Horse camping is the perfect way to enjoy Cooke City. If you're an equestrian lover who prefers nature-based adventure, yet still wants comfort, this is the perfect opportunity for you. It's easy to find Cooke City campgrounds for horse camping with The Dyrt. With our help, you'll find the best Montana equestrian campsites from scenic to easily accessible.
Emerald Lake is in the West Rosebud drainage and is nestled in the trees between Emerald Lake and West Rosebud Lake. West Rosebud Trail (#19), Pine Grove Campground, Emerald Lake Fishing Access and West Rosebud Lake Fishing Access are also located in the West Rosebud drainage.There is a 16 day maximum stay in all Beartooth Ranger District campgrounds. For a road map of the area, with locations of campgrounds, please see our Motor Vehicle Use Map (MVUM).Camp sites: 32Host: NoMax trailer length: 30ftAccessible Facilities: ToiletTrash Pickup: Centrally located Bear resistant dumpsterFirewood: No. Don't move firewood to other areas or bring in outside firewood. Prevent the spread of tree-killing insects by obtaining firewood near your destination and burning it there.Reservations:No Reservations: This campground does not use a reservation system; it is managed on a first-come, first-served basis. Be aware that the campground is very popular and may fill up on weekends & holidays during the summer months. You should arrive early to ensure there is a space available for the night. There is a 16 day stay limit. Some sites are equipped with bear resistant food storage lockers.This campground is maintained from approximately Memorial Day to Labor Day (call district office for exact season dates). During these dates there is a fee to stay in the campground (listed below).Outside of the peak summer dates (Memorial Day- Labor Day), the campground remains ungated, free, and available for use (no services, not maintained, roads are not plowed). If you visit outside the peak fee season, please bring your own water, toilet paper (outhouse will remain open), and please pack out your trash.Directions from district office:Drive north on US Hwy 212 for 2.1 miles and turn left (west) onto MT-78. Drive 30.0 miles and turn left (west) onto MT-419 towards Fishtail. Drive 4.4 miles (through Fishtail) and turn left (south) onto West Rosebud Rd. Drive 6.5 miles and turn left (south) to continue on West Rosebud Rd. Drive 12.4 miles to the campground, on the left.Information:Beartooth Ranger District6811 US Hwy 212Red Lodge, MT 59068(406) 446-2103
This campground hosts 20 campsites along the Shoshone River. One and a half miles east of the campground there are two trailheads, with corrals for public use, that lead into the Washakie Wilderness. Campers can enjoy a footbridge that crosses the river, and an abundance of juniper, fir pine, spruce, wild roses, and wild flowers. 16-day stay limit Bear boxes available Water: Available This site is accessible to persons with mobility impairments No cell service Notes: Hard-sided camping only. Due to grizzly bear activity, no tents or pop-up campers allowed. Maximum spur 40 feet
$15 / night
Eagle Creek Campground is located 2 miles northeast of the town of Gardiner on Jardine Road and approximately 55 miles south of the city of Livingston along scenic HWY 89 S. At an elevation of 6100 feet, the campground overlooks Yellowstone National Park's majestic peaks. This 16-site campground has gravel roads with unpaved sites that accommodate a maximum of 48’ RVs. The Yellowstone River Trailhead is also located within this campground. Vault toilets, fire rings, picnic tables, and horse corrals are provided to the public. There are no hook-ups available.
Eagle Creek campground offers 16 sites for use by RV or tents. 14 sites are single sites, two sites are double sites. Two sites are first come first serve and are located adjacent to horse corrals. Not all sites are level. There are no hook-ups available. There is no water or sewer dump located close to the campground. Food storage restrictions are in effect from March 1st through December 1st. Bear boxes are located at each site to store food and other bear attractants.
$15 - $30 / night
Meyers Creek Cabin is located within the Meyers Creek Work Center in Custer National Forest at an altitude of 5,646 feet. The cabin offers opportunities to enjoy relaxation and recreation in beautiful surroundings. It is reservable from May through November. The cabin is accessible by vehicle. 4-wheel drive is recommended during wet weather.
Trails crisscross the area, including the Meyers Creek and Lodgepole Creek Trails. This area offers recreation for hikers, mountain bikers and equestrians. Horse facilities are available at the cabin. Anglers can fish for rainbow and brown trout in nearby creeks.
The cabin is situated in the western end of the Beartooth Mountains and surrounded by pastures, which are used for grazing cattle. Roses, irises, rhubarb and lilacs grow around the dwelling. The surrounding slopes are covered in pine, aspen and sagebrush, with wildflowers blooming in the summer. This area supports a large bear population ( bear safety ). Bighorn sheep, elk, deer and a variety of bird species also inhabit the mountainous terrain in the Beartooth Ranger District.
