Looking for the best Emigrant dispersed camping? Dispersed camping is an excellent way to get away from it all and to disconnect. You're sure to find the perfect dispersed campsite for your Montana camping adventure.
The Gardiner district covers the southeast part of Custer Gallatin National Forest, bordering Yellowstone National Park. Both Gardiner, MT and Cooke City, MT are within the Gardiner district.
Many people enjoy the solitude and primitive experience of camping away from developed campgrounds and other campers. Dispersed camping is the term used for camping in the National Forest OUTSIDE of a designated campground. It also means no services (such as trash removal), and little or no facilities (such as tables, fire pits or toilets) are provided.
People enjoy the solitude and primitive experience of camping away from developed campgrounds and other campers. Dispersed camping is the term used for camping anywhere in the National Forest OUTSIDE of a designated campground. Dispersed camping means no services (such as trash removal), and little or no facilities (such as tables and fire pits) are provided.
Rules for dispersed camping Groups over 75 people are not allowed. Dispersed camping is NOT allowed at trailheads, picnic sites, and fishing areas and within close proximity of campgrounds. You need to be self-contained. No amenities are provided; such as water, restrooms or trash cans. Please pack out all your trash. For information on occupancy and use, camping stay limits, weed free forage, visit Region 1 - Alerts & Notices (usda.gov). Travel to campsites must not create resource damage. Travel to campsites must not create resource damage Contact local district office for information on fire restrictions. It is your responsibility to know if fire restrictions are in effect before camping. Be bear aware and know the food storage regulations before camping. These regulations are strictly enforced. Where can I disperse camp? Please refer to each district's Motor Vehicle Use Map (MVUM). These maps will show which roadways allow disperse camping and it tells you the distance you are allowed to drive off the road to camp. Please note that some roads have more limitations and restrictions than others. Please consult the Motor Vehicle Use Map or call the district office for more details.
A campground in the main boulder area on the Yellowstone District.
Camp sites: 8
Accessible Facilities: Toilet Trash Pickup: No Firewood: No 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. Information: Livingston Office 5242 Hwy 89. Livingston, MT 59047 (406) 222-1892
Many people enjoy the solitude and primitive experience of camping away from developed campgrounds and other campers. Dispersed camping is the term used for camping anywhere in the National Forest OUTSIDE of a designated campground. Dispersed camping means no services (such as trash removal), and little or no facilities (such as tables and fire pits) are provided.
Rules for dispersed camping Groups over 75 people are not allowed. Dispersed camping is NOT allowed in the vicinity of developed recreation areas. You need to be self-contained. No amenities are provided; such as water, restrooms or trash cans. Please pack out all your trash. You may camp in a dispersed area for up to 16 days. After 16 days, you must move at least 5 road miles for camping in another dispersed area and you can not return to your original campsite for 7 days. Please use existing fire rings and avoid creating new fire rings. Contact your local district office for information on fire restrictions. It is your responsibility to know if fire restrictions are in effect before you go camping. Be bear aware and know the food storage regulations before camping. These regulations are strictly enforced. Where can I disperse camp? To find out where you are allowed to disperse camp, please refer to each district's Motor Vehicle Use Map (MVUM). These maps will show which roadways allow disperse camping and it tells you the distance you are allowed to drive off the road to camp. Please note that some roads have more limitations and restrictions than others. Please consult the Motor Vehicle Use Map or call the district office for more details. To see our Motor Vehicle Use Maps, click here.
Can I have a campfire? Please use existing sites and fire rings. Firewood permits are not needed if wood is used on the forest. If wood is transported home for personal use, you will need to purchase a firewood permit at the closest district office. This permit should be obtained prior to you gathering or transporting any wood.
Before you leave your campfire make sure is it completely out. You should be able to put your whole hand into the ashes without being burned; it should be cool to the touch. Stir the ashes to make sure all embers have cooled. This is very important! Many forest fires are caused by abandoned campfires that were not completely out.
The National Forest has wildfires each year. Many of these are human caused from escaped campfires in dispersed sites. Campfires are allowed unless there are fire restrictions in effect due to high fire danger conditions. It is your responsibility to know if fire restrictions are in effect before you go camping. You can learn about any fire restrictions by contacting the nearest Forest Service office.
