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Dispersed camping near Acton, Montana centers around several primitive recreation areas managed by the Bureau of Land Management. The Acton Recreation Area serves as the primary dispersed camping zone, located approximately 20 miles north of Billings. Additional options include Captain Clark Fishing Access Site along the Yellowstone River near Custer and Bratten Fishing Access Site near Gray Cliff. These areas feature minimal development with primitive campsites scattered across public lands, providing free or low-cost alternatives to developed campgrounds.
Access roads to these dispersed sites vary significantly in quality. The route to Acton Recreation Area includes several miles of washboard gravel road that requires slow driving, typically under 15 mph. Captain Clark Fishing Access Site involves navigating dirt roads past train tracks and residential areas. Most sites accommodate standard vehicles, though some areas within Acton Recreation Area require high-clearance vehicles as the main road transitions to rougher dirt paths. Vault toilets are available at the entrance to Acton and at Captain Clark, but no drinking water is provided at any location. Captain Clark now requires a Montana Conservation License for overnight stays, which costs approximately $10 for out-of-state visitors and is valid for one year.
These dispersed camping areas provide varying experiences based on location. Acton Recreation Area features multiple camping zones with fire rings and picnic tables, plus trails suitable for mountain biking, hiking, and horseback riding. Sites at Captain Clark offer riverside camping with views of the Yellowstone River. Seasonal considerations include mosquitoes, particularly during June after flooding periods. "The road right before getting to the park was washboard like," noted one Acton visitor, while another Captain Clark camper observed that "sites are nice, everyone dispersed pretty well. Vault toilet super clean. Right on the river, so silent." Wind conditions can intensify at night, particularly at Acton, where the open landscape provides minimal shelter.
"A bit out of the way from the highway but worth it. About 6 spots, the first 4 are huddled in a circle but we drove further down the rough road and found a secluded spot far from the others."
"It’s an incredible BLM-managed dispersed camping area about 30 minutes outside of Billings, offering towering ponderosa pines, rocky bluffs, and sweeping valley views."
"We backtracked the next morning to explore Pompey's Pillar National Monument."
"A Montana State Parks Conservation Permit is now required to camp here. Don't know if they enforce that requirement. Here's the link. Your permit is good all year."
LegendLoved this campsite. A bit out of the way from the highway but worth it. About 6 spots, the first 4 are huddled in a circle but we drove further down the rough road and found a secluded spot far from the others. Some trash at the site which was sad to see, remember to leave no trace! Great quiet night except for the cows!
RangerWe just wrapped up a 16-day basecamp here and absolutely loved it. It’s an incredible BLM-managed dispersed camping area about 30 minutes outside of Billings, offering towering ponderosa pines, rocky bluffs, and sweeping valley views. Here are the camping specifics you need to know:
The Setup & Access: This is mostly dry/dispersed camping, though many of the sites do have picnic tables and fire rings. You have to take a few miles of gravel roads (Oswald and Haeg Rd) to get in. There is some washboarding, but we took it slow and easily got our Ford Explorer and 5x8 trailer down into the camping area without any issues.
Amenities: There are vault toilets available near the entrance/parking lot. How far of a walk they are just depends on which dispersed site you claim!
Connectivity (For Digital Nomads): We work remotely full-time from the road. We were able to get a crystal clear line of sight for our Starlink dish, making this an amazing spot to work from the woods.
Activities: The hiking and mountain biking here are top-tier. Highly recommend hiking the "Owl Be Back" trail right from camp, which weaves you through the massive sandstone outcroppings.
If you want a quiet, rugged, and beautiful place to dry-camp that is still close enough to Billings for supply runs, this is the spot!
