Dispersed tent camping opportunities surround Heart Butte, Montana, with Skyland Rd Dispersed Camping offering primitive tent sites along a scenic ridgeline 20 miles southwest of the town. For backcountry tent camping, Glacier National Park maintains several wilderness campsites including Gunsight Lake and Sperry, which require hiking in from established trailheads. Cut Bank Campground provides a more formal tent camping experience within Glacier National Park boundaries, offering 14 tent sites accessed via a dirt road 6 miles from the main entrance.
Tent sites at Skyland Road are characterized by minimal preparation with small clearings just large enough for a pickup truck and tent. Many sites feature existing fire rings and are spaced along creek areas, though higher elevation sites require moderate vehicle clearance. No amenities such as toilets or potable water exist at these primitive sites. A camper noted, "Spots are few but very spaced out for privacy. The spots were a tad small depending on your rig, just big enough for a pickup truck and tent." Tent campers should bring all necessary supplies including drinking water and waste disposal equipment.
Backcountry tent camping within Glacier National Park requires permits for all wilderness campsites. These designated tent sites offer more regulated experiences with established cooking areas and often vault toilets. Trail access varies significantly in difficulty, with locations like Gunsight Lake requiring approximately 7 miles of hiking from the nearest road. Wildlife encounters are common near these tent campsites, particularly deer and occasionally bears. A review mentioned, "The campground at the lake is peaceful, quiet, and wonderfully community-oriented in the cooking area." For tent campers seeking more accessible options, Cut Bank Campground offers drive-in tent sites that still provide relative seclusion from the more crowded areas of Glacier National Park. These tent-specific sites are not suitable for larger vehicles or RVs but provide an ideal base for tent camping explorations into the surrounding wilderness.
"Very pretty view and a fire ring. Lots of room to park and set up at that particular site."
"Driving along the skyland road’s ridge was amazing, gorgeous mountain views. Spots are few but very spaced out for privacy."
"It's a short drive away from the popular Going-to-the-Sun-Road allowing escape from busy roads and fellow tourists."
"This is a dirt entrance to Glacier National Park. The campground is small (14 sites) and only provide a vault toilet."
"We had the site at the end of the road, which is very close to the babbling brook, leading to Mill Falls."
"Small campground with 4 sites (a couple overflow just before the entrance) and just a couple dispersed sites right off the main road if full."
"I believe 6 or 7 different spots $12 with Montana fishing license $18 with out"
"Campsites next to the water allow for tranquil nights"
"Gunsight Lake is simply beautiful. It's a decent trek out to the lake, beginning with a quick descent, but it mellows out in the valley as you hike back in."
"Hiked from Lake McDonald to Gunsight Lake in the September of 2016. Campsite is conveniently located just Northeast of the lake, about 7 miles away from the closest road."
"This is a backcountry site so reservations required."
"It's a little over a 6 mile hike in (up). Backcountry forest camping with no amenities except the beautiful Glacier landscape, wilderness and wildlife."
ScoutAdvertised starting at $38, we paid $56 for a spot in a meadow with a fire ring, not even a picnic table. No WIFI, no reception,bathroom was old and dirty along with waiting line for use of toilet. Location was great property was nice but you don’t get much for your money. I would not recommend.
GuideDecent commercial campground....close to East entrance to GLACIER NP...nothing overtly fancy but clean restrooms, showers...friendly staff..onsite restaurant
GuideWe arrived on September 11 and the water was shut off on September 12 and the dumping site was closed because they transitioned to winter season. Because of this we had to reserve our next night the morning of the 12 th. The flushable toilets were nice and clean for the one night we were able to use them. There was only one pit toilet for around 40 sites. There were bear proof garbage cans on site. Overall the staff was very friendly.
GuideAfter 3 days crossing the high plains, this nice campground with clean bathrooms and hot showers was just the ticket. I didn’t hear any traffic, very peaceful. All kinds of services a short distance into town: food, fuel, auto repair, dinosaurs.
GuideWe stayed at the first “site”. We have a 36’ Class A Motorhome and Jeep. We weren’t confident enough to take our Class A further than the second spot, due to the pot holes and a couple of “hills”. So we were happy that the first one was available. It was a beautiful view!
We ventured down to the end of the road a few times. It was beautiful.
There was traffic - mostly trailers filled with horses or ATVs. But none of it was disturbing. The trains across the road ran all hours of the day and night but it didn’t bother us either.
ScoutLoved it. Spent four nights in West Glacier at Apgar and then came here to tour East Glacier after a poor experience with the KOA. Quiet, beautiful views, very friendly staff, great location. I will be back. This is the perfect mix of in park experience with amenities to make it comfortable. Baths/ Showers were definitely nicer than the park baths.
LegendWe stayed here overnight after Labor Day. They were nice and let us leave our bikes locked up before we could check in so we could fold our bike rack and not violate the 21’ length limit on Going to the Sun road. But when we came back to check in the person checking us in was not so nice or welcoming. Maybe it is end of season tiredness, but for the price, I would have liked a warmer welcome. Typical KOA amenities. Main bathrooms attached to the office very good with nice hot showers. Pretty views of Glacier mountains from the site we were in. We’d come back and hope that the staff would be more welcoming.
