135 campgrounds · Check availability for any dates.
Camping areas around McLeod, Montana include primitive forest service sites, fishing access points, and established campgrounds along the Boulder and Yellowstone rivers. East Boulder Campground offers two tent sites with picnic tables and fire rings in a forested setting beside East Boulder Creek. Other nearby options include Boulder Forks Fishing Access Site, which provides rustic riverside camping with boat access, and Grey Bear Fishing Access Area, which accommodates tents, RVs, and glamping. The area features a mix of free Forest Service sites and fee-based fishing access campgrounds, most within 30 miles of Big Timber.
Road conditions vary significantly, with several campgrounds requiring travel on gravel roads. East Boulder Campground sits about 19 miles south of Big Timber plus 6 miles east on East Boulder Road, making high-clearance vehicles preferable. Most sites operate seasonally, with Forest Service sites like Aspen Campground open year-round while others like Spring Creek Campground close from mid-October to mid-April. Cell service is limited or non-existent at more remote locations. Vault toilets are common, but drinking water is scarce, requiring filtration from streams or bringing your own supply. A camper noted, "Seven miles down a gravel road. Nice camp site along the Boulder river. Just two camp sites, first come first serve."
The fishing access sites receive consistently positive reviews for their proximity to water. Grey Bear offers shaded sites under cottonwood trees along the Yellowstone River, though visitors mention occasional train noise. East Boulder Campground provides more seclusion and mountain views but with limited capacity. One review highlighted, "There are only two campsites in this no cost Forest Service campground. There's no water, except from the stream, but there are good picnic tables and a well-maintained vault toilet." Wildlife sightings are common, with several campers reporting deer near their sites. Mixed-use campgrounds balancing tent and RV sites are available throughout the region, though primitive tent sites predominate in the more remote locations. Most campgrounds provide basic amenities like fire rings and picnic tables, while few offer electric hookups or running water.
"Conveniently located about 5 miles off I-90! We stayed one night on our way from the Badlands to Glacier National Park and I wish we would have had more time here."
"Campground is situated on Boulder River. Office staff was friendly. Laundry facility was clean but dated. (Harvest gold dryers from the 70’s dated). Great proximity to downtown big timber, MT."
"Great dispersed camping beside the Yellowstone River just off Interstate 90 near Big Timber, Montana."
"This is a free Montana Fishing Access Site next to the Yellowstone River north of Big Timber. There was one clean single vault toilet for about 5 sites."
"Right next to the river and right off the interstate (kind of noisy from traffic) there were a couple trucks working the railroad but don’t bother us."
"There are train tracks nearby, which wasn't necessarily negative for us since we live next to train tracks at home ."
"Very nice campground about 6 miles out of Big Timber Montana."
"There are trains close by but that didn't bother too much. If you stay with kids there are spots where the river current is quite strong close to shore."
"Site: 2 RESERVATIONS NO
FCFS
FEES: NONE
Open all year
No water Picnic table, fire ring, pit toilet
This campground is located right off East Boulder Road."
"I ran into a couple out here that’s camping and I can say they are the true Montana experience."
"It's better to exit off the interstate just east of the campground."
"Usually we stay at KOAs for stopover convenience, but being tired of driving we decided to stick around for an extra night. For a KOA, this was a really decent spot."
"The location is hard to beat. Being right by the stream adds such a peaceful touch, and the sunsets and sunrises here are truly beautiful. Waking up to that kind of view is something special."
"Restroom is located here. Not far from town so for dinner or anything else you might have forgot."
"You park, and then depending on your site, you’re either directly at your campsite or you walk about 100 yards to your site."
"This is also walk-in tenting only. The sites are beautiful and hidden under trees. There is plenty of room between sites giving you privacy."
"About 5 various spots very close to the main Boulder Rd so expect to hear traffic. But several spots are on the river and these spots include a fire ring and a vault toilet. Free."
