The Yellowstone River winds through the Big Timber area, where elevations range from 4,000 to 6,000 feet in the surrounding mountains. Summer temperatures typically reach the upper 80s during July and August, with cool nights dropping into the 50s. Campgrounds in this region often experience high winds due to the valley geography, particularly in spring and early summer.
What to do
Fishing access points: 5 miles from Big Timber. The Yellowstone River offers excellent fishing opportunities at Otter Creek Fishing Access Site, just a short drive from town. "Beautiful location with several spots. All have fire pits but picnic tables are in bad shape. Going to sleep with sound of Rushing Water 20 ft away from me," reports one camper who appreciates the proximity to nature.
Hot springs visit: 30-minute drive. Chico Hot Springs is accessible from several campgrounds in the area, making a relaxing day trip. "Chico hot springs a short drive away as well," notes a visitor who stayed at Livingston/Paradise Valley KOA Holiday.
Boat launch: No fees required. Otter Creek offers a free boat launch for accessing the Yellowstone River. "There is a boat launch for fishing. It snowed when we were there in very late September 2019. We were the only ones there the two days we waited out the snow," shares a camper who appreciated the lack of crowds during shoulder season.
What campers like
River proximity: Direct access. Many campers value sites directly adjacent to the Yellowstone River. "Right on the edge of the Yellowstone River, about 90 minutes north of Yellowstone NP. The view of the river and the mountains is fantastic," according to a reviewer at Yellowstone Edge RV Park.
Mountain views: Absaroka Range visible. The dramatic mountain backdrop earns frequent mentions in reviews. "Great little KOA. Awesome views of the Absaroka range. Book early. Tent sites were great," explains a camper who visited Paradise Valley KOA.
Free camping options: No reservation needed. "Free spot on the Yellowstone close to Big Timber. Fast and high water in June. Not much to do at this spot but it's free. One vault toilet," notes a visitor to Otter Creek Fishing Access Site, highlighting the value for budget-conscious campers.
What you should know
Road conditions: Variable access. Several campgrounds have challenging approach roads that require careful navigation. "The road to get to the trailhead and campground was slow going and really just a logging route- would recommend something with good clearance and ideally 4WD," warns a camper about Fairy Lake Campground.
Wildlife encounters: Bears present. "For sure there is 1 grizzly that's pretty big. He checked out our truck tent. Mountain Goats will come in your camp and they will do what goats do and want to check you out. They are not scared," cautions a Fairy Lake Campground visitor, emphasizing the importance of proper food storage.
Seasonal closures: Limited winter options. Most camping areas near Big Timber close by mid-October due to weather conditions. "We stayed in Osens RV park in Livingston, Montana in September 2021. This is a very nice quiet Park with pull-thru sites with FHU," mentions a late-season camper who appreciated finding open accommodations as options were diminishing.
Tips for camping with families
Playgrounds and recreation: Kid-friendly options. Campgrounds with dedicated play areas are popular with families. At Mountain Range RV Park, "There is a nice area with horse shoes and another toss game," making it suitable for family entertainment between outdoor adventures.
Swimming options: Indoor facilities available. "Indoor pool," highlights a reviewer at Livingston Paradise Valley KOA, providing families with a weather-proof recreation option when temperatures vary or on rainy days.
Tent-specific areas: Shaded sites. "The tent lawn is incredibly well shaded, with many small trees covering almost every inch in shade. This alone makes this site the best rv tent site I've ever stayed at," explains a Mountain Range RV Park visitor, noting the comfort advantage for tent campers with children.
Tips from RVers
Big rig considerations: Entrance clearance. RV sites near Big Timber, Montana sometimes have tight entrances. At Old West RV Park, "If you're heading west, you'll take a right off I-90 and be there in seconds. Coming from the east, its a left turn, but keep in mind theres a 13' 9" overpass. That's fine for most rigs, but with our Brinkley G3500 and it's high-profile A/C units, it would've been a tight squeeze."
Utility placement: Site layout. "The utility connections were thoughtfully centered on the pad, making setup a breeze," notes an Old West RV Park visitor, highlighting the convenience factor for setting up at this location.
Cell coverage: Variable by carrier. "We had 4 bars each on both Verizon and T-Mobile, and the CG Wi-Fi clocked in at 26.5 Mbps down and 11.9 Mbps up, pretty solid for a small CG," reports an RVer at Old West RV Park, providing specifics about connectivity that remote workers might need.
