U
Ursula
Ranger
RangerHardin KOA
You can tell they are putting a lot of effort into this KOA. Spacing is tight and off season has only water available at middle rows. Road and airport noise. Was a great stop on our way. Friendly owner.
Dog-Friendly Camping near Colstrip, MT
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Hardin KOA features large fenced dog parks and a dedicated pet wash station, making it a standout option for pet owners camping near Colstrip. Many campgrounds in the area accommodate pets with varying amenities - Miles City KOA provides a small dog park plus easy access to walking trails along the Yellowstone River, while 7th Ranch RV Park allows dogs off-leash in designated areas outside the main camping section. Wagon Wheel Campground welcomes pets but has a more limited pet area across an alley. Full-hookup RV sites with pet access are available at most established campgrounds, while primitive options like Far West Fishing Access Site and Twelve Mile Dam offer more space for dogs to explore. Fishing access sites generally permit pets but require them to be under control. Local campgrounds are searchable through The Dyrt's listings.
Montana's open landscapes provide excellent opportunities for exercising pets at these campgrounds. Far West Fishing Access Site allows dogs to run freely through prairie paths with multiple mowed walking trails. Dogs enjoy swimming access at several locations - the Yellowstone River access points are particularly popular for water-loving pets. Campground pet amenities vary significantly from basic to extensive - Hardin KOA's recent improvements include two spacious dog parks, while primitive sites offer natural surroundings but fewer dedicated facilities. Temperature extremes warrant consideration when camping with pets in eastern Montana, especially during summer months. The region's wildlife and farm activity may require extra vigilance with pets. Most campgrounds enforce standard leash rules in main camping areas while offering designated spaces for off-leash activity.
Best Dog-Friendly Campgrounds near Colstrip (16)
1. Rosebud East
"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."
2. Far West Fishing Access Site
"My two hunting dogs ran amok for hours. There was nobody in the park but us. A few people drove through. The park is kept immaculate."
"They had mowing paths that just seemed to be trails. There was limited access to the lake."
3. Wagon Wheel Campground
"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."
4. 7th Ranch RV Park
"You are given a map of the camp that has helpful information about the surrounding area on the back (vet and doctor contacts, etc.)"
"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."
5. Far West on the Yellowstone River
"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."
6. Roosevelt Lake Marina
"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."
7. Custer National Forest
"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"
8. Miles City KOA
"This place is very relaxing a great little heated pool, playground and dog park (our dog loves being off leash!) super clean bathrooms and a great communal pavilion with grills to use."
"The dog park is very small, more of a kennel area, but you can easily walk down to the pond and city park for more exercise."
Check Availabilityfrom $58 - $70 / night
9. Grandview Camp & RV Park
"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."
"Grass at pad which is nice for dogs. Clean good night sleep except for someone mowing at 6:30"
Check Availabilityfrom $37 - $60 / night
10. Hardin KOA
"Vending machines in the laundromat, one of the offers ice cream, and frozen food. 2 Huge dog parks and pet wash. Bathrooms are clean and staff is very friendly.."
"Washing machine room is big and an adjacent room to wash your dog! This KOA has a Pizza/Wings store attached to office."
Check Availabilityfrom $30 - $75 / night
Drive Time
- 1 hr 44 min from Billings, MT
- 3 hrs 28 min from Casper, WY
- 3 hrs 32 min from Bozeman, MT
- 3 hrs 46 min from Rapid City, SD
Recent Dog-Friendly Camping Photos near Colstrip, MT
21 Photos of 16 Colstrip Campgrounds • uploaded by The Dyrt campers
Dog-Friendly Camping Reviews near Colstrip, MT
198 Reviews of 16 Colstrip Campgrounds
Paul C.
TravelerFar West Fishing Access Site
Free for 7 days, waterfront spaces
Free for 7 days, waterfront spaces with fishing, picnic table & fire ring. What more can you ask for?
- JJill P.Traveler
Far West on the Yellowstone River
Busy Spot
Easy to get to and nice spot. There were maybe 10 spots and they are kind of close together.
- Jerry G.Traveler
Cow Creek Campground And Picnic Area
Clean With Big Meadows near Saratoga WY
Great walking trails Only five free RV camp spots. Clean restrooms.
- SSusan S.
ScoutGrant Marsh
Grant Marsh
Nice place to camp. Sites are far apart, so some privacy too.
Travis A.RangerPrimitive Camping - Twelve Mile Dam Fishing Access Site - Montana
Good overnight spot
I arrived on a Monday afternoon. One other person was camping. 7 day limit camping. There are a number of spots with a fire ring and picnic table. I counted 7 spots but I might have missed a few. The grass had been mowed and area clean. No dumpsters but No trash. Let's keep it that way. One pit toilet. Very clean when I checked. No potable water. The river was running slow and shallow. Lots of mosquitoes. I would stay atsin
Steve M.
