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Best Campgrounds in Montana

5,851 Reviews
SUMMARY PRESENTED BYT-Mobile

Montana's camping landscape ranges from developed campgrounds within Glacier National Park to dispersed sites along the Middle Fork Flathead River. Many Glacier Campground and Fish Creek Campground offer established tent and RV sites with amenities like drinking water, picnic tables, and toilets. For those seeking a more rustic experience, Montana off-grid campsites provide free options with minimal facilities. KOA properties in West Glacier and Billings provide more extensive services including cabins, glamping accommodations, electric hookups, and shower facilities. These developed sites typically operate seasonally from May through September or October.

Camping access and conditions vary significantly with Montana's seasonal changes. Glacier National Park campgrounds like Apgar and St. Mary operate primarily from May through early October when mountain roads remain passable. Many popular campgrounds require advance reservations, particularly during the peak summer months of June through August. Weather conditions can change rapidly in mountain environments, with cooler temperatures at higher elevations even during summer months. Fire regulations and water availability shift throughout the season based on drought conditions and fire danger levels. Travelers should prepare for varied conditions across the state's diverse terrain. "We found out just this year you could camp into the park and we love it. It's so quiet and peaceful and the views are amazing," noted a camper describing Sluice Boxes State Park.

Several visitors highlight riverside camping as particularly desirable throughout Montana. Campgrounds positioned along waterways like the Yellowstone River and Flathead River receive consistently positive reviews for their scenic views and recreational opportunities. Some dispersed camping areas along river corridors provide free options with basic amenities like vault toilets. A camper at Loch Leven noted, "The campground is clean and well-maintained with great views of Chico Peak and the Yellowstone River. Our campsite had great access for our son to throw rocks in the water." Proximity to national parks represents another significant draw, with West Glacier serving as a popular base for exploring Glacier National Park. Established campgrounds typically feature picnic tables, fire rings, and vault toilets, while RV-oriented properties may include additional hookups, shower facilities, and dumping stations. Public lands managed by the Forest Service and BLM offer more primitive camping options throughout the state, including Lewis and Clark National Forest sites.

Best Camping Sites in Montana (1,483)

    1. Fish Creek Campground — Glacier National Park

    62 Reviews
    West Glacier, MT
    Website
    +1 (406) 888-7800

    $30 / night

    "We have stayed in Many Glacier and Avalanche Creek but this is our favorite campsite in the park because of its proximity to Lake Mcdonald as well as Apgar village."

    "Now the good: We were really close to Apgar village and other sites along the Road to the Sun road. The rangers were nice and pleasant to interact with."

    2. Apgar Campground — Glacier National Park

    62 Reviews
    West Glacier, MT
    Website
    +1 (406) 888-7800

    $45 - $90 / night

    "Apgar is walking distance from the Apgar Visitor Center and park shuttles, as well as Apgar Village, camp store, equipment rentals, etc."

    "I could see 6 or 7 other camp fires burning while sitting next to mine. We stayed three nights and every night heard someone a site or two over as he was talking too loud (and too much)."

    3. West Glacier KOA Resort

    52 Reviews
    West Glacier, MT
    Website
    +1 (406) 387-5341

    "This is a big RV resort close to West Glacier town and park entrance. We came with our 25’ RV and reserved a tent pad site to ensure we were up against the edge of the resort."

    "9/13/19 West Glacier, Montana  West Glacier KOA Resort

    Most beautiful location of the KOAs I've stayed at. Nestled against the mountains and less than 3 miles to Glacier National Park. "

    4. Travertine Road Dispersed - Yellowstone

    53 Reviews
    Gardiner, MT

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

    "Great views into the valley around Gardiner with easy access to Yellowstone (North Entrance). Plenty of space for a few tents or a camper."

    5. Glacier Campground

    53 Reviews
    West Glacier, MT
    Website
    +1 (406) 387-5689

    $45 - $120 / night

    "Montana is absolutely gorgeous! I may be biased because I go to college in Montana, but there is so many great outdoor activities. The mountains and scenery are my favorite."

    "Great place tucked away from the road. Sites are smaller. Place was clear even the showers. Hot water in the morning not so much at night."

    6. Middle Fork Flathead River Dispersed

    53 Reviews
    Coram, MT
    Website

    "It’s so close to the National Park entrance and a beautiful place to stay. The road is a bit bumpy getting down here but there’s plenty of room for tent camping and RVs. Be careful though!"