The Stillwater River Trailhead, with access to the Absaroka/Beartooth Wilderness, is 16 miles south of the cabin.
$90 / night
West Bridger Cabin is open-year round for the enjoyment of outdoor enthusiasts. Guests have access to a variety of recreational activities in a beautiful, peaceful mountain setting. The cabin in generally accessible by car, but spring and winter road conditions may limit access. Snow conditions can preclude wheeled vehicles for up to the last mile to the cabin in the winter. The cabin features an electric cooking stove and lights, but other amenities are limited. Guests will need to bring MOST of their own gear and supplies.
Hiking, mountain biking and equestrian trails and roads heading west from the cabin ascend into the foothills of the Beartooth Mountains and dip into the Deer Creek valley. The 8-mile Derby Mountain Trail starts at the cabin and takes hikers around the east side of Derby Mountain, ending at Arch Rock. Casual anglers may catch a fish in West Bridger Creek. In-season, big game hunting in designated areas is also a popular pastime.
West Bridger Cabin is nestled in a valley along West Bridger Creek. It sits at an altitude of 4,847 feet in a clearing surrounded by the Beartooth Mountains, some of which are densely forested with evergreens, while others have sparse vegetation. This area is home to moose, mule deer, elk and grizzly bear. Birders may spot bald eagles, owls, Stellar's jays, western meadowlarks and mountain bluebirds.
$75 / night
Beyond the developed areas, Yellowstone offers a diverse, mountainous landscape that invites exploration by foot, pack stock, and boat. Hundreds of miles of trails and over 300 designated backcountry campsites facilitate travel throughout the park, and permits are required for all overnight stays.
A campground in the west boulder area on the Yellowstone District. Open all year. Access is limited during the fall and winter due to snow. Access road not suitable for vehicles longer than 20'. This campground does not use a reservation system, it is managed on a first-come, first-served basis. Be aware the campground may fill up on weekends & holidays during the summer months and you should arrive in the early afternoon to ensure there is a space available for the night.
$12 / night
We are a unique retreat set in Paradise Valley Montana. Surrounded by stunning mountains and conveniently located 30 miles from Yellowstone National Park. Stay in a canvas tent under the Montana Big Sky on an exclusive glamping site. Settle in for some activities camp style or adventure out to many surrounding locations for fun and in what Montana has to offer.
$250 - $425 / night
Eagle Creek Campground is located 2 miles northeast of the town of Gardiner on Jardine Road and approximately 55 miles south of the city of Livingston along scenic HWY 89 S. At an elevation of 6100 feet, the campground overlooks Yellowstone National Park's majestic peaks. This 20-site campground has gravel roads with unpaved sites that accommodate a maximum of 48___ RVs. The Yellowstone River Trailhead is also located within this campground. Vault toilets, fire rings, picnic tables, and horse corrals are provided to the public. There are no hook-ups available. Food storage order is in effect from March 1st through December 1st.__
The Yellowstone River Trailhead is located within the camground. There are horse corrals for use by campers and day users. Many other hiking opportunities are locted within a 15 minute drive. The Yellowstone River is close by with access to rafting and fishing activites.__
The Yellowstone River Trailhead is located within the camground. There are horse corrals for use by campers and day users. Many other hiking opportunities are locted within a 15 minute drive. The Yellowstone River is close by with access to rafting and fishing activites.__
The campground is located at about 6100 feet overlooking__the Gallatin Mountains. There is a small creek that runs along the west side of the campground filled with small Aspen trees. It is not uncommon to have Elk roaming through and bedding in the grass.__
The Northwest entrance to Yellowstone National Park is located about a 10 minute drive away and offers unparalleled wildlife viewing opportunities, breathtaking scenery and unique geological features.__Soak and relax at Yellowstone Hotsprings resort situated in the nearby town of Corwin Springs.__
$30 / night
Guide
Wonderful! Trees , river, wildlife. Camped 6/2/2024. Wish we could've stayed longer than 1 nite. Not crowded . It must get more crowded later in summer and fall. ??? Requires hard sided camp unit.
Guide
Stayed one night late March. The road in wasn’t terrible, a little rutted past the gate up to the cabin, but easy enough to manage. It was quite cold when we arrived, and we started a fire pretty quickly. The cabin has an electric stove, small fridge and freezer, and a couple small lamps and even a toaster and coffee maker. The cabin is quite drafty and we struggled to keep it warm. We pinned a sheet up in the doorway to keep the heat contained in the sleeping area, and that helped considerably.