GuideWe happened up this cozy city park while passing through from Glacier to Yellowstone NP and decided to take a chance for a night. We were glad that we did. $10/night (3 nights max) sites were level on hard pack gravel, no hook ups, but there is a common water spigot, bathroom (no showers) & a dump station ($5). Payment is on the honor system by either drop box or QR code. There are two loops (east/west) with ~6 sites on either side of the creek. We were the only ones on our side of the park and stayed in site 8 which is a pull through as we have a 27’ travel trailer; it could easily handle 40’. Great walking path, disc golf course, grassy picnic area w/ pavilion & a dog park down the street. Bathrooms were dated and well used but were stocked with soap & paper products. All basic services within walking distance including Rex’s grocery store across the street. 4 bars 5G on T-mobile.
RangerEasy access and clean facilities (shower, restrooms, grounds, etc. power available. Pull-thrus and back-ins for all sizes.
Tent camping near Heart Butte, Montana offers access to remote wilderness within the Rocky Mountain Front, where elevations range from 4,500 to over 9,000 feet. Most dispersed camping areas require driving dirt roads with varying degrees of clearance needed, particularly after rain or snow melt. Summer temperatures typically fluctuate between 40-85°F with significant cooling at night even during July and August.
Fishing opportunities: At Eureka Reservoir, campers have direct lakeside access for fishing. "Campsites next to the water allow for tranquil nights," notes one camper. The reservoir provides calmer waters than nearby rivers, especially during spring runoff.
Hiking to alpine lakes: The trail to Our Lake takes about 1.5 hours round trip from the trailhead at the end of the forest road. "The nearby hike to 'Our Lake' is about 1.5hrs (roundtrip) from the trailhead... It's relatively flat for the first 1 hour and then gets steeper, along good switchbacks, for the final 30 mins," according to a camper at Mill Falls.
Backcountry glacier viewing: From Sperry Wilderness Campsite, several day hikes access glaciers and alpine terrain. "Comeau pass to sperry glacier, lincoln pas and Ellen Wilson lake are great hikes out fo the campground," reports one backpacker. The site requires a challenging 6.5-mile hike with 3,600 feet of elevation gain.
Creek-side camping: Mill Falls Campground provides sites along a stream. "Wonderful, quiet site along a little-used forest road. We had the site at the end of the road, which is very close to the babbling brook, leading to Mill Falls," notes a visitor. The running water helps mask noise from neighboring sites.
Wildlife encounters: Sperry Wilderness Campsite often has resident mountain goats. One camper reported, "There is a mountain goat with blunted horns (who we named Earl) that frequented the site while we were cooking, setting up our tent, and again in the morning." Secure all gear and food properly.
Remote sunrise views: Morning at Gunsight Lake provides exceptional photography opportunities. "Walking out to the lake early in the morning provides a surreal experience with the water being so still," writes a camper. The 7-mile hike from the nearest road keeps crowds minimal even in peak season.
Trailhead access: Several wilderness sites require substantial hiking. For Gunsight Lake, "It's a decent trek out to the lake, beginning with a quick descent, but it mellows out in the valley as you hike back in. Hike tip: don't skip the turnoffs for the various waterfalls."
Backcountry permits: All Glacier National Park wilderness sites require advance permits. Reservations become available months before the season and often fill quickly. A camper at Gunsight Lake notes it makes "a great basecamp for a 2-night stay before moving on."
Road conditions: Access to Skyland Road Dispersed Camping varies by season and recent weather. "The first two [spots] you can probably get to with low clearance but afterwords I'd recommend medium clearance," advises a recent visitor. Multiple creek crossings may become impassable after heavy rain.
Select accessible sites: Cut Bank Campground provides a balance of accessibility and wilderness. "If you need a nice quiet car-campery campground at Glacier NP that is secluded, you can't go wrong with Cut Bank. It's a short drive away from the popular Going-to-the-Sun-Road allowing escape from busy roads and fellow tourists."
Water access: Eureka Reservoir offers calm water for swimming. "Sweet calm water access... The gem is the reservoir access. Esp if it is earlier in the year and the river's are high. You can go here to get your feet wet earlier in the season."
Animal awareness: Children need supervision around wildlife. At Gunsight Lake, "Deer can be pests here!" while at Sperry, mountain goats regularly approach campsites. Teach children proper wildlife viewing distances (minimum 25 yards for most animals, 100 yards for bears).
Site limitations: Most dispersed sites have minimal space for larger vehicles. At Skyland Road, "The spots were a tad small depending on your rig, just big enough for a pickup truck and tent. Really quiet and peaceful, felt like you had the whole place to yourself."
RV amenities: For full hookups, Glacier Mist RV Park in Cut Bank provides basic services. "This is a nice place to stay and in a good area. The owner will personally meet you at check in whatever time. Clean bathrooms and hot showers."
Road access: Many forest roads become increasingly difficult for larger vehicles. "Driving along the skyland road's ridge was amazing, gorgeous mountain views. Spots are few but very spaced out for privacy." Tent camping with a smaller vehicle provides access to more remote sites than larger RVs.
Frequently Asked Questions
Which is the most popular tent campsite near Heart Butte, MT?
According to TheDyrt.com, the most popular tent campground near Heart Butte, MT is Skyland Rd Dispersed Camping with a 4.6-star rating from 9 reviews.
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