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Camping near Custer Gallatin National Forest

1,577 Reviews

Dispersed camping opportunities near Custer Gallatin National Forest range from free sites at Travertine Road and Taylor Fork Road to developed facilities with amenities. The national forest provides multiple options for tent and RV camping, with sites like Canyon Campground located approximately 16 miles from Yellowstone's north entrance in Gardiner. Carbella Recreation Area offers riverside camping along the Yellowstone River, while several campgrounds provide proximity to popular hiking trails and fishing locations throughout the region.

Most campgrounds in the area operate seasonally, with many sites closed during winter months due to snow accumulation and freezing temperatures. Red Cliff Campground, for example, operates from May 15 to September 15, while Canyon Campground remains open year-round with limited amenities. Roads to more remote areas like Tom Miner Campground require navigation on unpaved surfaces. One visitor noted, "Tom miner campground is tucked back about 12 miles off US 89 in paradise valley. Once you turn off 89 on Tom Miner rd it takes a good 20 minutes driving on a dirt road to reach the campsite." Bear-aware camping practices are mandatory throughout the region, with food storage regulations enforced at all sites due to black bear and grizzly bear activity.

Canyon Campground receives consistent praise for its affordability and proximity to Yellowstone National Park. The campground charges $7-10 per night and serves as a practical alternative when park campgrounds fill up. Several visitors mention the large boulders that create natural privacy barriers between campsites. A camper observed, "Canyon campground located in a canyon just across the highway from the Yellowstone River is a pleasant campground with plenty of boulders for kids and adults to climb." Carbella Recreation Area stands out for its free camping and riverside location, with amenities including picnic tables, fire rings, and bear boxes at designated sites. Both locations offer good cell service coverage for Verizon customers, allowing campers to maintain connectivity while enjoying the natural setting.

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Best Camping Sites Near Custer Gallatin National Forest (265)

    1. Travertine Road Dispersed - Yellowstone

    46 Reviews
    Gardiner, MT
    16 miles

    "Great spot for travelers or people who didn't book a site in or close to Yosemite."

    "It was last minute I read about this spot on Dyrt and was pretty relieved to find something with great reviews and relatively close to home in Bozeman."

    2. Mammoth Campground — Yellowstone National Park

    57 Reviews
    Gardiner, MT
    19 miles
    Website
    +1 (307) 344-2107

    $25 / night

    "Access to so many great wonders this park has to offer. Also on a don’t miss drive into Montana for one of the most beautiful mountain drives ever."

    "Beautiful campground near Mammoth Hot Springs and the surrounding village."

    3. Red Cliff Campground

    24 Reviews
    Big Sky, MT
    12 miles
    Website
    +1 (406) 646-1012

    $26 - $35 / night

    "We have a small camper and scored one of the spots near the south end, which is also close to the Elkhorn Creek Trailhead."

    "Easy access to big sky Montana and a hour ish drive to west Yellowstone. Sites are easy to access with smaller rv. But have bigger sites for larger rigs. No t mobile or att service."

    4. Carbella Rec Site Camping

    14 Reviews
    Gardiner, MT
    8 miles
    Website
    +1 (406) 533-7600

    $15 / night

    "Our “go to” camping spot near Yellowstone NP. It is convenient to hwy but away from noise of traffic, near Yellowstone River. Winds consistent overnight but temps only down to 40°s."

    "Camp site was 20 feet away from the Beautiful Yellowstone River. The river was moving at a very good clip, as was the wind! Clean vault toilet, didn't see any water hook ups or pumps."

    5. Canyon Campground

    14 Reviews
    Custer Gallatin National Forest, MT
    7 miles
    Website
    +1 (406) 848-7375

    $10 / night

    "The proximity to Yellowstone, the price, and the charm of this place made me love it, but I think there are a few things that would annoy people."

    "This place is right outside the northern entrance to Yellowstone."

    6. Taylor Fork Road Dispersed

    7 Reviews
    Big Sky, MT
    11 miles

    "You cannot hear traffic from the highway which is about 1/3 miles away. There are wooden horse fences and corrals which are for public use."

    "About 40 minutes to west Yellowstone entrance"

    7. Yellowstone RV Park

    12 Reviews
    Gardiner, MT
    15 miles
    Website
    +1 (406) 848-7496

    $133 / night

    "Great little camp ground next to the river. Clean bathrooms, hot showers, laundry, wifi. A bit pricey, but probably due to the location being near the Yellowstone entrance"

    "This was close to the North entrance. Great town to drive through and places to eat and get gas."