Dispersed camping means no bathrooms and no outhouses. That means extra care has to be taken in disposing of human waste. To dispose of feces, dig a hole six to eight (6-8) inches deep at least 200 feet away from any water source. When you are done, fill the hole with the dirt you dug up and take your toilet paper with you to dispose of in a proper waste container. Never defecate or leave toilet paper on top of the ground. Do not simply cover it with a rock. It could easily get into the local water source and contaminate it.
Legend
We arrived to the Yellowstone area in the evening, and since we had been traveling around the U.S. for almost a year, we were well-versed in finding alternative camping options near national parks.
Instead of camping somewhere in the park, we decided to drive through Gallatin National Forest, to the north of the park, until we found a good place to camp. We found a perfect overlook where we pitched our tent and watched the most gorgeous sunset. The best part? No people around for miles and miles.
Dispersed camping in the U.S. Forest Service land is almost always a win: the sites are free and remote; there are usually plenty of available spots; and you get a very unique camping experience. Just remember to look up regulations for the specific area you’re looking at, and don’t forget the toilet paper!
In Yellowstone, we worked our way from north to south, hitting the highlights. Many of the hiking trails were closed due to bear activity, so we stuck mostly to the close sights: driving through Lamar Valley, viewing Old Faithful & many other geysers, seeing Grand Canyon of the Yellowstone, and spotting wildlife everywhere we went.
You can read much more about our five days in the park on our blog: Switchback Kids (Yellowstone)
GuideFree Camping alongside the road overlooking Yellowstone and Mammoth Spring. After a few miles on this road, the no camping signs stop and it is free game! We scored a nice overlook and enjoyed the view. Way better than a campground on a busy summer day.
Scout
Based 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
GuideI camped here for one night, but would have happily stayed for a week.
I was on a huge hill overlooking all of "The American Serengeti" and it was stunning. Easy drive up and down to Gardiner for groceries. Besides a LOT of gunshots in the area, the campsite was perfect. Located directly off of the National Forest road. There are dozens more sites as you go further up the road but I preferred the view of the first site.
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.
TravelerLoved this boondocking area. Lots of spots up Eagle creek road. The road up is a little bumpy but no problem for us. The views are beyond beautiful. I highly recommend!
ScoutPerfect dispersed camping. Note it is a windy dirt road, so a pickup or camper van can make it, but don't try a Class A or Class C RV. Our 20 footer made it fine. Also wouldn't want to drive it if rain forecasted as I bet the dirt turns to impassible mud real fast.
The spots themselves are wonderful, some very open, some tucked away along the rocks, all very spread out from each other. Super quiet. I can't believe how quiet it was.
If you want to feel like you are camping on a mountain in the middle of no where, this is it.
TravelerJust passed the Eagle Creek Campground on Jardine Road. Take a left and drive in 3 miles on National Forest Road to areas where camping is allowed. There are mile marker signs. These are mostly little pull offs along the side of the road with great views into Yellowstone/Mammoth Hot Springs. There are more than a dozen good spots, but it also seems popular as I saw at least 10 occupied sites on a Monday evening. No cellphone service. No amenities, just the view and personal space. My Honda fit made it up the road no problem.
Guide
This place seemed promising at first. It was hard to find a decent spot at night due to only using headlights of my van. Most of the road is extremely rugged/uneven/full of large holes. The only place I was able to stay for the night was the road leading up to the locked gate. This is about the only nice spot. Other than that this place is • quiet w/occasional traffic along the high way (right next to reservoir) • very few people here, but far enough away from me • no fee required • provides OK view to the mountains • great when you bring along a pet • you will need to be fully prepared for primitive camping
Guide-free -pet friendly -dispersed campsites -no water, toilets, amenities of any sort -just a fire ring at each site -some good trails -great phone service (Verizon)
ScoutI was easily able to drive up the bumpy gravel road in my compact car. The road gets a little rougher going to some of the further spots, but nothing bad. This spot is semi protected in a small gulch but if there was a bad storm in the area this valley side camping spot could be rough with high winds.
Traveler
We truly loved this place. It was so isolated and peaceful. The camp sites are scattered throughout the trails and are not close to each other. They are easy to spot and not to bad to get to.(if you use the right road on the way up) we were only planning to stay 1 night and ended up staying 3 nights. We couldn’t get enough. Also spotted lots of moose, they are everywhere up there.
Scout
Followed this road up a few miles and found the perfect camp spot.
Guide
This is an amazing camp spot that is almost almost to the top of the trail to fairy Lake campground. There’s an established firing, and there’s room for multiple vehicles.
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!
