Camping spots near Miles City, Montana sit within the prairie landscapes of southeastern Montana at approximately 2,350 feet elevation. The region experiences dramatic seasonal temperature variations, with summer highs regularly exceeding 90°F and winter lows dropping well below freezing. Most camping areas provide access to the Yellowstone River watershed, offering opportunities for fishing, boating, and wildlife viewing throughout the camping season.
What to do
Yellowstone River fishing: 5-15 minutes from most Miles City campgrounds provides access to walleye fishing. At Rosebud East Fishing Access Site, campers report successful catches: "We ate walleye 3 nights in a row. We had the choice of electric hookup spots or not.. $5. extra for the power, totally worth it!"
Rock collecting: No permit required along riverbanks at several sites. Visitors to Twelve Mile Dam Fishing Access enjoy "swimming, fishing, and rock collecting. Campground was clean and shaded, with potable water, a pit toilet, and trash cans."
Stargazing: Best on clear nights away from town lights. The Strawberry Hill Recreation Area Dispersed Camping offers "Picturesque and Wild" camping where "Views were beautiful and stargazing was awesome top tier."
Swimming opportunities: Check water conditions before entering as currents can be strong. At Far West Fishing Access Site, some sites are "alongside a pond, where I have seen people swimming. There is a short hiking trail to the river."
What campers like
Privacy and space: Many camping areas offer well-spaced sites. One camper at Far West notes: "Flat camping sites, mostly pull thru, with fire rings, picnic tables. Campground is free and open all year. Some sites are alongside a pond."
River proximity: Most sites provide quick access to water. At BLM Mathews Recreation Area, visitors appreciate the "Nice scenic location by the river side with boat access."
Clean facilities: Many campgrounds maintain good standards despite being primitive. A Twelve Mile Dam camper mentioned: "The 2 vault toilets were always clean & stocked. Lawn was mowed while here and everyone was respectful of each other's space."
Shade availability: Several campgrounds offer tree cover, important during hot summers. One visitor to Bonfield FAS noted: "There is only 2 designated sites with picnic tables and fire rings. One of the spots is well shaded with trees serving as a wind break."
What you should know
Train noise: Railroad tracks run near several campgrounds. A Rosebud East camper warns: "There's a train that passes by about 5 times throughout the night. It's about 6 blocks away- but still very noticeable. However- this is a problem for almost every campground in the area."
Access road conditions: Some dispersed sites require appropriate vehicles. At Strawberry Hill, "Primitive style camping with a rough road leading to potential site. Definitely need AWD or 4WD. Be wary of broken glass at sites."
Seasonal bugs: Summer brings insects at many locations. A visitor to Big Sky Campground & RV Park noted: "The flies are absolutely horrible since there is a pasture and has cows and goats right next to the camp."
Cell service availability: Coverage varies by location and carrier. At Twelve Mile Dam, campers report "2-3 bars of LTE via AT&T" while Far West visitors mention "good connection with Verizon here."
Tips for camping with families
Playground access: Some campgrounds offer child-friendly features. At Miles City KOA, a family enjoyed "a great little heated pool, playground and dog park... super clean bathrooms and a great communal pavilion with grills to use."
Accessible paths: Several sites accommodate strollers or mobility devices. BLM Mathews Recreation Area offers "Handicap accessible with concrete walks for easy mobility."
Wind protection: Choose sheltered sites when possible. At Bonfield FAS, "One of the spots is well shaded with trees serving as a wind break. The other site is completely in the open."
Local attractions: Plan day trips to nearby points of interest. Miles City KOA is "Walking distance to downtown and to the Yellowstone river. The staff is extremely friendly and helpful."
Tips from RVers
Bridge clearance awareness: Know your RV height before arrival. Kelly N. at Miles City KOA advises: "Pay attention to the directions given to get into the campground as there is an 11' clearance bridge in town."
Site size limitations: Not all areas accommodate large rigs. Regarding Strawberry Hill, one RVer notes: "I pulled off at the second camping spot. There was a bit of a slope but not too bad for the van. It's an okay spot for small class C and smaller."
Hookup availability: Most primitive sites lack utilities. At Twelve Mile Dam, "There's 2 designated camping sites and also a handicap accessible toilet, with separate camp site with a view of the of the dam."
Gate access: Some sites require manual gate operation. A camper at Rosebud East mentioned: "You can come in late- they don't lock the gates at night BUT YOU DO HAVE TO OPEN THE GATE YOURSELF."
Turnaround space: Check campground layouts when bringing larger vehicles. At Bonfield FAS, "The road getting in there is pretty rough, some areas of wash out ruts, so you'll need some clearance. Also, there is a very narrow bridge, so oversized vehicles are a no go."
