Camping sites near Belgrade, Montana range from high-mountain sites requiring robust vehicles to accessible fairground parking options. Elevations vary from 4,500 feet in the valley to over 8,000 feet at mountain locations, creating temperature differences of 10-15°F between valley and mountain campsites. Many dispersed sites lack facilities but offer creek access and mountain views.
What to do
Soak in hot springs pools: Bozeman Hot Springs Campground & RV Park includes passes to multiple indoor and outdoor pools. "The hot springs access is what makes it worth the price. I soaked in the evening and early the next morning and both were relaxing. Live music was awesome for ambiance too," notes a camper who stayed in one of their cabins.
Hike mountain trails: Battle Ridge Campground provides access to multiple hiking paths. "Close to nice trails and fishing, clean bathrooms and fire pits. No water or power," explains a visitor. The campground is open from May 15 to September 15, providing a longer season than some higher-elevation options.
Visit working farms: Unique camping experiences near Belgrade include farm stays where visitors interact with livestock. "We loved this place nestled in the valley about 30 minutes outside of Bozeman. Not only did we have spectacular views of the mountains but we loved seeing the farm animals (cows, sheep, llama, chickens)," shares a family that camped at a local farm.
What campers like
Creek-side camping: Hyalite Canyon Dispersed offers free sites along water. "Dispersed camping all along a pass through the canyon. Very remote and private. I drove up the mountain a ways and found a perfect spot to set up. It's close to the road but obscured in view, and not many drivers passing by at all," explains a camper who appreciated the privacy.
Historical significance: Missouri Headwaters State Park Campground provides camping at the birthplace of the Missouri River. "The area is scenic, peaceful, and full of history with several short walking trails along the water and through the park," notes a visitor. The $6 firewood bundles are delivered directly to campsites upon request.
Mountain views: Many campers mention the panoramic scenery as a highlight. "Battle Ridge is the perfect spot for a weekend getaway quiet and clean!! Site 1 on the top of the hill has an incredible view of the valley," reports one visitor. Campsites at higher elevations typically offer the most expansive vistas but require navigating rougher roads.
What you should know
Train noise: Several campgrounds near Belgrade experience railroad disturbances. "Nice looking campground. Helpful staff. Very clean. Good showers. All of this said, I am writing this in the middle of the night because I am awake due to another train," reports a visitor at Bear Canyon Campground, describing a common issue at valley locations.
Road conditions: Mountain access varies dramatically. "The drive up is very rough, most vehicles I saw were Toyotas and Subarus. 4 Wheel drive is recommended, however I took my Ram Promaster 3500 Campervan up to the top where the campground is," explains a visitor to Fairy Lake Campground.
Mosquito pressure: Insects can be intense at certain locations. "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," advises a Missouri Headwaters camper. Sites near rivers or lakes typically experience the most mosquito activity.
Tips for camping with families
Pool access: Choose campgrounds with water features for children. "We enjoyed how quiet and relaxing it was. The staff was super polite and helpful and answered any questions we had about the surrounding areas," notes a visitor at Missouri Headwaters, which offers river access for supervised swimming.
Animal encounters: Serenity Sheep Farm Stay offers unique experiences for children. "We loved staying here. The kids enjoyed the animals. There is a nice fire pit that made for a gathering spot for the other few campers," explains a family who appreciated the interactive environment.
Wildlife awareness: Prepare children for possible animal sightings. "For sure there is 1 grizzly that's pretty big. He checked out our truck tent. Mountain Goats will come in your camp and they will do what goats do and want to check you out. They are not scared," warns a Fairy Lake visitor, underscoring the importance of proper food storage.
Tips from RVers
Fairground options: Gallatin County Fairgrounds Campground provides urban camping with hookups. "I was torn between 3 or 4 stars since there are no bathrooms, but it is right in Bozeman and there are not many places to stay. There is electric if needed," explains an RVer who stayed there.
Elevation considerations: Higher campgrounds require careful vehicle assessment. "We ended up at the dead end and we had to back down our 30 foot rv down the mountain. Lots of people living at this spot in the late fall so be aware of that. Cool spot but not big rig friendly passed the main turn in area," cautions an RV owner about Battle Ridge.
Site spacing: RV sites vary dramatically in width and privacy. "The sites are close and if you're in a 'B' spot be prepared to need a longer electrical cord as you share a post with the other spot," notes a visitor to Gallatin County Fairgrounds, contrasting with more spacious options at some forest service campgrounds.
