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Best Campgrounds near Fort Smith, MT

289 Reviews

Fort Smith, Montana provides access to several campgrounds within the Bighorn Canyon National Recreation Area, including Afterbay Campground, Black Canyon Campground, and Trail Creek/Barrys Landing. The area features a mix of established campgrounds with varying amenities and accommodation types, from tent-only sites to RV-friendly locations with hookups. Cottonwood Camp offers cabin camping options alongside tent and RV sites, while fishing access sites like Bighorn Fishing Access and Mallards Landing provide opportunities for waterfront camping. The surrounding landscape combines prairie views with proximity to the Bighorn River and Bighorn Canyon, creating diverse camping environments within a relatively compact geographic area.

Road conditions and accessibility vary throughout the region, with some campgrounds requiring travel on unpaved roads. "The roads are horrible... if it rained you have to be in a jacked up 4x4 to get through," noted one visitor describing access to a nearby campground. Summer temperatures can be quite hot, particularly at lower elevations, while spring and fall offer more moderate conditions. Most established campgrounds in the area operate seasonally, with limited winter camping options. Cell service is inconsistent throughout the region, with better coverage near Fort Smith proper and diminished signals in canyon areas. Campgrounds like Afterbay and Black Canyon have specific regulations regarding fires and pets, with some prohibiting both entirely.

Waterfront access represents a significant draw for campers visiting the Fort Smith area. The Bighorn River provides excellent fishing opportunities, with several access points designed specifically for anglers. According to one visitor, "Great access to the river with a little boat ramp" makes sites like Mallards Landing popular despite limited amenities. Wildlife viewing opportunities abound, with visitors reporting moose and deer sightings at campgrounds in the broader region. Campers frequently mention the contrast between the developed amenities at places like 7th Ranch RV Park, which offers full hookups and "amazing sunset views," and the more rustic experiences available at primitive sites. The area's relative distance from major population centers means that even during peak summer months, campers can often find available sites without advance reservations except on holiday weekends.

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Best Camping Sites Near Fort Smith, Montana (61)

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Recent Camping Photos near Fort Smith, MT

43 Photos of 61 Fort Smith Campgrounds

Recent Reviews near Fort Smith, MT

289 Reviews of 61 Fort Smith Campgrounds

  • aThe Dyrt PRO User
    Sep. 12, 2025

    Bighorn National Forest Sibley Lake Campground

    A good one night stay

    A pretty good campground, clean with clean Porta potty toilets, water at the campground, but not at campsites, electric and non-electric the drive to get here though is amazing

  • PThe Dyrt PRO User
    Aug. 26, 2025

    7th Ranch RV Park

    Beautiful stop over

    Nice small park close to i-90 interstate with lengthy pull through sites and full hookups. Clean updated bathrooms and beautiful scenery all around. Very close to Custer State Park. About half the sites have a tree wi th shade available. Our site does not have shade. Pads are all gravel and leveling maybe needed.

  • Wandering Resonance The Dyrt PRO User
    Aug. 24, 2025

    General Custer Fishing Access Road

    Just skip it!

    Not a bad site in theory, the access road is good and there is a toilet. However, there are only three campsites, one of which requires running a gauntlet of overgrown willow bushes and scratching a substantial amount of paint off the sides of your vehicle to access, which we did as the other two sites were taken. The mosquitoes here are horrid as it's a marsh, we considered peeing in a jar in our van instead of risking opening the insect mesh. Standard array of trash...cigarette butts, beer cans, water bottles etc.

  • andrew The Dyrt PRO User
    Aug. 23, 2025

    Hardin KOA

    Quiet and clean

    We stayed for two nights and went to see Custers last stand. Pool was great for afternoon. Laundry and bathrooms clean and just fine. My only issue was the dump hook up at our FHU site. It was about 1ft above ground level and almost made it impossible to dump with an accordion hose. Other than that, great stay.

