Riverside camping options in the Acton, Montana area offer access to the Yellowstone River with varying levels of amenities. The town sits in south-central Montana between Billings and Columbus, where cottonwood-lined riverbanks create natural shade and wildlife habitat. Temperatures range from summer highs in the 80s to winter lows well below freezing, with most tent camping facilities operating seasonally from May through September.
What to do
Riverside hiking trails: Access the Yellowstone River via walking paths at Yellowstone River RV Park & Campground, where campers can enjoy scenic wildlife viewing. "Pretty nature walk down to the river. We are newbies to RV life but overall we had no complaints," notes one visitor who stayed for three nights.
Fishing access: The Yellowstone River offers excellent trout fishing opportunities throughout the summer months. "Great little fishing access but there is no overnight camping allowed," reports a visitor about Firemans Point FAS, making it a good day-use option but requiring campers to return to established campgrounds in the evening.
Mini-golf and family activities: Billings KOA Holiday offers recreational options beyond yurt camping. "The pull through site we had included a patio with swing and picnic table... the campground had plenty of activities and amenities, including mini golf, pool, lodge, dog park, playground, ice cream stand and a BBQ joint," describes a camper who appreciated the resort-style offerings.
What campers like
Affordability options: Unlike premium accommodations, simpler campgrounds provide budget-friendly alternatives. "Cheap to rent a spot," notes a visitor about Riverside City Park, offering a more economical option for campers seeking basic amenities near Acton.
Wildlife viewing: The riverfront location attracts local wildlife visible from camps. "Had two bucks stroll within 30 yards of the tent area," reports a camper at Yellowstone River RV Park & Campground, highlighting unexpected nature encounters even at developed campgrounds.
Scenic surroundings: The Yellowstone River corridor provides natural beauty at sunset. "Nice scenery, especially at sunset. Full hook up year round, lots of full timers makes it a nice and quiet stay," shares a reviewer who found the experience worth the cost despite noting it was "a bit on the pricey side at $65 a night."
What you should know
Seasonal availability: While some facilities operate year-round, others close seasonally. One visitor reported, "Called city of Laurel and they confirmed campground is closed," about Riverside City Park, although more recent reviews indicate it has reopened with "several very long pull throughs. Park is nice and green at this time of year."
Limited tent camping privacy: Tent sites often lack separation from RV areas. "Tent camping here is not very private. You basically pitch a tent in the middle of a bunch of RVs with very little tree cover," warns a camper at Riverside City Park, adding that people would cut through their site to reach the bathrooms.
Site marker confusion: Some campgrounds use unconventional site markings. "Only issue with this campground is how they have sites marked. Took a little bit to figure out the site markers for tent camping. They have little concrete circles on the ground with numbers," explains a visitor who otherwise enjoyed their stay.
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