Best Campgrounds near Mcleod, MT

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.

Best Camping Sites Near Mcleod, Montana (129)

    1. Spring Creek Campground & Trout Ranch

    21 Reviews
    Big Timber, MT
    12 miles
    Website
    +1 (406) 932-4387

    "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."

    2. Otter Creek Fishing Access Site

    22 Reviews
    Big Timber, MT
    16 miles
    Website
    +1 (406) 444-2535

    "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."

    "Great access to river's edge fishing and a boat ramp. Free camping for 7 days. Really close to town"

    3. East Boulder Campground

    9 Reviews
    Mcleod, MT
    9 miles
    Website
    +1 (406) 222-1892

    "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."

    4. Pig Farm Fishing Access Camp

    11 Reviews
    Livingston, MT
    12 miles

    "There are train tracks nearby, which wasn't necessarily negative for us since we live next to train tracks at home ."

    "It is close to the train track and you can see the trucks in the freeway."

    5. Grey Bear

    7 Reviews
    Big Timber, MT
    9 miles
    Website
    +1 (406) 444-2535

    "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."

    6. Big Timber-Greycliff KOA

    18 Reviews
    Greycliff, MT
    17 miles
    Website
    +1 (406) 932-6569

    "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."

    7. Big Rock

    6 Reviews
    Big Timber, MT
    12 miles
    Website
    +1 (406) 444-2535

    "Restroom is located here. Not far from town so for dinner or anything else you might have forgot."

    "Awesome location, 10 minutes from the expressway and on the river.  About a half dozen sites with a pit toilet that was stocked and clean.  "

    8. Boulder Forks

    2 Reviews
    Mcleod, MT
    0 miles
    Website
    +1 (406) 444-2535

    "Must have a montana conservation tag. Bring your own wood. Bring a water filter. Outhouse on site"

    9. Aspen Campground

    5 Reviews
    Mcleod, MT
    15 miles
    Website
    +1 (406) 932-5155

    "Montana is so beautiful and one of my favorite places to visit! I love that mountains are always surrounding you. This campsite was no different! Mountains everywhere!!"

    "My favorite part about camping here was the location, and the amount of activities nearby. There were a lot of great hikes along the way, some that were "easy" "moderate" and "difficult.""

    10. Big Beaver Campground

    5 Reviews
    Mcleod, MT
    14 miles
    Website
    +1 (406) 932-5155

    "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."

    "This is a beautiful little nook right on Ross Lake that you can either hike into or canoe into. If I remember correctly I believe it is about a 13 mile hike in. Requires a backcountry permit."

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Recent Reviews near Mcleod, MT

603 Reviews of 129 Mcleod Campgrounds


  • Caroline T.The Dyrt PRO User
    Oct. 2, 2025

    Hyalite Canyon Dispersed

    TENT CAMP ONLY - no drive in

    Came here looking to camp in our rooftop tent. These 3-4 camp spots are tent only because the spots are about a 5 minute walk into the woods and you cannot drive up. We unfortunately had to find camp elsewhere

  • Caroline T.The Dyrt PRO User
    Sep. 29, 2025

    Hyalite Canyon Dispersed - FS 1046

    Not what other reviews make it seem

    We came here looking for a dispersed site to camp in a rooftop tent. There was only about 3 spots all super unlevel, and seem somewhat sketchy. I didn’t feel safe camping here and we ended up going somewhere else. Not sure what these other reviews are talking about.

  • BThe Dyrt PRO User
    Sep. 28, 2025

    Hood Creek Campground

    Outstanding

    I had such a fantastic September stay at Hood Creek with gorgeous weather and peaceful views. Of all the sites only a few were undesirable with the vast majority being awesome. Signs posted this weekend that gate is closing for the season at 12:00PM 9/28/25. Never saw a forest service staff member or any representative for the recreation area this weekend. A massive bummer that boils my blood is I had no less than 5 nearby spots all reserved for multiple nights where nobody showed during the entire weekend while others strolled thru looking for a place to camp. Total garbage. Something has to improve on this because affluent people don’t give an ounce of care by booking and not using. The reservoir was nearly 25ft below full this time of year. Bathrooms were very clean but definitely stenchy. I believe that there was a water spigot there but wasn’t paying much attention to that. Overall just a tremendous place to spend a solid few days enjoying.

  • AThe Dyrt PRO User
    Sep. 27, 2025

    Fairy Lake Dispersed Camping

    Great spot!

    I towed my small camper up the mountain fairly easily, although this is by far the roughest road I’ve encountered so far. Not for the faint of heart! I saw a couple sprinter vans coming up but no other RV’s. There are a handful of spots to camp on the way up the mountain but I found one about 1/4 mile before the campground. There is sun, shade, a fire ring and 3 other neighboring sites. 2 of those sites aren’t very accessible by car but this site is big enough for multiple vehicles. It’s also walking distance to the Fairy Lake trailhead and to the lake itself, which is very popular on the weekends. Would absolutely stay here again. No bugs, no bear scat nearby, some traffic but still private.

