Are you planning a camping trip to Acton with your dog? We've got you covered. Finding a place to camp in Montana with your dog is easier than ever. The Dyrt can help you find the perfect pet-friendly campsites that are scenic and easy to access.
Map: https://www.blm.gov/sites/blm.gov/files/Acton_GeoRef_2019.pdf Located approximately 18 miles north of Billings, the Acton Recreation Area consists of an extremely diverse landscape. With Cretaceous Age upland bluffs of Eagle sandstone, minor badlands, steep drainages, weathered shale, and scattered ponderosa pine, this 3,800 acre parcel of land allows for many wildlife viewing opportunities. Open to camping, hiking, horseback riding, mountain biking, and hunting (during season), Acton provides multiple possibilities for use year-round. About 6.6 miles of mapped roads are open for motorized use. The Acton Recreation Area is located within the Hoskins Basin Archaeological District, an area containing the remains of both conical and cribbed aboriginal wooden dwellings. Both types are increasing rarities on the northwest plains. Reports of early explorers indicated that dwellings of this type were once common. Due to loss through natural causes (weathering, floods, and fire), many of the structures have been lost. Their use for firewood and fence posts account for other losses. Distribution of the both the cribbed and conical dwellings is quite limited. The cribbed type is reported to have been spotted only from south-central Montana to northern Wyoming. The conical types have a wider range but are not as common in southcentral Montana as the cribbed. Only a limited number of these dwellings are known to exist. Sites with both types represented are fewer still. No off-road motorized vehicle use is permitted to protect the archaeological sites and wildlife habitat.
This park has been closed due to bank erosion. Call/check website before arriving
$25 - $55 / night
Quiet country setting yet minutes from the city of Billings!!!
$35 - $40 / night
Accessibility is not guaranteed, always scout ahead before driving down dirt roads. Learn more: https://www.campendium.com/camping/boondocking-101/
Guide
We 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.
Legend
Deadman’s Basin Montana FWP Campground 10/24 Stopover for one night in 10/24. The reservoir along which this cg lies is low this time of year. Reservoir must be prettier in the spring and early summer when the water level is higher. (Scale 1- bad, 5-Very good
(72 yr olds in 27’ trailer.)
Overall Rating: 4
Price 2024: See pricing in photo. Contrary to posted signs the website says that camping is free. Screenshot of website is also provided in photos .
Security: no
Usage during visit: our loop empty.
Visual Privacy Between Adjacent Sites: no
Site Spacing: good
Pad surface: dirt
Reservations: First come first serve
Campground Noise: According to signage some action has been taken.
Outside Road Noise: no
Through Traffic in campground: no
Electric Hookup: no
Sewer Hookup: no
Dump Station: no
Potable Water Available: no
Generators: sb allowed
Bathroom: a clean pit toilet
Showers: no
Pull Throughs: yes
Cell Service (AT&T): 1 bar
Setting: near reservoir
Recent Weather: clear and w highs in70s and 80s.
Solar: very good
Insects: none
Host: no
Rig Size: large rigs should fit in some sites.
Sites: see pics.
Scout
Great 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.
GuideDidnt camp but stopped to cook lunch, seems fine for tent or car camp, theres a few old picknick tables and an outhouse toilet. A few boaters at the boat ramp and one small area to get down to the river for dip (beware fast rapid spots), or use pier for fishing. No bites after a few casts but wasnt planning to stay as it was 92 degrees with not much shade.
Ranger
Clean quiet at night. Family and pet friendly. Large campsites each with a picnic table and fire pit. Public toilets non-threaded water spigot near the entrance. Water quality is great. 64 outlets on four different light posts near communal bathroom and shelter area. With a long enough extension cord you might be able to get to your campsite but I doubt it. Close to the river. I feel safe here. I got here on August 30th and stay till September 3rd that's why I chose month of September.
RangerRight on the river and lots of shade and roomy camp spots. AT&T cell service is good!
Legend
Got on around 7pm and the office was closed. Easy night procedures. Still able to access the mini golf and pool. Kids had a blast with both and the playground. Nice full hook up back in spot. A little pricey for a quick turn but nice neighbors and great amenities. Just wish campground were open later.
TravelerThere are only four spots to camp here but they are large and grassy. Each of them faces the river with a firepit and a table. There is a vault toilet near the boat launch. The spots are relatively secluded. The Yellowstone River is a fast moving and dangerous ricer but there is a great swimming hole on the other side of the boat launch. It’s easy to get to the campsites. There is a train track near by. LOTS of cool bird activity.
