Taylor Fork Road offers multiple dispersed equestrian camping sites along an 11-mile stretch near Cameron, Montana. The high-elevation location experiences significant temperature variations, even dropping to 34°F in August. Sites accommodate horse trailers with established rock fire rings, though parking areas can be uneven and require levelers for comfortable setup.
What to do
Creek exploration: Taylor Fork Road Dispersed camping provides excellent access to Taylor Creek for water activities. As one camper notes, "Quiet, breathtaking view of the creek, mountains and forest. Absolutely gorgeous and peaceful place to camp. About 40 minutes to west Yellowstone entrance."
Wildlife viewing: Spanish Creek Picnic Area offers opportunities to observe local wildlife. A visitor reported, "I had a bison run after my car on the way in...that was exciting! 😆 The road in had breathtaking scenery."
Mountain hiking: For backpacking enthusiasts, Spanish Lakes provides challenging alpine routes. A reviewer described the experience: "A relatively challenging nine-mile-hike in from the Spanish Creek campground. Turn left at the trail map and follow the well marked signs. You'll have stunning views of the mountains, rivers, and pines on your hike in."
What campers like
Quiet atmosphere: The separation between sites at Taylor Fork Road creates a peaceful camping experience. A camper observed, "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."
Star viewing: The clear mountain skies provide exceptional night sky visibility. At Langohr Campground, a visitor reported, "The night sky was pretty spectacular especially with the trees around on a clear day."
Fishing opportunities: Taylor Fork's creek access provides fishing potential. At Spanish Lakes, a camper noted, "Tons of fishing in all of the lakes. Diverse wildflowers. Tons of bugs. But all great fun!"
What you should know
Weather preparedness: Mountain temperatures fluctuate dramatically. At Taylor Fork Road Dispersed, one camper warned, "It did rain the night we were there and we woke up to 34 degrees. That was shockingly cold for us Arizonans in August."
Insect awareness: Some sites experience heavy insect activity during warm months. A Taylor Fork visitor cautioned, "While the area is very nice to camp at I was second-guessing if my trash bag on my truck was the cause of the flies or if the area was riddled with them."
Water crossing: Some trails require stream fording. At Spanish Creek Cabin, a visitor advised, "Creek was running in winter, can hear it at night with the window open a crack. 4 mile ski in from the gate with some gentle up and down grades, traveling on an unplowed road."
Tips for camping with families
Site selection: For families with children, choose areas with open play spaces. At Taylor Fork Road, one camper shared, "So far, the only thing we can hear are birds chirping, the flowing creek, and the sounds of our children squealing with delight as they play out in the grassy field."
Wildlife education: Prepare children for possible wildlife encounters with safety instructions. At Spanish Creek Picnic Area, campers report seeing bison and other large mammals in the vicinity.
Comfort planning: Yellowstone Park-Mountainside KOA offers family-friendly amenities. A parent noted, "My daughter(5) and I are tenters. We love the KOA campsites for their amenities and generally above primitive camping features."
Tips from RVers
Leveling equipment: Bring sturdy leveling blocks for Taylor Fork's uneven sites. A reviewer recommended, "The scenery is stunning with easy access to the creek and a huge cliff on the other side. The area is wooded with green grass and wildflowers everywhere... bring your levelers!"
Facility planning: Lake Shore Lodge provides additional services for RVers. A visitor stated, "Our site had water, sewer, and 30amp service. We were able to fit our 39ft toy hauler in with almost no issues."
Sizing considerations: Taylor Fork accommodates various RV sizes. A camper with a rooftop tent confirmed, "We stayed one night on our way back from Yellowstone. My RTT was perfect for this. There was a small corral for horses and plenty of room for a horse trailer and truck."
