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Camping near Cooke City, MT

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    SUMMARY PRESENTED BYT-Mobile

    Camping near Cooke City, Montana ranges from developed campgrounds to dispersed sites situated between Yellowstone National Park and the Beartooth Mountains. Soda Butte Campground and Colter Campground provide established sites with basic amenities, while dispersed camping is available along the Beartooth Scenic Byway and at Lady of the Lake Trail on Lulu Pass. Hard-sided camping requirements are common in many locations due to bear activity, limiting tent camping options. The proximity to both Yellowstone National Park and the scenic Beartooth Highway makes this area a strategic basecamp for exploring both destinations.

    The camping season in this high-elevation region typically runs from late June through September, with many facilities closing by early fall. "Low branches, big potholes - big rig be cautious," notes one visitor about Colter Campground, highlighting access challenges common in the area. Road conditions vary significantly, with some dispersed sites requiring high-clearance vehicles to navigate rough forest roads. Weather can change rapidly at these elevations, with snow possible even in summer months. Most developed campgrounds provide basic amenities such as vault toilets and potable water, though hookups are limited. Bear safety is a primary concern throughout the region, with bear boxes required for food storage at all campgrounds and hard-sided camping requirements at several sites.

    Campers frequently mention wildlife encounters as a highlight of staying in the Cooke City area. "We truly loved this place. It was so isolated and peaceful. The camp sites are scattered throughout the trails and are not close to each other," reports one visitor about the Lady of the Lake Trail area, where moose sightings are common. The mix of forest and mountain views creates a scenic backdrop at most sites. Colter Campground receives praise for its well-maintained facilities, with one review noting it has "the most well kept vault toilet I have ever seen." For those seeking maximum solitude, dispersed sites along Beartooth Scenic Byway offer primitive camping with mountain views and creek access. Visitors appreciate the quieter experience these campgrounds provide compared to the more crowded options within Yellowstone National Park.

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    Best Campgrounds near Cooke City (183)

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      1. Soda Butte Campground

      4.4(11)0mi from Cooke CityRVs

      "Near the town of Cooke City. Great campground with plenty of space. Bear an off-road trail. Grizzly bear country. Cooke City was great little restaurants."

      "Just outside of Yellowstone, right after Cooke City, this little gem of a campground was perfect. One night visit but I will visit again."

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      2. Beartooth Scenic Byway Camping

      5.0(9)7mi from Cooke City

      "The road is easy to miss, just a little dirt road off the left side of the road coming out of the NE entrance of Yellowstone 10 minutes passed Cooke city."

      "Several spots just off Beartooth highway from Joseph Highway west to the Montana boarder. Most turnoffs have places for three or four different groups to camp. Some with bear boxes and some without."

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      3. Colter Campground

      4.1(7)1mi from Cooke CityRVs

      "Colter is the best USFS campground near Cooke City. The bathrooms are clean and very well kept with hand sanitizer and welcome mats. First come is a plus for local folks."

      "A little pricey at $20 but very close to Cooke City and Lamar Valley in Yellowstone. No cell service with Verizon."

      from $4 - $20 / night

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      4. Lily Lake - TEMPORARILY CLOSED

      4.4(9)11mi from Cooke CityRVs, Tents

      "We made the mistake of taking our TT down to the lake but missed the right turn going to the campground loop, wound up stuck at the boat launch area. DON'T make the same mistake we did."

      "Take a gravel road to Lily Lake off the southern end of Beartooth Hwy."

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      5. Lady of the Lake Trail on Lulu Pass

      4.0(4)0mi from Cooke CityTents

      "This site was quiet the night we stayed here and had good views of the surrounding mountains but there was a few excavating machines near the site."

      "The camp sites are scattered throughout the trails and are not close to each other. They are easy to spot and not to bad to get to."

      6. Pebble Creek Campground — Yellowstone National Park - CLOSED IN 2024

      4.4(7)13mi from Cooke City27 sitesRVs, Tents

      "There is no dump station here, and the closest is quite a drive, so RV's need to be prepared to haul out black water."

      "We entered Yellowstone through the Northeast from Silver Gate Montana to avoid traffic and locate a smaller campground. Pebble Creek was great for tent camping."

