Best Tent Camping near Fort Smith, MT
Tent campsites around Fort Smith, Montana offer primitive camping experiences near the Bighorn Canyon National Recreation Area. Afterbay Campground provides established tent sites with basic amenities, while Black Canyon Campground offers more secluded tent camping options. Mallards Landing Fishing Access Site provides riverside tent camping with vault toilets accessible by boat-in, drive-in, or walk-in access routes.
Most tent camping areas near Fort Smith have limited facilities. Vault toilets are available at Mallards Landing and Grant Marsh, but many sites lack drinking water, requiring campers to pack in their own supplies. Fire restrictions vary by location and season, with Afterbay and Black Canyon prohibiting fires while Grant Marsh allows them. The terrain typically consists of ungraded natural surfaces with minimal site development. Walk-in tent sites often provide more privacy than drive-in areas, though access roads to primitive tent campgrounds like Pompeys Pillar can be rough and unsuitable for larger vehicles.
Primitive tent camping in this region offers excellent opportunities for solitude and outdoor recreation. Many sites provide direct access to the Bighorn River for fishing and water activities. The Big Horn NRC Dispersed area offers tent campsites with boat-in access and allows alcohol and campfires, making it popular with campers seeking fewer restrictions. Grant Marsh features riverside tent sites with natural surroundings and wildlife viewing opportunities. A camper described Grant Marsh as "a quiet little place by the river" with clean vault toilets but no running water. During summer months, sites throughout the region fill quickly, especially at popular locations like Afterbay, so advance planning is recommended for weekend camping trips.