Ranger
This was an ok stay outside of Bozeman. The coordinates took me to a spot which was occupied but looked like the only spot on that stretch of road. It began to get extremely rutted and I didn’t want to push any farther after that spot. I camped in what looked to be a dispersed campsite that they closed off
ScoutWe arrived at 5-6 and only came across two available spots on the entire road. Each campsite is fully dispersed and a large distance between each other. Lots of animals in area so keep that bear spray. Great view of mountains.
I gave a four star because when first entering there is a giant stone wall with graffiti and and elk skull bone and hooves lying around, kind of sketchy when wanting to be left alone.
GuideVery much middle of nowhere feeling. Go up travertine and the. Take FS1701 road west for a mile or so. You’ll see a few spots along the way but I liked the ones I found farther west. I was solo and it was a little weird as it felt totally isolated. No tables or toilets but there are a number of spots with fire rings. Was there sept. 18th.
RangerThis Forest Service road provides tons of neat pull offs and campsites! 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. A lot of the pull offs have a fire ring pretty close to the road. No bathrooms or amenities. But this space is worth it. All free, gorgeous camping just outside of Gardiner and Yellowstone National Park!
GuideVery close to the north entrance to Yellowstone. These spots were as described here. We saw the pretty little overlook spot, but it was too small & windy for us. We went further down the road (it turns more west) & saw the graffiti wall & went past that to a great secluded spot. It does seem to be used by locals to dump their hunting carcasses & for target practice, but you can't beat the price of FREE. We did sleep in the truck my husband has customized to be our 'hard sided camper' & has a good night's rest. It was quiet & dark & a little cold - perfect for sleeping!
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
TravelerWe were looking for an easy dispersed site to stay at while visiting a friend in Bozeman. This was an easy option for us with a 20ft camper. We stayed at the first pull off a few minutes off the main road. This site was easily accessible, right off the main road, close to town and close to some hikes.
TravelerGorgeous campsite only 20ish min from the outskirts of Bozeman. Stopped in for 1 night passing through on a bigger road trip and couldn’t be luckier with this location. Fire rings at all campsites. Very quite road. Level ground for car camping. Would 100% come back just for this gem.
GuideThere is no single designated campsite area but there are multiple spots along this road.
If you are looking at online maps it looks like there are lots of little roads you can go off and find a spot. You cannot. All side roads are locked as there is a quarry there. If you continue down this Red Quarry Rd you will see multiple little campsites right off the road you can park or camp at. They each had a fire pit and that was it. Beautiful area. If you don't see any just keep going I promise you will find at least 3 in the first mile or so.
Does have Verizon service. Road is bumpy but manageable. Wouldn't bring an RV though.
Traveler
This is a fantastic campground with lots of empty sites along Taylor Creek. The site I stayed at had a fire pit with lots of room to setup a tent or camper if you’re interested. Lots of distance between each campsite and again, a pretty valley view with a beautiful creek.
GuideRough camp. No amenities. Not large enough for motor home. But ok for pull camper. First come first serve. Looking for that free spot. Between the hotels and hassle.
GuideI would definitely come here again. 15 min to Yellowstone NP entrance. Nice dark quiet spots. ZERO amenities for ZERO dollars. We were driving a minivan and tent camping. The dirt roads were easily passable. A small RV would be able to find a spot here. It’s bear country and you’re on your OWN. You can indeed tell folks like to party here. There’s graffiti on some of the rocks. Our camp site had toilet paper and garbage all over it. We had to take ten minutes to pick up all the garbage before we could enjoy it...but once we did we had an AMAZING view and the whole place to ourselves! Highly recommend....but make sure you arrive with daylight so you can actually FIND a spot (nothing is marked...it’s sort of DIY camping).
Looked to be 1-2 dozen sites there. We didn’t scope the WHOLE place out...but the first site is WOW AWESOME looking. We saw it, loved it, scoped out the rest for 10 minutes than came back to that first campsite to set up and look down and the minions below!
Discover the beauty of dispersed camping near Emigrant, Montana, where you can immerse yourself in nature without the constraints of traditional campgrounds. This area offers a variety of options for those seeking solitude and stunning landscapes.
Frequently Asked Questions
Which is the most popular dispersed campsite near Emigrant, MT?
According to TheDyrt.com, the most popular dispersed campground near Emigrant, MT is Travertine Road Dispersed - Yellowstone with a 4.5-star rating from 31 reviews.
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