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Travertine Road Dispersed camping area offers multiple free pet-friendly camping sites near Yellowstone National Park's north entrance. Located just outside Gardiner, these dispersed sites accommodate tents with no restrictions on pets, making them popular for budget travelers camping with dogs. Sites along this road feature fire rings but no additional amenities—no drinking water, toilets, or trash service. The area provides surprisingly good cell signal coverage and beautiful valley views from the hillside locations. Campers report occasional gunshots in the vicinity, and while the gravel road can be bumpy, most standard vehicles manage without difficulty.
Little Trail Creek Road provides several additional dispersed camping options for pet owners approximately 15 minutes from Gardiner. The road requires navigating some washboard sections but remains accessible without four-wheel drive for most passenger vehicles. Sites lack shade coverage, so pet owners should bring protection from sun exposure for dogs during summer months. Bear activity exists in the area, making proper food storage essential when camping with pets. The sites feature established fire rings and flat areas suitable for tent camping, though reviews indicate RVs and campers may find access challenging due to the rocky terrain and narrow mountain road. This remains bear country, so campers should carry bear spray and secure food properly to protect both themselves and their pets.
"About 1/2 dozen spots but it’s a great escape from Gardiner. Plenty of elk, rabbits, and bears. The carcasses speak for themselves so campers beware."
"The sites are straight up from Gardiner on your usual rocky, washboard road. There were quite a few spots and it wasn’t busy at all (arrived at 5:30pm on a holiday weekend)."
"Beautiful campground near Mammoth Hot Springs and the surrounding village."
"We saw everything from elk to bears and with such close proximity to mammoth there is so much to do. Gardiner is so close if you need a dump station or a laundry solution."
from $25 / night
Check Availability"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)"
"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."
"In larger campgrounds like Norris in Yellowstone, this means getting there around 6 or 7 am and hopefully getting lucky."
"It's a bit more like a National Forest CG because it's somewhat off the beaten path and quiet. It is certainly more crowded these days than it used to be, back then it rarely filled. "
from $20 / night
Check Availability"Only good things to say about this location."
"Right on the Yellowstone River in Gardiner. Good location with a great view. We were in site 7. Full hook ups and cable TV. We would stay there again."
from $133 / night
Check Availability"Quiet, secluded dispersed sites about 15 minutes outside of Gardiner. No trees so it gets pretty hot without shade."
"Perfect pull outs off Travertine up Trail Creek/FS 1701 just 7-10 minutes out of Gardine. We ended up at the very end of the road where it loops back on itself in our truck camper."
"We visited in a 30’ class 3 with 3 dogs. The location was PRIME— walking distance to all of the best spots in town!"
"Within walking distance of everything in town and the entrance to Yellowstone."
from $122 / night
Check Availability"National forest, just off highway 89 in Montana, about 15miles from Gardiner. Firepit and picnic table at each spot."
"Canyon campground located in a canyon just across the highway from the Yellowstone River is a pleasant campground with plenty of boulders for kids and adults to climb."
from $10 / night
Check Availability"It was free but has now gone to a fee system of $15 a night. 18 miles north of the YNP entrance at Gardiner. We were the camp hosts in 2024 and again now in 2025."
"The Good Prime Location for Yellowstone: Located just 19 miles north of the North Entrance (Gardiner, MT), making daily trips into the park easy and hassle-free."
from $15 / night
Check Availability"Eagle Creek campground is a nice small 16 site campground a few miles above Gardiner Montana and only a few minutes from the Yellowstone entrance. "
"Most sites are out in the open and close to other sites. Creek ran within a few feet of our site, and we were screened by aspen trees. Great views! "
from $15 - $30 / night
Check Availability
GuideRoad noise. But 15 min from gardiner Montana . And the roosevelt arch
Ruff entrance to camp ground pot holes Large boulder aroundthe campsites. Large as the truck really differnt views of steep hills Also. No trash. But there were a few pit toilets i think. Also nice fire rings with grates. And large picnic tables. If u like clibing on boulders this is the spot
TravelerNational forest, just off highway 89 in Montana, about 15miles from Gardiner. Firepit and picnic table at each spot. Not huge spaces, so the 24ft x10ft wide needed for our Mercedes extended van conversion took up the entire space on spot#4 (which also looked like the tightest spot-but a big rig also couldn't make the road turns) Large boulders and tall evergreen trees make it a pretty spot. Dry camping only, no dumping or filling.
