Best Campgrounds near Melville, MT
Camping in the Melville, Montana area centers around the Yellowstone River corridor and nearby Crazy Mountains, with multiple fishing access sites and established campgrounds within a 30-mile radius. Halfmoon Campground in the Crazy Mountains provides tent and RV sites with vault toilets in a forested setting, while riverside options include Otter Creek Fishing Access Site offering primitive camping directly along the Yellowstone River. Spring Creek Campground & Trout Ranch and Big Timber-Greycliff KOA provide more developed alternatives with cabin options for those seeking additional amenities in the Big Timber area.
Road conditions vary significantly throughout the region, particularly for remote sites like Halfmoon Campground. "The road in is gravel for about 16 miles with the last 4 having vehicle crawl. If you go more than 10 miles an hour in this section you will probably pop a tire and should definitely have 4x4 and high clearance," noted one camper about accessing the Crazy Mountains. Most fishing access sites maintain gravel access roads suitable for standard vehicles. Camping is generally available from April through October, though higher elevation sites like Halfmoon typically close earlier due to snowfall. Fishing access sites along the Yellowstone River typically limit stays to 7 days, while Forest Service campgrounds may allow longer stays. Cell service ranges from good at riverside locations near towns to minimal in mountain settings.
The Yellowstone River corridor provides excellent opportunities for anglers and water enthusiasts at multiple fishing access sites. Several visitors mentioned the peaceful riverside setting at Otter Creek as a highlight, with one noting "you can fall asleep to the sounds of the river rushing by." Campsites directly along the water tend to fill quickly during summer weekends. Mountain campsites like Halfmoon offer cooler temperatures and access to hiking trails, including routes to waterfalls and alpine lakes. The area experiences rapid weather changes, particularly in the mountains where afternoon thunderstorms are common during summer months. Most established campgrounds provide fire rings and picnic tables, while fishing access sites typically have more limited amenities but offer direct river access and open camping areas suitable for both tent and RV camping.
