Whether you're a tent camper, an RVer, or just passing through, Cooke City, MT has a lot to offer. There are tons of hikes and other fun activities to partake in. Experience some of the most stunning views that Montana camping has to offer. At The Dyrt, campers like you share their favorite spots, plus tips and photos. No matter where you're headed in Cooke City, you'll find the best spot for you and your camping crew.
"The road is easy to miss, just a little dirt road off the left side of the road coming out of the NE entrance of Yellowstone 10 minutes passed Cooke city."
"Several spots just off Beartooth highway from Joseph Highway west to the Montana boarder. Most turnoffs have places for three or four different groups to camp. Some with bear boxes and some without."
$4 - $20 / night
"Colter is the best USFS campground near Cooke City. The bathrooms are clean and very well kept with hand sanitizer and welcome mats. First come is a plus for local folks."
"A little pricey at $20 but very close to Cooke City and Lamar Valley in Yellowstone. No cell service with Verizon."
"Near the town of Cooke City. Great campground with plenty of space. Bear an off-road trail. Grizzly bear country. Cooke City was great little restaurants."
"We slept in the car and put our coolers and bins in the Bear box next to the site. The campground was full of campers and wasn't too bad with the generators."
"We made the mistake of taking our TT down to the lake but missed the right turn going to the campground loop, wound up stuck at the boat launch area. DON'T make the same mistake we did."
"Take a gravel road to Lily Lake off the southern end of Beartooth Hwy."
"This site was quiet the night we stayed here and had good views of the surrounding mountains but there was a few excavating machines near the site."
"The camp sites are scattered throughout the trails and are not close to each other. They are easy to spot and not to bad to get to."
"There is no dump station here, and the closest is quite a drive, so RV's need to be prepared to haul out black water."
"We entered Yellowstone through the Northeast from Silver Gate Montana to avoid traffic and locate a smaller campground. Pebble Creek was great for tent camping."
"Three have bear boxes and are right by a hiking trail. Add to this the beautiful mountains, ease of access to Yellowstone or Red Lodge, and a clean vault toilet and we would stay again."
$8 / night
"We had to get away from our reservations at big moose because of terrible conditions. We called at 6:00 at night and they brought us in. Showers were clean. Nice river on the side. Staff was great"
"Crazy Creek Campground is a nice wooded campground near the North East entrance to Yellowstone National Park. "
"Nice, clean, about 20 sites not too close to each other with picnic tables, fire rings, food storage boxes, and vault toilets."
"The campground is very clean, with access to water and vault toilets that are well maintained (honestly the only vault toilet I haven't dreaded going into)."
TravelerBeautiful campground with kind staff and wonderful patrons. Be prepared to be close to your neighbors. A lovely place - would visit again!
TravelerVery quiet and easy to get to
GuideGorgeous mountain lake, but the campsites are not lake side. It's still a nice campground. The lake is crystal clear and beautiful. No bugs either.
GuideNice quiet spot we found, #3, next to a creek. Includes bear box, picnic table, fire pit, and close by a clean pit toilet. This is just outside of Red Lodge, MT.
GuideWe felt so lucky to get a spot with a couple of days advance notice for Yellowstone National Park. The campground was serene, beautiful, and remote. We did not have a cell signal, but Starlink worked great in our campsite. We even had a fox visit our site, but it was a little too clean for him or her to find a reason to stay. The camp rangers and hosts were very nice.
TravelerWe came in around 5 PM & managed to find a beautiful spot. The views are gorgeous & it was so incredibly quiet. Exactly what we were looking for. The roads are quite twisty, but we were able to haul our travel trailer and truck up no problem.
My only complaint was someone parked in a huge spot with a small car when there were several similar spots close by that would’ve fit their car much better & allowed the larger space for larger vehicles. Those same people left food trash in the fire pit the next morning & with this being grizzly country, that’s just about the number one rule not to do. I hope that people like that don’t ruin it for everyone.