GuideAbout 1/2 dozen spots but it’s a great escape from Gardiner.
Plenty of elk, rabbits, and bears. The carcasses speak for themselves so campers beware.
GuideOne of the most beautiful places I’ve stayed! The sites are straight up from Gardiner on your usual rocky, washboard road. There were quite a few spots and it wasn’t busy at all (arrived at 5:30pm on a holiday weekend). No amenities (ie fire pit) but you really can’t beat those views!
GuideI loved camping here, even when it started pouring for an hour or so. Short road from Gardiner into tons of really cool spots, amazing overlooks, I was a little late on a Wednesday in July and still got an incredible spot. Pretty rough road, nothing a normal car couldnt do by going slow though.
LegendTom Miner Campground is tucked away 12 mile west of U.S. 89 and only 17 miles from Gardiner and the entrance to Yellowstone NP. This nice campground is set in a mature fir tree forest which provides plenty of shade. The sites 16 campsite are nicely spread apart and each features a picnic table, metal fire ring and bear lockers. Water is available from a hand pump and vault toilets are available. This is a Trash-in/Trash-out camp gound.A small creek runs along the edge of the campground. Tom Miner sits at the edge of the Gallatin Petrified Forest and has a nature trail that take you to some cliffs with petrified wood embedded in the rock. Scavengers have taken most of the petrified wood along the trail but still some nice specimens can be seen. A permit is required if you wish to search the forest for your own petrified wood. The road to the campground is very well maintained most of the way, the last few miles are narrow and a little bumpier. Right before the campground the road forks at a forest service information sign, turn right for the campground, turning left will take you to an area of disperse camping.
GuideThis camp ground had about three established campsites I believe, and they were all pretty private from one another. A creek runs through camp and it's heavily forested. Even during the busiest seasons this free campground is vacant but there is good reason for this.
The drive up was rough, take your vehicle at your own risk. If it's not AWD or 4WD you likely will not make it and trust me, you don't want to get stuck on the narrow road on the edge of a cliff. There's also a couple grave yards about a mile from the camp site which is pretty ominous.
There was a grouse preforming it's drumbing mating performance in the camp at all hours of the day and off and on through the night that got pretty annoying, but I doubt you'll have the same experience.
It is about 7 miles from Gardiner and there was some distressed screaming coming from the woods that cause me to decide to pack up camp and leave, so be weary. I'm certain it wasn't an animal (I'm a wildlife ecology student and am very familiar with animal calls in the area) but I have no idea what had went on.
Other than that, this camp site was pretty and probably the only quiet option near Yellowstone.
GuideWe visited in a 30’ class 3 with 3 dogs. The location was PRIME— walking distance to all of the best spots in town! Wild elk walked through camp on occasion, and with a slight elevation the view of the mountains was absolutely prime! They also had TWO off leash dog parks, which is what drew us to this particular spot to begin with— they did not fail us!!
TravelerVery close to Yellowstone park. The RV spot was huge (patio space, plus grassy area with trees which was great for the dogs!) although we paid for the premium spot. Dog park was nice for the pups. No complaints at all.
Dispersed camping areas near Gardiner, Montana provide free alternatives to established campgrounds during peak Yellowstone seasons. The terrain consists mostly of high desert with sagebrush and limited tree cover, creating exposed sites at elevations between 5,000-6,000 feet. Summer temperatures average 75-85°F during daytime, while nights cool significantly to 40-50°F even in July and August.
Stargazing at higher elevations: Sites along Eagle Creek Road offer exceptional night sky viewing opportunities where campers report minimal light pollution. "Epic views, peaceful atmosphere and lots of open space. I definitely will come back again to enjoy another night or two," notes one camper at Little Trail Creek Road Dispersed Site.
