Are you planning a dispersed camping trip to Gardiner? We've got you covered. Dispersed camping means that no facilities or amenities are provided, so that you can truly disconnect and get back to nature. You're sure to find the perfect dispersed campgrounds for your Montana camping adventure.
The Gardiner district covers the southeast part of Custer Gallatin National Forest, bordering Yellowstone National Park. Both Gardiner, MT and Cooke City, MT are within the Gardiner district. Many people enjoy the solitude and primitive experience of camping away from developed campgrounds and other campers. Dispersed camping is the term used for camping in the National Forest OUTSIDE of a designated campground. It also means no services (such as trash removal), and little or no facilities (such as tables, fire pits or toilets) are provided.
Beyond the developed areas, Yellowstone offers a diverse, mountainous landscape that invites exploration by foot, pack stock, and boat. Hundreds of miles of trails facilitate travel throughout the park. Permits are required for all overnight stays. When planning a backcountry trip, remember that many of Yellowstone’s trails are more than 7,000 feet above sea level. Most areas retain snow until late May or early June, and some (especially mountain passes) are snow-covered until late July. Also, many routes require fording rivers that can be 25 feet wide, 3 to 5 feet deep, extremely cold, and swiftly running during our late spring runoff. Yellowstone maintains 293 designated backcountry campsites. Each designated campsite has a maximum limit for the number of people and stock allowed per night. The maximum stay per campsite varies from 1 to 3 nights per trip. Group size limits range from 4 to 12 people. With the exception of four campsites, we allow only one group at each campsite. If your group size exceeds the campsite limit, you’ll need to obtain a second permit and cook and sleep as separate groups. A food storage pole or box is provided at every campsite so that food and attractants may be secured from bears. You will need to provide your own rope (35 feet in length or greater) at sites with food poles.
$3 - $15 / night
$3 - $15 / night
Traveler
This is a beautiful spot. A little difficult to find. The road leading down to the lake looks like it’s someone’s driveway adjacent. I drove by it a few times before actually finding it. Once I got there though definitely worth it. It looks like a gravel parking lot. There were 2 small RVs already there when I got there; and a truck had pulled in sometime overnight when I woke up. The lake is gorgeous. It’s quiet and dark and very peaceful!!
Guide
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.
Scout
Large open meadow at 7270 ft. elevation. Very open with several good level areas for RVs or tents. Wide open skies and a fire ring. Great spot if it’s available.
Traveler
This is a fantastic campground with lots of empty sites along Taylor Creek. The site I stayed at had a fire pit with lots of room to setup a tent or camper if you’re interested. Lots of distance between each campsite and again, a pretty valley view with a beautiful creek.
Scout
We drove up this road early on the Saturday of Labor Day weekend and of the first 8 designated spots only about 3 were full. We took the last one (just after 2ish miles from the entrance at the road) and it was absolutely gorgeous. Our little site sat on small ridge with a somewhat steep but short trail down to the creek. No picnic tables, but there was a really cute fire ring. The trails up the road are popular, and over the course of the weekend there were pretty frequent cars and even a few folks walking. We didn't mind too much, but the site is right off the road so you're not secluded or especially private. The trade off feels worth it for the beautiful site and proximity to the creek.
Please be bear aware! There are bears in the area, so make sure to lock your food and other consumables in your truck's cab or in your car.
GuideThis camp was so beautiful. It’s nestled right on the lake and the sunset is just stunning. The bathrooms were so clean and there was even a mural painted on the walls. There are several places to camp along the red rocks pass road if you don’t want to drive all the way down to the lake. The lake sites are so beautiful that if you opt out you’re definitely going to miss out.
Traveler
Great spot. Good views if you get a spot close to the the creek. Easy to get to and the road was in good condition. Some cell phone reception. Some flies. Some noise from the road close by but not an issue. Please be respectfull of wild life in the area (there are fish and small frogs in the creek). Please dont disturb them, dont get in the creek
TravelerSuper awesome spot! Water was close and incredible. No real fire ring but there was a ring from rocks made. Happy to see some people nearby
Really windy, thankful for stakes lol
Scout
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
Scout
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!