  • Jennifer K.The Dyrt PRO User
    Aug. 19, 2025

    Horseshoe Bend Campground — Bighorn Canyon National Recreation Area

    Beautiful area but people are loud

    This campground has really gorgeous scenery. The picnic tables, fire pits and sun/wind shades are all newer and well kept. Clearly states bear area and to keep all foods properly contained. However as far as I've seen there are only bear boxes in the picnic area by the marina and there's really no trees around. You would have to use a bear safe container or the sun/wind shades to hang your food if your in a tent but not all sites have them. A lot of sites have water and electric in loops A and B. There is a water fill and dump station on the road before the turn off of the campground. The potable water has a nozzle on it and you can not hook a hose to it. However the sites with water have a normal garden hose spigot. My only complaint would be the people are inconsiderate and quite loud all day and there's not many people here. It's not even half full but some are clearly quite drunk most of the day. There's a family that pulled in and set up right around 10 pm right next to us. Banging and screaming about for over an hour. Our neighbors just let their dog run loose. Ive found discarded fish carcasses that someone had filleted and just tossed behind a bush. Also a lot of trash all over the place. The first site in loop A is marked as the host...I've never seen them so clearly they dont care. So as long as you dont want peace and quiet then this place is fine. I cant imagine what it's like when it's mostly full on the weekend. We really wanted to see the canyon though so we opted to stay here for the night on the way to Custer national forest.

  • RThe Dyrt PRO User
    Aug. 18, 2025

    Afterbay Campground — Bighorn Canyon National Recreation Area

    Afterbay Campground

    Will maintained and set up campground. No sewer or showers however, electricity and water and vault toilets. Cell reception is good with Verizon, cell Internet is marginal. Local town has almost no resources. A nearby fishing shop/market has bare minimum supplies.

  • DThe Dyrt PRO User
    Aug. 18, 2025

    Bridger City Campground

    Bridger campground

    We had a long day driving and needed a place to stay for the night. It’s first come first serve and has full hooks. There were a couple trailers with guys working in town that are staying here from Alaska. It’s a quiet little town. 6 spaces to camp, they are very close to each other. Cute little park for kids to play at. It was a great little place to stop for one night! The town is quaint. Did some laundry, but make sure you have quarters. The locals are very friendly.

  • DThe Dyrt PRO User
    Aug. 17, 2025

    Hardin KOA

    Lovely Campground

    Clean, well maintained. Washing machine room is big and an adjacent room to wash your dog! This KOA has a Pizza/Wings store attached to office. Spoke to the new owners and told us of their expansion plan which is only waiting on permit approval from state/town. Adjacent to alfalfa fields, bring mosquito bug spray.

  • DThe Dyrt PRO User
    Aug. 9, 2025

    Hardin KOA

    Koa

    This is a koa campground. It’s a nice campground with full hookups. The camp hosts are nice and very helpful. We had another RV right next to us, about 5 ft away. On the other side of our RV was a nice green grassy area with a picnic table, which was nice. It was a great one nighter for us. Our neighbors were up at 5:00am. So no sleeping in for us, but It was perfect to visit Little Big Horn, only 15 minutes away.

Guide to Fort Smith

Camping near Fort Smith, Montana, offers a mix of stunning landscapes and cozy campgrounds. Whether you're looking to pitch a tent or park your RV, there are plenty of options that cater to different needs.

What to do:

  • Explore Bighorn Canyon National Recreation Area: This area is perfect for hiking, fishing, and boating. One camper mentioned, "This campground is beautiful! And affordable! And provides wonderful hiking and boating opportunities with amazing views in walking distance from the sites."
  • Visit Little Bighorn National Memorial: Just a short drive from the campgrounds, this historic site is a must-see. A visitor noted, "Great park! We stayed 2 nights. Close to Little Big Horn National Memorial (must see)."
  • Enjoy water activities: Many campgrounds, like Afterbay Campground, offer access to water for kayaking and fishing. One reviewer shared, "Clean and quiet campsite on the water... Lots of hiking fishing boating great people and guides."

