Looking for the best tent campgrounds near Cooke City? With The Dyrt, it's easy to find Cooke City campgrounds for you and your tent. From remote to easy-to-reach, these Cooke City campsites are perfect for tent campers.
M-K is a free campground located 2.6 miles up the Main Fork Rock Creek Road #2421, not far from the Beartooth Highway. Mount Maurice Trail (#6) Corral Creek Trail (#9), Beartrack Trail (#8), Lake Fork Trail (#2), Parkside National Recreation Trail (#103), Hellroaring Plateau Trail (#11), Glacier Lake Trail (#3), Sheridan Campground, Rattin Campground, Parkside Campground, Limber Pine Campground and Greenough Lake Campground are also located in the Man Fork Rock Creek drainage.Camp sites: 10Max Trailer Length: 20ftHost: NoAccessible Facilities: Vault ToiletsTrash Pickup: NoFirewood: 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 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. There is a 16 day stay limit. Some sites have bear resistant food storage lockers.M-K Campground remains open year-round. In the off-season there are no services, the campground is not maintained, and 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 south on US Hwy 212 towards Cooke City for 10.9 miles. Turn right onto the Main Fork Rock Creek Rd (FR #2421). Drive 0.9 miles past Parkside, Greenough and Limberpine Campgrounds. Turn leftjust have to Limberpine Campground to continue on the Main Fork Rock Creek Rd. Drive 2.6 miles to the campground.*Please be advised the Main Fork Rd. is bumpy and rocky, especially beyond M-K campground. High clearance vehicles are recommended.Information:Beartooth Ranger District6811 Hwy 212Red Lodge, MT 59068(406) 446-2103
North Fork Campground has 62 campsites and a reservable group camp area. North Fork boasts a playground, shower facility with flush toilets, a large riparian area, abundant wildlife and a large irrigated turf area to recreate in. North Fork generally has less visitor traffic and is better suited for shore fishing and visitors who want to relax with a little more solitude.
Beyond the developed areas, Yellowstone offers a diverse, mountainous landscape that invites exploration by foot, pack stock, and boat. Hundreds of miles of trails facilitate travel throughout the park. Permits are required for all overnight stays.
When planning a backcountry trip, remember that many of Yellowstone’s trails are more than 7,000 feet above sea level. Most areas retain snow until late May or early June, and some (especially mountain passes) are snow-covered until late July. Also, many routes require fording rivers that can be 25 feet wide, 3 to 5 feet deep, extremely cold, and swiftly running during our late spring runoff.
Yellowstone maintains 293 designated backcountry campsites. Each designated campsite has a maximum limit for the number of people and stock allowed per night. The maximum stay per campsite varies from 1 to 3 nights per trip. Group size limits range from 4 to 12 people. With the exception of four campsites, we allow only one group at each campsite. If your group size exceeds the campsite limit, you’ll need to obtain a second permit and cook and sleep as separate groups. A food storage pole or box is provided at every campsite so that food and attractants may be secured from bears. You will need to provide your own rope (35 feet in length or greater) at sites with food poles.
$3 - $15 / night
$3 - $15 / night
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. Accessible - yes (toilet as well)
Beyond the developed areas, Yellowstone offers a diverse, mountainous landscape that invites exploration by foot, pack stock, and boat. Hundreds of miles of trails facilitate travel throughout the park. Permits are required for all overnight stays.
When planning a backcountry trip, remember that many of Yellowstone’s trails are more than 7,000 feet above sea level. Most areas retain snow until late May or early June, and some (especially mountain passes) are snow-covered until late July. Also, many routes require fording rivers that can be 25 feet wide, 3 to 5 feet deep, extremely cold, and swiftly running during our late spring runoff.
$3 - $15 / night
Guide
Excellent tent and RV park just passed the north entrance to YSNP. Very helpful staff and very clean restrooms/showers.
Guide
We stayed in Bridge Bay in the middle of June at site #282. This site butts up to an open field which for some could be a draw back because there's little privacy but for us we got views of the Lake which were wonderful; we were able to sit outside and enjoy the sunrise over the Lake.
The Facilities are nice with potable water and sinks to clean dishes. There's also a few trails to hike and explore. We had an Elk walk right into the field towards sunset and graze. I'm only rating 4 stars because It's a little far from things like Old Faithful and Canyon Village, but we would stay here again.
Yellowstone is always worth the visit if presented with the opportunity and this is a really nice campground.
Guide
No crowds at all! There was a car or two that drive past. Absolutely beautiful views!
Guide
Perfect location for whole park.
When cloudy and wet it's a little dark, but that's the weather's fault!
Great showers included in price and close to village for preprandial drunks
Scout
Office staff and owners are great! Areas are clean and neat.
ScoutThis is a nice place to boondock. There are a few level spots up here, but the road is pretty rough and pretty steep. The view into Yellowstone is gorgeous.
Guide
Nice campground with clean bathrooms. Nice shady sites on rock creek but close together , also more open sites up higher near road.
