Campgrounds near Fort Smith, Montana sit at approximately 3,500 feet elevation where the Bighorn River flows into Bighorn Lake. This semi-arid region experiences hot summer days often exceeding 90°F and cold winters with temperatures frequently dropping below freezing. Summer camping conditions typically feature low humidity with occasional thunderstorms, while spring brings unpredictable weather and higher water levels on the Bighorn River.
What to do
Hiking local terrain: Five Springs Falls Campground offers access to a waterfall hike less than a mile from the campground. "The waterfall is a short .5 mile hike above the campground. Beautiful sunset vistas," notes Amy P., who visited the Five Springs Falls Campground.
Explore historical sites: The Little Bighorn Battlefield National Monument stands as a significant cultural site for visitors. "Very clean and well taken care of campsite close to the Little Bighorn Battlefield National Park. Custer actually rested his troops at this site just prior to starting the battle," shares David N. from 7th Ranch RV Park.
Riverside activities: Access the Yellowstone River for fishing, kayaking, and wildlife viewing. "The property has a small, nice pool, a playground, a general store, laundry, dump station, and access to the Yellowstone River via a walking path," explains Stephen M. who stayed at Yellowstone River RV Park & Campground.
What campers like
Clean facilities: Bathroom cleanliness ranks high among camper priorities. "The bathroom/showers look newly remodeled. Washer and dryers available. The wifi was not working but they can fix that easily," reports Kris D. about their experience at 7th Ranch.
Natural features: Campers appreciate the area's natural scenery and wildlife viewing opportunities. "We had two bucks stroll within 30 yards of the tent area. Bathrooms and showers were secure and clean," says Loren W. who stayed at Riverside City Park.
Campground layout: Well-designed sites with adequate spacing receive positive mentions. "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," notes Diana V. about Hardin KOA.
What you should know
Road conditions: Access to some campgrounds requires navigating unpaved roads. "Warning: the last mile or so is a dirt road that is very rough, so go slow!" advises Dawn R. about 7th Ranch RV Park.
Train noise: Railway proximity affects certain campgrounds. "Nice but not quiet. I can't wear ear plugs and the 'you hear them so often that you get used to them' excuse doesn't work," reports Semi H. who rated their experience at 7th Ranch 3 out of 5 stars.
Site spacing variations: Campground density varies significantly across locations. "The sites are level with water, electric and sewer. Check in was very slow as they only allow one person at a time in the office to check in because of COVID," mentions Charley K. from their visit to 7th Ranch.
Tips for camping with families
Playground access: Several campgrounds offer dedicated play areas for children. "They have a neat little tradition of writing your name and date on flat little stones and leaving them up at the flag pole. They have a small play ground. Kids had a great time," shares David N. about Billings KOA Holiday.
Water recreation: Look for campgrounds with water features for summer cooling options. "Walking around was a surprise too. We followed a trail by the river and it led around a pond. It was short but away from everything," explains Art S. regarding their experience at Billings KOA Holiday.
Pet amenities: For families traveling with animals, some campgrounds offer dedicated pet facilities. "New owners have been here about a year and you can see all of the new improvements! Cute store! Vending machines in the laundromat, one offers ice cream, and frozen food. 2 Huge dog parks and pet wash," mentions Kristy M. about Hardin KOA.
Tips from RVers
Site dimensions: Pay attention to campground limitations for larger vehicles. "This is a beautiful little BLM campground. The lower campsites are primarily for tents, and some require a short walk on pathway to access. The big drawback for some will be the very narrow, extremely switchbacked and steep road up to the campground (no guardrails)," reports Gretchen B. about Five Springs Falls Campground.
Utilities placement: Be prepared for variations in hookup configurations. "Super easy check-in process. Nothing special but a clean, easy stop for a night. There is a train that goes by if you're sensitive to noise. We only heard it a couple of times," notes Shea R. who stayed at Billings Village RV Park.
Seasonal considerations: Glamping close to Fort Smith, Montana generally operates within specific months. "Only one spot was suitable for a car camping, the rest were for tents. There is a big waterfall up at the top of the campground, short hike. Spot had a bench, 2 picnic tables and a firepit. The creek was rushing right below the site. 2 bathrooms and trash cans. Only $7/night," shares Kelsie S. about Five Springs Falls Campground.
