Best Dispersed Camping near Gardiner, MT

We arrived to the Yellowstone area in the evening, and since we had been traveling around the U.S. for almost a year, we were well-versed in finding alternative camping options near national parks.

Instead of camping somewhere in the park, we decided to drive through Gallatin National Forest, to the north of the park, until we found a good place to camp. We found a perfect overlook where we pitched our tent and watched the most gorgeous sunset. The best part? No people around for miles and miles.

Dispersed camping in the U.S. Forest Service land is almost always a win: the sites are free and remote; there are usually plenty of available spots; and you get a very unique camping experience. Just remember to look up regulations for the specific area you’re looking at, and don’t forget the toilet paper!

In Yellowstone, we worked our way from north to south, hitting the highlights. Many of the hiking trails were closed due to bear activity, so we stuck mostly to the close sights: driving through Lamar Valley, viewing Old Faithful & many other geysers, seeing Grand Canyon of the Yellowstone, and spotting wildlife everywhere we went.

You can read much more about our five days in the park on our blog: Switchback Kids (Yellowstone)

Great dispersed camp area . Rugged 2 track with established ( flat clearing with rock fire ring) camp spots on both sides. We camped at the very end of the track, about 2 miles in, on the edge of a beautiful rushing stream. Site was level and had a bear box , very peaceful. Other sites were occupied on the way in, area was clean ( no trash) and there was a large group area and trail head just before the end. Area is about 9 miles from the West Yellowstone Park gate. No facilities/ dispersed, so be prepared to pack in/ pack out.

Based on the dispersed camping guide provided by the Forest Service office in Gardiner, you’re not supposed to camp in the spot listed on this site. Take a left off Traveltine road, go past the rock quarry to find good sites

I camped here for one night, but would have happily stayed for a week.

I was on a huge hill overlooking all of "The American Serengeti" and it was stunning. Easy drive up and down to Gardiner for groceries. Besides a LOT of gunshots in the area, the campsite was perfect. Located directly off of the National Forest road. There are dozens more sites as you go further up the road but I preferred the view of the first site.

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Free Camping alongside the road overlooking Yellowstone and Mammoth Spring. After a few miles on this road, the no camping signs stop and it is free game! We scored a nice overlook and enjoyed the view. Way better than a campground on a busy summer day.

I got there early afternoon and every spot along the lake that I could see was available for both campers and tents. Gorgeous lake and Mountain Views, lots of birds! Also has a ramp to put in your boat, kayak, etc. I would recommend and visit again. The entire road in has National forest campsites as well if you want to go in the trees. Saw a few moose, elk, and antelope while camping.

This is a nice place to boondock. There are a few level spots up here, but the road is pretty rough and pretty steep. The view into Yellowstone is gorgeous.

Loved this boondocking area. Lots of spots up Eagle creek road. The road up is a little bumpy but no problem for us. The views are beyond beautiful. I highly recommend!

I highly recommend staying here if you’re around Yellowstone National Park. I’ve been on a 2 month road trip around the West and this has been one of my favorite dispersed camping sites. I planned on just crashing here for a night but ended up staying for a couple days because of how beautiful this spot is. If you go, drive all the way down the gravel road and there is a nice place for people to camp out right at the level of the lake. It’s clean and a good place for families to camp out!

Perfect dispersed camping. Note it is a windy dirt road, so a pickup or camper van can make it, but don't try a Class A or Class C RV. Our 20 footer made it fine. Also wouldn't want to drive it if rain forecasted as I bet the dirt turns to impassible mud real fast.

The spots themselves are wonderful, some very open, some tucked away along the rocks, all very spread out from each other. Super quiet. I can't believe how quiet it was.

If you want to feel like you are camping on a mountain in the middle of no where, this is it.

I enjoyed boondocking here in my tent. I had good cell service with Google FI wireless. Also I was able to get by the road and make it in my Honda Accord. Nice place even had a bear box for food storage.

Just passed the Eagle Creek Campground on Jardine Road. Take a left and drive in 3 miles on National Forest Road to areas where camping is allowed. There are mile marker signs. These are mostly little pull offs along the side of the road with great views into Yellowstone/Mammoth Hot Springs. There are more than a dozen good spots, but it also seems popular as I saw at least 10 occupied sites on a Monday evening. No cellphone service. No amenities, just the view and personal space. My Honda fit made it up the road no problem.

We originally wanted to stay farther south in Idaho after leaving Jackson but we weren’t happy with the location. So we got on route 20 and started driving towards west Yellowstone when we came across the small Targhee National Forest sign. Fearful we weren’t going to be able to find a spot, we drove in anyways. We ended up going left up the second hill and found a nice big sight over looking the road and a cow pasture. The traffic on the road died down around 1030 which left us with a quiet star filled night in the valley. Later the moon rose up and lit up the mountain faces just enough.

Quiet, secluded dispersed sites about 15 minutes outside of Gardiner. No trees so it gets pretty hot without shade. There are random animal bones scattered around the sites from what I assume previous hunting trips, which is a bit eerie. 

I’d certainly stay here again for a couple nights!

-free -pet friendly -dispersed campsites -no water, toilets, amenities of any sort -just a fire ring at each site -some good trails -great phone service (Verizon)

This Forest Service road provides tons of neat pull offs and campsites! The view up the road is DROP DEAD GORGEOUS... you can see Mammoth Hot Springs in the distance! The road is pretty well maintained and windy. A lot of the pull offs have a fire ring pretty close to the road. No bathrooms or amenities. But this space is worth it. All free, gorgeous camping just outside of Gardiner and Yellowstone National Park!

I was easily able to drive up the bumpy gravel road in my compact car. The road gets a little rougher going to some of the further spots, but nothing bad. This spot is semi protected in a small gulch but if there was a bad storm in the area this valley side camping spot could be rough with high winds.

We truly loved this place. It was so isolated and peaceful. The camp sites are scattered throughout the trails and are not close to each other. They are easy to spot and not to bad to get to.(if you use the right road on the way up) we were only planning to stay 1 night and ended up staying 3 nights. We couldn’t get enough. Also spotted lots of moose, they are everywhere up there.