Traveler
This campground did the job. We wanted to stay close to Yellowstone and it was pretty cheap… it was packed though. I’m sure everything is in the area during august though. Our site was also supposed to have a bear box and it didn’t. It would have been helpful but it wasn’t a huge deal. The campground host was really awesome though and was so helpful. The bathrooms were super clean!
ScoutStayed here for two nights in late June, to facilitate visits to Yellowstone. Chose site 7, which is on a cul-de-sac so is the most private and secluded of the sites. Most sites are out in the open and close to other sites. Creek ran within a few feet of our site, and we were screened by aspen trees. Great views! Very quiet, no problem with misbehaving campers. Decent outhouse. No water, and you must pack out your trash. Bear lockers are provided for you to secure your food and other "smellies" away from bears (this is grizzly country). Access road is steep and rough. Unfortunately, generators are allowed but luckily no one near us was using a generator when we were there. The vibe was relaxed and low-key. We reserved this site online (recreation.gov) six months in advance. They sent us reminders several times. Apparently, some bozos reserve a site and then don't show up.
LegendEagle Creek is a USFS campground just about 5 miles outside of the eastern entrance of Yellowstone. It’s a first come first served campground, and we were easily able to get a spot on a Friday afternoon. It’s $15/night, self pay.
It’s quiet and peaceful, and though the sites are close together, they are configured in a way that you feel like you have some privacy, at least we felt that in #9.
#9 also has a little walkway to the river with your own tiny private beach. There is road noise, but it’s not bothersome, maybe because of the dense trees and the sound of the river. The campground is split into two separate loops, with #1-10 to the right as you enter, and #11-21 to the left. On the left side loop there is also a paved walkway along the riverbed that might be suitable for wheelchairs.
Host on site, unisex handicap accessible vault toilets, and dumpsters. Hand pumped water. Each site has a bear box, fire pit, and picnic table.
No tent camping allowed here due to bear activity. Hard sided campers only. Keep your food and anything that smells like food inside!!
16 day stay limit. There’s a day use area, appears to be free. There is hiking across the highway, appears to be frequently used for horses. No cell service.
LegendOpen: year round
Fees: $15.00 single $30 double
Stay: 16 day limit
Sites: 20
Water, no electric, fire ring, picnic table, pit toilet, trash, bear box. This is a very private location and sites are nicely separated. It is located right off the highway and situated along side the Shoshone River. Amazing views of the surround mountains can give you a great sense of peace. Only hard sided units are allowed to camp in this park. This is a grizzly bear territory. No tents or popups allowed. Sites are set in a natural setting, gravel base and the sites are not mowed. There are two trailheads 1 1/2 mile east of the campground with corrals for public use. You will enjoy the shade and smells of the juniper, fir, pine, spruce, wild roses and wild flowers during appropriate times of the year.
LNT
BTYFI
Travel safe
Legend
Pack it in Pack it out
FCFS
Open all year
Sites: 10 Fees: $12.00 $5.00 for additional vehicle LIMIT: 16 day One bear box, picnic table on some sites, fire ring. The gravel road in is very long and the last several miles the road narrows and it is rather bumpy. Nice size trailhead just as you turn into the campground. The pit toilet is right at the entrance and the toilet was very clean. The campground has been bush hogged and the sites are mowed so to speak. Some sites had amenities and some didn't. I would not make the trip unless I am bringing my horses for the trail. Some sites had full sun, and some sites shade. The backdrop of the mountains is just beautiful.
Directions: 16 miles south of Big Timber, MT on US 298, 6.5 miles SW on County Road 30, 8 miles SW on West Boulder Road. Access is limited due to snow. Bring your supplies with you since it is so far back into the camp.
Pack it in, Pack it out,
LNT BTYFI
Travel safe
Guide
The cabin was great. Beds were comfortable, had all dishware needed plus cleaning supplies. If you have horses bring long hose. The hydrant is located about 115 away, no water tanks. It is located at the start of a trail. You will have a small amount of traffic
Ranger
Lots of campsites most in the woods with only a few next to the creek between the two lakes. I got there on Saturday at 3 pm and there were only 2 spots open. With the final gone within 30 minutes. Bathroom are a little far from the sites and don’t smell great but most of the sites have campers or RVs with many people spending the night to hike up to mystic or kayak in emerald lake.
