Glamping close to Bridger, Montana offers travelers rustic accommodations in the foothills of the Beartooth Mountains at elevations ranging from 3,500 to over 9,000 feet. The camping season typically runs from late May through September, with high-altitude sites closing earlier due to snow. Summer temperatures average 75-85°F during days with nighttime temperatures dropping to 40-50°F, even in July.
What to do
Fishing at mountain lakes: Several lakes within an hour's drive of Bridger provide excellent fishing opportunities. At Island Lake Campground, visitors can enjoy crystal clear waters. "The lake is crystal clear and beautiful. No bugs either," notes camper Jason S.
Hiking the Beaten Path: Trails near East Rosebud offer challenging day hikes with significant elevation gains. "The Beaten Path is world class though!" states Lindsay B. about the trails accessible from East Rosebud Campground. This trail system provides multiple distance options from 3-mile day hikes to multi-day backpacking routes.
Paddleboarding on alpine lakes: Rentals available seasonally at several locations. "We got to try out our new paddle boards on the lake and it was such a nice place to try them out for the first time. The lake isn't very deep so it's great for paddle boards, kayaks and fishing," reports Danae P. about her experience at Emerald Lake.
What campers like
Privacy between sites: Many campgrounds offer good separation between camping spaces. At Emerald Lake Campground, sites are "tidy and bathrooms were very clean with no flies or stench," according to Brodie B., who also notes, "I walked around looking at the various sites and only thought 2 or 3 spots might be worthy of a 5 star."
Riverside camping spots: Several campgrounds feature sites along flowing water. Perry's RV and Campgrounds has sites "at the bottom of the hill by the creek are amazing. Makes you feel like you are in the middle of nowhere," according to Nick M.
Clean bathroom facilities: Most established campgrounds maintain well-kept facilities. At Beartooth Lake, "vault toilets are in each loop" and they're "honestly the only vault toilet I haven't dreaded going into," reports Alyssa S., who camped there during Labor Day weekend.
What you should know
Weather changes rapidly: Mountain conditions can shift quickly, especially at higher elevations. "Hail greets us just after setting up- and this is July! It's 50 degrees at 1 so we're planning to try and stay warm. The sun popped out right away so the weather seems temperamental," shares Art S. about camping at Beartooth Lake.
Bear activity: Multiple campgrounds report bear sightings and activity. At one campground, a ranger "closed the campground down as we were pulling up, saying poor camper habits with food storage had attracted a sow and cub to the campground," recounts Annie C. Always carry bear spray and use proper food storage.
Mosquitoes can be intense: Several higher-elevation sites report significant mosquito presence. At Billings KOA Holiday, Alan B. warns: "Bring bug spray during the spring and summer as bugs can be horrific!"
Tips for camping with families
Bring extra layers: Nighttime temperatures drop significantly, even in summer. "We went labor day weekend and it got down to 29°F at night so bring appropriate gear," advises Alyssa S. about Beartooth Lake camping.
Consider accessibility needs: Some campgrounds have challenging terrain. At Island Lake, Ben R. notes, "My only reason for it not being 5 stars is when looking for our in-laws campsite we went on loop and almost tipped our camper with how bad the dips in the road were."
Plan for limited services: Many mountain campgrounds lack cell service and have limited amenities. At Yellowstone River RV Park & Campground, Loren W. reports: "Tent dry camping... No fire rings in the large tent area. Limited picnic tables... No firewood for sale. Had to buy from KOA next door."
Tips from RVers
Site selection matters: For larger RVs, scouting sites beforehand helps ensure a good fit. Tracy O. notes about Yellowstone River RV Park: "Big and open... We stayed here on our way through in 2019. One night. 37' 5th wheel. Fit with room to spare. Big tree cover. Shaded."
Seasonal road conditions: Mountain passes often close due to weather, affecting access routes. "Beartooth highway is narrow and closes due to weather at times. The scenery is amazing and well worth stopping at all the overlooks," advises Art S. Check road conditions before traveling, especially in spring and fall.
Watch for electrical hookup location: Some RV sites have awkwardly positioned utilities. Kimberly L. mentions an issue at Billings Village RV Park: "Only hiccup was how low to the ground the electric was- we had to bend the cord to connect."
