Best Tent Camping near Billings, MT
Tent campers near Billings, Montana can access several primitive camping areas, with options ranging from riverside fishing access sites to more remote areas. Pompeys Pillar FAS offers dedicated areas for tent camping with open fields and varied terrain suitable for hikers, while Grant Marsh provides tent sites along the Big Horn River with natural surroundings. Mallards Landing provides riverside dispersed camping opportunities with more isolation.
Most tent camping areas around Billings have minimal amenities, requiring campers to pack in all necessary supplies. Vault toilets are available at several locations including Two Leggins, Grant Marsh, and Mallards Landing, but drinking water is not provided at any of the sites. Road conditions vary significantly, with some areas like Pompeys Pillar featuring rough washboard roads that make access challenging, especially after rain. Fire restrictions apply at several locations, with some sites prohibiting fires entirely. Cellular service is inconsistent throughout the region, with some sites like Grant Marsh having no reception at all.
The tent sites in this region provide good separation between campsites, offering privacy and room to spread out gear. Sites along waterways like Swinging Bridge Fishing Access Site feature well-spaced tent areas separated by trees and vegetation, creating natural barriers between campers. Wildlife viewing opportunities abound, with various bird species frequently spotted along the waterways. Sites near rivers provide cooling breezes during summer months but may also have more insects. One camper described Mallards Landing as offering "riverside camping with quiet beautiful views," though they noted having some bug issues during their stay.
