U
Ursula
Ranger
RangerHardin KOA
You can tell they are putting a lot of effort into this KOA. Spacing is tight and off season has only water available at middle rows. Road and airport noise. Was a great stop on our way. Friendly owner.
Dog-Friendly Camping near Fort Smith, MT
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Cottonwood Camp offers cabins and camping sites that welcome pets along the Bighorn River, with excellent access for dog owners who enjoy fishing. The campground sits off the highway far enough to provide a quiet environment for pets and campers. Trail Creek/Barrys Landing in Bighorn Canyon National Recreation Area provides pet-friendly tent and RV sites with bear boxes at each location, allowing dogs to join their owners while exploring the scenic recreation area. Each campsite includes fire rings, picnic tables, and utility posts where leashed pets can rest while campers enjoy the outdoors. The sites remain well-maintained with clean toilets available, though no shower facilities exist for rinsing off muddy paws after outdoor adventures.
Multiple fishing access sites around Fort Smith permit pets at dispersed camping areas along the river, creating spaces where dogs can explore shorelines while their owners fish. Mallards Landing provides riverside camping with vault toilets and a boat ramp, allowing dogs to roam with space between campsites. The sites feature beautiful views and cooling breezes beneficial during warmer months when pet owners need to consider heat exposure. For travelers seeking more amenities, 7th Ranch RV Park in nearby Garryowen offers pet-friendly RV sites, tent camping, cabins and glamping options with water, electric and sewer hookups. The campground maintains spotless shower facilities and bathrooms, essential after outdoor activities with pets. Dog-friendly campgrounds near Fort Smith range from primitive river access sites to fully serviced parks, giving pet owners practical options regardless of trip style. Some camping areas enforce no-fire restrictions, requiring pet owners to plan alternative cooking methods when preparing meals at campsites with animals present.
Best Dog-Friendly Campgrounds near Fort Smith (43)
1. Cottonwood Camp
"The place is off of the highway a good distance so you dont get noise from the road. Definitely will return to the campground."
Check Availabilityfrom $50 - $80 / night
2. 7th Ranch RV Park
"You are given a map of the camp that has helpful information about the surrounding area on the back (vet and doctor contacts, etc.)"
"The sites are gravel and close to level, the view is fantastic. Take your dog for a walk up the hill (trails) and get a 360 view of 50 miles in every direction. Water, elec all good."
3. Bighorn Fishing Access Site
4. Mallards Landing
"Other places along the river had too many people for my liking stayed here no one else right place for my dog to Rome nice breeze did have Bug issues"
"Multiple sites dispersed around. Has mobile phone service via t mobile. Lte speeds"
5. Trail Creek/Barrys Landing - Bighorn Canyon National Rec Area
"This place is not quite in the most traveled areas of Montana which makes it wonderful if you want to escape the tourist crowds in the summer."
"And provides wonderful hiking and boating opportunities with amazing views in walking distance from the sites. There weren’t any bugs. The spots were spacious."
6. Billings KOA Holiday
"We normally avoid KOA campgrounds - preferring to stay away from large campers pushed together. Our experience was not what we expected. We were the only ones in the last loop."
"great dog park and close to biking trails."
7. Grandview Camp & RV Park
"This is no more/no less than expected from a private campground in eastern Montana. Very convenient off the highway and to town, also about 20 minutes to Little Big Horn."
"Grass at pad which is nice for dogs. Clean good night sleep except for someone mowing at 6:30"
Check Availabilityfrom $37 - $60 / night
8. Hardin KOA
"Vending machines in the laundromat, one of the offers ice cream, and frozen food. 2 Huge dog parks and pet wash. Bathrooms are clean and staff is very friendly.."
"Washing machine room is big and an adjacent room to wash your dog! This KOA has a Pizza/Wings store attached to office."
Check Availabilityfrom $30 - $75 / night
10. Yellowstone River RV Park & Campground
"The park is in a quiet area with easy access on and off the interstate Highway in southeast Billings. The exit is he same one that leads to the road to downtown, the ball park, and the airport."
"Would recommend this site, its right outside town, close to the hospital. The camp is nice and the facilities are nice, the people are friendly and there is places to walk with in the camp."
Drive Time
- 1 hr 57 min from Billings, MT
- 3 hrs 38 min from Bozeman, MT
- 3 hrs 57 min from Casper, WY
- 5 hrs 1 min from Helena, MT
Recent Dog-Friendly Camping Photos near Fort Smith, MT
29 Photos of 43 Fort Smith Campgrounds • uploaded by The Dyrt campers
Dog-Friendly Camping Reviews near Fort Smith, MT
349 Reviews of 43 Fort Smith Campgrounds
Vincent S.RangerTounge River canyon public access area
Fly fish trout. Easy pull in. Gravel road not many bumps. got in with Camry and pop up camper. river is within 100 ft of every site. Free 14 day stay limits. Bear proof containers. Clear water. Beautiful scenery.
