Best Tent Camping near Fishtail, MT
Tent campsites near Fishtail, Montana offer a mix of established campgrounds and dispersed options along creek banks and mountain valleys. Rosebud Isle, located directly in Fishtail, provides primitive tent sites with toilet facilities and picnic tables along the water, while East Boulder Campground offers free camping with similar amenities about 15 miles east of town in the Custer Gallatin National Forest. Cliff Swallow, a highly-rated dispersed camping area about 7 miles west of nearby Absarokee, provides riverside tent camping with vault toilets.
Most tent sites in the Fishtail region have basic facilities with vault toilets but no running water or electrical hookups. East Boulder Campground features two designated tent sites with picnic tables, fire rings with cooking grates, and a central vault toilet. The access road requires traveling several miles on gravel, which can become rough in wet conditions. Sites typically accommodate 1-2 tents with minimal site preparation. Fires are permitted at most locations when seasonal restrictions aren't in place. A camper noted, "The vault toilet was very clean," but recommended bringing all supplies since sites are remote.
The tent camping experience around Fishtail provides excellent access to fishing and hiking opportunities. Campsites at Rosebud Isle are limited, with only 8 spots available, making early arrival essential. East Boulder Campground sits beside a river with good fishing access and hiking trails nearby. A visitor described it as "a great place to fish, rock hound and there are some trails very close." At Cliff Swallow, tent sites offer riverside locations where campers can wade into deeper areas for "refreshing dips." Many primitive tent locations offer mountain views as backdrops. Most tent campsites maintain good separation between sites, providing privacy even when campgrounds are at capacity. Wildlife sightings, including deer, are common at several tent camping areas.