LegendEagle Creek campground is a nice small 16 site campground a few miles above Gardiner Montana and only a few minutes from the Yellowstone entrance. Getting to the campground requires a steep 2 mile drive which the road recommends 4 wheel drive for to help with the incline and to prevent washboard. Sites sit in a grassy open area with willows and other small trees and bushes around the edge. Small creek runs along the campground. Site #1 would the site to get it you can, out of view from the rest of camp and has two picnic tables. The site has a vault toilet. All sites have a metal fire ring and picnic table. Bear proof food lockers for food storage at most sites. No water or trash service. I filtered water from the creek. Their is a horse Corral adjacent to campground. Campground was nice and quiet at night with great view of the night sky. No cell service.
TravelerGreat, inexpensive campground minutes from the north entrance of Yellowstone.
First come first serve. We got in about 4 on a summer Tuesday and took the last spot. When we left at 8 on Thursday there were 3 or 4 vacant spots already.
Nice creek on one side. Huge variety of site sizes, some fit 3 or 4 tents, some barely 1.
GuideWe loved it here. It rained a few of the days, but it was nice to get out of the heat in town. We still 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. The campground was clean. The spots were really nice, not a lot of spots for RVs our size 28ft, but we found one. We got to the campground on a Thursday, by Friday evening all the RV spots seemed to be taken. It cleared out almost completely by Sunday.
TravelerThe campground is usually well maintained. I’ve camped here quite a few times, but this past week I was a little disappointed. The grass at the site was very long. The picnic table hadn’t been mowed under. The bathrooms were mostly clean. The sites here can accommodate larger trailers, but the road up to the campground can be washboard, depending on the time of year. The road within the campground was a little hard to navigate with my Mazda 6 - there was an area with a hole and also a larger bump. Some sites are pretty small, while others are quite large. There is very little shade during the day. You may get lucky with some early in the day or later, depending on your site location. Eagle Creek runs along some of the sites, which can make mosquitos an issue. There is a corral for horses and a large turn around area for trucks with trailers.
Water can be acquired at Arch Park in Gardiner.
GuideEagle creek campground WY is on hiway 14 east gate rd. On the Shoshone river approx 7 mile from the entrance to Yellowstone can't say enough about this place. If you like wildlife this is the spot. No Cell service, No wifi, No tv, no hookups vaulted toilets , if you like this kind of camping experience you will be in Grizzle Bear Country 6/23/21
Traveler
We were in need of a place to stay while attending a field seminar in Yellowstone. It is about a 30 min drive to Gardiner/Entrance to Yellowstone. The owners have experience in the hospitality industry and it shows inside the tent. We stayed in the Elk because we wanted a private bathroom. The room had 2 beds (super comfortable and well dressed), refrigerator, couch, writing table and electric fireplace (more for ambiance vs really providing a lot of heat) and still very roomy. They provide a little lantern for night walks to bathroom or back to tent if you don't have your own flash light. The deck off the front was ideal for sitting or practicing yoga. You do have to walk to the bathroom/showers. While we didn't have the opportunity to use the 2 community fire pits or horseshoes, butthey were well placed with a beautiful backdrop of mountains. There is also a small building with a coffee/tea machine and another small refrigerator. You can park right next to the tent.
If you want to take a walk, there are some dirt roads to walk by other surrounding farms.
The tents a pretty dispersed and seemed fairly private. There was only one other couple on the premises so not sure when it is a full house. They offer really nice kennels.
My only ding is they have a few kinks to work out, but I feel they will figure it out. They will be offering speciality breakfasts in the future, but now they are just store bought muffins with yogurt and orange juice. The location gets you off the highway, but you do need to navigate a gravel road for about a mile. Totally drivable for any car.
I think if I stayed here again I would take one of their guiding trips.
GuideFirst come, first serve. We were right next to the creek. Pull through spot. Vault toilets. No hookups. Small campground. 10 spacious sites. We couldn’t hear anybody at any other site. Felt very comfortable. Cooked over the open fire. Hard sided campers only due to grizzlies. We never saw one there. Did have a buffalo there though. A few miles from the East Entrance of Yellowstone. Worth the beautiful drive.
TravelerAwesome camp spot we stayed at for 3 nights. Road up to campground is def needed for 4WD.
Scouti go here every year so beautiful
GuideThis is one of the best camping cabins for equestrians that I found so far in Montana. Getting from the main road into the cabin can be a bit tricky for vehicles over 30 feet. This cabin has plenty of room to sleep 6. There are Corrals for horses and pasture. And the trails into the forest service are endless in a couple different directions. There is also a vault toilet for day travelers. The cabin has electricity and running water a fire ring and it's also close to a creek. The only down holes are mosquitoes and you cannot overnight camp only rent the cabin so if you're planning a trip you need to plan and Reserve this cabin in advance as it goes really fast every year.