- BB S.
TravelerTongue River Campground
Good tent spot
Arrived early mid-week hoping to snag one of the riverfront spots (#3 and #4) but both were taken. #2 was the easiest to access and was fairly private despite being right off the road. Traffic is minimal. Walked along the gravel road enjoying the rock formations and explored the river at various points. Not sure anyone was servicing the bathrooms in late August, have your own TP handy ! Otherwise a great quiet spot to enjoy the night sky. Would stay again.
- TTeresa T.Traveler
Yellowstone River RV Park & Campground
Beautiful RV Park
We stayed for two nights and made full use of the park. It was quiet during the day.
- kkarlynn W.Traveler
Lovell Camper Park
Great rv spot
Nice big pull throughs - water had been turned off for the season unfortunately so the bathrooms weren’t open - otherwise a great place to stay - really generous of the town to maintain and provide free camping to visitors
Jene M.
ScoutTongue Canyon Campground
Closed to camping
This delightful spot at the end of the toad is now day use only - no camping allowed. (As of Sept 2026.) There is a nearby campground with 7 sites that you pass on the way in. The road is one lane good gravel.
Edward S.TravelerHorseshoe Bend Campground — Bighorn Canyon National Recreation Area
Beautiful spot
Stayed here end of Sept. No wind and only a few other campers. Marina was closed. Beautiful and peaceful. Uh
Brandy S.TravelerOwen Creek
Doesn’t get any better !
This Camp!! site is fairly level right on the creek. We are the only ones here beside the Camp!! post. It’s absolutely gorgeous peaceful.
- Brandy S.Traveler
Prune Creek
Peaceful
It’s September 19th. It’s rainy and chilly. I think there may be 6/7 people here total.
Guide to Fort Smith
Fort Smith sits in southeast Montana along the Bighorn River where it exits Yellowstone Canyon. The area ranges from 3,500-4,300 feet in elevation with a semi-arid climate that creates warm summers and cold winters. Dispersed camping options exist on public lands surrounding Fort Smith, typically without established facilities or reservations.
What to do
Hiking near Medicine Wheel: Drive 90 minutes to Porcupine Campground where trails connect to historic sites. "My favorite part of the trip to this area was the Native American Medicine Wheel site, but we found some great hikes around here too. Good wildlife viewing," notes a visitor who appreciated the cultural significance.
Fishing access points: Multiple fishing sites along the Bighorn River provide excellent angling opportunities at Two Leggins. "Great Fishing Spot with a toilet and boat ramp. Downside is no fires or propane stove use," explains a camper, highlighting the restrictions that apply at fishing access sites.
Boating and water recreation: Launch boats at designated ramps near camping areas to explore the river. "This place is not quite in the most traveled areas of Montana which makes it wonderful if you want to escape the tourist crowds in the summer," shares a camper about Trail Creek/Barrys Landing, noting the less crowded water access points.
What campers like
Disconnected camping experience: Trail Creek/Barrys Landing provides a technology-free environment. "Be warned: ZERO cell signal. I mean none at all. But that's my favorite part! It is so peaceful and beautiful!" explains a visitor who enjoyed the isolation from digital distractions.
Accessible outdoor infrastructure: Many dog friendly campgrounds near Fort Smith provide essential facilities while maintaining a natural setting. "Each site has a fire ring, picnic table, utility post and bear-box," notes a camper about the organized but rustic amenities at Trail Creek/Barrys Landing.
Natural waterfront sites: Campers prefer spots close to the Bighorn River for cooling effects during summer. "Other places along the river had too many people for my liking stayed here no one else right place for my dog to Rome nice breeze," reports a visitor at Mallards Landing about finding less crowded waterfront spots.
What you should know
Bear safety requirements: Several campgrounds require proper food storage in provided bear boxes. "There are also two separate sets of two pit toilets, and each site has its own large bear locker," reports a camper about the safety infrastructure at Trail Creek/Barrys Landing.
Fire restrictions: Many fishing access sites prohibit open flames. "Great Fishing Spot with a toilet and boat ramp. Downside is no fires or propane stove use," warns a camper about limitations at Two Leggins that affect meal preparation options.
Limited facilities: Most dispersed sites offer minimal amenities. "This WAS a campground. Now just dispersed camping with a pit toilet. Multiple sites dispersed around," explains a camper about the basic setup at Mallards Landing, noting the transition from developed to more primitive camping.
Frequently Asked Questions
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campsite near Fort Smith, MT?
Which is the most popular dog-friendly campsite near Fort Smith, MT?
According to TheDyrt.com, the most popular dog-friendly campground near Fort Smith, MT is Cottonwood Camp with a 5-star rating from 1 review.
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dog-friendly camping near
Fort Smith, MT?
What is the best site to find dog-friendly camping near Fort Smith, MT?
TheDyrt.com has all 43 dog-friendly camping locations near Fort Smith, MT, with real photos and reviews from campers.
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