Equestrian camping near Fishtail, Montana offers direct access to extensive forest service trails at elevations ranging from 5,000 to 9,000 feet. The Beartooth Ranger District area features several cabins and camping facilities designed for horseback riders seeking mountain terrain exploration. Most horse-friendly accommodations are situated between 30-50 miles from Fishtail along mountain access roads that can be challenging for larger trailers.
What to do
Trail riding from established bases: At Emerald Lake Campground, riders can access multiple trail systems while maintaining a comfortable base camp. "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," notes Rayne M., who mentions these trails connect to the Mystic Lake trailhead for extended riding opportunities.
Explore backcountry lakes: Horseback access to remote alpine lakes provides fishing opportunities away from crowds. "I mostly tent camp and have yet to find a camp spot I didn't like. Great place for family camping and anyone else looking for great views and awesome fishing," shares Rayne M. about the Emerald Lake area.
Seasonal considerations: Plan horse camping trips between late May and early September when most facilities are fully accessible. Access roads to higher elevations may remain snow-covered until late May. "Stayed one night late March. The road in wasn't terrible, a little rutted past the gate up to the cabin, but easy enough to manage," reports Kristin about early season conditions at West Bridger Cabin.
What campers like
Spacious horse facilities: The fenced pasture areas provide ample grazing space for multiple horses. "If you have horses bring long hose. The hydrant is located about 115 away, no water tanks," advises Kristin K. about facilities at Meyers Creek Cabin.
Cabin amenities: The equipped cabins offer comforts uncommon in remote settings. "The cabin has an electric stove, small fridge and freezer, and a couple small lamps and even a toaster and coffee maker," mentions Kristin about West Bridger Cabin, though she notes "the cabin is quite drafty and we struggled to keep it warm."
Fishing access: Multiple water access points attract campers who combine riding with fishing activities. "We 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," shares Danae P. about recreational options at Emerald Lake.
What you should know
Vehicle size limitations: Mountain access roads restrict trailer size for horse camping. "It's a bit of a tight squeeze to get a big horse trailer in there I would not recommend anything much over 30 feet," warns Kathi F. about West Bridger Cabin access.
Wildlife considerations: Bear-resistant storage is essential in this mountain ecosystem. At Pilot Creek Dispersed Camping, "There are multiple dispersed sites that back up to the Pilot Creek Trail. Plenty of spots in the grass for big rigs and trailers... Some sites have bear boxes," notes Lauren C.
Weather variability: Mountain elevations create unpredictable conditions even in summer months. "It rained a few of the days, but it was nice to get out of the heat in town," reports Danae P. about Emerald Lake Campground, highlighting the temperature differences between valley towns and mountain camping areas.
Tips for camping with families
Kid-friendly water activities: Shallow lakes provide safe recreation options. "The lake isn't very deep so it's great for paddle boards, kayaks and fishing. The campground was clean. The spots were really nice," describes Danae P. about family experiences at Emerald Lake.
Mosquito preparation: Seasonal insects can impact comfort, particularly near water sources. "Lots of mosquitos," warns Lauren C. about Pig Farm Fishing Access Camp, a common concern across local camping areas during summer months.
Toilet facilities: Consider campgrounds with maintained facilities when traveling with younger children. At West Boulder Trailhead and Campground, N.I. reports "the pit toilet is right at the entrance and the toilet was very clean," noting that "some sites had amenities and some didn't."
Tips from RVers
Campsite availability patterns: Weekends fill quickly during peak season while midweek offers better availability. "We got to the campground on a Thursday, by Friday evening all the RV spots seemed to be taken. It cleared out almost completely by Sunday," observes Danae P. about patterns at Emerald Lake.
Limited hookups: Most horse-friendly sites near Fishtail offer electric at cabins but lack full RV hookups. Come prepared for limited services and self-contained camping.
Turn-around space: When bringing horse trailers, scout adequate maneuvering room before committing to sites. "There's a spot down by the water that someone took with a tent who we let by us. We took a spot just above before you drive down to the water. I wasn't sure if I could turn around my 20' travel trailer down by the water," explains Edward R. about navigating Pig Farm Fishing Access with a trailer.
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