Tent camping near Fort Smith, Montana centers around the Bighorn Canyon National Recreation Area where rugged terrain and riverfront campsites dominate the landscape. Summer temperatures often exceed 90°F while winters can drop below freezing, creating distinct camping seasons. Access roads to more remote camping areas can become impassable after heavy rainfall, requiring vehicles with higher clearance.
What to do
Fishing access points: Mallards Landing offers excellent river access with a boat ramp for anglers targeting the productive Bighorn River. One camper noted, "It's a wide open group camp spot with vaulted toilet only no showers. Great access to the river with a little boat ramp."
Historical exploration: Pompeys Pillar FAS offers a unique blend of history and recreation beyond just camping. A visitor explained, "This is a really cool Montana treasure in my opinion. Lewis and Clark signed the sandstone here and its the only location of its kind."
Horseback riding terrain: The diverse landscape around Fort Smith provides excellent opportunities for equestrian activities. An experienced rider at Pompeys Pillar shared, "This is actually a fantastic place to ride Young Horses. There is huge Open Fields. There are also a lot of sandstone Cliffs and deep gullies a very big good assortment of varied Terrain."
What campers like
Natural river camping: Grant Marsh campsites offer direct waterfront access with minimal development. A recent visitor described it as "True, dispersed camping, No Frills but beautiful... Only two spots I could find right on the Big Horn river, but a beautiful and Serene location."
Off-grid experience: Camping near Fort Smith provides genuine disconnection from technology and crowds. At Grant Marsh, one camper reported, "No cellular service whatsoever," while another appreciated "Not a lot of marked camping spots a nice little place to stay."
Accessibility to hiking trails: Afterbay serves as a convenient base for exploring nearby trails. A camper enthusiastically shared, "Right down the road are a few different hikes. One hike is 8 miles round trip and it has the most amazing views ever. Views of the lake and mountains all around."
What you should know
Navigation challenges: Finding some campgrounds requires careful attention to directions. A camper at Grant Marsh warned, "Pulled in late at night, it was confusing finding it as the pin sends you to a private driveway. The previous turn in the road has the turn off the campsite though."
Water access limitations: Black Canyon Campground requires boat access, which surprises some visitors. A camper cautioned, "Beware - Boat in only. There is no road access to any of the campgrounds located inside the canyon."
Supply preparation: Most tent sites near Fort Smith lack basic amenities. At Afterbay, one visitor advised, "Bring your own fire wood because they don't have any for sale close by. Also bring water because they don't have any water hookups."
Safety considerations: Some fishing access sites have security concerns after dark. A regular at Two Leggins advised, "Nice place to fish. Not a place to spend the night. Too many bad things happen here at night."
Tips for camping with families
Group recreation areas: Some campgrounds offer dedicated spaces for family activities. At Afterbay, a visitor mentioned, "Within the campground there is a large grass area where people were playing horseshoes, volleyball and spike ball. My family and I enjoyed hanging out in this area."
Summer pest preparation: Insect activity increases dramatically during warmer months. A family camper at Afterbay warned, "Lots of bugs and mosquitos during the summer so I'd recommend good mosquito spray."
Seasonal planning: Summer weekends fill quickly at popular sites. A repeat visitor observed, "During the summer it gets very busy. If you are planning to come in the summer I would recommend making your reservation ahead of time."
Bathroom facilities: Toilet accessibility varies widely between campgrounds. A camper traveling with family noted about Afterbay, "The restrooms weren't the cleanest, but they were portapotties which to me are never clean! Bring your own toilet paper, they ran out the last day we stayed."
Tips from RVers
Size restrictions: Many dispersed sites have limited space for larger vehicles. A camper at Grant Marsh noted, "Only about seven or eight pull in sights and not very large. I have a 28 ft total length and there were only one or two spots that would work."
Road conditions: Access roads to primitive sites can be challenging for RVs. An experienced camper warned about Pompeys Pillar, "The road getting there is horrible it's very washboard and the going is very slow. I do not recommend it for any kind of RV or camp trailer."
Shade availability: Tree cover varies significantly between sites. A visitor to Mallards Landing observed, "There's only one campsite with shade and it looks like you need a 4x4 to get in there. The shaded spot is quite a distance from the toilet."