  • MThe Dyrt PRO User
    Sep. 26, 2025

    Battle Ridge Campground

    Great for tents

    We found this spot to be lovely but don’t go up the mountain if you have an rv. We ended up at the dead end and we had to back down our 30 foot rv down the mountain. Lots of people living at this spot in the late fall so be aware of that. Cool spot but not big rig friendly passed the main turn in area.

  • HThe Dyrt PRO User
    Sep. 25, 2025

    Carbella Rec Site Camping

    “Go To” Campsite

    Our “go to” camping spot near Yellowstone NP. It is convenient to hwy but away from noise of traffic, near Yellowstone River. Winds consistent overnight but temps only down to 40°s. Hunters in several of the sites this time of year. Gravel road & parking, ample sites accommodate 2 vehicles + trailers or tents; but no privacy from other sites other than distance. Pit toilets appear to be serviced regularly.

  • TThe Dyrt PRO User
    Sep. 25, 2025

    Otter Creek Fishing Access Site

    Overnight stop

    Permit required if you look hard enough to notice. Pit toilet, no water, no electric, rock fire rings, several spots to set up, boat ramp. I was just passing through and needed a place to sleep for the night. It's a nice little spot with some great scenery. When I stayed, there were about 4 others there as well, all scattered about. It was quiet except for the train horn that woke me from my slumber a couple of times throughout the night. Nice little spot. Would stay again despite the train.

  • PThe Dyrt PRO User
    Sep. 23, 2025

    Soda Butte Campground

    Great Campground (RV and hard side only)

    There is a lot of bear activity (brown and black) so the grounds are hard sided only. No power, no dump. Trash, water and showers are available. There is a river that runs Long the campground. Most sites are semi-secluded.

  • AThe Dyrt PRO User
    Sep. 22, 2025

    Fairy Lake Campground

    Gorgeous Mountains and Crystal Clear Water

    The drive up is very rough, most vehicles I saw were Toyotas and Subarus. 4 Wheel drive is recommended, however I took my Ram Promaster 3500 Campervan up to the top where the campground is. The campground is a little higher up than the lake, but the Mountain View’s are worth not having a campsite directly on the water. There is a stream that runs through a few sites tho. Anyway it was beautiful and plenty of space between other sites, but there were people there all weekend long. The weekdays we were basically alone at the campground.


Guide to Mcleod

Camping near McLeod, Montana, offers a mix of stunning views, outdoor activities, and a chance to connect with nature. Whether you're looking for a peaceful retreat or an adventurous getaway, this area has something for everyone.

What to do:

  • Fishing: The Otter Creek Fishing Access Site is a great spot for fishing enthusiasts. One camper mentioned, "Going to sleep with the sound of rushing water 20 ft away from me. Beautiful, almost unbeatable spot."
  • Hiking: Explore the trails around Pine Creek Campground. A reviewer noted, "This is a lovely campground with abundant hiking."
  • Stargazing: Many campgrounds, like the Livingston/Paradise Valley KOA Holiday, offer clear skies perfect for stargazing. One visitor shared, "Great place to go stargazing."

What campers like:

  • Scenic Views: Campers rave about the beautiful surroundings. A review for Spring Creek Campground & Trout Ranch said, "Beautiful grounds with clean restrooms and showers along the river."
  • Quiet Atmosphere: Many appreciate the peacefulness of places like Mallard's Rest. One camper remarked, "Very clean and nice. Felt safe unlike another nearby site."
  • Friendly Staff: Campgrounds like Yellowstone Edge RV Park are known for their helpful staff. A visitor said, "The owners are so helpful and friendly."

What you should know:

  • Limited Amenities: Some sites, like Halfmoon Campground, have basic facilities. A camper noted, "Decent location...but the sites aren’t close enough to see the water."
  • Road Conditions: Access roads can be rough. A review for Pine Creek Campground mentioned, "The narrow road in is a white-knuckle challenge."
  • Crowded Weekends: Popular spots like Otter Creek Fishing Access Site can get busy. One camper warned, "You can hear the highway with big trucks passing by all night."

Tips for camping with families:

  • Choose Family-Friendly Sites: Look for campgrounds with amenities like picnic tables and fire pits. The Livingston/Paradise Valley KOA Holiday has a "little off-leash enclosed dog run" that kids can enjoy.
  • Plan for Activities: Make sure to have fishing gear or hiking supplies ready. A family at Spring Creek Campground & Trout Ranch enjoyed the "gorgeous view of the river."
  • Pack Snacks: Keep everyone happy with snacks for the campsite. One camper at Big Timber-Greycliff KOA mentioned, "The showers had plenty of hot water and great water pressure."

Tips from RVers:

  • Check Hookups: Ensure your chosen campground has the necessary hookups. The Yellowstone Edge RV Park offers "full hookups, nice clean bathrooms."
  • Be Prepared for Tight Spaces: Some campgrounds have limited space for RVs. A review for Spring Creek Campground & Trout Ranch noted, "The spots on the river were really tight."
  • Use GPS Wisely: Some areas can be tricky to navigate. A camper at Pine Creek Campground advised, "Followed our RV GPS right to the campground."

Camping near McLeod, Montana, is a fantastic way to enjoy the great outdoors, with plenty of options for families and RVers alike. Just remember to plan ahead and enjoy the beautiful scenery!

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.