Best Campgrounds near Martinsdale, MT

Camping areas around Martinsdale, Montana provide a range of options spanning from established campgrounds to primitive sites. The Martinsdale Reservoir Montana FWP offers waterfront camping with basic amenities including picnic tables, fire rings, and vault toilets, situated on the north shore of the reservoir. Spring Creek Campground accommodates both tent and RV camping, with access to drinking water and toilet facilities. Several other developed campgrounds within driving distance include Chief Joseph City Park in Harlowton and Richardson Campground near White Sulphur Springs, offering varying levels of amenities.

Road conditions and accessibility vary significantly across the region's campground options. Many sites are accessible via drive-in routes, though some roads may require careful navigation. The Martinsdale Reservoir area experiences significant wind patterns that can affect the camping experience, particularly for fishing enthusiasts. Most campgrounds operate seasonally, with many open from late spring through fall, typically Memorial Day to October or early December. Limited tree cover in some areas means exposure to sun and wind. A review noted, "The problem with this campground is it has no trees so you are at the mercy of the sun and wind. The wind, it really blows through the area, every time I have visited this site I have found it too windy to attempt to fish."

The camping experience in the Martinsdale area features notable contrasts between developed and primitive sites. Waterfront camping represents a significant draw for visitors, with several campgrounds offering lake or reservoir access. Sites are generally well-spaced, providing privacy between campers, though amenities remain basic across most locations. Many areas operate on a first-come, first-served basis rather than reservation systems. Pricing varies, with some locations offering free camping while others charge modest fees ranging from $5-$18 depending on residency and fishing license status. Based on reviews from The Dyrt, stargazing opportunities rank highly among campers' experiences, with one visitor commenting on a nearby reservoir: "With no light pollution here, on a clear night like ours, the stars were simply astounding."

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Best Camping Sites Near Martinsdale, Montana (67)

    1. Spring Creek Campground

    11 Reviews
    Martinsdale, MT
    12 miles
    Website

    "Regardless we were able to find a great water front site a good distance away from anyone else. Close to Yellowstone National Park and Grand Teton National Park."

    "Very nice quiet campground.Located by the shore of large lake. I thimk there were 12 or so sites available, each has table, fire ring and bear box."

    2. Martinsdale Reservoir Montana FWP

    2 Reviews
    Martinsdale, MT
    1 mile
    Website
    +1 (406) 444-2535

    3. Spring Creek

    2 Reviews
    Martinsdale, MT
    12 miles
    Website

    $10 / night

    "You need to drive up a narrow paved road then a wider graded gravel road then make a sharp turn down to the right. Sites aren’t big but we did see some hunters in a small trailer."

    4. Chief Joseph City Park

    9 Reviews
    Shawmut, MT
    23 miles
    Website
    +1 (406) 632-5523

    $20 / night

    "A very nice small town town campground east of Montana’s front range. Several level pull-through RV sites with electricity. Dumpster and water hydrant near by in the campground."

    "Really well maintained grounds, level gravel sites, fairgrounds close by."

    5. Camping area 6393A

    1 Review
    Martinsdale, MT
    14 miles

    6. Whitetail Camp

    2 Reviews
    Martinsdale, MT
    18 miles
    Website
    +1 (406) 566-2292

    7. Halfmoon Campground

    11 Reviews
    Melville, MT
    29 miles
    Website

    "I arrived around 1pm on a Friday and there were only two spots remaining. I grabbed spot #8, it certainly is not the most desirable but it was a spot nonetheless."

    "The scenery surrounding the campground is breathtaking: sharp peaks that rise upwards of 7,000 ft in elevation, crystal clear mountain streams rushing down the mountain sides, waterfall after waterfall"

    8. Grasshopper

    3 Reviews
    White Sulphur Springs, MT
    22 miles
    Website
    +1 (406) 547-3361

    "Some are not well situated for parking a camper, but it didn’t seem to crowded and we had our choice of spots early evening on a Friday."

