Best Tent Camping near Big Sky, MT

The mountainous terrain surrounding Big Sky, Montana offers diverse tent camping options ranging from established campgrounds to remote backcountry sites. Spanish Lakes provides highly-rated tent-only camping accessed via a challenging 9-mile hike from Spanish Creek, with multiple alpine lakes for fishing and camping. Blackmore Campground in Custer-Gallatin National Forest offers first-come, first-served tent sites with bear boxes and access to creek trails. For those seeking primitive tent camping closer to Yellowstone National Park, WF1 Backcountry Campsite sits on the edge of a wildflower meadow about 2.2 miles from the Black Butte Trailhead on Highway 191.

Tent campsites throughout the region vary significantly in terrain and accessibility. Many backcountry tent sites require proper food storage due to bear activity, with some areas providing bear boxes while others require hanging food or using portable containers. Ground conditions for tent setup range from soft forest duff that easily accepts stakes to rockier terrain requiring more robust tent anchoring systems. Walk-in tent sites at higher elevations may remain snowbound until early summer, particularly in Spanish Lakes where stream crossings can be challenging during snowmelt. Most primitive tent camping areas have established fire rings, though fire restrictions are common during dry summer months. Vault toilets are available at established campgrounds like Ruby Creek and Blackmore, but backcountry tent campers should be prepared to pack out all waste.

In early summer, tent campers at Spanish Lakes enjoy abundant wildflowers and fishing opportunities. According to reviews, the hike includes "crossing beautiful bridges over roaring streams" with some requiring hikers to "take off boots" for crossings. At Blackmore Campground, campers report sites remain available even when arriving at 7pm, with "clean bathrooms, recycling facilities and bear boxes." Wildlife encounters are common throughout the region's tent campgrounds. One visitor at Fairy Lake noted a "grizzly that's pretty big" checked out their tent, while mountain goats frequently approach campsites. Tent campers seeking solitude often prefer the backcountry sites in Yellowstone, where permits limit each site to a single group, ensuring complete privacy for tent camping experiences.

Best Tent Sites Near Big Sky, Montana (55)

    1. Spanish Lakes

    4 Reviews
    Big Sky, MT
    8 miles

    "A relatively challenging nine-mile-hike in from the Spanish Creek campground. Turn left at the trail map and follow the well marked signs."

    "To get there you drive into the Spanish Creek Picnic area. Then you follow the trails on the map to Spanish Lakes. The trails are pretty well marked. It’s about 9.5 miles in and up."

    2. Yellow Mule Cabin

    1 Review
    Big Sky, MT
    5 miles
    Website
    +1 (406) 522-2520

    $55 / night

    "The cabin is so cute, tucked away in a forest. It's pretty magically. The best part about this cabin is you can't reach it by car. You can take a 4 wheeler, ATV or you can hike 8 miles."

    3. Varney Bridge

    6 Reviews
    Cameron, MT
    20 miles
    Website
    +1 (406) 994-4042

    "Quiet, great hosts (Randy and Karen), bear boxes, great level site…and we drove in without a reservation."

    "There are a few smaller sites right next to the river, which are close to the road. Further down, there are a few more spots with more space, but from those spots it's a short walk to the river."

    4. Travertine Road Dispersed - Yellowstone

    41 Reviews
    Gardiner, MT
    34 miles

    "Keep goin on up the road quite a bit. 6000-some elevation. Flat, did the job great. The overlook spot was taken but we found a nice flat spot right around the corner."

    "I would definitely come here again. 15 min to Yellowstone NP entrance. Nice dark quiet spots. ZERO amenities for ZERO dollars. We were driving a minivan and tent camping."

    5. WF1 Backcountry Campsite — Yellowstone National Park

    1 Review
    Custer Gallatin National Forest, MT
    18 miles
    Website

    $3 - $15 / night

    "The site has a large rock fire ring in the cooking area with logs sitting around it to sit on. An arrow on a tree with the site number points to the sites toilet just up hill in the trees."

    6. Ruby Creek Campground

    2 Reviews
    Cameron, MT
    20 miles
    Website
    +1 (406) 683-8000

    "Tucked away from the main road along the water meant a peaceful night. Open campground with few trees. $12/night for a level spot, fire ring, picnic table and clean vault toilet."

    "Campground has water, vault toilets, picnic tables, and metal fire rings.  This is a Pack in, pack out campground. I have stayed here twice and each time their were only a couple others camped here. "

    7. Blackmore Campground

    4 Reviews
    Gallatin Gateway, MT
    24 miles
    Website
    +1 (800) 969-7159

    $26 / night

    "Great First Come First Serve campground with clean bathroom, recycling facilities and bear boxes. Nice sites with fire pits and picnic tables."

    "Near the road so some road noise but other than that it was quiet. A vault toilet and a trash here."

    8. Heart Lake Cabin — Yellowstone National Park

    1 Review
    Custer Gallatin National Forest, MT
    21 miles
    Website

    "Heart lake cabin and campgrounds it's a good hike in to the camp spot into the Scapegoat Montana Wilderness."

    9. Targhee Creek

    28 Reviews
    West Yellowstone, ID
    40 miles
    Website

    "Nice place even had a bear box for food storage."

    "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."

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Showing results 1-10 of 55 campgrounds

Tent Camping Reviews near Big Sky, MT

1189 Reviews of 55 Big Sky Campgrounds



Guide to Big Sky

Nestled in the stunning landscapes of Montana, tent camping near Big Sky offers a perfect blend of adventure and tranquility, with a variety of campgrounds that cater to outdoor enthusiasts.

Tips for tent camping near Big Sky

  • For a peaceful experience, consider the Palisades Campground, which features a serene creek running through the sites and clean vault toilets.
  • If you're looking for a remote feel, the Varney Bridge offers a quiet atmosphere with riverfront access, perfect for fishing enthusiasts.
  • Be prepared for a hike to reach the breathtaking Spanish Lakes, where you can enjoy stunning alpine views and crystal-clear waters.

Tent campers should check out Ruby Creek Campground

  • The Ruby Creek Campground is well-reviewed for its level spots along the Madison River, making it a great choice for those who enjoy fishing.
  • With its open grassy area and few trees, the Ruby Creek Campground provides a spacious environment for tent camping while still being close to nature.
  • This campground is a pack-in, pack-out site, ensuring a clean and natural setting for your camping experience.

Tent campers like these nearby activities

  • The Palisades Campground is close to the Willow Creek Trail, offering a peaceful hike with beautiful scenery and minimal foot traffic.
  • At the Varney Bridge, you can enjoy fishing on the Madison River, known for its excellent trout population.
  • The stunning views and diverse wildlife around Spanish Lakes make it a fantastic spot for hiking and photography, especially during wildflower season.

Frequently Asked Questions

Which is the most popular tent campsite near Big Sky, MT?

According to TheDyrt.com, the most popular tent campground near Big Sky, MT is Spanish Lakes with a 5-star rating from 4 reviews.

What is the best site to find tent camping near Big Sky, MT?

TheDyrt.com has all 55 tent camping locations near Big Sky, MT, with real photos and reviews from campers.