Camping near Custer Gallatin National Forest

Are you in need of a campground near Custer Gallatin National Forest, MT? Discover secluded campsites where you can reconnect with nature. Or maybe you like to bring your family and friends along. Either way, there are Custer Gallatin National Forest campgrounds just for you. Find the best campgrounds near Custer Gallatin National Forest, MT. Read reviews from campers like you and find your perfect campsite.

Best Camping Sites Near Custer Gallatin National Forest (264)

    1. Travertine Road Dispersed - Yellowstone

    45 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

    55 Reviews
    Gardiner, WY
    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. 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."

    5. Carbella Rec Site Camping

    13 Reviews
    Emigrant, MT
    8 miles
    Website
    +1 (406) 533-7600

    $15 / night

    "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."

    "Campground is a short drive to Yellowstone National Park.  Their is a walk-in tent only area as well.  Cost is currently FREE! with a 14 day stay limit. "

    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

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

    $133 / night

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

    "Got in around 5 pm, hooked up, put our suits on and headed to the hot springs. There is a campground by the hot springs too but it doesn’t look as nice. This one is tucked down by the river."

    8. Rainbow Point Campground

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

    $26 - $35 / night

    "Behind the parking is the picnic table in great shape, a metal fire ring with grate and a bear box. The water isn't far away and there is also a pit bathroom near."

    "Not too far from West Yellowstone entrance. A nice 4 loop campground next to a lake. Very well kept. We seen 2 beautiful deer come through our campsite."

    9. 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."

    10. Custer-Gallatin National Forest Dispersed Camping

    12 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 ...."

Show More
Showing results 1-10 of 264 campgrounds

2025 Detourist Giveaway

Presented byToyota Trucks

Review Campgrounds. Win Prizes.

Enter to Win


Recent Reviews near Custer Gallatin National Forest

1549 Reviews of 264 Custer Gallatin National Forest Campgrounds


  • AThe Dyrt PRO User
    Sep. 14, 2025

    Livingston/Paradise Valley KOA Holiday

    Nice, but bustling

    Beautiful campground with kind staff and wonderful patrons. Be prepared to be close to your neighbors. A lovely place - would visit again!

  • Emma A.The Dyrt PRO User
    Sep. 10, 2025

    Yellowstone Park / West Gate KOA Holiday

    Nice campground, lots of amenities

    This campground is a great base camp for exploring Yosemite NP. Clean with friendly staff. Sights are a little on the smaller side but they work.

  • KThe Dyrt PRO User
    Sep. 9, 2025

    Yellowstone Grizzly RV Park and Resort

    Great spot!

    Called last minute for a reservation and they were able to get me a dry site. The campground is big and the sites are pretty close but the cleanliness and location makes up for it.

  • James W.The Dyrt PRO User
    Sep. 8, 2025

    Bozeman Hot Springs Campground & RV

    Oh Wow...

    This was a relatively normal campground, with a decent, but small, level back-in site, full hook ups, and relatively clean bathroom.  BUT, access to the Hot Springs facility next door was next level (and why this campground was substantially more expensive, at least in our experience).  Additionally, there was live music on the night we were there, which was an added bonus.  The facility had swimming pools, hot and cold tubs, a steam room, and my favorite, a properly hot sauna.  The facility caters to local members, so it is very clean and nicely managed.  The cost may prevent a multiple night stay, but for an evening after a few nights of boondocking...why not?

  • James W.The Dyrt PRO User
    Sep. 8, 2025

    Indian Creek Campground — Yellowstone National Park

    Lucky

    We felt so lucky to get a spot with a couple of days advance notice for Yellowstone National Park.  The campground was serene, beautiful, and remote.  We did not have a cell signal, but Starlink worked great in our campsite.  We even had a fox visit our site, but it was a little too clean for him or her to find a reason to stay.  The camp rangers and hosts were very nice.

  • VThe Dyrt PRO User
    Sep. 8, 2025

    Travertine Road Dispersed - Yellowstone

    A night in Yellowstone

    We came in around 5 PM & managed to find a beautiful spot. The views are gorgeous & it was so incredibly quiet. Exactly what we were looking for. The roads are quite twisty, but we were able to haul our travel trailer and truck up no problem.

    My only complaint was someone parked in a huge spot with a small car when there were several similar spots close by that would’ve fit their car much better & allowed the larger space for larger vehicles. Those same people left food trash in the fire pit the next morning & with this being grizzly country, that’s just about the number one rule not to do. I hope that people like that don’t ruin it for everyone.

  • Nicholas The Dyrt PRO User
    Sep. 3, 2025

    Sportsman’s Retreat

    Quiet with the white noise of the river.

    There's some road traffic since you're on the main road however, late at night you'll hear the river and you'll wake up in the morning to elk. There's a gas station up the road if you need to use the restroom.

  • Marty C.The Dyrt PRO User
    Sep. 1, 2025

    Yellowstone Grizzly RV Park and Resort

    Grizzly Rv Park

    Very clean, great staff, we had a large enough site to put out the dog fence. Rental car drop off at registration.


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.