Best Tent Camping near Garryowen, MT

Tent camping near Garryowen, Montana provides several riverside options along the Bighorn River corridor. Primitive tent campsites can be found at Mallards Landing Fishing Access Site near Hardin, where dispersed camping areas offer direct river access. Grant Marsh Fishing Access Site, approximately 30 miles from Billings, provides tent-friendly sites with minimal development but beautiful river views. Afterbay Campground offers additional tent camping opportunities with access to nearby hiking trails and lake recreation. These tent-only camping areas serve as gateways to the region's historical landscapes, including the Little Bighorn Battlefield National Monument.

Most tent campgrounds in the Garryowen area feature basic amenities only. Vault toilets are available at Mallards Landing and Grant Marsh, but no drinking water is provided at any of the sites. Campers must pack in all necessary water supplies. Fire regulations vary by location, with some sites prohibiting fires entirely. Two Leggins Fishing Access Site allows tent camping but prohibits fires and propane stove use. The camping surfaces are primarily undeveloped, with limited shade at most locations. Summer brings mosquitoes and high temperatures, while spring and fall offer more moderate conditions. Cell service is spotty or nonexistent at most primitive tent camping locations.

The tent camping experience near Garryowen emphasizes solitude and natural surroundings rather than amenities. Walk-in tent sites at Mallards Landing provide quieter alternatives to more populated areas. According to reviews, "Other places along the river had too many people for my liking. Stayed here with no one else, nice breeze but did have bug issues." Grant Marsh offers what one camper described as "true dispersed camping, no frills but beautiful" with "only about seven or eight pull-in sites." Backcountry tent camping opportunities exist at Black Canyon Campground in Bighorn Canyon National Recreation Area, though campers should note it requires boat access only. For those seeking historical context, Pompeys Pillar features tent camping near where Lewis and Clark left their mark on the sandstone formations.

Best Tent Sites Near Garryowen, Montana (8)

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Tent Camping Reviews near Garryowen, MT

150 Reviews of 8 Garryowen Campgrounds


  • Sasha W.
    Jul. 26, 2018

    Afterbay

    Beautiful

    Montana is such a beautiful state! The hiking and outdoor activities are limitless! My family and I go to Montana once every few years because he outdoor life is hard to stay away from. We stayed at this campground because there is some really good hikes nearby and we wanted to see this part of Montana. The campground was pretty good, just s typical campground. 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. Each site has its own picnic table and fire ring. 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, throwing a frisbee around with our dog. Again? Highly recommend hiking in the areas nearby! We also went to the lake that was close by! Enjoyed swimming and playing fetch in the water with our dog. Loved our stay and can’t wait to come back!

  • Judy T.The Dyrt PRO User
    Nov. 25, 2020

    Manuel Lisa

    Montana FAS campground

    This was down a gravel road situated by the I94 bridge over the Bighorn River. We took what looked to be the main site with picnic table and fire ring. There may have been more sites especially under the bridge. There was a small but clean vault toilet but no garbage. Thankfully, the traffic on I-94 is light so the noise was negligible. We had a view of the river nestled against the ubiquitous cottonwoods. The site is free. We were there in late September 2020 in a pop up truck camper.

  • K
    May. 31, 2021

    Tongue River State Park Campground

    Great Place to Recreate

    Cool place. VERY bumpy and dusty gravel road to camp sites. Vault toilets and trash cans around but no hook ups for RV. Fun little playground at the Peewee Point camp area. No privacy between sites but enough space for comfort.

  • M
    Nov. 2, 2021

    Tongue River State Park Campground

    Wow!

    Really amazing place. Thr vast majority of the sites are on the waterfront. Nice reservoir. I heard the fishing is great. Probably really busy in the summer. I visited in late October, so I pinky had one neighbor. Spaces are fairly private. Not many trees, fyi. Majority of sites have electric. Some double spaces on the water. Nice for groups. Picnic tables at each site. No wifi. ATT worked, my neighbor's Verizon did not. $30/ night with electric hookup.

  • A
    Aug. 19, 2018

    Trail Creek/Barrys Landing - Bighorn Canyon National Rec Area

    Primitive frontcountry campsite

    This was a great spot to camp. It’s just up the hill from a reservoir put-in and has three separate sections so if it’s not busy, you can stay pretty well in your own little world. There are also two separate sets of two pit toilets, and each site has its own large bear locker. They also each have their own picnic tables, fire rings, and lantern hangers. Sites 1-3 have access to a pavilion as well which is really nice. I would highly recommend these sites, and at $10 per site (no utilities), you can’t beat it! It’s also pretty well protected from the wind and shaded.

  • JThe Dyrt PRO User
    Aug. 7, 2025

    Tongue River Campground

    Great spot

    Rolled in around 7 and was able to snag a riverside spot. Bear boxes and picnic table at my site. Beautiful, quiet, and not too far off the beaten path.

  • Kandi
    Sep. 11, 2020

    Mallards Landing

    Great Fishing Spot!

    Heading back behind some local farms is a gem of a fishing spot. It's a wide open group camp spot with vaulted toilet only no showers. Great access to the river with a little boat ramp. 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.

  • Judy T.The Dyrt PRO User
    Nov. 26, 2020

    Connor Battlefield State Historic Site

    Beautiful setting along Tongue River

    This is a Wyoming state historical site commemorating the 1865 Battle of Tongue River between General Connor and Chief Black Bear of the Arapaho Village. There is both a campground and a day use area.

    The sites are shaded by willows. Our site was near a ranch where we could see their horses in the pasture. The cost for $16 for a nice site, picnic table, fire ring, flush toilets, potable water, garbage cans. The day use area providing children’s playground equipment. It is a short walk to Ranchester across a pedestrian suspension bridge.


Guide to Garryowen

Tent camping near Garryowen, Montana offers a unique opportunity to immerse yourself in the stunning natural beauty of the region. With a variety of campgrounds available, outdoor enthusiasts can find the perfect spot to set up their tents and enjoy the great outdoors.

Some prices for tent camping range from $0 to $20

  • At Mallards Landing, you can enjoy a peaceful riverside experience with no fees, making it a budget-friendly option.
  • Two Leggins offers a low-cost fishing spot, although it's best suited for day visits rather than overnight stays.
  • For a more serene setting, Grant Marsh provides a no-frills camping experience right by the river, perfect for those looking to escape without breaking the bank.

Local activities to enjoy while tent camping

Tips for tent camping near Garryowen

  • Be prepared for limited amenities at Voyagers Rest, as it lacks drinking water and trash services, so plan accordingly.
  • Bring your own firewood and water when camping at Afterbay, as these are not available on-site.
  • If you're looking for a quieter experience, consider Grant Marsh, which is less crowded and offers a peaceful atmosphere by the river.

Frequently Asked Questions

Which is the most popular tent campsite near Garryowen, MT?

According to TheDyrt.com, the most popular tent campground near Garryowen, MT is Mallards Landing with a 4-star rating from 3 reviews.

What is the best site to find tent camping near Garryowen, MT?

TheDyrt.com has all 8 tent camping locations near Garryowen, MT, with real photos and reviews from campers.