Swan Creek Campground

The first thing I did here was take a nap — that’s how relaxing it is. Two small loops about 1/2 mile off the highway. You feel like you’re much farther because the surroundings are gorgeous and Swan Creek blocks any noise out. Every site has easy access to the freezing cold but crystal clear creek. Pretty level. One pit toilet per loop. Camp host is at Greek Creek but comes around often. Other campers seemed to be going far afield because they did not return until late. Close but not too close to Bozeman. My only concern is my site seemed to be the only one without a bear box and there are a million warnings that they are mandatory.

We chose Swan Creek from the few USFS campgrounds between Big Sky and Bozeman based on how far it was off of Rt. 191. The others are located right along the road, yet next to the Gallatin River. We heard no road noise and had the soothing sound of Swan Creek in the evenings. But, don’t expect any cell service from any of these USFS campgrounds in that area. If you’re okay with that, this was a great place to setup camp to checkout the area. Lots of great hiking.

Swan Creek campground is a hidden gem in an area where most of the campgrounds through the Gallatin canyon sit along the busy and noisy highway 191. This small 13 site campground sits along Swan Creek a half mile removed from the noise of highway 191. The road to the campground is paved, but be warned it is narrow. This is basically a one lane paved road so drive slow and keep an eye out for wider sections along the road as you may need to back up to one to allow traffic to pass by. The campground has two loops just over a¼ mile apart. The first loop has 6 sites, and the second loop has 7 sites all ADA accessible. All the sites sit along Swan Creek in a mature spruce forest and are equipped with picnic table, and metal fire ring. ADA accessible vault toilets serve the campground, water(hand pump) and trash service is available, bear lockers are located through out the campground. All sites can be reserved and the cost is$20. Being reversible, in a popular recreation area and on the route to Yellowstone this is a hard place to find a campsite on the weekend with out a reservation. While a busy campground like all the others in the area, this is the place to go for a nice quiet nights sleep as the distance from the highway and the flowing creek provide for a peaceful nights sleep.