    8. Rainbow Point Campground

    42 Reviews
    West Yellowstone, MT
    26 miles
    Website
    +1 (406) 646-1012

    $26 - $35 / night

    "Nice campground in Custer Gallatin national forest. Road coming in was terrible wash board bumpy"

    "We happened on this campground when the one nearby was full. Happy to have spent the night here. It is further off the road: about 4 miles of paved road and about 2 miles unpaved."

    9. Custer-Gallatin National Forest Dispersed Camping

    13 Reviews
    Gardiner, MT
    18 miles
    Website
    +1 (406) 587-6701

    "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."

    "Close to north yellowstone entrance. Horseflys though ...."

    10. Dailey Lake

    7 Reviews
    Emigrant, MT
    13 miles
    Website
    +1 (406) 444-2535

    "Unique area of Paradise Valley that doesn’t have any trees near the lake or campsites. Wide open but very pretty 360 degree views."

    "Nice spots around the lake. A bit windy. The fee was 18, which means $20 unless you have change."

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Recent Camping Photos near Custer Gallatin National Forest

444 Photos of 265 Custer Gallatin National Forest Campgrounds

Recent Reviews near Custer Gallatin National Forest

1577 Reviews of 265 Custer Gallatin National Forest Campgrounds

  • CThe Dyrt PRO User
    Oct. 25, 2025

    Yellowstone Holiday Resort

    Amazing place to watch sunrise and sunset

    Beautiful spot 13 miles from west entrance. Plenty to explore right outside the park in this area. Staff was super nice. Views made it worth just sitting outside. Would stay here again. A bit pricey, but not KOA Glacier expensive. Pick site 4,6,8 right off the lake.

  • VanRumschpringa V.The Dyrt PRO User
    Oct. 14, 2025

    South Fork Brackett Creek Dispersed Site

    Quiet with a relatively easy approach

    The road has some potholes but nothing too problematic. There are a lot of small pull-ups and some large spaces as well. You’ll be buried deep in the woods near Bridger bowl. I camped at the trailhead for Lower South Brackett trail. I did not explore what lay beyond my site. It was 28° or less overnight and there is a pretty dusting of snow on the ground when I woke.

  • e
    Oct. 12, 2025

    Yellowstone RV Park

    Beautiful and convenient

    Great little camp ground next to the river. Clean bathrooms, hot showers, laundry, wifi. A bit pricey, but probably due to the location being near the Yellowstone entrance

  • bThe Dyrt PRO User
    Oct. 2, 2025

    Travertine Road Dispersed - Yellowstone

    Remote but pretty

    There are no markings for campsites and I’m assuming the few pull-offs are the sites. They’re pretty remote and there were no other campers when I went. There was also a big pile of bones by the campsite. As a single girl it didn’t feel like a safe spot for me and the vibes just didn’t feel great, but it was a stunning view! I would however, recommend eagle creek campground instead. First come first serve with a bathroom.

  • MThe Dyrt PRO User
    Oct. 2, 2025

    Yellowstone Grizzly RV Park and Resort

    Nice spot

    Very friendly and accommodating people work here. Very clean showers, bathrooms and showers. Small lots so no camp fires or wood burning; charcoal and propane is ok. Plastic like table tops so you cannot cook directly on top unless you use a barrier to protect the tables. Liked the place so much I extended the stay.

  • Caroline T.The Dyrt PRO User
    Oct. 2, 2025

    Hyalite Canyon Dispersed

    TENT CAMP ONLY - no drive in

    Came here looking to camp in our rooftop tent. These 3-4 camp spots are tent only because the spots are about a 5 minute walk into the woods and you cannot drive up. We unfortunately had to find camp elsewhere

  • yThe Dyrt PRO User
    Sep. 29, 2025

    The Hibernation Station

    Great campsite, very expensive

    I enjoyed the staff and property and would have liked to potentially stay a little longer. The cost was super high for me personally per night. It came out to $115 for a 40 ft back in site in late September.

Guide to Custer Gallatin National Forest

Camping near Custer Gallatin National Forest, Montana, offers a fantastic escape into nature with stunning views and plenty of outdoor activities. Whether you're looking to pitch a tent or park your RV, there are several campgrounds that cater to different needs and preferences.

