26 campgrounds · Check availability for any dates.
Camping near Colstrip, Montana encompasses a mix of established campgrounds and fishing access sites across the eastern Montana prairie landscape. Red Shale Campground, located about 30 miles south of Colstrip, provides free primitive camping with vault toilets in a quiet setting along Highway 39. The Yellowstone River corridor offers several fishing access sites with camping opportunities, including Far West Fishing Access Site near Rosebud and Rosebud East near Forsyth. For those seeking full amenities, Wagon Wheel Campground in Forsyth and Miles City KOA about 60 miles northeast provide developed options with hookups. The area sits within Montana's eastern plains, characterized by rolling grasslands, cottonwood-lined waterways, and expansive skies.
Most campgrounds in the Colstrip area operate seasonally from mid-April through November, with winter closures common due to harsh Montana winters. Red Shale Campground and Holiday Spring Campground are free sites with limited amenities, while fishing access sites typically require a Montana Conservation License ($10) for overnight stays. Summer temperatures can exceed 90°F, while spring and fall bring milder conditions ideal for camping. Cell service varies significantly, with better coverage near towns and spotty reception in remote areas. Fire restrictions are common during dry summer months, particularly in July and August. Many sites fill quickly on summer weekends and during hunting seasons.
The camping options around Colstrip accommodate various preferences and equipment needs. RV travelers will find full-hookup sites at private campgrounds like Wagon Wheel in Forsyth, which one camper noted was "very pet friendly with wonderful amenities" and accommodated their "35-foot fifth wheel with plenty of room." Tent campers have more flexibility with fishing access sites and primitive campgrounds. According to reviews, Red Shale Campground offers "very quiet spots even though it's right off the highway" with "about 12 sites total" in two loops. The campground features large picnic tables and pine trees for shade, making it popular for overnight stays while traveling through eastern Montana. Colstrip area campgrounds provide convenient bases for fishing the Yellowstone River or as stopover points for cross-country travelers.
"We stayed here for one night while driving across Montana. There are two main areas with about 12 (?) sites total."
"I was looking to split up the drive on my trip and found this perfect stopover with a classic Montana feel. It’s an unexpected find on a long straight road but I’m so glad that we stopped."
"Picture-perfect Montana Rockies beauty. Didn’t use the lake but many were. Wooded small campground with basic primitive sites. Owned by National Forest & kept well."
"Nice sites, forested area, cool access to Yellowstone River. Clean pit toilets, reasonable rates. But oh boy, the trains came all night, announcing their arrival."
"My husband and I stayed here for a few months while he was working the outtage in colstrip, MT and couldn't have asked for a better stay. Very pet friendly with wonderful ammenities."
"You can get your laundry and groceries in town, only 3min drive away. You can even catch a movie at the theatre."
"There are several paths mowed down for great walks through the prairie. This is a dry campsite. If my dogs are happy, I'm happy."
"Great spot to camp if you’re road tripping and want easy access to i94. Quiet, walking trail, several spots available."
"We stayed at 7th Ranch RV Park in Garryowen, Montana in September 2021. This wonderful park is situated just a small drive from the Custers Last Stand and The Battle Of Little Bighorn."
"Being able to walk the prairie and watch the sunsets was a huge positive for this location."
"Lots of spots around pond and along river. I had a nice cozy spot in between trees and next to the pond. Not many people. Picnic tables and fire pit with cooking grill."
"It is a quarter mile drive down a well managed dirt road to arrive to the site. There are ~10 camp sites."
"Back in sites facing the lake. Awesome to explore and watch the boaters. Drive the perimeter and explore the different areas of the lake. Full hookups."
"Was looking for a place to park for the night near Ashland, Montana on Rt 212. This is just off the highway with an easy 1/4 mi. Drive on a dirt road. Stay up to 16 days. Fire rings, pit toilets."
"Beautiful location, plenty of space for our class A with jeep in tow"
"Tucked away on the outskirts of the city. Close to stores if needed. Nice sites. Friendly helpful staff. Full hookups. Shaded. Space between sites. Big trees. Bathroom/laundry facilities."
"It’s naturally close to the interstate and very nicely maintained. The bathhouse had been recently painted and the showers recently tiled. The staff were very kind and welcoming."
from $58 - $70 / night
Check Availability"This is no more/no less than expected from a private campground in eastern Montana. Very convenient off the highway and to town, also about 20 minutes to Little Big Horn."