"Great spots (5) along the river…only downside are the gravel trucks driving past and kicking up dirt!"
"Must have a montana conservation tag. Bring your own wood. Bring a water filter. Outhouse on site"
TravelerThe complimentary parking, fishing access, picnic facilities, and fire pits are notable amenities. The abundance of local wildlife, particularly deer, provides a pleasant atmosphere. Although temperatures were quite low on October 16, 2026, this environment currently remains quiet and exclusive, with only two guests on-site.
LegendLarge open area. Each site has a picnic table, bear storage, and fire pit. No privacy from camp site to campsite. Each area is pretty flat and level though! pit toilet was pretty gross (not the worst) but there was pee, and poop on the seat.
ScoutWe got here after dark and were very confused by the no trespassing signs and small pull offs. We didn’t go very high up on the road but camped right where the pin was set up. Gorgeous in the morning and very quiet peaceful place to stay for the night. Not necessarily “camping” with room to move around or set up but easy for one night.
LegendOne night at a spot with water and electric off season is $80. Just about turned back around and kept driving. I know, KOA is costly. The upside, nice showers, laundry. Nice enough spot in the shade which is great since it is very hot today.
RangerThe views are truly unbeatable! 6 miles of washboard gravel road leading to the lake made the journey difficult, but still worth it. Also, the winds were incredibly strong, making it impossible to cook outside or have a fire. But the views ...
GuideFreeway visible and audible from site. Active railroad nearby. However, campground clean, vault toilet stalled with toilet paper, river front camping. Easy access from highway. Required state conservation license for use.
GuideIt’s the perfect spot near the water stream and a beautiful view
RangerLong and to bad road you can pull off an set up. Not a ton of shade but the river is right behind you. Amazing veiws, good cell signal. Spent 2 days, awesome little spot.
ScoutThere’s not many spots and there were about 5 groups already here. Not much privacy but very pretty my the river.
The McLeod area offers camping options within the Custer Gallatin National Forest and along the Boulder River valley at elevations ranging from 4,800 to 5,500 feet. Summer temperatures typically reach the upper 70s with cool nights dropping into the 40s. Most camping sites near McLeod remain snow-free from late May through mid-October, though higher elevation sites can experience frost even in summer months.
Fishing opportunities: East Boulder Campground provides access to mountain stream fishing in East Boulder Creek. One camper noted, "There's good fishing and the trailhead for the Green Mountain Trail, a very nice 6 mile hike to the Natural Bridge, is across the road."
Hiking trails: Several trails near Aspen Campground offer varied difficulty levels. A visitor mentioned, "There were a lot of great hikes along the way, some that were 'easy' 'moderate' and 'difficult.' I would recommend looking up hikes ahead of time, that way you can do a hike that best suits your abilities."
Water activities: The Yellowstone River access points support multiple activities. At Otter Creek Fishing Access Site, a camper shared, "This is a free Montana Fishing Access Site next to the Yellowstone River north of Big Timber. There was one clean single vault toilet for about 5 sites. No water or garbage available but each site has a picnic table and fire ring. There is a boat launch for fishing."
River proximity: Most highly-rated camping sites near McLeod feature direct water access. At Grey Bear, a camper wrote, "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!"
Secluded spots: Many campers appreciate the privacy at smaller campgrounds. An East Boulder Campground visitor shared, "I came in from the North so I traveled MILES on stone/dirt roads through gorgeous Montana back country. I had the site to myself, sometimes one of the many road construction crews would stop to use the facilities."
Minimal development: The primitive nature appeals to many visitors. At Big Beaver Campground, a camper noted, "This is a beautiful site right on the side of a wonderful swift moving clear, rocky bottom stream. If traffic is moving fast this can be a dusty area. The backdrop of the mountains put the cherry on top for me."
Limited availability: Many campgrounds have very few sites. A camper at East Boulder Campground reported, "There are only 2 sites here but they are spacious and private! There is a toilet, fire ring, and picnic table. The river is beautiful and loved hearing it at night."