TravelerI grew up visiting the Beartooth Mountains every year, but never actually camped there until last weekend and I'm mad I didn't do it sooner. The campground is very clean, with access to water and vault toilets that are well maintained (honestly the only vault toilet I haven't dreaded going into). It was nearly full when my friend and I went and it still felt like we had privacy. There is a creek that runs behind the site we were at which was perfect - we just used my Sawyer squeeze filter with that water and it tasted amazing. The lake was great as well. We brought our kayaks and made a loop around half of the lake. It was absolutely gorgeous and we will definitely be going again! We went labor day weekend and it got down to 29°F at night so bring appropriate gear.
TravelerFeel that it is a bit safer to be in a camp than somewhere else... Just couple of sites, pit toilets, host onsite and that's it. For 15 $. and yea, no at&t like in the Yellowstone
GuideThere's some road traffic since you're on the main road however, late at night you'll hear the river and you'll wake up in the morning to elk. There's a gas station up the road if you need to use the restroom.
Camping near Cooke City, Montana, offers a fantastic escape into nature with stunning views and plenty of outdoor activities. Whether you're looking for a peaceful retreat or an adventure-filled getaway, this area has something for everyone.
Camping near Cooke City, Montana, is a great way to enjoy the great outdoors, with plenty of options for families and RVers alike. Whether you're looking for a quiet spot or a base for exploring Yellowstone, you'll find it here.
Frequently Asked Questions
When is the best time of year to camp in Cooke City?
Summer (mid-June through early September) is prime camping season in Cooke City when temperatures are mild and access is easiest. The area sits at approximately 6,500 feet elevation, making it a refreshing escape from summer heat. Hunter Peak campground offers dramatic scenery during this perfect summer window. Late spring (late May to early June) can be beautiful but expect some facilities to be limited as they open seasonally. Crazy Creek campground provides excellent access to both Yellowstone and the Beartooths during summer months, with spectacular sunset views of Pilot Peak. Fall brings vibrant colors but increasingly cold nights, while winter camping is extremely challenging due to heavy snowfall and limited access.
Where are the best campgrounds near Cooke City, MT?
Cooke City offers excellent camping options in the Yellowstone region. Colter Campground stands out as the best USFS campground near town with clean facilities, helpful hosts, and level sites with good privacy. It's first-come, first-served and conveniently close to town. Soda Butte Campground is another great option with spacious sites near an off-road trail, though campers should note it's in grizzly bear country. For those seeking spectacular mountain views, several campgrounds along the Beartooth Highway offer scenic settings. If you prefer dispersed camping, options are available just minutes outside town off the Beartooth Scenic Byway.
Is the Colter Campground in Cooke City a good option for families?
Yes, Colter Campground is an excellent option for families visiting Cooke City. The campground features clean, well-maintained vault toilets with thoughtful touches like hand sanitizer and even decorative painted walls. The camp hosts are known for being exceptionally helpful and attentive, creating a welcoming atmosphere for all ages. Sites are level with good privacy between them, making it comfortable for family camping. While the $20 nightly fee might seem a bit high for a forest service campground, the quality of maintenance and proximity to town amenities make it worthwhile. The campground operates on a first-come, first-served basis, which can be convenient for families with flexible schedules looking to camp near Cooke City.
What RV camping options are available in Cooke City, Montana?
RV camping options near Cooke City are somewhat limited, especially for larger rigs. Beartooth Scenic Byway Camping offers dispersed camping opportunities along the highway with several turnoffs that can accommodate smaller RVs. These sites are free and first-come, first-served. For those seeking more amenities, Chief Joseph Campground can accommodate RVs and offers basic facilities including water and toilets. Be cautious when navigating to campgrounds in the area, as some roads are not suitable for larger rigs. Lily Lake area has a boat launch that can create difficulties for trailers if you miss the correct turn. Most campgrounds in this region are better suited for smaller RVs rather than big rigs.
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