Camping near Fishtail, Montana provides access to the scenic Beartooth Mountains with elevations ranging from 4,500 to over 12,000 feet. Summer temperatures typically range from 45°F overnight to 85°F during daytime, with occasional afternoon thunderstorms common from July through August. The camping season generally runs from mid-May through early October, though higher elevation sites may have shorter accessibility windows.
What to do
Fishing excursions: Access Rock Creek directly from Perry's RV and Campgrounds where "tent sites give you a primitive feel and are right on the heavy flowing Rock Creek making sleeping nice." The creek offers good trout fishing opportunities from mid-June through September.
Scenic drives: Explore two national scenic byways from the Red Lodge area. "We recommend spending one day driving Beartooth Scenic Byway and then crossover Chief Joseph Scenic Byway. Stop at the lookouts!" Both routes feature pullouts with interpretive displays and photography opportunities.
Small town exploration: Visit Reed Point which is walkable from Old West RV Park. "Basically, downtown in a population 96 town of 4 blocks. Biggest attraction for us was a very nice and friendly little bar in easy walking distance. If you have a quarter, you can hammer it in the wall at the bar and sign your name."
What campers like
River campsites: Stay along the Yellowstone River at Itch-Kep-Pe Park where "each site has varying types of picnic tables and fire ring and grill on it." The park offers "beautiful river scenery, restrooms, free" camping with "pretty level spots" directly on the river.
Clean facilities: Access well-maintained shower buildings at Perry's RV and Campgrounds where "the shower houses were so clean with plenty of hot water!" One camper noted they "have never had a bad experience here, always pleasant."
Budget-friendly options: Find free camping spots near Columbus. Itch-Kep-Pe Park is "free but they do have a donation box" and features "well laid out camp spots. You aren't on top of each other. Nice trees, shade, grassy areas."
What you should know
Train and traffic noise: Several campgrounds experience noise from nearby transportation routes. At Big Timber-Greycliff KOA, there's "highways & railroad noise!" with sites "backed right up to the Highway. Would serve the park to build a wall or even just a tall wooden fence to help cover some of the road noise."
Bug populations: Prepare for mosquitoes in certain areas, especially near water. At Perry's RV and Campgrounds, "the mosquitoes in the area can carry you away so prepare your campsite for that."
Limited cell service: Connectivity varies across the region. While some campgrounds offer strong signals, remote areas have spotty coverage. One camper at Itch-Kep-Pe Park appreciated that despite being a free campground, it was "only 5 minutes off i90" making it convenient for travelers.
Tips for camping with families
Kid-friendly amenities: Choose KOAs for family activities. At Red Lodge KOA, families find "safe and clean sites with lots of fun things for the kids! Pool is great with showers close by. Super fun campground to explore!" Recent renovations have improved the facilities.
Wildlife viewing opportunities: Visit Prairie Dog Town State Park within walking distance of Big Timber-Greycliff KOA. One visitor described it as "simple but a cute place to watch prairie dogs and check out the local flora."
Seasonal fruit picking: Let kids harvest fresh berries at Big Timber-Greycliff KOA where "there are raspberries bushes around the pool that you can pick. We made raspberry jam on the fire. Chokecherry trees surround the camp grounds that can also be picked."
Tips from RVers
Late arrival considerations: Several rv sites near Fishtail, Montana accept after-hours check-ins. At Mountain Range RV Park, one RVer "was able to roll in last minute, and later in the evening! Which is super helpful for those just trying to push through on a road trip and not knowing where they are going to land."
Utilities and hookups: Check specific services available at each campground. Many RV parks offer full hookups, but some have limitations. A camper at Red Lodge KOA noted "hook ups are awesome" and the "sites were level."
Reservation timing: Book well in advance for summer travel. The peak season fills quickly, especially for RV sites with full hookups. At Mountain Range RV Park, a visitor reported they "called last minute for an overnight and there was one spot left," highlighting the importance of planning ahead.