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      7. Pilot Creek Dispersed Camping

      3.3(4)7mi from Cooke CityTents

      "Three have bear boxes and are right by a hiking trail. Add to this the beautiful mountains, ease of access to Yellowstone or Red Lodge, and a clean vault toilet and we would stay again."

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      8. Chief Joseph Campground

      3.3(3)2mi from Cooke CityRVs, Tents

      "We had to get away from our reservations at big moose because of terrible conditions. We called at 6:00 at night and they brought us in. Showers were clean. Nice river on the side. Staff was great"

      from $8 / night

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      9. Shoshone National Forest Crazy Creek Campground

      5.0(2)9mi from Cooke CityRVs, Tents

      "Crazy Creek Campground is a nice wooded campground near the North East entrance to Yellowstone National Park. "

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      10. Beartooth Lake

      4.7(7)17mi from Cooke CityRVs, Tents, Glamping

      "Nice, clean, about 20 sites not too close to each other with picnic tables, fire rings, food storage boxes, and vault toilets."

      "The campground is very clean, with access to water and vault toilets that are well maintained (honestly the only vault toilet I haven't dreaded going into)."

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    Recent Camping Photos near Cooke City, MT

    319 Photos of 183 Cooke City Campgrounds • uploaded by The Dyrt campers

    Recent Reviews near Cooke City, MT

    1062 Reviews of 183 Cooke City Campgrounds

    • Finn S.
      Aug. 31, 2026

      Canyon Campground — Yellowstone National Park

      Plenty of Amenities without feeling like a KOA

      Beautiful, wooded, and centrally located to everything you want to do in Yellowstone.

      We chose this campground because we wanted the amenities of Canyon Village so that we wouldn't have to pack in so much food for our longer trip. Being able to shower at the end of a day of exploring made a huge difference for us.

      Our site was way up toward the back of the campground in K loop, but it was in the middle of the loop right as you enter so we did feel pretty exposed. It was also directly under the power line that runs between the bathrooms, so some trees had been cleared for that which added to that feeling. However, I don't consider that to be a flaw of the campground, since they obviously need to run power to the bathrooms somehow.

      Our site was visited throughout the week by stunning Clark's Nutcrackers and Canada Jays. We also heard elk bugling nearby enough to make us nervous.

      Overall, I was a huge fan and would hope to find an availability here every time I go to Yellowstone in the future

    • Connie B.The Dyrt Pro User
      Aug. 31, 2026

      Eagle Creek Campground Custer Gallatin National Forest — Custer Gallatin National Forest

      Beautiful place to rough it

      This is just outside Yellowstone so it is beautiful. We saw a herd of elk driving in but couldn’t take a picture because we had to concentrate on the rough, narrow, winding road in front of us. It is beautiful once you make it. And must be quite popular because we had a hard time finding one. The outhouses are pretty clean.

    • Connie B.The Dyrt Pro User
      Aug. 29, 2026

      Perry's RV and Campgrounds

      Nice place at the beginning of BearTooth Hwy

      Nice clean campground and bathrooms and clan showers. There are a couple options- creekside for $70 or upper level on the road for $60. There isn’t much road noise especially after dark. The lower level next to the creek have more trees for screening between sites. The upper level are parked side by side. This just an overnight for us before we go down the BearTooth Hwy. There are lots of bear and moose that frequent the area. Hope I get a picture! The sites are pretty level, gravel up top, all have electric and water hookups. Not a bad price for this area. Red Lodge is cute and has grown a lot since we were here ten years ago.

    • TThe Dyrt Pro User
      Aug. 25, 2026

      Travertine Road Dispersed - Yellowstone

      Rough Road, Slightly Creepy, Quiet

      First off, we have a 37ft travel trailer- truck and all were about 60ft in length. We camped off of the forest service road off of travertine road and it was a very slow rough road to get there, but we made it! It is doable with a big rig and there’s a few sites especially towards the end before the turn around that will fit larger rigs. It has a bit of a creepy vibe with all the elk carcasses and weird mines or holes or whatever but ultimately we had a very quiet stay and it was an interesting area to explore.