LegendCuster BLM
Great for one night but not much else to do except camp
Fairly easy to get to off of the highway and near a National Monument which is worth visiting but definitely pack it in and pack it out with no water or Garbage or toilet and a couple of fire Rings which probably aren't officially sanctioned. One other trailer here but no vehicle so guessing this place is seldom used during the week
David Z.
GuideHoliday Spring Campground
Ok spot for the night, isolated.
Should be known there are only three campsites one is outside of the cow pen, there are active cows in the area. Only the first site before you enter the cow pen is suitable for big rigs road getting here was fine 38 ft class A was able to pull in another person could share it with you but they would be on top of you. I would not bring a big rig into the actual campsite itself nothing more than 25 ft I would say. Very clean vault toilet. There was a loan van sitting in a campsite all night possible homeless, no issues though. Very quiet.
- SSherri A.Guide
Red Shale Campground & Geocache Site
Beautiful Spot - but no animals😂
This was our first attempt at a FF dispersed camping site! We were pleasantly surprised. Theee are two loops and the sites are very spacious. Site 3 is the best site in there / the only one with a good view of the mountainous background. We were not in that spot but you couldn’t miss the view. The vault toilets was always clean and restocked when necessary. We always felt safe ( although when people in Billings - shopkeeper and servers - learned we were staying outside of Ashland, they acted like it was a sketchy location). We hope this hasn’t ruined us for dispersed camping.
Guide to Colstrip
Dispersed camping near Colstrip, Montana offers access to the Yellowstone River watershed and surrounding prairies at approximately 3,200 feet elevation. Summer temperatures regularly exceed 90°F while winter lows can drop below 0°F, making late spring through early fall the most comfortable camping seasons. Camping areas range from primitive fishing access sites to full-hookup RV parks within a 40-mile radius of Colstrip.
What to do
Fishing the Yellowstone River: Access prime fishing spots at Far West Fishing Access Site where campers can catch walleye. Sites include fire rings and picnic tables with direct river access. "We ate walleye 3 nights in a row. We had the choice of electric hookup spots or not.. $5. extra for the power, totally worth it!" notes Nikki K. from Rosebud East Fishing Access Site.
Prairie hiking trails: Several campgrounds maintain walking paths through native grasslands. The terrain is mostly flat with occasional hills providing panoramic views. "There are several paths mowed down for great walks through the prairie. The pond and surrounding scenery are gorgeous," shares Ryley K. from Far West Fishing Access Site.
Historical exploration: Visit Little Bighorn Battlefield National Monument, approximately 60 miles from Colstrip. "Custer actually rested his troops at this site just prior to starting the battle," explains David N. from 7th Ranch RV Park, noting the historical significance of the area.
What campers like
Affordable riverside camping: Most fishing access sites along the Yellowstone River offer low-cost or free camping options. "Great little campground right in the river. Fun for swimming, fishing, and rock collecting. Campground was clean and shaded, with potable water, a pit toilet, and trash cans," says Kathy Y. about Rosebud East.
Well-maintained facilities: Even primitive sites receive regular maintenance. "The grass was cut and the vault toilet was in good condition," reports Joseph W. from Far West on the Yellowstone River, mentioning the care taken at dispersed sites.
Night sky viewing: The area's limited light pollution provides exceptional stargazing opportunities. "Minus the train, it's SUPER quiet and dark," writes Nickolas A. about the nighttime environment at Rosebud East Fishing Access Site, highlighting the rural setting's advantages for astronomy enthusiasts.
What you should know
Railroad noise impacts: Several campgrounds are located near active railroad tracks. "Beautiful campground. 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. So bring some earplugs and you'll have a better night's sleep," advises Jodie S. from Rosebud East.
Weather preparedness: Temperature swings can be extreme, even in summer. "It was quite and site are spaced out. Other than 104 degrees and a horrible amount of gnats, flies and mosquitoes it was a nice stop," reports Brianna W. about summer conditions at Twelve Mile Dam Fishing Access.
Frequently Asked Questions
Which is the most popular dog-friendly
campsite near Colstrip, MT?
Which is the most popular dog-friendly campsite near Colstrip, MT?
According to TheDyrt.com, the most popular dog-friendly campground near Colstrip, MT is Rosebud East with a 4.3-star rating from 11 reviews.
What is the best site to find
dog-friendly camping near
Colstrip, MT?
What is the best site to find dog-friendly camping near Colstrip, MT?
TheDyrt.com has all 16 dog-friendly camping locations near Colstrip, MT, with real photos and reviews from campers.
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