Map showing campground location near Fishtail, Montana

Camper submitted image from Swinging Bridge Fishing Access Site - TEMPORARILY CLOSED

Swinging Bridge Fishing Access Site - TEMPORARILY CLOSED

Managed by Montana Fish, Wildlife & Parks Region 5, Swinging Bridge Fishing Access Site sits along a fast-moving creek outside Columbus, Montana, where five first-come, first-served sites are distributed through trees and vegetation down toward the water. The access road is narrow, curved, and passes through what feels like private ranch land, with cows visible near the bathroom. Drivers of trailers or larger rigs should look elsewhere. Several visitors have noted that finding the site requires pushing past ranch buildings and homes to reach the water.

Site quality varies considerably depending on which spot you land. Not every site has a picnic table, and one does not have direct creek access. Bugs are a consistent presence in summer. On the positive side, the vault toilet has drawn favorable comments for cleanliness, and the natural vegetation between sites provides real separation. Cell service is available, though reviewers note it does not include LTE. Fishing is the primary draw, with the Stillwater River accessible by wading.

As Art S. puts it, "One vault toilet and no water source make this a primitive camp." There is no potable water on site, no fee station has been observed, and no registration process appears to be in place. Nearby, Whitebird sits less than a mile south, and Firemans Point FAS lies a few miles northeast for anglers covering multiple access points along the river. Campers willing to roll the dice on site availability may find the creek access worth the uncertainty.

Description

Closed until further notice:

Emergency Site Closure This fishing access site is closed due to flood damage leaving the site without a safe access road. These public safety risks caused by extremely high water levels, endangered and failing infrastructure, flooded and impassible access roads, and limited availability of search and rescue resources. Closures will be strictly enforced. Signs are posted at the highway and road entrance.
06/16/2022 - 

Until further notice

Check Availability Suggest an Edit

RV Road Trip Guides

TransAmerica Trail Road Trip

Missoula to Rawlins: 4 Day Road Trip

Build Your Trip

Plan a TripAdd

Map & DirectionsSwinging Bridge Fishing Access Site is located in Montana near Fishtail

Public Campground

Coordinates

45.58359622 N
109.33197075 W

Open in Google Maps

Connectivity

T-Mobile5G
Good Coverage
VerizonLTE
Some Coverage
Verified by 2 users
Last on 8/28/26
AT&TLTE
Some Coverage

Connectivity

T-Mobile5G
Good Coverage
VerizonLTE
Some Coverage
Verified by 2 users
Last on 8/28/26
AT&TLTE
Some Coverage

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
Standard (Tent/RV)

Features

For Campers

Picnic Table
Toilets
Alcohol
Pets
Fires

Contact

General Info

Drive Time

50 min from Billings, MT
1 hr 29 min from Bozeman, MT
2 hrs 53 min from Helena, MT
3 hrs 24 min from Great Falls, MT

2026 Explorer Giveaway

Review Campgrounds. Win Prizes.

Enter to Win

Enter to Win

Reviews4 Camper Reviews - Swinging Bridge Fishing Access Site

Add Review

5 Stars

4 Stars

3 Stars

2 Stars

1 Star

4.0

out of 5

4 Reviews

Campers regularly cited excellent site privacy along the river and clean facilities. Access road challenges for RVs and missing amenities at some sites were noted concerns.

Taylor T.

Guide

Reviewed Jul. 26, 2021

Clean bathroom

The clean bathroom and privacy between sites are probably the two best aspects about the campground. The creek is what makes it actually worth the drive though. There are 5 sites, one without access to the creek. We got the last spot when we arrived, but it did not have a picnic table?? So that was tough as car campers. Another drawback was that there were A LOT of bugs here. Also felt like we were driving down a driveway at one point in order to find the place. Push past that and keep going towards the water, not the homes nor ranch. There are cows right by the bathroom too, making it feel like this a campground squeezed between a creek and several private properties. Picked the place on a last minute change of plans and it was free (didn't see a box or registration station?) so I can't be too picky but I probably wouldn't stay again because of the issue with one site not having a table, another not having creek access, and bugs all around. Sites are FCFS so you roll the dice by coming here. It could be possible to score a really excellent site, but that wasn't really our case.

Site2

Month of VisitJuly

Stacey N.

Traveler

Reviewed Mar. 14, 2021

Great views

This is a great campsite. You are along a fast moving creek and the campsites are well spaced out with trees, vegetation or roads between each site. The sites themselves are well sized. Roads are narrow and curved- would not be good for a trailer unless you really knew what you were doing. Each camp site has a fire ring with grate for cooking, picnic table and plenary of room for a tent or two. We enjoyed a chilly overnight and woke to the geese nearby flying overhead. Excellent fishing opportunities as well- just bring waiters!

Jeff K.

Guide

Reviewed Apr. 11, 2020

Small but nice

Only a few tent sites, none very big. Camping is more along the irrigation ditch but you could wade to the Stillwater River to fish. Would not recommend for trailers or campers, even a small teardrop would be tough to maneuver. Really feels like you're camping in the backyard of the ranch you drive thru to reach the site. Fire pits were nice.

Art S.

Legend

Reviewed Jul. 11, 2019

Drive through horse ranches and find a hidden surprise

The narrow dirt road is really only wide enough for one vehicle. Perhaps this isn’t the best spot for big rigs.

This is a nice campground that is right on the river. Sites are really separated down along the river. There’s lots of trees and bushes that separate sites. One vault toilet and no water source(other than the river) make this a primitive camp.

We had cell service but not LTE.

Month of VisitJuly

(9) View All

Frequently Asked Questions

Are there photos of Swinging Bridge Fishing Access Site to view before visiting?

Photos of Swinging Bridge Fishing Access Site are available online through various outdoor recreation websites and Montana Fish, Wildlife & Parks resources. These images typically showcase the site's riverside setting, wooded campsites, and natural surroundings. Looking at photos before visiting will help you appreciate the site's natural beauty and understand the layout of the camping area with its separated sites along the river and creek. For the most current visual information, check with Montana Fish, Wildlife & Parks' official website.

How do I get to Swinging Bridge Fishing Access Site in Columbus, Montana?

Swinging Bridge Fishing Access Site is accessed via a narrow dirt road that's only wide enough for one vehicle at a time. The access road presents challenges for larger vehicles and is not recommended for big rigs or trailers. The site is located along the Stillwater River near Columbus, Montana. Due to the narrow, curved road conditions, smaller vehicles are strongly recommended for accessing this fishing site. Consider calling ahead for specific directions and current road conditions before your visit.

What fishing opportunities are available at Swinging Bridge Fishing Access Site?

The site offers fishing access to the Stillwater River, though you may need to wade to reach prime fishing spots. There's also a fast-moving creek running through the campground that provides additional fishing opportunities. The area is somewhat unique as some camping is situated along an irrigation ditch with access to the river. The flowing water creates a pleasant backdrop for both camping and fishing activities. For the best fishing experience, bring wading gear and appropriate tackle for river fishing in Montana's waterways.

Keep Exploring