    "Perfect spot for camping outside the west entrance, about 25 minutes away. That road is a little rough coming in but it’s short and manageable, even saw a little Mazda make it in."

    7. St Mary Campground - Glacier National Park — Glacier National Park

    54 Reviews
    Babb, MT
    Website
    +1 (406) 732-7708

    $90 / night

    "They had new bear boxes for every 4 sites this year with extra around bathrooms. Make sure you keep your camp bearproof as rangers will make sure it is."

    "Our site had no shade and felt very exposed (A loop was better) but we enjoyed the proximity to the visitors center and ability to walk to the shuttle."

    8. Many Glacier Campground — Glacier National Park

    48 Reviews
    Siyeh Bend, MT
    Website
    +1 (406) 732-7740

    $90 / night

    "When you stay at Many Glacier you are situated in the heart of the best hiking and wildlife viewing in the park. Grizzly sightings on the slopes nearby are an almost nightly occurrence."

    "I recommend visiting this area of Glacier Montana!!"

    9. Billings KOA Holiday

    48 Reviews
    Billings, MT
    Website
    +1 (406) 252-3104

    "This camp ground is tucked into a residential area, and far enough off the interstate to not hear the noise, but close enough to town and all the other amenities to make it very convenient."

    "This KOA sits right along the Yellowstone River along the eastern outskirts of Billings."

    10. Bakers Hole Campground

    46 Reviews
    West Yellowstone, MT
    Website
    +1 (406) 823-6961

    "Great location. Close to the park entrance and West Yellowstone. Pit toilets were in really good shape. And the camp host went way beyond to help us with a situation."

    "Just outside the west entrance to Yellowstone (I think it's only 3-4 miles away from the entrance) is a good backup campground in case you can’t get a campsite in the park (a common problem in the summer"

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Recent Reviews in Montana

5851 Reviews of 1483 Montana Campgrounds

  • Fa B.The Dyrt Pro User
    Jul. 31, 2026

    BLM - Livingston

    Train whistles going thru town

    Great pit-stop on the way to/from you-name-it.

    You can still hear traffic no matter how far you go but it’s faint. Harleys on the road and the train going through town are however annoying af and very audible.

    Still, the location is very nice, convenient, and, - were it not for the above- would be ideal for longer stays. Tons of room to spread out, and “the homeless” are people too who seem to mind their own business so don’t sweat it. 👍

    I also was pleasantly surprised at how clean it was. Great job, humans!!

  • Kyle K.The Dyrt Pro User
    Jul. 31, 2026

    Eau Claire Campground

    Decent Spot for the Area

    This was a last minute spot for me. Site had a fire pit and table but I couldn’t help but feel packed in with everyone else. To its merit it is close to tons of recreation within the Kananaskis Country. The site ran $31 CAN a night which seemed a bit much for what I got compared to Jasper where I paid the same price for plumbing and free firewood.

  • PThe Dyrt Pro User
    Jul. 31, 2026

    Duck Lake Campground

    Overall an ok stay

    This place was extremely buggy and idk about who runs it cause I never saw any staff. My gf booked on Hipcamp and never got a response but we showed up anyway and I reserved a spot on their website when I got there. Site 1B idk where it was cause they had spots on the lake labeled 1-20 then at the entrance 3 cement pads with no markings at all. The site labeled 1 had a camper van in it so I take it the ones by the lake are A sites? On the website they had A and B labeled sites but I saw no A’s or B marking on any of the sites. I just took one of the pads for the night with electric by the entrance there was a dude already on the closest one which if those are the B sites when I reserved they showed 3 B sites available so I don’t even know if those are the B sites or if he had reserved. No one bothered me at all through the night or in the morning I did pay online and all and didn’t check the office before I left to see if anyone was even there. Also on the white board at the office the last written date was 6/26 so it seemed like no one staffed the grounds for 2 days. Bathroom was alright typical pit toilet. Aside from have the motorhome swarmed with mosquitos I slept well. Good view of glacier mountains in the distance.

  • JThe Dyrt Pro User
    Jul. 31, 2026

    Captain Clark

    There’s probably better spots

    There’s probably better spots around. Decent view, but very buggy and pretty close to other campers. Apparently you have to spend $10 to camp here. Loud train, and people left garbage around the fire pit. Sketchy entrance.