    • Heather E.The Dyrt Pro User
      Aug. 24, 2026

      Soda Butte Campground

      What a Gem

      Just outside of Yellowstone, right after Cooke City, this little gem of a campground was perfect. One night visit but I will visit again. Sweeping views, quiet and clean, bear lockers, table and fire ring. Didn’t use the bathrooms but they had some.

    • MThe Dyrt Pro User
      Aug. 21, 2026

      Beartooth Scenic Byway Camping

      Absolutely beautiful!

      Perfect spot right on the river, plenty of space for our 25ft trailer. Busy area during the day with local fishermen but very quiet in the evening. There is really only one campsite on this side but there is an open dispersed area across the street with plenty of space and a clean bathroom. Check the camping spots at the top near the trailhead- they have fire rings and bear boxes. Other sites have stone fire rings. Great base camp for exploring Yellowstone and Cooke is close if any supplies are needed. Great trails puppies loved it and swimming in the river. Highly recommend. Bring bear spray - highly active in this area!

    • JThe Dyrt Pro User
      Aug. 20, 2026

      Basin Campground

      Very smoky

      This is a nice campground in the trees. The sites are pretty close together. Very friendly campground host. They allow campfires, so it was very smoky.

    • Ally H.The Dyrt Pro User
      Aug. 18, 2026

      Sheep Mountain BLM

      Good spot to stay

      Stayed there for a night after going to the Cody rodeo on our way to Yellowstone, good place to stop, road is a bit rough but manageable. Nice views, pretty terrain.

    Guide to Cooke City

    Camping sites near Cooke City, Montana offer unique opportunities for backcountry experiences at elevations averaging 7,600-8,000 feet. The camping season typically runs mid-June through early September, with nighttime temperatures frequently dropping below freezing even in summer. Weather conditions can change rapidly, with afternoon thunderstorms common and occasional snow possible in July and August.

    What to do

    Creek exploration: Crazy Creek Campground features a waterfall trail accessible directly from the campground. "A trail from the campground takes you across the highway to the trail, a very short hike brings you to Crazy Creek falls," notes Dexter I. The falls provide a refreshing destination during hot summer days.

    Wildlife viewing: Lily Lake Campground offers excellent opportunities for wildlife spotting from your campsite. "The cattle from nearby farms would come by and visit in the mornings and drink from the lake," reports Jade G. who camped on a cliff overlooking the water. Many campers also report moose sightings in the surrounding meadows.

    Mountain driving: Beartooth Scenic Byway provides access to numerous dispersed camping spots and spectacular mountain vistas. "Follow the byway all the way to Red Lodge for some fantastic views," recommends Kim B. The highway reaches elevations over 10,000 feet, offering alpine terrain rarely accessible by vehicle.

    What campers like

    Creek-side camping: Multiple campsites along Beartooth Scenic Byway offer prime riverside locations. "I backed my van right up to the river with an amazing view of Pilot Peak in the background, and fell asleep to the sounds of the rushing water," says Stavros M. These dispersed sites provide natural white noise for sleeping.

    Privacy between sites: At Lady of the Lake Trail on Lulu Pass, sites are well separated. "The camp sites are scattered throughout the trails and are not close to each other. They are easy to spot and not too bad to get to," explains Rosstin W. This arrangement allows for more solitude than typical campgrounds.

    Clean facilities: Several campgrounds maintain vault toilets to high standards. At Colter Campground, Angela G. notes, "The host was wonderful! She clearly cared about the campground and her guests. The vault toilet was the most well kept I have ever seen. Fun decorations painted on the walls, air fresheners, and a small light."

    What you should know

    Hard-sided camping requirements: Many campgrounds near Cooke City restrict tent camping due to bear activity. At Soda Butte Campground, Ryan confirms: "This is definitely bear country here so hard sided units only. There was a brutal bear attack here around 10 years ago leaving one dead and two severely injured, so just a heads up!"

    Weather variability: The high elevation means rapidly changing conditions. Corda B. reports from Beartooth Scenic Byway: "We had our itinerary set to stay at this site and then the weather turned terrible and it started snowing. We only had a tent with us and the wind was whipping so we had to pack up and head to Red Lodge."

    Road conditions: Many camping areas have challenging access. At Lily Lake, Shannon T. warns: "Terribly rough rutted out road to get to the campground. Would not recommend for low clearance cars." Always check road conditions before heading to remote campsites.

