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.