What campers like:

  • Clean facilities: Campers appreciate well-maintained bathrooms and showers. A reviewer at 7th Ranch RV Park said, "Bathrooms are exceptionally clean. Showers hot with good water pressure."
  • Friendly staff: Many campgrounds have welcoming hosts. One visitor at Hardin KOA mentioned, "The owners are wonderful and all employees have been fantastic!"
  • Spacious sites: Campers enjoy having room to spread out. A review for Horseshoe Bend Campground noted, "Nicely spaced sites, some have awesome pergolas over the sites."

What you should know:

  • Limited amenities at some sites: Not all campgrounds have full hookups or water. A camper at Grandview Campground mentioned, "The map was easy to read, there are bathrooms and showers on site. Fairly clean but not much privacy."
  • Wildlife encounters: Be prepared for wildlife, especially bears. One camper at Afterbay Campground noted, "During my stay there was lots of bear activity, but the bears avoided human contact and were not a threat."
  • Seasonal access: Some campgrounds have specific open dates. For example, Bald Mountain Campground is open from June to September.

Tips for camping with families:

  • Look for kid-friendly activities: Many campgrounds have playgrounds or open spaces for kids to play. A reviewer at Hardin KOA mentioned, "Very nice playground with a mix of old and new equipment."
  • Plan for downtime: Bring games or books for quiet evenings. One camper at 7th Ranch RV Park appreciated the peaceful atmosphere, saying, "This campground was a relaxing way to 'recharge' after a long day."
  • Pack snacks and drinks: Having food on hand can make family camping easier. A visitor at Grandview Campground noted, "They have a gift shop, but it was dark and messy."

Tips from RVers:

  • Check site sizes: Some campgrounds have restrictions on RV sizes. A reviewer at Five Springs Falls Campground warned, "2 mile narrow winding road is paved but not recommended for vehicles over 24'."
  • Full hookups are a plus: Look for campgrounds that offer full hookups for convenience. A camper at 7th Ranch RV Park said, "The full hookup was fantastic."
  • Be prepared for noise: Some campgrounds are near train tracks or highways. One visitor at Grandview Campground mentioned, "One reviewer complained bitterly about the train keeping him awake."

Camping around Fort Smith, MT, has something for everyone, from families to RV enthusiasts. Just remember to check the amenities and plan accordingly!

Frequently Asked Questions

What amenities are available at Fort Smith campgrounds?

Campgrounds around Fort Smith offer varying amenities to accommodate different camping styles. Cottonwood Camp provides basic amenities including water and toilet facilities. For those seeking more comforts, 7th Ranch RV Park offers full hookups on a family-run property with clean, well-maintained grounds. Most public campgrounds in the area typically provide vault toilets, picnic tables, and fire rings. RV campers will find several parks with electric and water hookups, while tent campers can enjoy more primitive sites with beautiful natural surroundings. Many campgrounds are situated near water for fishing and boating activities.

Where are the best camping sites in Fort Smith?

Fort Smith offers excellent camping opportunities centered around the Bighorn Canyon National Recreation Area. Afterbay Campground is highly rated for its beautiful location with convenient access to hiking trails and water activities. It's perfect for outdoor enthusiasts wanting to experience Montana's natural beauty. Another excellent option is Trail Creek/Barrys Landing, which provides a more secluded experience away from tourist crowds while still offering gorgeous views and access to fishing and boating on the Bighorn River. Both campgrounds showcase the spectacular scenery that makes this region a favorite for nature lovers.

Do I need reservations for camping in Fort Smith?

Reservations are recommended for camping in the Fort Smith area, especially during the peak summer season from Memorial Day through Labor Day. Black Canyon Campground and other Bighorn Canyon Recreation Area campgrounds can fill quickly during weekends and holidays. Private facilities like Grandview Campground strongly suggest reservations to secure a spot, particularly if you need specific amenities or hookups. Some smaller public campgrounds operate on a first-come, first-served basis, but arriving early is advised during busy periods. Off-season camping (fall through spring) typically offers more flexibility with walk-up availability.

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