TravelerI 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!
Scout
Beautiful spot by the Yellowstone River. Train whistles woke us up four times.
ScoutWe stayed one night on our way back from Yellowstone. My RTT was perfect for this. There was a small corral for horses and plenty of room for a horse trailer and truck.
GuideThere's about three good spots up on the hill, the two out on the edge have reliable service. But as soon as you go back up a bit, it vanishes.
Stunning views of Yellowstone and the mountains. Be aware, there are NO trees, so it will get stiflingly hot with no clouds. But, close to town, and the road isn't the worst. For sure go slow, but even low clearance should be able to pick out a path.
Guide
Wonderful spot. Forested & shady, but with some meadows too. Several trails for ATVs & hiking. Rather warm, but not bad for July.
Only real issue is that it seems to be ONLY used by ATVers and large trailer campers. Can be loud, as everyone drives around, but otherwise not bad.
GuideThere is an established firing at this location as well as a small field that is open and the camp is surrounded by trees. Next to the firing is a fairly level ground for tent, camping or vehicle camping.
Traveler
We stayed here for a few days off one of the main trail head. There are not many sites off the main trail head and we’re all full when we arrived.
We have a 25ft off road travel trailer and attempted to go down two side trail heads. The further one was so bad we had to back all the way out. The closest side trail head was slightly better. We made down the road. However there wasn’t many sites here as well. There was maybe 3-4 sites along this whole trail head. We needed up stay in a pull in a valley early on in this trail head
GuideEasy to find, a little rough road getting in but a great spot, relatively private. No bugs when we were there. It’s just the campsite and a fire pit. No bathrooms, water, electric. We pulled in a pickup just fine and saw a few campers at other sites
RangerDrove through a few open gates but there were clearly dispersed sites in this area. Nice flat sites, road was rocky and bumpy but not bad. Quiet area until a group of teenagers started a loud party at the site next to us
GuideGranted we got in late, but there really weren't any visible turnoffs or clear places to camp. We got to the far corner of the lake and found a clearing by a fence close to the lake. Lovely view and very secluded, but even on the drive out around the other half of the lake we saw no clear camping spots.
ScoutEasy drive & great views. Plenty of space between sites. Definitely very buggy but none seemed to bite. They did stop flying around after dark and seemed to just hang out on our tent.
GuideNice little spot just off the highway. Close to Yellowstone.
We couldn’t get a spot down by the water but there are plenty of spots along the road.
Only complaint was the flies were crazy during the morning but tis the season.
TravelerPlenty of space here with a beautiful lake view. Mountains on all sides of you. Very little tree coverage. Some rodent holes surrounding the tent site. Tent faired well and wind was not a serious issue by any means. There was fire ring already made at the tent site we chose. Few others camping in RVs but plenty of space/privacy between them. 45 minutes from Old Faithful and Yellowstone
Traveler
This is a beautiful place with several campsites. Lots of trees and decent weather even in July.
Traveleran easy to get to, beautiful, quiet, and peaceful lake setting. Cows mowing in the distance, bird sounds on the water and sunset over the hills. It was quite buggy when we first got here, but as soon as the sun started setting, they died down and the temperature dropped significantly. Several spaced out spots. One section had three RVs, but then there were three smaller pull off sites that were very private.
ScoutFew spaces, could be crowded
ScoutNice and quiet, lots of room
Camping near Gardiner, Montana, offers a fantastic way to experience the great outdoors while being close to Yellowstone National Park. With a variety of campgrounds to choose from, you can find the perfect spot for your adventure.
Camping near Gardiner, Montana, is a great way to enjoy nature and create lasting memories. Whether you're in an RV or tent, there's something for everyone in this beautiful area.
Frequently Asked Questions
Which is the most popular dispersed campsite near Gardiner, MT?
According to TheDyrt.com, the most popular dispersed campground near Gardiner, MT is Travertine Road Dispersed - Yellowstone with a 4.4-star rating from 30 reviews.
What is the best site to find dispersed camping near Gardiner, MT?
TheDyrt.com has all 48 dispersed camping locations near Gardiner, MT, with real photos and reviews from campers.