Wildlife viewing from camp: Many dispersed sites position campers directly in wildlife corridors. At Travertine Road Dispersed - Yellowstone, one visitor observed, "One of the most beautiful places I've stayed! The sites are straight up from Gardiner on your usual rocky, washboard road. There were quite a few spots and it wasn't busy at all."
Fishing access points: The Yellowstone River provides excellent fishing opportunities directly from some campsites. A camper at Carbella Rec Site Camping shared, "Sites are flat and include a bear box, a fire pit, and a picnic table... Lots of people here for fishing and boating."
Accessibility to Yellowstone: Many dispersed sites offer convenient park access without reservation requirements. "Great for access to Yellowstone with great Mountain Views," reports a visitor to Travertine Road who noted, "Stayed overnight while exploring Yellowstone, it appeared to filled up overnight but we arrived at 5ish and all spots were open."
Cell coverage for remote workers: Unlike many backcountry areas, several sites maintain usable cell connections. At Custer-Gallatin National Forest Dispersed Camping, one camper mentioned, "Spent the night off of Jardin and the NF service road. Tons of little pull outs with fire rings. Most of them have a stunning view of Gardiner, Mammoth, and electric peak!"
Campsite privacy: Many dispersed locations allow for greater spacing between campers than established campgrounds. "We are literally the only people up here off this FS road. Strange to see so many dead elk carcasses all around but it's Montana so not surprised," noted one Little Trail Creek Road camper.
Weather preparation: The area experiences significant temperature variations and sudden weather changes. "It was absolutely freezing though, the inside of the truck bed had frost in the morning (22°!)," reported a Travertine Road camper despite camping in warmer months.
Road conditions to sites: Access roads require careful navigation in standard vehicles. At Canyon Campground, a camper advised, "The road is pretty decent, but gets worse the higher you go. Tons of stunning wildflowers as well."
Bear safety requirements: All dispersed sites require proper food storage. "This is still bear country, so campers should carry bear spray and secure food properly," notes a Forest Service warning. "It is best country but I'm not in any fear whatsoever," added a Little Trail Creek Road camper.
Sites with natural play areas: Some locations feature natural terrain children enjoy exploring. At Eagle Creek Campground, "Creek ran within a few feet of our site, and we were screened by aspen trees. Great views! Very quiet, no problem with misbehaving campers."
Early arrival timing: Securing family-suitable sites requires planning. "We arrived at 5:30pm on a holiday weekend. No amenities (ie fire pit) but you really can't beat those views!" shared a Travertine Road visitor, indicating that even on busy weekends, late afternoon arrivals can find spots.
Pet-friendly considerations: Most dispersed areas allow pets without restrictions but require leashing near wildlife. "The location and views were great and it's hard to beat free. That said, this is not an ideal place for tent camping. The wind was brutal all night," noted a visitor to Carbella Rec Site, highlighting wind considerations when camping with pets.
Maximum RV length limitations: Most forest roads accommodate smaller rigs but challenge larger models. "Strange to see so many dead elk carcasses all around but it's Montana so not surprised. Epic views, peaceful atmosphere and lots of open space," noted a camper at Yellowstone RV Park who opted for an established campground after finding dispersed options too challenging.
Generator restrictions: Unlike established campgrounds, dispersed areas have no electricity. "We stayed a few days to hike and relax. We were able to camp right next to a small creek. The trail head for a nice 6 mile round trip to a lake," noted a Custer-Gallatin camper who appreciated the natural setting despite lacking power.
Leveling challenges: Many dispersed sites require significant leveling. "My only complaint was that the dirt road you have to drive on to access it is super bumpy due to many potholes and large rocks. This is likely no problem for a truck or suv but my sedan had a difficult time getting up the road," shared a Travertine Road visitor.
Frequently Asked Questions
Which is the most popular dog-friendly campsite near Gardiner, MT?
According to TheDyrt.com, the most popular dog-friendly campground near Gardiner, MT is Travertine Road Dispersed - Yellowstone with a 4.6-star rating from 54 reviews.
What is the best site to find dog-friendly camping near Gardiner, MT?
TheDyrt.com has all 145 dog-friendly camping locations near Gardiner, MT, with real photos and reviews from campers.
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