TravelerBeautiful view of Yellowstone Lake right across the street! Clean and inviting surroundings, wildlife sightings, close to all the geysers. Nice marina and store. Would stay again for sure!
GuideWe got what may be the best spot in the campground or world so it’s hit and miss… you don’t get to choose.
Scout
Restrooms are clean. No running water. Must hick the water fall. It's so much fun.
ScoutIn short the campground had a bear owners knew about, but didn’t inform the people booking. 3 year old child gets attacked & all campers immediately evacuated. Campground doesn’t reimburse the patrons as promised. Greedy low life’s.
GuideWe were only able to book 1 night online. However when we checked in we asked if they had an extra night & we got lucky to get one as the person in front of us canceled his reservation! So don’t give up if u can only get one night!
Loved this campsite. We were in loop J and our side was semi-private. Fires were allowed. Each campsite has a large bear box. Bathrooms were good and each location had a dishwashing station with drinking water near it. Generators not allowed from 8:00 PM-8:00Am A handful of shops around and a gas station near by. Showers were awesome & clean & they have TONS of washers & Dryers for Laundry!! By far one of the best NP campgrounds!
Guide
There are only 2 sites here. It’s a great place to fish, rock hound and there are some trails very close. The road in as well as the pit toilet are well maintained. One morning about 12 people showed up and just walked onto my site and went fishing despite my objections. They were really aggressive and they felt completely entitled to do whatever they wanted.
Traveler
About 7 miles west of Absarokee, 2.5 of them gravel. Sign said tent camping only but I stayed one night in my Sprinter van with no problem. Did not use vault toilet so cannot speak to its condition. Some algae near the shore of river but waded out deeper for refreshing dip.
ScoutBased on the dispersed camping guide provided by the Forest Service office in Gardiner, you’re not supposed to camp in the spot listed on this site. Take a left off Traveltine road, go past the rock quarry to find good sites
Scout
Quiet, secluded dispersed sites about 15 minutes outside of Gardiner. No trees so it gets pretty hot without shade. There are random animal bones scattered around the sites from what I assume previous hunting trips, which is a bit eerie.
I’d certainly stay here again for a couple nights!
Scout
This is pretty much a tourist trap. We got out of work late and didn’t find a spot at loch leaven and had to be on the river early, so we just gave it a try. $30, no fires allowed, essentially just a grass field. There were a couple picnic tables scattered about. Would be better off at the free old saloon camping field.
GuideNice roads and huge beautiful sites. Being a small female solo tent camping I felt safe. There are lots of elk and rabbits.
Guide
We had site 1. The sites are close and not too big. Really the site is small. There is one bear locker, fire ring, and picnic table per site. The pit toilets were super clean and had a motion light inside them for night time. I loved hearing the rushing water all night long. The campground is very quiet. We walked the river a bit in the morning before leaving. We had no mosquitoes but when we arrived it was 46 degrees and when we left it was raining. Would stay here again. AT&T had one bar and our Verizon had no service.
Guide
The best part of the park to see wildlife is without a doubt the north end. We saw everything from elk to bears and with such close proximity to mammoth there is so much to do.
Gardiner is so close if you need a dump station or a laundry solution.
Guide
Stayed 8-1-24
Good: KOA like expected, but great view.
Bad: Mile long dirt road to get to entrance.
Would I stay again: ?, I might try West entrance next time.
GuideThere's about three good spots up on the hill, the two out on the edge have reliable service. But as soon as you go back up a bit, it vanishes.
Stunning views of Yellowstone and the mountains. Be aware, there are NO trees, so it will get stiflingly hot with no clouds. But, close to town, and the road isn't the worst. For sure go slow, but even low clearance should be able to pick out a path.
TravelerThis was the perfect place to stay for our Yellowstone trip. You are super close to the Grand Canyon of Yellowstone, and the campground itself has incredible amenities- laundry, free showers, clean bathrooms, and stores nearby. No complaints about this campground!
GuideSmall family friendly campground Very close to town for supplies. 15 minutes from 4 separate summer weekend outdoor music venues. Local yellowstone river float trips. Available.
Guide
Beautiful managed campsite right on the beartooth scenic byway in Montana. No cell service (at all, no matter your provider) but you’re a quick 15 minute drive to the town of Red Lodge with everything you could need.
Perfect amount of tree cover in these campsites with gorgeous views of the Beartooths and scenic hikes every direction. There are three campsites on this main road loop (Greenough, Parkside, and Limber Pine). All have a mix of first come first serve sites and pre-booked sites.
TravelerLate night had to find something. Had open space, took it. Buggy, by a creek, decent amenities, pretty clean.
RangerDrove through a few open gates but there were clearly dispersed sites in this area. Nice flat sites, road was rocky and bumpy but not bad. Quiet area until a group of teenagers started a loud party at the site next to us
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
Which is the most popular tent campsite near Cooke City, MT?
According to TheDyrt.com, the most popular tent campground near Cooke City, MT is Travertine Road Dispersed - Yellowstone with a 4.5-star rating from 31 reviews.
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TheDyrt.com has all 56 tent camping locations near Cooke City, MT, with real photos and reviews from campers.
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