The Norris area sits at the convergence of the Madison and Gallatin valleys, at approximately 4,900 feet elevation in southwest Montana. Seasonal temperatures vary dramatically, with winter lows routinely reaching below zero and summer highs averaging in the 80s. The region's geography creates diverse camping opportunities from riverside settings to mountain forests, with multiple access points to waterways including the Madison, Jefferson, and Gallatin Rivers.
What to do
Hiking in Hyalite Canyon: 15 miles from Bozeman, Hood Creek Campground provides direct access to multiple trail systems. A camper noted, "Lots of trailheads near the campgrounds" and "a short walk up and into the mountain you can tour the caverns."
Rock climbing: Red Cliff Campground features developed sport routes for climbers of various skill levels. "The Cliffs themselves are developed for rock climbing with bolted sport routes from 5.6 up to 5.11 and 5.12," mentions one visitor to Red Cliff Campground.
Water activities: The area offers multiple lake and river options for paddling, fishing, and swimming. At Hood Creek Campground, visitors appreciate the easy water access: "I had a little rocky beach below my site down a steep hill, and it looked like a couple other sites had similar."
Historical exploration: Visit where Lewis and Clark camped at the Missouri Headwaters. "Experience Camping near where Captains Meriwether Lewis and William Clark and the Corps of Discovery camped at the headwaters of the Missouri river in 1805," explains a camper at Missouri Headwaters State Park.
What campers like
Peaceful waterfront settings: Many campgrounds feature sites directly on water. At Missouri Headwaters State Park, a visitor shared: "Seen the headwaters of the Missouri River in the evening were absolutely spectacular."
Clean facilities: Campground hosts maintain sites well throughout the season. At Three Forks KOA Journey, a camper reported: "Super friendly staff. Sites are shady unless you have a big rig - that area does not have shade. Decent dog park. Decent playground."
Wildlife viewing: The region offers opportunities to observe native species. "Deer visited camp at night!" reported one camper at Lewis & Clark Caverns State Park, while others mentioned seeing tracks of various animals along riverbanks.
Spacious campsites: Spire Rock Campground offers well-separated sites for privacy. "We had a great experience! We took our whole family, multiple tents, and dogs. We were in one of the group sites (#2) with creek access in our site it was perfect."
What you should know
Seasonal considerations: Many campgrounds operate only during summer months. "The gate is closing for the season at 12:00PM 9/28/25," noted a late-season visitor to Delmoe Lake.
Bear safety protocols: Bear-proof storage is required by law in many locations. At Langohr Campground, "This is bear territory so all food must be locked in a car or the provided bear proof lockers provided."
Winter access challenges: Some areas require special transportation in winter. At Spanish Creek Cabin, winter visitors need to plan accordingly: "4 mile ski in from the gate with some gentle up and down grades, traveling on an unplowed road."
Reservation requirements: Popular sites book quickly, especially in high season. "This campground books up super fast, so plan out your trip well in advance and book it as soon as you can!" advised a Hood Creek visitor.
Weather variability: Even summer months can bring unexpected conditions. A Spire Rock camper mentioned: "We visited mid May 2021, it snowed overnight so it was a bit freezing, but otherwise such a beautiful stay."
Tips for camping with families
Kid-friendly activities: Lewis & Clark Caverns State Park offers special programs for children. "Did you know you can print out a packet for your little ones to become Cub Rangers at this State Park? There are great amenities for both camping and RV's with a child's playground located on the camp."
Playground access: Several campgrounds feature play equipment. At Three Forks KOA Journey, a visitor mentioned: "Very family friendly. Park for children. Great walking paths. Fire pit accessible."
Water play opportunities: Children enjoy creating their own fun at creek-side sites. "Kids play in creek and build rock dams," noted a visitor to Langohr Campground.
Educational components: Historical sites provide learning opportunities. At Missouri Headwaters, "Historical signs about the Corps of Discovers stay at the headwaters of the Missouri and their journey are located through out the park."
Tips from RVers
Site leveling needs: Prepare for uneven terrain at some campgrounds. At Three Forks KOA Journey, an RVer noted: "Had to use all our jack stands to combat the slope of our site (P007). Others looked much more level."
Hookup availability: Electric services vary between campgrounds. At Red Cliff Campground, "This time, we camped in the section right along the river with electric hookups—such a great spot. Water is available at nearby spigots."
Road condition warnings: Access roads to some campgrounds require careful driving. Regarding Spire Rock, a camper warned: "The dirt road was so pockmarked we had to turn w... Our campervan felt like it was going to tip over because of the ruts."
Dump station locations: Plan ahead for waste disposal. "Fresh water is available but note that there is no grey water dump in Big Sky, so you'll need to drive on to West Yellowstone or north," advised a camper at Red Cliff.
