Big Sky is an ideal place for camping adventures of all kinds. There are tons of hikes and other fun activities to partake in, as well as sights to see and explore. Discover great camping spots near Big Sky, reviewed by campers like you.
"This is very remote feeling with no cell reception or views of any paved roads or buildings. You cannot hear traffic from the highway which is about 1/3 miles away."
"Overall a great sites with a pit toilet and campfire rings for use. I recommend it for any Yellowstone visitors looking for a spot."
"No amenities, so pack in everything you need and leave no trace. Would 100% come back for the views alone. One of the best dispersed sites I’ve stayed at."
"Perfect dispersed camping. Note it is a windy dirt road, so a pickup or camper van can make it, but don't try a Class A or Class C RV. Our 20 footer made it fine."
"Definitely busier than I expected, especially with the condition of the road; we had multiple cars coming down the road we were on and then they would turn around and come back but it wasn’t obnoxious."
"Dispersed camping all along a pass through the canyon. Very remote and private. I drove up the mountain a ways and found a perfect spot to set up ."
"We took the last one (just after 2ish miles from the entrance at the road) and it was absolutely gorgeous. Our little site sat on small ridge with a somewhat steep but short trail down to the creek."
"This spot is one of my favorite dispersed sites I’ve ever stayed at. We stayed for 3 nights but could stay up to 16. Next time, I may stay the whole time."
"Great spot with easy access. Beautiful views and the blue mountains in the distance at sunset make this site a crowd pleaser."
"Great dispersed camp area . Rugged 2 track with established ( flat clearing with rock fire ring) camp spots on both sides."
"Easy to drive into, and parking lot is easy to turn around in. You can't see the main road from here, so very private."
"We had to park in a tiny road and walk about 5 min to our campsite. Super comfy and quiet tho for a getaway night ! The spot only had 3-4 sites tho"
"We arrived to the Yellowstone area in the evening, and since we had been traveling around the U.S. for almost a year, we were well-versed in finding alternative camping options near national parks."
"Take a left and drive in 3 miles on National Forest Road to areas where camping is allowed. There are mile marker signs."
"Perfect pull outs off Travertine up Trail Creek/FS 1701 just 7-10 minutes out of Gardine. We ended up at the very end of the road where it loops back on itself in our truck camper."
"Drove through a few open gates but there were clearly dispersed sites in this area. Nice flat sites, road was rocky and bumpy but not bad."
LegendDisperse campsite 6100N is located a short distance off of forest road 100. This camping area is a nice large flat grassy area to camp in, perfect for tents. Camping area sits along the Upper Ruby River. One large rock fire ring is available. Fir and Juniper trees surround this camping area. Disperse camping along FS route 100 is only allowed in designated locations in this part of the Beaverhead-Deerlodge National Forest. All forest service disperse camping rules are in affect. Stay is limited to 16 days. No facilities at this site so come prepared. Site is at an elevation of 6621 feet
LegendCoal Creek Disperse Camping Area is a large flat grassy parking area just barely off the main road. Site has a large rock fire ring with plenty of flat areas to set up a tent or park a camper. Site is right next to Coal Creek. Being so close to the road you will have no privacy, but the remoteness of the area should mean little to no traffic at night. Disperse camping along FS route 100 is only allowed in designated locations in this part of the Beaverhead-Deerlodge National Forest. All forest service disperse camping rules are in affect. Stay is limited to 16 days. No facilities at this site so come prepared. Site is at an elevation of 7000 feet
ScoutAbsolutely stunning spot. The mountain views from camp were unreal — especially at sunrise. Super peaceful, with minimal noise. No amenities, so pack in everything you need and leave no trace. Would 100% come back for the views alone. One of the best dispersed sites I’ve stayed at.
LegendCow Creek Disperse camping area is a large fairly flat grassy area just off the road. Area is in the wide open on a high spot above the Ruby River meaning less bugs as you are unprotected from any breeze that may be blowing. The site has great views of the surrounding mountains and of the Ruby River below. Site has on large rock fire ring. Plenty of room to fit a large group at this location, with no problem finding flat spots for your tents. Disperse camping along FS route 100 is only allowed in designated locations in this part of the Beaverhead-Deerlodge National Forest. All forest service disperse camping rules are in affect. Stay is limited to 16 days. No facilities at this site(so come prepared. Site is at an elevation of 6428 feet.
LegendDispersed Camping Area 6100M is a large camping area a short distance off forest road 100 with five established sites. Three of the sites are in the open and two are tucked in the trees along the edge of the Ruby River. The tree sites are very nice, sitting among large fir trees. Rock fire rings can be found at all sites, one of the treed sites along the river has a metal fire barrel. Disperse camping along FS route 100 is only allowed in designated locations in this part of the Beaverhead-Deerlodge National Forest. All forest service disperse camping rules are in affect. Stay is limited to 16 days. No facilities at this site so come prepared. Site is at an elevation of 6567 feet
LegendDispersed Camping Area 6100X is not much to talk about. The location is just barely off the road in a bumpy grassy area along Forest Service route 100. This camping area is wide open, not much of a site, but does have a small rock fire ring. I would suggest not using the fire ring as small sage brush is growing along the edge of the ring, would build a new ring if you wanted a fire. While the ground is a little bumpy you should have no problem find a level enough spot for a tent and a camper should be no problem at all. Disperse camping along FS route 100 is only allowed in designated locations in this part of the Beaverhead-Deerlodge National Forest. All forest service disperse camping rules are in affect. Stay is limited to 16 days. No facilities at this site so come prepared. Site is at an elevation of 7024 feet.