    "As you enter this campground you find a trail head to the left and then a picnic area to the right. The campsites start right after the first of two vault toilets for the campground."

    9. Richardson Campground

    2 Reviews
    White Sulphur Springs, MT
    21 miles
    Website
    +1 (406) 547-3361
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Recent Reviews near Martinsdale, MT

204 Reviews of 67 Martinsdale Campgrounds


  • Steve M.The Dyrt PRO User
    Aug. 1, 2025

    Battle Ridge Campground

    Very close to bozeman, beautiful mountainous location, very quiet

    $10 a night with senior pass but it doesn't say the price without it so I think it's $10 for everyone. Well maintained quite level gravel sites with picnic tables and fire pits and several clean vault toilets. This is for self-contained campers as there is no garbage or water or firewood available.

  • Steve M.The Dyrt PRO User
    Jul. 30, 2025

    Big Rock

    Temporarily closed for repairs

    Looks like it would be a nice place to camp and has fishing access but currently it's closed and there are work trucks doing repairs and I'm not sure when it will be open again but it is very easy to access off a well maintained gravel road just a few miles from the highway

  • Steve M.The Dyrt PRO User
    Jul. 30, 2025

    Grey Bear

    Very near the highway with many great spots

    Two vault toilets, picnic tables and Fire pits, spaces to Camp or put your RV feet away from the river, good for rigs up to 40 ft total, and you may hear a train going by or some road noise during the day but it's a great self-contained location. No garbage receptacles so pack it out!

  • Steve M.The Dyrt PRO User
    Jul. 29, 2025

    Otter Creek Fishing Access

    Close to town and sweet!

    Several areas for campers and travel trailers and even big rigs and popular area for fishing so rather than normal BLM 14 days it's a 7-Day Max but it's beautiful just next to the river so you can hear it while you're sleeping

  • Steve M.The Dyrt PRO User
    Jul. 26, 2025

    Otter Creek Fishing Access

    Very close to town w/exc river access

    Only four or five spots right next to the river but plenty of open spots in the field next to where people Park their boats. This is a beautiful and tranquil spot with wonderful views and apparently great fishing but if you're going to fish make sure you get your license because the warden hangs out here! Great cell phone service and a vault toilet but no garbage so pack it out. There are some existent fire pits that people made and there is currently no fire ban here. Second time here in 2 years and probably won't be my last.

  • eThe Dyrt PRO User
    Jul. 26, 2025

    Battle Ridge Dispersed

    Last Spot on Acces Road

    Battle Ridge Campground was full. We followed the road all the way up to the end where it reaches private property. There is one spot just before. However it is a tight road, we had to unhook our trailer to turn around so it is not a place for big rigs.

  • SThe Dyrt PRO User
    Jul. 25, 2025

    Otter Creek Fishing Access Site

    On the Yellowstone River

    Nice to have a small stone fire ring on the River. No amenities except a pit toilet but beautiful views and quiet.

  • Soren B.The Dyrt PRO User
    Jul. 24, 2025

    Spring Creek Campground & Trout Ranch

    Great RV Park

    It's a nice, clean, friendly, quiet, and perfect place to relax and unwind. The staff is super friendly and helpful. Dogs enjoyed this park just as much, and our site was perfect for them And backed up to the river. They are almost finished with a complete remodel. The sites are level with gravel, framed out, and have nice grass.


Guide to Martinsdale

Camping near Martinsdale, Montana, offers a mix of beautiful landscapes and outdoor activities. Whether you're looking for a quiet spot by the lake or a family-friendly campground, there are plenty of options to explore.

What to do

  • Fishing and kayaking: Many campers enjoy fishing and kayaking at Spring Creek Campground. One reviewer mentioned, "Hebgen Lake is beautiful and so fun to kayak on!" This campground is a great spot for water activities.
  • Hiking: The area around Halfmoon Campground offers abundant hiking trails. A visitor noted, "This is a 4wd road so don’t try to drag a trailer in here but it is a lovely campground with abundant hiking."
  • Wildlife watching: Campers at Many Pines Campground often spot wildlife. One reviewer shared, "Well laid out campsites with plenty of space... The creek is nearby as well as great hiking spots."

