Whether you're a tent camper, an RVer, or just passing through, Cooke City, MT has a lot to offer. There are tons of hikes and other fun activities to partake in. Experience some of the most stunning views that Montana camping has to offer. At The Dyrt, campers like you share their favorite spots, plus tips and photos. No matter where you're headed in Cooke City, you'll find the best spot for you and your camping crew.
"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."
"That area has 2 pretty shaded spots, and both were taken. We headed over to Pilot and we were pleasantly surprised. Yes, there is a big open area with little privacy if it is crowded."
$3 - $15 / night
"The cooking area has a bear pole for hanging your food but you will not need it as the site has a bear proof food locker. A rock fire ring with logs to sit on is also at the site. "
"You go to sleep hearing the soothing sound of the creek, they had very limited number of sites 16 or 17 only."
"Backcountry camping site 2S6 is the last campsite along Slough Creek Trail. "
$3 - $15 / night
"Being.6 miles from the trail would usually mean solitude, but this site appears to be a popular fishing location as well as their was always someone fishing in the area."
"Super peaceful, with minimal noise. No amenities, so pack in everything you need and leave no trace. Would 100% come back for the views alone. One of the best dispersed sites I’ve stayed at."
"Keep goin on up the road quite a bit. 6000-some elevation. Flat, did the job great. The overlook spot was taken but we found a nice flat spot right around the corner."
$3 - $15 / night
"Back country site 2S2 sits on the southern edge of the Slough creek valley just south of the main trail. A brief hike along the access trail gets you to the site. "
"Surrounded by mountains and right on the Shoshone River, this is a bit of Heaven on earth."
"Typical State Park with wide open spots and no privacy. We got a pull through site with electricity but no water hookup. Potable water was available throughout the park, however."
"-free -pet friendly -dispersed campsites -no water, toilets, amenities of any sort -just a fire ring at each site -some good trails -great phone service (Verizon)"
"The view up the road is DROP DEAD GORGEOUS... you can see Mammoth Hot Springs in the distance! The road is pretty well maintained and windy."
"6 sites, each has a picnic table and a bear proof container. You can hear the West Fork of the Stillwater River from each site and trails lead down to the river."
GuidePretty much what you’d expect for a primitive drive-up tent only campsite. Fire ring and picnic table. There’s well maintained restrooms with household AC outlet, water fountain with faucets and dishwashing area. The only issue I saw was that my site and a few others had no bear box. I stored my food and cooking gear in my car, but if you’re backpacking or on a motorcycle or bike, you will definitely want to ask the rangers for a site with a bear box
LegendBack Country campsite 4D2 - Ice Lake East is a large flat camping area on the east shore of Ice Lake. Only 1.5 miles from the Ice Lake trailhead makes this a great campsite for those just getting in to backpacking. The hike to this campsite is flat the entire way. Site has plenty of room for tents. Site is limited to 8 individuals with a max stay of 3 nights. Bear food storage is by using the provided food pole. Cooking area has a large rock fire ring with large logs to sit on. Nice views of the lake from camp.
TravelerQuiet secluded sites near pine creek. Picnic tables, fire rings, and bear boxes at every site. Most sites have a level-ish spot to park. Multiple vault toilets, drinking water faucets, and garbage containers. No hookups and no dump station. Access road is narrow and winding but paved right up to the gate. Can walk to the pine creek trailhead. Sites in the 20’s back right up to pine creek as well.
GuideCampground is in middle of park so it’s not a quick drive in but the drive is beautiful! The campground is easily laid out and clean and fire rings at each spot. Bear boxes located throughout campsite area you may have to share with your neighbor. Wake up and go for a walk and you will see a lot of wildlife in campgrounds. The staff at checkin is friendly. There is a marina if you want to rent a boat or look to launch your own. RV dump station and water refill are conventionally located at exit. The park has a 8pm-8am quiet hours (no generators) which is fine as it dropped to 40 at night so perfect for RV and camping.
GuideSnowbank is an excellent off-the-grid semi-developed and hosted FS campground. Spacious and private sites better for small RVs, trailers, and all tents. Clean vault toilets, bear-proof storage boxes, and plenty of community water spigots. Decent picnic tables and fire rings at each site. No hookups to my knowledge. The campground is on recreation.gov and sites are reservable. Access to a great trail and FS road from campground, other hiking nearby. Also, a 20 minute drive to Chico Hot Springs Resort and Day Spa (food, bar, soaking). Expect to see wildlife, and this is grizzly country so proper food storage and best practices are required by law. No cell service. Excellent spot before or after visiting Yellowstone.
