Camping sites near Pryor, Montana range from simple fishing access areas to fully-equipped RV parks. Located in the rain shadow of the Pryor Mountains, this area receives only 15-20 inches of precipitation annually, creating a semi-arid climate that contrasts with nearby mountain terrain. Summer temperatures frequently reach 90-95°F between June and August, while spring camping often requires preparation for sudden temperature drops and thunderstorms.
What to do
Fishing access points: Itch-Kep-Pe Park in Columbus offers free camping alongside the Yellowstone River. "We pulled in as evening was coming on, and got one of the last of the spread-out, fairly flat sites. Although near the road, we were also near the river (site 29), and could not hear road noise much above the river water's beautiful noise," reports one camper.
Explore canyon terrain: Horseshoe Bend Campground provides access to Bighorn Canyon National Recreation Area. "Beautiful campground with amazing views of the canyons. No trees so no shade, luckily we arrived in the early evening so temps weren't as hot. Sky is very, very dark and you can see so much on a clear night. Great for anybody with an astronomy hobby," notes a visitor.
Kayaking and boating: Afterbay Campground offers water access with camping options. "The site also has a fishing dock with a small ramp to access the river with," explains a camper, while another mentions they "did some kayaking" during their stay.
What campers like
Small-town proximity: Bridger City Campground provides full hookups close to town. "Great value at $20 a night for full hook ups. It's very tight with the big rigs of today, though has easy pull thru sites. Not a place to lounge about the campsite. Great central location to explore the area," shares one reviewer.
Wildlife viewing: Trail Creek/Barry's Landing in Bighorn Canyon offers opportunities to see local wildlife. "This campground is beautiful! And affordable! And provides wonderful hiking and boating opportunities with amazing views in walking distance from the sites. There weren't any bugs. The spots were spacious," reports a camper.
Affordability: Many camping options offer reasonable rates compared to other tourist areas. At Itch-Kep-Pe Park, campers appreciate that "this is a free campsite on the river. Lots of site available but pretty busy. It was windy while we were here and that caused quite a bit of dust to blow through all the campsites."
What you should know
Road conditions: Access to some campgrounds requires careful planning. At Sage Creek Campground, "if you travel through Bridger MT, then you have to travel several miles through private land that is very rutted out. If it rained you have to be in a jacked up 4x4 to get through."
Limited cell coverage: Many camping areas have minimal or no cellular service. One camper at Trail Creek/Barry's Landing warns, "Be warned: ZERO cell signal. I mean none at all. But that's my favorite part! It is so peaceful and beautiful! Clean camping areas without any frills."
Heat management: Most campgrounds in the region have limited shade. At Horseshoe Bend, a camper explains, "This campground is very flat! There's no shade, so be prepared to be hot. We stayed two nights. The first night got chilly at night but was perfect. The second night was incredibly windy so we couldn't have a fire."
Tips for camping with families
Playground access: Cooney State Park includes child-friendly amenities. "This campground does have a boat ramp, a play structure for the kids and a fish cleaning station," notes one reviewer.
Swimming options: Yellowstone River RV Park & Campground offers recreational facilities for children. "Kids loved the pool. Bathrooms are single person and locked/gated. Sites are closer together but roomy," mentions a family visitor.
Wildlife education: Turn animal sightings into learning opportunities. At Horseshoe Bend Campground, campers report hearing "coyotes our first night" while others mention seeing "two bucks stroll within 30 yards of the tent area" at Yellowstone River RV Park.
Tips from RVers
Dump station availability: Billings KOA Holiday offers full-service options. One camper reports, "We have stayed here 2 times. Both times we have had exceptional service by these people! Sites are what you would expect for a KOA."
Site selection strategy: When camping at Yellowstone River RV Park, consider site locations carefully. "Very quiet park. The staff were all friendly, gave us a late check out with no problem. Pretty nature walk down to the river. We are newbies to RV life but overall we had no complaints," notes a recent visitor.
Electrical hookups: RV sites with power connections are available at multiple locations, but specifications vary. At Bridger City Campground, there are "6 pull-through campsites on grass pads with partial shade" featuring full hookups, while Yellowstone River RV Park offers "big tree cover" and sites that are "closer together but roomy."