"It's relatively quiet even tho it's close to the highway. Nicely spaced spots. Clean bathhouse and laundry. Hostess is friendly and knowledgeable about the area. Easy walk into town for groceries."
from $37 - $60 / night
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TravelerThe staff is just the friendliest people who will go out of their way to help you. The sites are gravel and close to level, the view is fantastic. Take your dog for a walk up the hill (trails) and get a 360 view of 50 miles in every direction. Water, elec all good. My black pipe connection was a bit high and had to lift the hose several times to get it all out.
TravelerNice, free campground. Quiet with one vault toilet, no water.
Would definitely stay here again.
GuideThis is an overnight stop for us on the way to Glacier NP. It is right on US 212. We have a 26 foot travel trailer and our total length is about 45 feet. Don't worry about the dirt road as it is adequate and maybe a quarter mile back to where we are in the furthest loop. We found a site where we could be level front to back without unhitching. It is extremely quiet and a very nice setting. Our neighbor is a hundred yards away and beat us to a spot with a beautiful view. There is no fee here and no apparent water, dump or trash receptacle. We did not use the pit toilet. Decent Verizon and T-MOBILE. Travlfi is delivering 5G. Great for our stated purpose.
RangerLarge spots to access. Nice picnic tables and fire pits. 2 outdoor bathrooms. Access is easy don’t be intimidated at how it looks up front. You’ll drive over a cattle guard and less than 100 yards you’ll enter the campground!
TravelerWe had an awesome weekend at 12 Mile Dam. The grounds were clean, the grass was freshly mowed, and it was obvious the area is well maintained. While we were there, staff even came through and cleaned the bathrooms, which was a nice surprise and much appreciated.
We spent the weekend fishing and had a great time, catching channel cats. It's a beautiful place to camp, fish, and relax. A big thank you to everyone who helps keep this recreation area in such great condition. We'll definitely be back!
We towed a 29ft camper and had plenty of room to navigate to the camp spots. It is a tight squeeze, but very doable. I'm not sure about anything over 35ft or a taller camper. Hope this helps!
GuideBack spots you can hear less traffic noise. Cell service is 3 bars…fire rings and level spots vault toilet is clean but door broken🥴
ScoutRead the reviews and was a bit worried but upon arrival found the area freshly mowed and the restroom clean. Only saw two picnic tables and 1 definite “site”. Only negative is this is in a cellular dead zone for me.
TravelerClean staff was amazing Take exit 135 if you go through town there's a low 11 foot bridge and id bet its shorter
TravelerLoved staying here we showed up on Wednesday and only a handful of people showed up on Thursday morning, beautiful clean sites, out house available, a few spots had lake access. Very nice area!
Camping options around Colstrip, Montana span a 60-mile radius across the eastern prairie landscape. The region sits at approximately 3,200 feet elevation with summer temperatures regularly exceeding 90°F during July and August. Wind is a constant factor across these open plains, especially during spring months when gusts can reach 30-40 mph, affecting tent setup and campfire safety.
Local fishing access: Far West Fishing Access Site offers excellent opportunities for anglers. Located near Rosebud, it provides direct access to the Yellowstone River with "hiking trail to the river" and "a pond, where I have seen people swimming," according to regular visitor Ellen D. The site includes "flat camping sites, mostly pull thru, with fire rings, picnic tables" making it convenient for overnight stays.
Battlefield exploration: 7th Ranch RV Park serves as an ideal base for visiting Little Bighorn Battlefield National Monument, just 15 minutes away. One camper notes, "Custer actually rested his troops at this site just prior to starting the battle." The campground features scenic walking paths where visitors can "see the American flag or the cross" on self-guided trails through the surrounding pasture.
Evening entertainment: Small towns near camping areas offer unexpected activities. In Forsyth, just 30 minutes from Colstrip, you'll find "a one room movie theater, completely restored with lounge chairs" and "a bowling alley," as mentioned by a camper staying at Far West. Miles City, about 60 miles northeast, provides more extensive dining and shopping options within walking distance of camping.
Shade availability: Red Shale Campground offers pine tree coverage that campers particularly appreciate during hot summer months. As one reviewer noted, "Pine trees provide some shade so pick the right place," while another mentioned, "Each site has a mix of sun and shade…so if you're focused on solar, there are 'good, better, best' sites to choose from." This natural shade makes a significant difference when temperatures climb.
River access: Rosebud East Fishing Access Site provides direct access to the Yellowstone River, which campers consistently highlight in reviews. One visitor shared it's "right on the river. Fun for swimming, fishing, and rock collecting." Another noted the "cool access to Yellowstone River" as a primary attraction, making this a popular spot despite some railway noise.
Wildlife viewing: The campgrounds around Colstrip offer opportunities to observe native wildlife. The Far West site features "walking trail, several spots available" where visitors can spot waterfowl around the adjacent pond. One camper at Red Shale mentioned the area is perfect for "enough space to explore for kids" while being mindful of occasional wildlife warnings.