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.
LegendA well named campground as the grizzly bear activities in the campground precluded us actually spending the night in the campground in July of 2015. The ranger actually closed the campground down as we were pulling up, saying poor camper habits with food storage had attracted a sow and cub to the campground. He was going to set up a live trap and hopefully move them to a new home territory. That said, we were able to take a quick look at the campground before being shooed out. Nice, clean, about 20 sites not too close to each other with picnic tables, fire rings, food storage boxes, and vault toilets. We were able to hike around the outside edge of the campground (note the picture of the fresh bear print in the mud) to get to the Claw Lake Trail, an 8 miler that winds up over 9,000 feet past several beautiful named and unnamed lakes, including Claw Lake and Beauty Lake. Carry bear spray and mosquito spray!!
RangerPebble Creek was our favorite campground in Yellowstone National Park. A less crowded area of the park, probably why we loved it! 27 sites and all are available first come first serve- no reservations! The location and lack of reservations make this a quiet, peaceful campground. It sits at 6900 feet elevation. All sites have a table, fire ring, and food storage locker- it is bear country! There are vault toilets and seasonally there is potable drinking water. Our first night there we stayed in one of the"pull out sites" on the west side of the campground. It was ok, however they are not true pull outs, you just park on the side of the park road.... not bad considering the low use of this campground. On our second night we scored a spot on the east side right across from Pebble Creek.... it was perfect! We enjoyed drinks in our chairs at the creekside and a beautiful night listening to the peaceful sounds of the creek. It appears they have changed the site numbers since we visited to add some tent sites, so do not pay attention to the site markers in our old nostalgic photos!
LegendBack country site 2S2 sits on the southern edge of the Slough creek valley just south of the main trail. A brief hike along the access trail gets you to the site. This site sits in a group of trees which makes for a nice location out of the sun and with some wind protection, but the trade off is limited views of the valley, and the view of the valley are the best part about hiking this part of the park. Site has an excellent water source right next to the tent and cooking areas. The site has several good flat locations for your tents. While the cook/food area has a bear pole for hanging your food you will not need to use it as the camp has a bear locker for food/gear storage. The bear locker also gives you a great flat cooking area that doesn't require bending over your campstove. Fires are allowed when not restricted. Site is limited to 6 people for a max stay of 3 nights. Don't be surprised to find bison very near your camp as they rang through the valley.
Tent camping near Cooke City, Montana offers a serene escape into nature, surrounded by stunning landscapes and abundant wildlife. With a variety of campgrounds to choose from, outdoor enthusiasts can find the perfect spot to pitch their tents.
Frequently Asked Questions
What amenities are available at Cooke City campgrounds for tent campers?
Amenities at Cooke City area campgrounds vary widely depending on the type of camping experience you seek. North Fork Campground in nearby Buffalo Bill State Park offers tent campers flush toilets and paid showers, with accessible vault toilets within walking distance. It's situated right on the Shoshone River with stunning mountain views. West Boulder Trailhead and Campground provides more basic amenities with picnic tables, fire rings, and a bear box for food storage at $12 per night. Most dispersed camping areas around Cooke City are primitive with no facilities, so campers need to be prepared to pack in all supplies and pack out all waste.
Where are the best tent camping sites near Cooke City, Montana?
Cooke City offers excellent tent camping options within a short drive. Pilot Creek Dispersed Camping provides free, primitive sites with the Clark's Fork of the Yellowstone River nearby. For a more developed experience, East Boulder Campground offers free tent sites with basic amenities like picnic tables and fire rings, including a prime spot alongside a creek. For backpackers, Yellowstone National Park's backcountry sites are accessible from Cooke City, with several sites along Ice Lake providing flat terrain ideal for tents. The Lady of the Lake Trail on Lulu Pass also offers beautiful walk-in tent camping opportunities with scenic mountain views.
When is the best season for tent camping in Cooke City?
The prime tent camping season near Cooke City runs from late June through early September. This mountain region experiences a short but beautiful summer season when snow has melted and temperatures are comfortable for tent camping. Travertine Road Dispersed camping areas offer stunning mountain views, especially at sunrise, during these peak months. While some campgrounds like 2S1 Yellowstone National Park Backcountry showcase lush meadows and abundant wildlife during summer, be aware that weather can change rapidly in this high-elevation area. Early season camping may encounter lingering snow, and by late September, temperatures often drop below freezing at night, making tent camping challenging without proper cold-weather gear.
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