Dispersed camping and equestrian sites near Nye, Montana provide access to the Beartooth Mountains and extensive national forest trail systems. The area sits at elevations between 5,000-7,000 feet with typical summer temperatures ranging from 45-80°F. Weather conditions can change rapidly, with afternoon thunderstorms common during July and August.
What to do
Trail riding from established corrals: At Emerald Lake Campground, riders can access multiple forest service trails. "The lakes around the campground are amazing for fishing and any other light water sports. I mostly fly fish and the streams feeding the lakes are great to fish," notes Rayne M.
Fishing at stocked lakes: Lakes in the area offer multiple fish species. "Fish of all types from whitefish to brown and rainbow trout," says one Emerald Lake visitor. The Mystic Lake trailhead is approximately one mile from Emerald Lake Campground.
Overnight trail riding: Plan multi-day rides between cabins in the area. At West Bridger Cabin, riders often "rent the two cabins often, park at the lower cabin and ride our horses up to the Deer Creek cabin and stay." The trail between these locations allows for loop routes.
What campers like
Mountain views and night skies: The elevated terrain provides excellent stargazing. At Halfmoon Campground, campers enjoy "breathtaking: sharp peaks that rise upwards of 7,000 ft in elevation, crystal clear mountain streams rushing down the mountain sides, waterfall after waterfall."
Riverside camping options: Several sites offer water access. At Pig Farm Fishing Access, visitors enjoy "a great ramp for launching boats or kayaks or fishing from. Yellowstone on one side and beautiful mountains on the other and it's free!"
Temperature relief: Higher elevation camping provides respite from summer heat. At Emerald Lake, one camper noted, "It rained a few of the days, but it was nice to get out of the heat in town. We still got to try out our new paddle boards on the lake."
What you should know
Road access limitations: Many horse-friendly campgrounds have challenging access roads. At Eagle Creek Campground, "Getting to the campground requires a steep 2 mile drive which the road recommends 4 wheel drive for to help with the incline and to prevent washboard."
Reservation requirements: Most cabins require advance planning. Meyers Creek Cabin fills quickly each season, so "if you're planning a trip you need to plan and Reserve this cabin in advance as it goes really fast every year."
Temperature fluctuations: Be prepared for cold nights even in summer. At West Bridger Cabin, one visitor noted, "The cabin is quite drafty and we struggled to keep it warm. We pinned a sheet up in the doorway to keep the heat contained in the sleeping area."
Tips for camping with families
Water activities for kids: Several lakes in the area are family-friendly. A visitor at Emerald Lake shared, "The lake isn't very deep so it's great for paddle boards, kayaks and fishing. The campground was clean."
Campsite selection strategy: For family stays, arrive early to secure preferred sites. At West Boulder Trailhead and Campground, "Some sites had amenities and some didn't... Some sites had full sun, and some sites shade. The backdrop of the mountains is just beautiful."
Wildlife viewing opportunities: Introduce children to wildlife safely. Halfmoon Campground visitors note, "Black bear and Moose are frequent visitors," making it important to use provided bear boxes and practice proper food storage.
Tips from RVers
Size limitations for horse trailers: Most horse campgrounds restrict larger rigs. West Bridger Cabin "is a bit of a tight squeeze to get a big horse trailer in there I would not recommend anything much over 30 feet."
Utility considerations: Many horse campgrounds have limited hookups. At Pig Farm Fishing Access, the sites are "completely self-contained BLM land and since it's a fishing access spot stays are limited to 7 days."
Leveling challenges: Many sites require careful positioning. One visitor at Pig Farm noted, "I found it easy enough to find a level spot where I could leave my little camper connected to the TV. Plenty of space."
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