Train noise considerations: Railway lines run near many camping areas in the region. At Rosebud East, campers report that "the train passes by about 5 times throughout the night. It's about 6 blocks away- but still very noticeable." Another reviewer recommended, "bring some earplugs and you'll have a better night's sleep." This is a common factor at multiple sites along the Yellowstone River corridor.
Conservation license requirement: For Montana fishing access sites, an overnight stay requires purchasing a Montana Conservation License. One camper at Far West noted, "I did need to purchase my conservation license for Montana. I didn't know it was 'a thing.' $10....worth it!!!" This permit is mandatory for all fishing access sites but not required at Forest Service campgrounds like Red Shale.
Limited services: Wagon Wheel Campground in Forsyth offers more amenities than most sites in the area. A recent visitor noted it provides "full hook ups, Wi-Fi, pull through site which was level so it didn't take much to set up camp," making it a good option for those needing more services. Most other camping areas have minimal facilities.
Playground access: Miles City KOA offers family-friendly amenities including "a nice heated pool, playground and dog park." One camper mentioned, "a community patio and grille was available too if you were interested," providing gathering spaces for families. Another reviewer noted there's "a nice playground for kids" making it suitable for longer stays with children.
Bug preparation: Insect activity can be significant, especially near water. A camper at Far West Fishing Access reported their family "had a horrible amount of gnats, flies and mosquitoes" during their summer visit. The Miles City KOA visitor advised to "bring bug spray as there are quite a few mosquitoes," particularly during early summer months when standing water is present.
Safety considerations: When camping with children near the Yellowstone River, be aware of water conditions. At Rosebud East, the "sound of the river" can mask other noises, including approaching trains. One camper noted the site features a "forested area" with some privacy but recommended supervision near the water where the current can be swift.
Level site selection: Grandview Campground in Hardin offers practical advantages for RVers. A visitor mentioned, "Level gravel parking pads" and "wide roads on both loops" that accommodate larger vehicles. Another camper advised, "All sites back in, but probably 5 of the 15ish sites could accommodate a 45' RV or a 35ish' fifth wheel," helping RVers select appropriate spots.
Hookup variations: Electrical options vary significantly between campsites near Colstrip. At Rosebud East, a camper with a large fifth wheel noted, "We had the choice of electric hookup spots or not.. $5 extra for the power, totally worth it!" Meanwhile, at Red Shale Campground, there are "no hookups at all (could be a plus or minus depending on how you camp)" according to a recent visitor.
Road access alerts: Some access roads require careful navigation. A 7th Ranch RV Park visitor cautioned, "the last mile or so is a dirt road that is very rough, so go slow!" Another noted at Far West, "It is a quarter mile drive down a well managed dirt road to arrive to the site," which can be important information for those with larger rigs or during wet conditions.
Frequently Asked Questions
Where can I find camping options near Colstrip, Montana?
Colstrip offers several camping options within driving distance. Wagon Wheel Campground is located in Colstrip itself, making it a convenient option for those wanting to stay directly in town. For those willing to venture a bit further, Far West Fishing Access Site offers a more rustic experience along the Yellowstone River with boat access and walking paths through the prairie. The area around Colstrip also features several other camping options within a reasonable driving distance, including public fishing access sites and private RV parks. Most campgrounds in the region provide basic facilities, though amenities vary significantly between developed private sites and more primitive public options.
What amenities are available at campgrounds in Colstrip?
Campgrounds around Colstrip offer varying levels of amenities. Miles City KOA provides full hookups, shaded sites with good spacing, recently renovated bathhouses with tiled showers, laundry facilities, a playground for children, and a dedicated off-leash dog park. For those seeking more basic accommodations, Red Shale Campground & Geocache Site offers simpler facilities but can accommodate most camping setups, though some spots may be too small for larger RVs. Private campgrounds typically offer water, electric, and sewer hookups, while public access sites generally provide vault toilets and may have boat launches but typically lack hookups or running water. Cell service is generally available at most locations around Colstrip.
What is the best time of year to camp in Colstrip?
The prime camping season in Colstrip runs from late spring through early fall (May through September) when temperatures are most moderate and pleasant. Summer months bring warm days with cooler evenings, ideal for outdoor activities. 7th Ranch RV Park offers beautiful prairie views that are particularly spectacular during summer sunset hours. Early fall can be especially rewarding with fewer crowds and beautiful changing colors. For fishing enthusiasts, Rosebud East provides excellent access during the primary fishing seasons. Winter camping is generally not recommended due to Montana's harsh winter conditions, with most campgrounds either closed or offering limited services during the colder months.
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