Lewis and Clark Caverns State Park campground offers diverse camping options including tipis and yurt camping near Pony, Montana. The campground features flat, spacious sites with scattered trees providing partial shade. Campsites include amenities for various camping preferences, with well-maintained facilities and access to educational programs like the Cub Ranger program for children. The surrounding recreation areas provide multiple outdoor activities within a short driving distance, making this region popular for both overnight stays and extended vacations.
What to do
Explore cave systems: Lewis & Clark Caverns State Park provides guided tours through limestone formations, requiring moderate physical ability. One visitor noted, "You will have to use all your jack stands to combat the slope of our site (P007). Others looked much more level," indicating the terrain can be challenging but manageable at Lewis & Clark Caverns State Park.
Paddle on Hyalite Reservoir: About an hour's drive from Pony, this scenic water destination offers spectacular mountain views. A camper shared, "Bring your favorite watercraft or floaty, because you'll want to go out onto the water to explore, taking in the fantastic scenery" at Hood Creek Campground.
Rock climbing: Red Cliff features bolted sport routes ranging from beginner to advanced levels. "The Cliffs themselves are developed for rock climbing with bolted sport routes from 5.6 up to 5.11 and 5.12," reports a regular visitor to the area.
Historic exploration: Visit the headwaters of the Missouri River where Lewis and Clark camped in 1805. A camper explained, "You can see how Lewis and Clark traveled up the Missouri by checking out the dug out canoe that can be found at the entrance of the campground" at Missouri Headwaters State Park.
What campers like
Wildlife viewing: Deer frequently visit campsites after dark in this region. A camper at Missouri Headwaters noted, "Seen the headwaters of the Missouri River in the evening were absolutely spectacular," highlighting the natural beauty that extends beyond yurt camping in Pony, Montana.
Clean facilities: Campgrounds in the area maintain high standards. "The campground was very clean. The camp hosts were helpful and friendly. It is well-maintained and clean," reported a visitor to Missouri Headwaters State Park.
Lake access: Many sites offer direct water access for recreation. At Delmoe Lake, a camper mentioned, "Camp sites are fairly spread out, there's room for RVs if that's your style. Boat launch available for easy access and a large enough parking lot to park your trailer."
Quiet atmosphere: Despite proximity to popular attractions, many campsites provide peaceful settings. A camper at Spire Rock shared, "Small and quiet campground located in between Big Sky and Bozeman. Camp hosts were very nice and made sure to go over bear safety thoroughly."
What you should know
Bear awareness: This is grizzly country with bears occasionally moving through campgrounds. At Spire Rock Campground, "The camp host really stressed being bear aware, as this is grizzly country and he said they definitely do come through the camp on occasion. So have your bear spray ready."
Seasonal limitations: Many campgrounds operate from May through September. Three Forks KOA is open "May 21 - Sep 30," while Red Cliff Campground operates "May 15 to September 15."
Reservations recommended: Popular sites fill quickly, especially during summer months. A Hood Creek visitor advised, "This campground books up super fast, so plan out your trip well in advance and book it as soon as you can!"
Varied terrain: Campsite quality varies widely within the same campground. At Lewis & Clark Caverns, a camper noted, "Had to use all our jack stands to combat the slope of our site (P007). Others looked much more level."
Mosquito presence: Some sites experience significant insect activity. A Missouri Headwaters visitor warned, "When the sun sets in June and July the mosquitos will come out. They are quite nasty but an hour after sunset they are gone, having a campfire going helps too."
Tips for camping with families
Educational programs: Several parks offer junior ranger activities for children. At Lewis & Clark Caverns State Park, a visitor highlighted, "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: Multiple campgrounds feature play areas for kids. A camper at Lewis & Clark Caverns stated, "We camped here with a group of families and the playground was nice for the kids. There aren't many trees and the land is flat but we were able to really keep a decent eye of the kids running around because of it."
Swimming opportunities: Several campgrounds offer swimming access during summer months. At Three Forks KOA Journey, visitors noted the "Pet friendly" atmosphere and "decent playground" that complement the family-friendly environment near yurt and tipi camping options.
Group camping: Hood Creek Campground accommodates larger family gatherings. A visitor explained, "The group camp site sits off to the side of most of the individual sites and it's right on the reservoir. We camped with nine other families and a plethora of kids between us."
Tips from RVers
Electric hookup locations: Only certain campgrounds offer electric sites. At Red Cliff Campground, "Sights 1-26 have electric, and all sights feel private. The website says first come, first serve, although many sites had a reservation tag."
Leveling challenges: Many sites require significant leveling. A camper at Lewis & Clark Caverns mentioned, "Had to use all our jack stands to combat the slope of our site (P007). Others looked much more level."
Limited dump facilities: Plan waste management carefully. A Red Cliff visitor noted, "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."
Smaller campgrounds with full hookups: For those seeking more comfortable accommodations beyond yurt camping near Pony, Montana, Ruby Valley Campground offers complete services. A visitor shared, "Wonderfully friendly and accommodating staff. Very clean inside and out. Close proximity to Virginia and Nevada cities. Obviously a former KOA with all the accompanying amenities, but slightly lower price."