  • JThe Dyrt Pro User
    Jul. 30, 2026

    Travertine Road Dispersed - Yellowstone

    Beautifully remote

    I loved camping here, even when it started pouring for an hour or so. Short road from Gardiner into tons of really cool spots, amazing overlooks, I was a little late on a Wednesday in July and still got an incredible spot. Pretty rough road, nothing a normal car couldnt do by going slow though.

  • GThe Dyrt Pro User
    Jul. 30, 2026

    Superior Dispersed Site

    Good bathing spot.

    The Dyrt/gps says you're there when in fact you have to go another ½ mile before the bare spot on the right. Road goes farther but I stopped there. Nice little creek runs along side with a pool perfect for bathing or cooling off. Easy access, and a fire ring is there, but nothing else.

  • Taryn S.The Dyrt Pro User
    Jul. 30, 2026

    Sprague Creek Campground — Glacier National Park

    Tiny, super convenient Glacier NP campground

    We love this small campground! It's RIGHT off the park road and has an adjacent picnic area, so you do get some road noise, hut it also feels secluded because of how heavily treed it is (is almost dark in the CG!). Lake McDonald Lodge is a 5-6 minute drive, Apgar Village/visitor center is 10-12 minutes, Avalanche is a little over 10. Most, if not all, sites have bear boxes and water.

    We stayed in two different sites here, #2 and 10, in a lifted SUV with a rooftop tent. 2 is right next to the entrance and a larger site, but has a fairly steep slope. 10 is a fabulous site, a path down to the lake right next to it, across from the bathroom, sits higher up and is quite level - but the driveway is SHORT. My SUV took most of it.

    Super clean bathrooms with electric outlets, VERY quiet campground in general. No firewood (buy from Apgar or Lake McDonald Lodge) or showers.

    Be warned for larger rigs: it's TIGHT in here, even just navigating the small loop.

  • DThe Dyrt Pro User
    Jul. 30, 2026

    Rosebud East

    Rosebud Cty Fairgrounds

    Fairgrounds with lots of empty spaces. No one around but there is a kiosk for self-pay. $15 camping with electric and water or $20 for full hookups. The full hookups are east of the grandstand. Lots of room for any size rig. Very peaceful and quiet. I think there’s two of us in the campground tonight. Restrooms show their age but their clean enough.

  • Vahste (.The Dyrt Pro User
    Jul. 29, 2026

    Homestake Pass Dispersed

    Plenty of room and lots of cattle

    Spent the entire 16day limit camping here and overall it was enjoyable. Its pretty heavy traffic at all times (day and night) since its located pretty close to the entrance of the 17mile NF road loop, and off-roaders will zip by. There were ample spots to pick from, many with tables and most with established fire rings. My main complaints are nonstop offroading traffic, and the herd of freerange cattle that loved using my van as a scratching post every time they wandered through (roughly 20 times over my 16 days).

Guide to Montana

Camping in Montana offers a unique blend of stunning landscapes and outdoor adventures. From serene lakes to rugged mountains, there's something for everyone, whether you're a tent camper or an RV enthusiast.

What to do

  • Explore Nature: Montana is home to beautiful parks like Kiwanis Park, where you can enjoy a park-like atmosphere. One camper mentioned, “Road noise disappears at night,” making it a peaceful spot for relaxation.
  • Fishing and Water Activities: At Ackley Lake State Park Campground, you can fish, swim, and kayak. A visitor shared, “Good spot for camping, fishing, swimming, kayaking!”
  • Hiking: The James Kipp Campground offers great hiking trails. One camper noted, “We took a nice hike along the river,” highlighting the scenic views.

What campers like

  • Clean Facilities: Campers appreciate clean restrooms and well-maintained sites. A review from Chief Joseph City Park stated, “The bathrooms are clean and have flushing toilets.”
  • Wildlife Sightings: Many campers enjoy spotting wildlife. One reviewer at Deadmans Basin said, “Great views! It was pretty windy the night we were there,” indicating a connection with nature.
  • Quiet Atmosphere: Campgrounds like Petrolia Reservoir offer a peaceful experience. A camper mentioned, “We woke up to cows mooing and a beautiful sunrise over the lake.”