    Tips for camping with families

    Early arrival strategies: For Pebble Creek Campground in Yellowstone, arrive very early to secure sites. "In order to secure a site at this campground, which is open from mid-June to mid-September, you need to arrive early, sometimes by 6:30 AM," advises Kari T. The day they arrived, the campground was full by 8:00 AM.

    Child-friendly amenities: Some campgrounds offer features that work well for younger campers. Alan B. notes that Pebble Creek Campground is "very child friendly. There was a permanent fire pit and a picnic in addition to vault toilets."

    Wildlife education opportunities: The area offers excellent chances to teach children about wildlife. At Lily Lake, Anna K. advises: "Frequent grizzly area so nat'l forests warnings about proper food storage." This provides practical lessons in conservation and safety.

    Tips from RVers

    Size restrictions: Many campgrounds have limited space for larger vehicles. At Colter Campground, Kimberly N. warns: "I really wanted to camp here but after scouting we would not have fit our fifth wheel. The trees were about 7.5-8' wide and height clearance was probably close to 12'. If you go to the end and turn around there's some sites you could possibly tuck a big rig into but the turn around is very tight."

    Solar opportunities: Several campgrounds offer good solar charging potential. At Beartooth Lake Campground, Kathryn N. found "sites were well maintained, spacious and protected from others." N I. adds that Soda Butte Campground has "a lot of open areas which is great for solar. Large rigs will do great in this campground."

    Early exit planning: Due to weather unpredictability, RVers should have contingency plans. Jeremy H. from Beartooth Scenic Byway advises: "We were driving into Yellowstone from Billings and wanted something that would give us early access to the park. This was perfect." Having an exit strategy is essential when mountain weather changes quickly.

    Frequently Asked Questions

    When is the best time of year to camp in Cooke City?

    Summer (mid-June through early September) is prime camping season in Cooke City when temperatures are mild and access is easiest. The area sits at approximately 6,500 feet elevation, making it a refreshing escape from summer heat. Hunter Peak campground offers dramatic scenery during this perfect summer window. Late spring (late May to early June) can be beautiful but expect some facilities to be limited as they open seasonally. Crazy Creek campground provides excellent access to both Yellowstone and the Beartooths during summer months, with spectacular sunset views of Pilot Peak. Fall brings vibrant colors but increasingly cold nights, while winter camping is extremely challenging due to heavy snowfall and limited access.

    Where are the best campgrounds near Cooke City, MT?

    Cooke City offers excellent camping options in the Yellowstone region. Colter Campground stands out as the best USFS campground near town with clean facilities, helpful hosts, and level sites with good privacy. It's first-come, first-served and conveniently close to town. Soda Butte Campground is another great option with spacious sites near an off-road trail, though campers should note it's in grizzly bear country. For those seeking spectacular mountain views, several campgrounds along the Beartooth Highway offer scenic settings. If you prefer dispersed camping, options are available just minutes outside town off the Beartooth Scenic Byway.

    Is the Colter Campground in Cooke City a good option for families?

    Yes, Colter Campground is an excellent option for families visiting Cooke City. The campground features clean, well-maintained vault toilets with thoughtful touches like hand sanitizer and even decorative painted walls. The camp hosts are known for being exceptionally helpful and attentive, creating a welcoming atmosphere for all ages. Sites are level with good privacy between them, making it comfortable for family camping. While the $20 nightly fee might seem a bit high for a forest service campground, the quality of maintenance and proximity to town amenities make it worthwhile. The campground operates on a first-come, first-served basis, which can be convenient for families with flexible schedules looking to camp near Cooke City.

    What RV camping options are available in Cooke City, Montana?

    RV camping options near Cooke City are somewhat limited, especially for larger rigs. Beartooth Scenic Byway Camping offers dispersed camping opportunities along the highway with several turnoffs that can accommodate smaller RVs. These sites are free and first-come, first-served. For those seeking more amenities, Chief Joseph Campground can accommodate RVs and offers basic facilities including water and toilets. Be cautious when navigating to campgrounds in the area, as some roads are not suitable for larger rigs. Lily Lake area has a boat launch that can create difficulties for trailers if you miss the correct turn. Most campgrounds in this region are better suited for smaller RVs rather than big rigs.

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