Camping spots near Greycliff, Montana sit at approximately 3,900 feet elevation along the Yellowstone River valley. The area experiences hot summers with temperatures often exceeding 90°F in July and August, while winter lows frequently drop below freezing. Most campgrounds in this region have gravel or dirt access roads that can become muddy during spring runoff season, typically lasting from late April through early June.
What to do
River fishing access: 5-10 miles from Greycliff. At Grey Bear Fishing Access Site, campers can enjoy productive trout fishing directly from shore. "A great take out for a 3 day overnight on the river. Can get a bit buggy, but lots of shade from the cottonwoods. Great fishing!" notes Crystal K. The site provides boat launch facilities for anglers wanting deeper water access.
Explore nearby natural attractions: 30-minute drive. Visitors staying at Spring Creek Campground & Trout Ranch can visit Natural Bridge Falls, located about 30 minutes from camp. "Sweet spot not too far in from Big Timber. Lots of river running through the campground and low enough to enjoy a swim, fish, or get your feet wet," reports Robert B. about nearby fishing access sites.
Bird watching: Multiple locations. The riparian zones along the Yellowstone River provide habitat for numerous bird species. "Beautiful bird sounds" mentions David M. about Itch-Kep-Pe Park, where early morning offers the best viewing opportunities from riverside camping spots.
What campers like
Riverside camping spots: Direct water access. Many campers appreciate the sound of flowing water at their sites. At Otter Creek Fishing Access, Steve M. notes you can "fall asleep to the sounds of the river rushing by." The site offers "several areas for campers and travel trailers and even big rigs" with a 7-day maximum stay limit.
Spacious sites: Room to spread out. Several camping areas provide generous spacing between sites. Nina C. describes Spring Creek Campground & Trout Ranch as having "spacious sites along the river. Way better than most RV park that put you very close to neighbors." This feature makes it popular for longer stays.
Free or low-cost options: Budget-friendly. Several fishing access sites offer free or low-cost camping. At Itch-Kep-Pe Park, Diane H. reports: "This is dry camping so no hookups but also no fee (they ask for donations). I wish the maximum allowed time was longer but I understand about them limiting the time so they don't get people setting up house there."
What you should know
Site reservation limitations: Plan ahead. Many fishing access sites operate on first-come, first-served basis only. At Big Rock Fishing Access Site, Abby M. reports: "Showed up around 5pm Friday and there was only 1 other camper. Had a third join by the end of the night but was super quiet the entire time."
Noise considerations: Highway and rail proximity. Several campgrounds experience road and train noise. At Big Timber-Greycliff KOA, Hollie P. notes: "Only complaint is the sites are backed right up to the Highway. Would serve the park to build a wall or even just a tall wooden fence to help cover some of the road noise."
Limited cell service: Variable coverage. Cell reception varies significantly between campgrounds. At Old West RV Park, MickandKarla W. found: "We had 4 bars each on both Verizon and T-Mobile, and the CG Wi-Fi clocked in at 26.5 Mbps down and 11.9 Mbps up, pretty solid for a small CG."
Tips for camping with families
Kid-friendly fishing: Stocked ponds available. Some campgrounds offer easier fishing options specifically for children. Christyn T. shares about Spring Creek: "I have 5 kids of all ages. They love it here. Fishing ponds and river too. The husband and wife have worked so hard to make this place fun for everyone. Kids got to feed fish in the pond just stop in and ask for the food."
Recreation activities: Beyond camping. Several campgrounds provide additional recreation options for families. Melissa H. describes Big Timber-Greycliff KOA: "There was a nice playground, pool, enormous jumping pillow (I had never seen one before - this was definitely a treat, even for adults!) and a small dog run area."
Town amenities: 10-15 minute drives. Most camping areas require a short drive for supplies. Andrea B. notes about nearby towns: "Cute, scenic town with two hardware stores and a nice IGA." Local shops provide necessary supplies when camping with families who may need unexpected items.
Tips from RVers
Site selection for larger rigs: Location matters. For bigger RVs, some sites work better than others. Ron M. advises about Spring Creek: "The spots on the river were really tight. The river was really beautiful though, so maybe it was worth it. We were on a pond, and had plenty of room."
Utility considerations: Hook-up placement. At Old West RV Park, MickandKarla W. appreciated thoughtful hookup design: "The utility connections were thoughtfully centered on the pad, making setup a breeze." This campground also offers full hookups, which aren't available at most fishing access sites in the area.
Accessibility concerns: Road conditions vary. Access roads to many camping areas can be challenging. Kathi F. notes about West Bridger Cabin: "It's a bit of a tight squeeze to get a big horse trailer in there I would not recommend anything much over 30 feet."