LegendA Outhouse!!!. Dispersed Camping Area 6100J is a large camping area a short distance off forest road 100 with four to six established sites depending on how you look at it. But the best thing of all is just across FS road 100 is a vault toilet. The camping area sits between FS 100 and the Ruby River, unfortunately none of the sites are along the river. I said 4-6 sites as a few of the rock fire rings are very close to another fire ring, could fit to groups of campers at these sites, but why would you want to be so close to someone else while disperse camping. Good size fire rings at nice flat locations with plenty of room to set up camp. The vault toilet did not have any paper in it when I visited, but it was after the usual camping season and the middle of hunting season. The site also has 3 tie up rails for horses at the entrance to the camping area. Disperse camping along FS route 100 is only allowed in designated locations in this part of the Beaverhead-Deerlodge National Forest. All forest service disperse camping rules are in affect. Stay is limited to 16 days. No facilities at this site(except for the vault toilet) so come prepared. Site is at an elevation of 6472 feet
ScoutPerfect dispersed camping. Note it is a windy dirt road, so a pickup or camper van can make it, but don't try a Class A or Class C RV. Our 20 footer made it fine. Also wouldn't want to drive it if rain forecasted as I bet the dirt turns to impassible mud real fast.
The spots themselves are wonderful, some very open, some tucked away along the rocks, all very spread out from each other. Super quiet. I can't believe how quiet it was.
If you want to feel like you are camping on a mountain in the middle of no where, this is it.
TravelerThis site is about 20 miles west of Yellowstone in Idaho. Great spot with easy access. Beautiful views and the blue mountains in the distance at sunset make this site a crowd pleaser. Gravel roads on the way in get a little more rough the further in you go and down towards the creek. About 8+ sites off gravel road including a group site. There are also a few dirt roads closer to entrance that may lead to more but we didn’t go up since they were a little closer to the road. The traffic was a bit loud at times but as the night went on and the traffic died down and this was a beautiful area overlooking a meadow. Unfortunately, a few people have forgot the importance of leave no trace and therefore be careful of the toilet paper scattered throughout this site.
Experience the beauty of nature with dispersed camping near Big Sky, Montana. This area offers a variety of spots where you can enjoy the great outdoors, surrounded by stunning landscapes and the tranquility of the wilderness.
Frequently Asked Questions
Are there any designated dispersed camping areas with amenities near Big Sky?
While most dispersed camping areas near Big Sky are primitive, a few offer basic amenities. 6100J Dispersed Camping Area stands out with access to a vault toilet just across Forest Service road 100. This area features four to six established sites between the road and Ruby River. Blackmore Campground provides toilet facilities while maintaining a rustic dispersed feel. Most other dispersed sites in the region are true boondocking experiences without amenities, so campers should come prepared with their own water, waste disposal solutions, and be ready to pack out all trash. Cell service varies throughout the area, with higher elevation sites typically offering better connectivity.
Where can I find free dispersed camping near Big Sky Montana?
Free dispersed camping is available in several areas surrounding Big Sky. Taylor Fork Road Dispersed offers multiple pull-offs for camping with both drive-in and walk-in access that accommodates larger rigs. The Ruby River area provides several free options including 6100N Dispersed Camping Area, which features a large flat grassy area perfect for tents along the Upper Ruby River with a fire ring and surrounding fir and juniper trees. Additional dispersed options can be found along forest service roads throughout Gallatin National Forest. Most sites are primitive with no facilities, so come prepared to be fully self-sufficient and practice Leave No Trace principles.
What are the best seasons for dispersed camping in Big Sky Montana?
The optimal seasons for dispersed camping around Big Sky are late spring through early fall (mid-June to mid-September). Travertine Road Dispersed - Yellowstone offers stunning mountain views, especially at sunrise, but access can be challenging in wet conditions as dirt roads may become impassable with mud. Targhee Creek provides beautiful sunset views against blue mountains during summer months. Winter camping is possible but requires specialized gear and experience with cold-weather conditions. Spring can bring muddy roads and flooding near creek beds, while fall offers spectacular colors but increasingly cold nights. Always check weather forecasts and road conditions before heading out, especially in shoulder seasons.
What regulations should I know about for boondocking near Big Sky Montana?
When boondocking near Big Sky, adhere to the 14-day stay limit typically enforced on public lands. At Bootjack - Dispersed Camping, campers should stick to established sites and be aware that large rigs may have difficulty turning around on dead-end roads. Coal Creek Dispersed Camping Area and similar sites require campers to maintain at least 100-200 feet distance from water sources when setting up camp. Fire restrictions vary seasonally—always check current regulations and have a proper fire ring. Pack out all waste and trash. Some forest roads may have vehicle size restrictions or seasonal closures. Vehicles must remain on established roads and within 300 feet of roads in most areas. No permits are required, but following Leave No Trace principles is essential.
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