GuideThis is one of my favorite places to camp with horses. There is a 40 acre pasture fenced to turn horses in with a creek running through it. There is also a nice little Corral if you have any horse that doesn't get along with other animals or one that you can't catch very easily. There are several places to ride. It's a bit of a tight squeeze to get a big horse trailer in there I would not recommend anything much over 30 feet. If you go a few miles up the road you can go to the trailhead that allows you to go on up to Deer Creek cabin. We rent the two cabins often park at the lower cabin and ride our horses up to the Deer Creek cabin and stay . you cannot drive to the Deer Creek cabin itself only to the trailhead
Ranger
I camped here twice last summer when I worked in the park as a wildlife research technician studying bats (This cabin may only be available for park staff). The hike in is best done as a through hike with a planned pick up on the other side. The trail is hard to follow in some areas. Starts out flat then you go up Mary Mountain where the cabin is located. The Mary mountain cabin is small but has enough bedding for up to 5 or 6 people. It has bunk beds, cots, tons of sleeping bags and pads. There is a cute porch, pic nic table, fire pit, and a double seated outhouse. Locks up nicely as there are definitely bears in the area. The small lake in front of the cabin is cold and clear. One of my favorite places in the park!
LegendWhen it comes to Yellowstone camping can be difficult unless you plan far in advance and prices can soar in the summer months. For those wanting a little better price points and convenient access to the northern most entrance visiting the Gallatin National Forest is a great option for finding that perfect location and still maintaining access.
I visited this area and was very impressed with the campground and the spacing it provided. But more importantly I was happy to see that unlike the Yellowstone campgrounds which lack cell signal, at this location I was able to utilize my services through AT&T. Sure that might not be something everyone considers when traveling, but when you work remotely being able to access the internet through my cell phone is very important. I had been in the park for several days so stopping here was a good catch up opportunity.
The sites were each well spaced and offered a soft grassy pad for my tent when staying, unlike the darkened dry grassy lands around. It was almost as though this location was an oasis, despite having no services.
Each sight provides a bear box, picnic table and fire ring, overall very standard for this area. Additionally there were basic vault toilets which were very well maintained. One person at the campground actually joked about that being a great hiding place should a bear enter camp...lol
Camping at this location has a 16 night limit and sites are only $7 per night, which is $20 less expensive than the closest Yellowstone campground. Similar rules apply to this campground as others in the area. There are no trash services so you have to pack in and out all of your trash. Generators can be use throughout the camp during certain hours and there are fire restrictions during certain conditions and times (posted on the entry kiosk). This is an honor system campground with a pay box at the entry, however I did notice it was patrolled at least once nightly by area Forest Service, unlike the pull off sites just beyond camp.
TIPS:
GuideIt's a gorgeous drive up to the campground. Lots of wildlife in this area. I stayed here one cold week of March to get up before dawn and wolf watch in the park. I haven't stayed since but am up that road regularly- winter and summer views do not disappoint! There's a fire pit in each site, and a few scattered vault toilets. Some sites are a little close but there's lots of foliage to give you some space. Definitely an active bear area. I'd stay here again and probably will soon!
GuideThere is a great view of the mountains from this campsite. I wouldn't fancy staying in a site other than the ones in the far back as they're the only ones forested and more secluded. The rest of the sites are RV accessible and very open. I loved the simplicity of this camp ground, it's a good option for wolf watchers in March but be weary as it fills up quickly in the tourist season.
TravelerThe campground is 5 miles from the crowded, noisy impacted mammoth campground. Ok, so it has no water except for the stream. Still, this campground is pleasantly nestled among aspens. Some sites have privacy issues but that's made up for by the quiet and views. We were there end of may and the sites were grassy and nice. By deep summer this could be different. Yes, there was a buffalo who occupied 2 sites
GuideThis campground was AMAZING. Just a few miles from the Yellowstone North Entrance, this is a cheap campground with a decent amount of campsites. They are nicely spaced, and all of them have food storage for bears. Each site also has a perfect fire ring and picnic table
Scoutwe had a great time. situated between emerald lake and west rosebud lake with a creek going next to half the camp spots. toilets and hand pump water.
Frequently Asked Questions
Which is the most popular equestrian campsite near Cooke City, MT?
According to TheDyrt.com, the most popular equestrian campground near Cooke City, MT is Emerald Lake Campground with a 4.6-star rating from 5 reviews.
What is the best site to find equestrian camping near Cooke City, MT?
TheDyrt.com has all 9 equestrian camping locations near Cooke City, MT, with real photos and reviews from campers.
