Camping areas around Melville, Montana sit in the south-central part of the state at elevations between 3,800-4,600 feet. The region experiences warm summers with daytime temperatures reaching 85°F and cool nights dropping to the 40s, even in July and August. Most non-RV campgrounds in this area have limited cell service coverage, with signal strength decreasing rapidly outside of towns.
What to do
Fishing access points: The Yellowstone River provides multiple fishing opportunities at sites like Otter Creek Fishing Access Site, where campers can find "a nice stone fire ring on the River" and enjoy "beautiful views and quiet" surroundings.
Mountain hiking: The Crazy Mountains offer excellent trails near Halfmoon Campground. One visitor reports, "I hiked to Granite Lake (4mi) and it was hard but worth the effort for sure," while another mentions the area has "crystal clear mountain streams rushing down the mountain sides, waterfall after waterfall."
Prairie dog viewing: Several campgrounds are located near prairie dog habitats. At Mountain Range RV Park, a camper noted, "Be sure to stop by at Prairie Dog Town State Park (walkable distance from campground). It's simple but a cute place to watch prairie dogs and check out the local flora."
What campers like
Smaller town atmosphere: The region's small towns offer unique character. At Chief Joseph City Park, visitors appreciate that "This is one of the nicest small town parks I have ever experienced. The play area for children is five star. Rodeo grounds, volleyball net, soccer field are just a short walk from the campsites."
River proximity: Many campers value sites near the Yellowstone. A visitor to Otter Creek noted, "It's right along the Yellowstone river and so beautiful! Surrounded by mountains and peace and quiet. Arrived Friday late afternoon and they were half full."
Budget-friendly options: Free or low-cost camping is available. One camper at Halfmoon Campground mentioned, "The campground has many beautiful spots, especially on the backside south edge of the loop. The bathrooms were immaculately clean. There were a couple water pumps."
What you should know
Road conditions: Access to more remote sites requires preparation. For Halfmoon Campground, a visitor warned, "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."
Highway noise: Many RV parks Melville area travelers use are located near highways for convenience but bring noise. A Big Timber-Greycliff KOA visitor noted, "Only complaint is the sites are backed right up to the Highway. Would serve the park to build a wall or even just a tall wooden fence to help cover some of the road noise."
Seasonal bathroom availability: Facilities vary widely between sites. A visitor to Livingston RV Park & Campground reported, "Comfort station is decent for the men. My wife stated the women's smelled like cat pee. Small park next to I90."
Tips for camping with families
Playgrounds and activities: Some campgrounds offer excellent family amenities. A visitor to Big Timber-Greycliff KOA mentioned, "There was a nice playground, pool, enormous jumping pillow (I had never seen one before - this was definitely a treat, even for adults!) and a small dog run area."
City park camping options: Municipal parks can provide good family accommodations. At Chief Joseph City Park, "The bathrooms are clean and have flushing toilets. Showers are not available," and another visitor noted "Large new community playground adjacent to the RV sites."
Shade considerations: In summer heat, shade becomes critical. A Mountain Range RV Park camper mentioned, "The tent lawn is incredibly well shaded, with many small trees covering almost every inch in shade. This alone makes this site the best rv tent site I've ever stayed at."
Tips from RVers
Leveling and pad design: Site conditions matter for RV setup. At Old West RV Park, a visitor found "We had booked Site 4 online, and since this isn't a huge CG, it was easy to spot our long gravel pull-through with full hookups."
Walking distance amenities: Location relative to towns can enhance the experience. An Old West RV Park visitor noted, "While there isn't a designated dog area, there's some green space to walk your pup, and the town itself is charming and very walkable."
Electric-only options: Budget-conscious RVers have alternatives to full hookups. At Chief Joseph City Park, "It's $20 bucks a night with electric. No sewer or dump station. Water on site but not to RV pads. Level, asphalt pads are all pull-through and long enough for my truck and 32 foot 5th wheel."
