joseph W., April 2, 2019
Reviewed Jul. 30, 2018

Easy National Forest camping near Ashland, Montana

Free National Forest campground in Custer National Forest. Sites include large picnic table and fire ring. Pit toilets available for use. The campground is right off of 212 about 6 miles east of the town of Ashland. We were just passing through for the night and this offered a quick, convenient place to crash. There is a fair amount of road noise due to the close proximity of the road. Campground is popular on the weekends but we had no problem finding a site.

Month of VisitJuly
  • Review photo of Red Shale Campground & Geocache Site by Kelsey L., July 30, 2018
  • Review photo of Red Shale Campground & Geocache Site by Kelsey L., July 30, 2018
  • Review photo of Red Shale Campground & Geocache Site by Kelsey L., July 30, 2018
  • (5) View All
Reviewed Jul. 6, 2018

A peaceful place we could stay a second night at. Oh wait, we did!

I was looking to split up the drive on my trip and found this perfect stopover with a classic Montana feel. It’s an unexpected find on a long straight road but I’m so glad that we stopped. A ranger happened to be cutting the grass when we arrived. She was very helpful - I was nervous about the rattlesnake warning. She said she hasn’t seen one this year but watch out for poison ivy (and it was hidden in the brush). She pointed us to a good site and went about her work. 

14 campsites in 2 loops with 3 vault toilets. There is also a picnic area if you just want a lunch spot. The loops gave our dog the perfect amount of walking before wanting a water break just when we got back to the site. We didn’t find much else here other than peacefulness. 

Each site has the biggest picnic table I’ve seen. They are 12 feet long! Pine trees provide some shade so pick the right place. Our site looks like we will get shade at the end on the night and early morning. It is free of nearby poison ivy so ‘thanks for watching out for our dog, ranger!’

Everything is so well maintained. The views are perfect. The breeze keeps us cool. 

A stay here doesn’t even cost you - it’s free! I thought we would have the place to ourselves but a couple on holiday from England joined us for both nights. It’s that great of a find.

SiteFirst one on right (no numbers)
Month of VisitJune
  • Video of Red Shale Campground
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  • Review photo of Red Shale Campground & Geocache Site by Art S., July 6, 2018
  • Review photo of Red Shale Campground & Geocache Site by Art S., July 6, 2018
  • (6) View All

Frequently Asked Questions

  • Does Red Shale Campground & Geocache Site have wifi?

    No, according to campers on TheDyrt.com, Red Shale Campground & Geocache Site does not have wifi.

  • Is there cell phone reception at Red Shale Campground & Geocache Site?

    According to campers on TheDyrt.com, Verizon signal is good, AT&T is fair, and T-Mobile is good.