GuideFirst time camping here, reviews were accurate, very good area. Looking forward to exploring the area today. I settled at spot 14 and there is a trail access just 10yds away. Dirt road for about the last 6 miles to the area and some washboard in the final mile to trailhead. No water at all, come prepared. The area doesn’t appear to get much love or attention from the agency that oversees the spot. Definitely a forgotten child I’d say. But that is a little alluring since it’s a bit off grid remote. Saw some pretty trashy spots where low life’s left their trash behind. The bathrooms (well stocked but messy) are a drive up to the parking lot on a pretty gnarly unkept dirt road. But that’s no problem for a Montanan. Most haulers probably wouldn’t recommend going downhill past the green gate at spot 10 unless you have good clearance and comfortable. The fire pits and tables are in good condition and most of the spots up to mine look pretty fair but 1-10 are pretty close to each other. If you’re a mntn biker this looks like a fun area to spin your wheels. There is a map at the trailhead with 3 levels of difficulty. Pretty nice that it is so close to Billings but very little use by the locals. In Broadview where you turn to access this the local gas station employee had never heard of this place 🤦♂️
GuideWe needed an easy stop crossing from WA to the Midwest. When we arrived, a number of sites were being used, but they were just there for the day. We loved our spacious spot with an amazing view of the river. Few bugs in September. We backtracked the next morning to explore Pompey's Pillar National Monument.
GuideGot swarmed by mosquitoes. Made putting up and taking down the tent terrible. Bring bug spray or stay in a vehicle/ rv if camping here in June. Could be from all the flooding, but it was dry when we got there.
TravelerA Montana State Parks Conservation Permit is now required to camp here. Don't know if they enforce that requirement. Here's the link. Your permit is good all year.
https://ols.fwp.mt.gov/landing_input
This is a great spot. I was here on a week night very quiet. Only one other couple. Lots of birds. You can see where the beavers have been at work felling trees on they way in. Wild turkeys were pretty vocal last evening.
Easy to imagine Capt. William Clark floating past in 1806 in his lashed together canoes on his way to the Missouri to rejoin Capt. Merriweather Lewis.
It is actually a fishing access point with boat ramp. A little slow going in on the dirt road. Could be slick if rainy. There are 4 campsites with fire rings and a pit toilet at the far end.
Length limit on vehicles is 20 feet. They clarify 20 ft tow vehicle and 20 ft trailer. Don't know how strict they are on this. It would be tough to get anything big in here anyway. You can stay here up to 7 days.
GuideFortunately, there is good signage guiding you in here from the frontage road. If there wasn’t, one would almost feel as though they were driving onto someone’s property as opposed to public land.
I loved this place because it was close enough to I94 to feel convenient but far enough away that the noise from the freeway wasn’t bothersome although it’s so peaceful here, you can still hear the road. But you’re hearing it from a distance. It’s far from overpowering.
We were lucky enough to get the site under this truly massive tree that was likely here when captain clark was on his expedition. The pics don’t do justice to its size but use my camper for comparison. Haha
Sites are well spread apart. Fire rings and picnic tables at each. FYI, there is no place nearby to purchase firewood. Stop in Miles City or Billings on your way in depending on the direction you’re coming from if you need it.
You do have to have a MT Conservation License to stay here. They out of state variety that I had to purchase was $10 and is good for an entire year at this and any other location in the state that requires it. The good news is that the sign board at the campground has a QR code on it and I had three bars of Verizon to do it from the campsite.
No one ever came through to check if I had it, but one would have to understand that they do maintain these places to some degree and that maintenance has a cost.
We saw several geese. Heard several wild turkeys but never saw them. And we were greeted with an amazing sunrise right before we set out on our way.
Definitely recommend this place if you’re traveling I94. Would most definitely stay again.
ScoutGreat place to pull off to get some rest at drive up campsites. The road right before getting to the park was washboard like (late Sept. 2024). Can drive quite a ways down but make sure your vehicle has Clearance cause the dirt road gets rough.
TravelerDirt road to get to, keep going all the way back past train tracks and houses. Sites are nice, everyone dispersed pretty well. Vault toilet super clean. Right on the river, so silent.
Dispersed camping near Acton, Montana provides access to Bureau of Land Management sites at elevations between 3,500-4,000 feet with relatively mild summer nights compared to lower elevations. The region features rolling prairie terrain with scattered groves of cottonwood trees along water sources. Most primitive camping areas remain open year-round but access becomes significantly more difficult during winter months when snow and mud can make roads impassable.
Mountain biking opportunities: Multiple trail networks throughout Acton Recreation Area offer diverse riding terrain. "This is one of my favorite local riding spots. The trails are well used and vary from flat and easy to moderately difficult. Lots of bicyclers on the trails," notes reviewer Kathi F.
Yellowstone River fishing: Captain Clark provides direct river access with boat launching facilities. "Great spot right next to the river. Has toilet and boat ramp. Shade is good. Not too many things to do around the area unless a boat is brought in, but great for quick one night camping," reports Robert B.
