Horseback riding campgrounds near Big Timber, Montana provide prime access to the Crazy Mountains and surrounding wilderness areas. These facilities sit at elevations between 4,000-6,000 feet with most open from late spring through early fall due to winter snowpack. Road conditions to equestrian sites vary significantly, with several requiring high-clearance vehicles for the final approach.
What to do
Trail riding from campgrounds: West Boulder Trailhead and Campground serves as a base for multiple riding routes. "Pack it in Pack it out... Nice size trailhead just as you turn into the campground. The pit toilet is right at the entrance and the toilet was very clean. I would not make the trip unless I am bringing my horses for the trail."
Mountain lake hiking: From Emerald Lake Campground, access the Mystic Lake trailhead about a mile south for day excursions. "The Majestic Lake trailhead is about a mile further south and that was a fun excursion for the day," notes one visitor who spent Labor Day weekend at the campground.
Fishing in mountain streams: Emerald Lake offers excellent opportunities for anglers. "The lakes around the campground are amazing for fishing and any other light water sports. I mostly fly fish and the streams feeding the lakes are great to fish. Fish of all types from whitefish to brown and rainbow trout."
What campers like
Secluded riverside camping: At Pig Farm Fishing Access Camp, campers appreciate the water access. "There are a couple of areas right next to the river if you go down some steep hills for the more intrepid campers. There's also a great ramp for launching boats or kayaks or fishing from."
Pasture and corral systems: Meyers Creek Cabin offers dedicated facilities for horses. "This is one of the best camping cabins for equestrians that I found so far in Montana. There are Corrals for horses and pasture. And the trails into the forest service are endless in a couple different directions."
Mountain views and wildlife: Many sites provide views of the Crazy Mountains. "Black bear and Moose are frequent visitors," at Halfmoon Campground, according to experienced campers. The surrounding wilderness areas maintain healthy populations of large mammals.
What you should know
Road conditions vary: Access roads to several horse campgrounds require preparation. "Getting from the main road into the cabin can be a bit tricky for vehicles over 30 feet," at Meyers Creek Cabin, while other locations have more severe limitations.
Weather changes quickly: At Halfmoon Campground, one camper reported: "We were able to easily find a private site and set up camp and have a peaceful evening under the stars, looking forward to our hike in the morning. We woke up to the craziest wind storm around 1am! Our tent took quite a beating, we are estimating that winds were above 50mph!"
Limited cellular service: Most equestrian camping areas have minimal connectivity. "Great T-Mobile cell phone service" exists at Pig Farm Fishing Access, but this is uncommon for more remote horse camping sites in the region.
Tips for camping with families
Plan for mosquitoes: The creek-side location at VangoBoon attracts insects during summer months. "We LOVED visiting with the horses and they were very friendly and did not even mind when our dogs barked at them," mentions one family with dogs and a toddler.
Consider noise factors: Some areas experience unexpected disturbances. "Biggest negative is that you can hear all the highway noise and trucks like to jake-break in this area. On the other side of the highway there were railroad tracks. The train blew its horn through this area frequently."
Water recreation options: Emerald Lake provides family-friendly water activities. "We still got to try out our new paddle boards on the lake and it was such a nice place to try them out for the first time. The lake isn't very deep so it's great for paddle boards, kayaks and fishing."
Tips from RVers
Camping season timing: For horse campsites with RV access, plan your visit strategically. "I got there on Saturday at 3 pm and there were only 2 spots open. With the final gone within 30 minutes... It cleared out almost completely by Sunday," at Emerald Lake Campground.
Limited winter access: Most equestrian campgrounds close seasonally. VangoBoon offers limited winter camping: "Ended up here on a winter site that had electric but no water or bathroom facilities. Site was plowed and I had plenty of room for my pickup with GFC camper to fit. There are only two site that are available before April 1."
Size restrictions: For horse trailers with living quarters, check length limitations. "Not a lot of spots for RVs our size 28ft, but we found one," at Emerald Lake, while other horse campgrounds may accommodate larger rigs with advance planning.