What to do:

  • Hiking and Exploring: The area is packed with trails for all skill levels. Campers at Madison Campground — Yellowstone National Park rave about the easy access to hiking and fishing, with one reviewer noting, "This is a great location to explore the park, easily access hiking and fishing."
  • Wildlife Watching: Expect to see a variety of wildlife. One camper mentioned, "Woke up in the morning to an elk in my campsite eating off some trees," while another shared, "A family of Bison walked through the campground."
  • Fishing: Many campgrounds are near lakes and rivers. Campers at Rainbow Point Campground enjoyed fishing in Hebgen Lake, stating, "The campground is very close to a great section of Hebgan Lake."

What campers like:

What you should know:

  • Crowded Sites: Many campgrounds can get busy, especially during peak season. A camper at Canyon Campground mentioned, "Crowded sites, extra smoky campfires, and too many generators running for way too long was a negative."
  • Limited Amenities: Some campgrounds lack certain amenities. For example, Mammoth Campground has no showers, which some campers found inconvenient.
  • Reservations Needed: Popular spots fill up quickly. A visitor at Madison Campground advised, "Reservations need to be made way in advance."

Tips for camping with families:

  • Choose Family-Friendly Campgrounds: Look for places with amenities like playgrounds. Campers at Yellowstone Grizzly RV Park and Resort appreciated the "playground for children and putt-putt golf."
  • Plan for Wildlife Encounters: Teach kids about wildlife safety. One camper at Bakers Hole Campground mentioned, "The site was huge with great water access," making it a great spot for family fun.
  • Pack Games and Activities: Keep kids entertained during downtime. A family at Madison Campground enjoyed the "dishwashing station," which made cleanup easier after meals.

Tips from RVers:

  • Check Site Size: Make sure your RV fits the site. A camper at Mammoth Campground noted, "Good location, fairly quiet, and possibility to do dumping in the camp."
  • Be Prepared for Limited Hookups: Some campgrounds don’t have full hookups. A visitor at Madison Arm Resort mentioned, "The park is nice with lake views," but be ready for some rough roads.
  • Plan for Noise: Be aware of potential noise from other campers. One reviewer at Canyon Campground said, "Depending on what site you get, you may hear road noise from the main road."

Camping near Custer Gallatin National Forest, Montana, is a great way to enjoy the outdoors, but being prepared can make your experience even better!

Frequently Asked Questions

What amenities are available at Custer Gallatin National Forest campgrounds?

Custer Gallatin National Forest campgrounds typically offer basic amenities including vault toilets, picnic tables, and fire rings or pits. Spire Rock Campground provides toilets, fire pits, tables, and borders a river offering great night photography spots. Langohr Campground features 19 spacious single sites plus a group picnic area for day use, located along Hyalite Creek. Most forest campgrounds don't offer showers or electrical hookups. Water availability varies by location, with some providing potable water via spigots during peak season. Garbage service is limited, so plan to pack out your trash. Cell service is spotty throughout the forest, with most campgrounds having limited or no connectivity. For more amenities, consider staying at campgrounds near towns like Big Sky or West Yellowstone.

Do I need permits for camping in Custer Gallatin National Forest?

For developed campgrounds in Custer Gallatin National Forest, no special permits are required beyond paying the standard camping fee at the entrance or self-pay station. Beaver Creek Campground and similar established sites operate on a first-come, first-served basis or through recreation.gov reservations depending on the location. For dispersed camping, such as at Travertine Road Dispersed, no permits are needed, but you must follow forest regulations: camp at least 100 feet from water sources, stay within existing dispersed sites, and observe the 16-day stay limit. If planning activities like backcountry hiking or fishing, separate permits may be required. Always check with the nearest ranger district office for current regulations, especially during fire season when restrictions may be in place.

Where are the best campgrounds in Custer Gallatin National Forest?

The best campgrounds in Custer Gallatin National Forest offer stunning mountain views and access to outdoor activities. Red Cliff Campground stands out with clean facilities, friendly hosts, and convenient access to Big Sky (just 10 minutes away). It accommodates both smaller RVs and larger rigs with varying site sizes. Eagle Creek Campground provides a more intimate experience with just 16 sites near Gardiner, minutes from Yellowstone's north entrance. The steep 2-mile access road is challenging but rewards campers with beautiful surroundings. For those seeking proximity to water, several campgrounds border rivers and lakes throughout the forest. If you prefer more amenities while staying near the forest, consider facilities outside forest boundaries like Henrys Lake State Park or Yellowstone-adjacent campgrounds offering stunning sunset views and access to hiking trails.

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