Road conditions: Access requires travel on unpaved roads. About Big Beaver Campground, a visitor noted, "About 5 various spots very close to the main Boulder Rd so expect to hear traffic. But several spots are on the river and these spots include a fire ring and a vault toilet."
Wildlife considerations: Bears frequent the area. One camper at Aspen Campground shared, "We did encounter a young grizzly who gave me a scare in the middle of the night when I was urinating but he didn't threaten me."
Fishing opportunities for kids: Several sites offer child-friendly fishing. At Spring Creek Campground & Trout Ranch, a parent reported, "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."
Swimming spots: Certain access points provide safe water play areas. At Big Rock, a visitor noted, "Lovely little spot! Great 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."
Amenities for longer stays: Some campgrounds offer more services for extended family trips. A Spring Creek visitor shared, "They also stock the ponds with trout so that for dinner you can eat fish. They also clean the fish for you. The cabins that they have are clean and cozy. They even have a laundry room for you to wash clothes."
Site limitations: Most camping areas have size restrictions. At Pig Farm Fishing Access Camp, a camper noted, "There's a spot down by the water that someone took with a tent who we let by us. We took a spot just above before you drive down to the water. I wasn't sure if I could turn around my 20' travel trailer down by the water."
Hookup availability: Most sites lack services. A camper at Spring Creek mentioned, "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. We didn't have sewer hookup, but they had a honey wagon."
Noise factors: Highway and railway noise affects some locations. At Pig Farm Fishing Access Camp, a visitor reported, "Beautiful spot by the Yellowstone River. Train whistles woke us up four times."
Frequently Asked Questions
What outdoor activities can I enjoy while camping near Mcleod, Montana?
The McLeod area is an outdoor enthusiast's paradise with diverse recreational opportunities. The Boulder River provides excellent fishing, particularly for trout, with Whitebird offering river access and mellow swimming spots. Hiking opportunities abound with numerous trails exploring the surrounding Absaroka Mountains and dense forests. Basin Campground makes an excellent base for hiking adventures, with trails ranging from easy walks to challenging mountain climbs. Wildlife viewing is exceptional throughout the region—watch for deer, elk, and various bird species. Mountain biking, photography, and stargazing are also popular. During winter months, the area transforms for snowshoeing, cross-country skiing, and snowmobiling. The proximity to Yellowstone National Park (about 1.5 hours away) also makes it a good staging area for day trips to explore the park's wonders.
What camping facilities and amenities are available in Mcleod, MT?
The McLeod area offers several camping options with varying amenities. Big Beaver Campground near McLeod provides basic facilities including vault toilets and fire rings. For those seeking more amenities, Spring Creek Campground & Trout Ranch near Big Timber offers reservable sites with water access and toilets, and is big-rig friendly. Most campgrounds in this region are relatively primitive, with limited or no cell service. If staying in the area longer or needing full hookups, Osen's RV Park by Starry Night Lodging in nearby Livingston offers pull-through sites with full hookups, grassy areas between sites, and helpful staff. Most local campgrounds are seasonal, typically operating from late spring through early fall due to mountain weather conditions.
Where is Mcleod, Montana located and how do I get there?
McLeod, Montana is a small unincorporated community located in Sweet Grass County in south-central Montana, nestled in the Absaroka Mountains along the Boulder River. It sits approximately 15 miles south of Big Timber and about 60 miles west of Livingston. To get there, take Interstate 90 to Big Timber, then head south on Highway 298/Big Timber Creek Road, which becomes Boulder Road as you travel into the mountains. Big Beaver Campground is located near McLeod, providing convenient camping access to the area. The roads to reach McLeod and nearby East Boulder Campground are well-maintained but can include dirt stretches, so check conditions before traveling, especially during winter months when mountain roads may be snow-covered.
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