What you should know

  • Limited Amenities: Some campgrounds, like Crystal Lake Campground, lack drinking water and electric hookups. A visitor remarked, “There is not much privacy now as every camp site can be watched by all the other campers.”
  • First-Come, First-Served: Many sites operate on a first-come, first-served basis. At Ackley Lake State Park, a camper noted, “They only have 26 spots, first come first serve.”
  • Seasonal Access: Some campgrounds are only open during certain months. For example, Mountain Acres RV Park is open from May 1 to October 31.

Tips for camping with families

  • Choose Family-Friendly Parks: Look for parks with playgrounds and activities. Chief Joseph City Park has a five-star play area for kids, making it a great choice.
  • Plan for Activities: Bring games and outdoor toys. One family at Kiwanis Park enjoyed the park-like atmosphere, saying, “No fire rings, but a park-like atmosphere.”
  • Pack Snacks: Keep snacks handy for hikes and outings. A camper at Ackley Lake State Park mentioned, “We stocked up on some snacks,” which is always a good idea for family trips.

Tips from RVers

  • Check Site Sizes: Make sure your RV fits the site. A reviewer at Mountain Acres RV Park noted, “Sites are big,” which is helpful for larger rigs.
  • Be Prepared for Limited Services: Some campgrounds don’t have full hookups. A camper at James Kipp Campground mentioned, “There was no water available during my stay.”
  • Explore Nearby Attractions: Many campgrounds are close to local attractions. One RV traveler at Deadmans Basin said, “It’s a beautiful place to stay,” encouraging exploration of the surrounding area.

Montana camping is all about enjoying the great outdoors, so pack your gear and get ready for an adventure!

Frequently Asked Questions

Where can I find RV-friendly camping sites in Montana?

Montana offers numerous RV-friendly camping options. North American RV Park & Yurt Village is conveniently located just 5 minutes from the West Glacier Park entrance with full hookups and amenities. Trout Creek Motel & RV Park near the Idaho border provides peaceful sites with easy access to local amenities. For those visiting Yellowstone, several RV parks around West Yellowstone offer convenient access to the national park. Many KOAs throughout Montana are excellent for RVers, featuring pull-through sites, full hookups, and amenities like laundry facilities and WiFi. National Forest campgrounds sometimes accommodate RVs, but check size restrictions and hookup availability before arrival.

Are there any free or low-cost camping options in Montana?

Montana offers several affordable camping options for budget-conscious outdoor enthusiasts. Peck Gulch Campground provides basic amenities like vault toilets and water access at minimal cost while offering stunning views. Indian Road Campground near Townsend offers reasonably priced camping along the Missouri River. Many National Forest campgrounds throughout Montana provide primitive camping for low fees, often between $5-15 per night. For completely free options, dispersed camping is allowed in most national forests with a 16-day stay limit. Bureau of Land Management (BLM) areas also offer free dispersed camping throughout the state. Always practice Leave No Trace principles and check local regulations as they may change seasonally.

What are the best campgrounds in Montana for scenic views?

Montana offers breathtaking scenic views at numerous campgrounds. Crystal Lake Campground provides peaceful lakeside camping with clear waters, surrounding meadows filled with summer wildflowers, and beautiful hiking trails. Gird Point in the Bitterroot National Forest offers stunning mountain vistas from its elevated location. For riverside beauty, consider camping along the Madison River between Hebgen Lake and Earthquake Lake. Glacier National Park campgrounds are also exceptional for scenery, with options providing views of mountain peaks, glacial lakes, and abundant wildlife. The diverse landscapes across Montana ensure scenic camping experiences, whether you prefer mountain views, riverside serenity, or alpine lake settings.

What's the best time of year for camping in Montana?

The prime camping season in Montana runs from late June through early September when temperatures are most comfortable and high-elevation sites are accessible. Apgar Campground in Glacier National Park is typically open May through September, with July-August offering the warmest conditions. Basin Campground and other mountain locations shine in summer when wildflowers bloom and hiking trails are fully accessible. Be aware that summer wildfires can affect air quality, particularly in August. Spring (May-June) offers fewer crowds but potential snowmelt and mud. Fall (September-early October) brings beautiful colors and fewer visitors, though nights get quite cold. Most high-elevation campgrounds close by mid-October, while some lower-elevation sites remain open year-round with limited amenities.

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