Guide
Worth the drive, had great scenery and a vault toilet. I checked out the first couple groups of sites with my Subaru Crosstrek pulling a square drop trailer without issue. About half the sites were available just before sun down, didn't have an issue picking a great spot for the night. Some cool trails to walk the dog and bike leading from the area. Cool little place to stay.
Scout
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. Also, we were in T1 and near the bathrooms which made it so people would cut through our campsite often.
That being said all the facilities are very nice and the staff as well.
Tent campers beware but not that ware.
Scout
This camground was fairly quiet. Close to town. 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. After we figured that out it was easy to get set up and paid.
TravelerGreat spot short drive into Billing’s but in the countryside
GuideAt first we were a little nervous about staying in a public campground, but we quickly felt safe and decided to stay an extra day. There was some trash around but overall it was clean. The city park staff had a strong presence during the day, taking care of the grounds. In the afternoon and evening, law enforcement made a few sweeps through the park. There was wood left by many of the fire pits and even a water fill station for our RV. Sites did not have hookups but we run on solar with generator backup so we survived the 100 degree heat just fine. The river was right there and while beautiful... too swift for us or our dogs to enter. We enjoyed walking there and felt very comfortable. The park manager came by to introduce himself also. This place was a gem. Please leave a donation if you stay and say thank you for such a wonderful resource.
TravelerPretty nice spot. A few spots were open. Need 4x4 to get down road all the way down, but few spots before it gets rough. Got there late and there was a few spots left. Overlooks a ridge line. Spots have firepits and picnic tables. Bring wood. Awesome spot and definitely recommend.
Guide
We called last minute for an overnight and there was one spot left. We were welcomed and taken care of even arriving after hours. Nice pull through sites, clean bathrooms and showers, (laundry too, although we did not use this stop), and a nice area with horse shoes and another toss game. Trains can be heard occasionally while outside but inside with our fan running we never heard them.
Guide
Campsite has plenty of spots and decent amenities. Some of the spots have lake access where we saw other campers with their boats tied up to shore. The spots were way too close together for my liking. There were almost no trees, which meant no privacy from other campers. The campsite was EXTREMELY overpriced. We paid $36 for one night of tent camping ($8 vehicle fee and $26 tenters fee). This might be a reasonable price for RVs hooked up to electricity and water, but this was a ripoff for tenters that used only the pit toilet amenity. The lake was pretty, but I will absolutely continue on and camp in the Beartooth Mtns next time around.
ScoutNice place allowing upto 7 days of free camping. Donations suggested. This is a city park just outside of town, so water and rv dump are nearby. Laundromat also nearby. Toilets and potable water are in the park. You can fill your fresh water tank.
TravelerFree campground run by the city of Columbus. They do accept donations. Only a 5 min drive off the highway so it’s very convenient as a road trip stop.
It has lots of shade and is located right next to the Yellowstone River.
In a Monday night in June, the campground was mostly full.
TravelerBeautiful camping area well maintained would expect it to be an actual fee Campground but it's disbursement. Each site has a picnic table and barbecue ring. Only bathrooms are at the entrance so bring your own. AT&t has decent signal
GuideOne of the nicest BLMs if that’s what’s called. 30 min from Billings, easy access, nice gravel even road, well marked entrance and even leveled sites. We got some screaming teenagers passing in the car but soon they stopped. We had a restful night to continue our roadtrip.
Traveler
Full hookups available. Basically, downtown in a population 96 town of 4 blocks. Showers laundry available. Biggest attraction for us was a very nice and friendly little bar in easy walking distance. If you have a quarter, you can hamme r it in the wall at the bar and sign your name.
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.
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.
Scout
Nice and friendly management. Easy access from Hwy. both back in and drive through sites. Full hookups.
ScoutThis worked perfectly for a 2 AM stop, but would've been great for a longer stay. Came in really late and about 75% of the sites were empty. Would be nice even to camp for multi-day and enjoy the Yellowstone River. Left a donation. Looks like there is water and vault toilets as well, I didn't use them
ScoutRolled up to Billings and needed a place to post up for the night. A quick 30 minutes and I made it to Acton. Lots of cool spots to camp, great view as I was able to back right up to a ledge. Some nice trails which were fun to crawl around.
Guide
Not sure this is an actual campsite
Frequently Asked Questions
Which is the most popular dog-friendly campsite near Acton, MT?
According to TheDyrt.com, the most popular dog-friendly campground near Acton, MT is Billings KOA with a 4.2-star rating from 46 reviews.
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