Tent camping opportunities near Pompeys Pillar, Montana concentrate along the Yellowstone River corridor. The area sits at approximately 3,000 feet elevation with a semi-arid climate featuring hot summers and cold winters. Most sites lack facilities, requiring campers to bring all necessities including water, food, and waste disposal solutions.
What to do
Hiking the island trail: At Myers Bridge, a 1.5-mile trail circles the island, offering walking opportunities amid rock-strewn terrain. "People take boats in and out at differing hours so there is some traffic, but is fairly quiet except for the train whistles which I enjoy but some may not," notes reviewer Patti J.
Horseback riding exploration: The terrain near Pompeys Pillar provides diverse riding conditions for equestrians. The landscape features varied topography suitable for training horses. "This is actually a fantastic place to ride Young Horses. There are huge Open Fields. There are also a lot of sandstone Cliffs and deep gullies a very big good assortment of varied Terrain to teach young horses for trail riding," explains Kathi F.
Yellowstone River fishing: The fishing access sites provide anglers with prime river access points. At Two Leggins, visitors find "a toilet and boat ramp" though campers should note that there are restrictions as "no fires or propane stove use" are permitted according to Kandi.
What campers like
Riverside solitude: The secluded nature of these fishing access sites appeals to those seeking quiet camping experiences. At Mallards Landing, Charles O. appreciated the "riverside camping quiet beautiful view" and noted that "other places along the river had too many people for my liking."
Historical connections: The cultural significance of the area draws history enthusiasts. The Lewis and Clark expedition left physical evidence of their journey here. Lindsay B. considers Pompeys Pillar "a really cool Montana treasure" noting that "Lewis and Clark signed the sandstone here and its the only location of its kind."
Boondocking opportunities: For self-sufficient campers, these sites provide basic accommodations with minimal infrastructure. At Myers Bridge FAS, Patti J. found that "it's a good place to boondock. No services. A couple of fire pits. The pit toilet is far from the camping, so don't rely on it."
What you should know
Limited facilities: Most sites require complete self-sufficiency. At Grant Marsh, Steve M. described finding "only one Vault toilet and a couple of garbage cans in one locale. No cellular service whatsoever."
Access challenges: Roads to many sites can be problematic for larger vehicles or during wet conditions. Kathi F. warns about Pompeys Pillar access: "The road getting there is horrible it's very washboard and the going is very slow. I do not recommend it for any kind of RV or camp trailer."
Safety considerations: Some locations have safety concerns after dark. Kelly Z. plainly states about Two Leggins: "Nice place to fish. Not a place to spend the night. Too many bad things happen here at night."
Tips for camping with families
Recreation spaces: Some sites feature open areas suitable for group activities. At Afterbay, Sasha W. found that "within the campground there is a large grass area where people were playing horseshoes, volleyball and spike ball. My family and I enjoyed hanging out in this area, throwing a frisbee around with our dog."
Bug preparation: Summer months bring significant insect activity. Melani T. advises Afterbay visitors that there are "lots of bugs and mosquitos during the summer so I'd recommend good mosquito spray."
Water planning: No drinking water exists at these sites, requiring advance preparation. Charles O. at Mallards Landing experienced this firsthand, noting his dog could "Rome" around but he "did have Bug issues."
Tips from RVers
Size restrictions: Larger RVs face significant limitations at most sites. At Grant Marsh FAS, Steve M. noted "Only about seven or eight pull in sights and not very large. I have a 28 ft total length and there were only one or two spots that would work."
Shade limitations: Most sites lack natural shade for parking areas. At Mallards Landing, Kandi observed that "There's only one campsite with shade and it looks like you need a 4x4 to get in there. The shaded spot is quite a distance from the toilet."
Dispersed site navigation: Many locations lack formal site designation. Nick at Grant Marsh found "Not a lot of marked camping spots" though it was overall "a nice little place to stay."
