Tent campsites near Hardin, Montana cluster primarily along the Bighorn River, within a semi-arid landscape characterized by sandstone formations and open prairie. The area experiences hot summers with temperatures regularly exceeding 90°F from June through August, while spring and fall bring milder conditions more suitable for tent camping. Most sites require visitors to navigate unpaved access roads that may become rutted after rainfall.
What to do
Hiking trails: An 8-mile round trip hike near Afterbay offers mountain and lake views. "The hike is 8 miles round trip and it has the most amazing views ever. Views of the lake and mountains all around," reports Melani T.
Historical exploration: Visit the sandstone formation at Pompeys Pillar FAS featuring William Clark's signature. "This is a really cool Montana treasure in my opinion. Lewis and Clark signed the sandstone here and its the only location of its kind," notes Lindsay B.
Fishing access: The Bighorn River provides multiple fishing spots with varying regulations. At Two Leggins, Kandi mentions it's a "Great Fishing Spot with a toilet and boat ramp. Downside is no fires or propane stove use."
Island exploration: Myers Bridge features natural areas to explore. "A nice 1 1/2 mile trail runs around the island. People take boats in and out at differing hours so there is some traffic, but is fairly quiet except for the train whistles," writes Patti J.
What campers like
River proximity: Tent campsites near Hardin, Montana often feature direct river access. At Mallards Landing, Charles O. appreciated the "Riverside camping quiet beautiful view" and noted that "Other places along the river had too many people for my liking stayed here no one else."
Wildlife sounds: The natural environment offers nighttime wildlife experiences. At Grant Marsh, David M. enjoyed the "Lots of lovely animal noises" despite some initial confusion finding the site.
Serene atmosphere: Most sites provide peaceful settings away from crowds. Steve M. describes Grant Marsh as a "beautiful and Serene location" with "Only two spots I could find right on the Big Horn river."
Natural terrain variety: The landscape offers diverse camping experiences. Kathi F. describes the Pompeys Pillar area: "There are huge Open Fields. There are also a lot of sandstone Cliffs and deep gullies a very big good assortment of varied Terrain."
What you should know
Limited facilities: Most tent sites feature minimal amenities. Will E. notes that Mallards Landing "WAS a campground. Now just dispersed camping with a pit toilet. Multiple sites dispersed around. Has mobile phone service via t mobile. LTE speeds."
Navigation challenges: Some sites can be difficult to locate, especially after dark. David M. found that at Grant Marsh, "it was confusing finding it as the pin sends you to a private driveway. The previous turn in the road has the turn off the campsite though."
Size restrictions: Large vehicles may struggle at certain locations. Steve M. advises about Grant Marsh: "Only about seven or eight pull in sights and not very large. I have a 28 ft total length and there were only one or two spots that would work."
Boat-only access: Some campgrounds within Bighorn Canyon require water transportation. John H. cautions about Black Canyon Campground: "There is no road access to any of the campgrounds located inside the canyon. The only road access campsites are downstream of dam in the afterbay."
Tips for camping with families
Recreational spaces: Some campgrounds offer open areas for group activities. At Afterbay, Sasha W. reports: "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."
Summer preparation: Hot weather requires additional planning. Melani T. advises: "Lots of bugs and mosquitos during the summer so I'd recommend good mosquito spray. We have come in the winter and stayed in our RV (see snow pictures) and we have come in the summer."
Water supply: No potable water exists at most sites. Melani T. suggests: "Bring water because they don't have any water hookups. Luckily we brought jugs of water, which we needed for our hikes."
Bathroom planning: Toilet facilities may be distant from camping areas. At Myers Bridge, Patti J. notes: "The pit toilet is far from the camping, so don't rely on it. This area was flooded a few years ago so rocks are everywhere."
Tips from RVers
Site selection: Limited level spaces exist for larger vehicles. Kandi shares about Mallards Landing: "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."
Road conditions: Access roads to some sites can be problematic. Regarding Pompeys Pillar, Kathi F. warns: "The road getting there is horrible it's very washboard and the going is very slow. I do not recommend it for any kind of RV or camp trailer."
Security considerations: Some locations may have safety concerns. Kelly Z. cautions about Two Leggins: "Nice place to fish. Not a place to spend the night. Too many bad things happen here at night."
Communication planning: Cell service varies between sites. Steve M. reports about Grant Marsh: "No cellular service whatsoever," while Mallards Landing offers "mobile phone service via t mobile" according to Will E.