What campers like

  • Quiet surroundings: Campers appreciate the peaceful atmosphere at Jumping Creek Campground. A visitor said, "We had the whole campground to ourselves. We stayed right next to the creek and had a very peaceful stay with beautiful scenery."
  • Clean facilities: Many campers value cleanliness. At Chief Joseph City Park, one reviewer mentioned, "The bathrooms are clean and have flushing toilets."
  • Spacious sites: Campers enjoy the spaciousness at Battle Ridge Campground. A visitor noted, "There is a very generous amount of space between camp sites making this campground feel very private."

What you should know

  • Limited amenities: Many campgrounds, like Halfmoon Campground, do not have electric hookups or showers. A camper pointed out, "The sites aren’t close enough to see the water, just hear it."
  • Road conditions: Access to some campgrounds can be rough. One reviewer of Newlan Creek Reservoir warned, "Be prepared for chips in your paint and a good car wash afterwards."
  • Mosquitoes: Be ready for bugs, especially in summer. A visitor at Spring Creek Campground cautioned, "Beautiful area around the lake. Riddled with mosquitoes around this time of year."

Tips for camping with families

  • Play areas: Look for campgrounds with kid-friendly amenities. Chief Joseph City Park has a five-star play area for children, making it a great choice for families.
  • Quiet hours: Some campgrounds, like Spring Creek Campground, may not enforce quiet hours. One camper noted, "The only bad thing is there is no quiet time and people were playing loud music until about midnight."
  • Safety: Always keep an eye on kids near water. A reviewer at Grey Bear mentioned, "If you stay with kids there are spots where the river current is quite strong close to shore."

Tips from RVers

  • Check site sizes: Make sure your RV fits in the campground. A visitor at Many Pines Campground said, "Some bigger ones may have trouble fitting into the spaces."
  • Dump stations: Look for campgrounds with dump stations. Conestoga Campground & RV Park offers sanitary dump services, which is a plus for RVers.
  • Reservations: Some campgrounds are first-come, first-served. A camper at Halfmoon Campground mentioned, "Showed up at about 4pm on a Friday with more than half of the sites still open but they did fill up by around 7pm."

Camping near Martinsdale, Montana, has something for everyone, from families to RV enthusiasts. Just be prepared for the unique quirks of each campground!

Frequently Asked Questions

Where can I find camping at Martinsdale Reservoir?

Martinsdale Reservoir Montana FWP offers camping directly at the reservoir with well-spaced sites. This fishing access site features a large campground area where sites are generously spread apart, though not all are numbered. For alternatives near Martinsdale, consider Deadmans Basin, another reservoir camping option that's convenient for travelers passing through the area. The fishing access sites provide basic accommodations for both tent and RV campers, with easy water access for fishing and boating activities.

What amenities are available at Martinsdale camping areas?

Camping areas around Martinsdale offer basic amenities. At Chief Joseph City Park, you'll find level pull-through RV sites with electricity, a dumpster, nearby water hydrant, and access to a large community playground. It allows stays up to 14 days. For a more rustic experience, Ackley Lake State Park Campground provides basic facilities in the Martinsdale vicinity. Most Martinsdale area sites have picnic tables and fire rings, though amenities vary by location. Expect limited services with some sites offering vault toilets but generally no hookups or running water beyond community spigots.

When is the best season for camping in Martinsdale, Montana?

The optimal camping season in Martinsdale runs from late spring through early fall (May-September). Summer offers warm days perfect for water activities at Crystal Lake Campground, where you'll find peaceful waters, clear lakes, and meadows filled with wildflowers. By October, areas like Dry Wolf become less crowded while still offering beautiful Montana scenery, though temperatures drop significantly. Fall camping at reservoirs like Deadmans Basin shows lower water levels. Winter brings harsh conditions making camping difficult, while spring can be wet with unpredictable weather. Summer remains the most reliable season with the fullest access to facilities and activities.