Wildlife viewing: Early mornings offer opportunities to spot native species including wild turkeys, beavers, and various bird species. A visitor at Captain Clark mentioned, "We saw several geese. Heard several wild turkeys but never saw them."
Historical exploration: Nearby Pompey's Pillar National Monument provides educational opportunities about the Lewis and Clark Expedition. "We backtracked the next morning to explore Pompey's Pillar National Monument," shares Dorothy J. about her stay at Captain Clark.
River access: Proximity to the Yellowstone River remains a significant draw for many visitors. Morgan B. highlights at Captain Clark: "The Yellowstone River is a fast moving and dangerous river but there is a great swimming hole on the other side of the boat launch."
Night sky viewing: With minimal light pollution, the area offers excellent stargazing opportunities. Madeline O. from Acton Recreation Area reports: "Stars were amazing! Not many bugs."
Secluded sites: Multiple camping areas provide privacy despite being relatively accessible. "Loved this campsite. A bit out of the way from the highway but worth it. About 6 spots, the first 4 are huddled in a circle but we drove further down the rough road and found a secluded spot far from the others," writes Alyson M. about Acton Recreation Area.
Open landscapes: The combination of prairie and river views creates distinct camping experiences. At Bratten Fishing Access Site, David M. describes the setting as "a secret little site surrounded by Prairie. Grasslands and succulent deciduous trees."
License requirements: A Montana Conservation License is now required for overnight stays at some locations. Kevin C. advises about Captain Clark: "You do have to have a MT Conservation License to stay here. The out of state variety that I had to purchase was $10 and is good for an entire year at this and any other location in the state that requires it."
Road conditions: Access roads to primitive sites can be challenging and weather-dependent. At Acton Recreation Area, Vincent B. shares: "I checked out the first couple groups of sites with my Subaru Crosstrek pulling a square drop trailer without issue."
Limited facilities: Most sites offer minimal amenities requiring self-sufficiency. "There is a vault toilet near the boat launch. The spots are relatively secluded," explains Morgan B. about facilities at Captain Clark.
Seasonal insects: Mosquito activity varies throughout the season. David M. notes that when camping at Bratten Fishing Access Site in mid-June, conditions were favorable with minimal insects.
Site selection for bathroom access: For families with small children, choosing sites with easier toilet access makes a difference. A reviewer at Acton Recreation Area advises: "Camp up top the first 1-2 sections if not have a truck/high suspension for the dirt road further down. The bathroom near entrance so camp first section if need that daily for easy walk to it. Took my 3 kids and had a great time for 2 days."
Educational opportunities: Combine camping with learning about local wildlife and history. "Easy to imagine Capt. William Clark floating past in 1806 in his lashed together canoes on his way to the Missouri to rejoin Capt. Merriweather Lewis," notes Mike C. at Captain Clark.
Noise considerations: Proximity to transportation corridors affects some camping areas. At Bratten Fishing Access, "You do hear the highway and the trains going by," which might influence site selection for families with light sleepers.
Swimming safety: Areas with safer water access are limited but valuable for families. Morgan B. points out a specific feature at Captain Clark: "There is a great swimming hole on the other side of the boat launch."
Length restrictions: Some areas have specific vehicle size limitations. Mike C. cautions about Captain Clark: "Length limit on vehicles is 20 feet. They clarify 20 ft tow vehicle and 20 ft trailer. Don't know how strict they are on this. It would be tough to get anything big in here anyway."
Site accessibility: For RVs and trailers, evaluating road conditions before attempting access prevents problems. Vincent B. describes his experience at Acton: "I checked out the first couple groups of sites with my Subaru Crosstrek pulling a square drop trailer without issue."
Available pad sizes: Bratten Fishing Access offers "about six formal sites with a level gravel spot. Each site can accommodate two vehicles above 33 ft long," according to David M., making it suitable for larger setups.
Advance planning: Given limited services, RVers should prepare accordingly. Kevin C. advises: "There is no place nearby to purchase firewood. Stop in Miles City or Billings on your way in depending on the direction you're coming from if you need it."
Frequently Asked Questions
Which is the most popular dispersed campsite near Acton, MT?
According to TheDyrt.com, the most popular dispersed campground near Acton, MT is Acton Recreation Area with a 4.6-star rating from 27 reviews.
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