39 campgrounds · Check availability for any dates.
Campgrounds near Sidney, Montana are concentrated along the Yellowstone and Missouri Rivers with several options for tent and RV camping. Richland Park provides free primitive camping with access to the river, fire pits and picnic tables, though stays are limited to 3 days with permits required from the local sheriff's office. About 30 miles northwest, Snowden Bridge offers riverside camping with vault toilets in a wooded setting. The region extends into eastern Montana and western North Dakota with public lands and small municipal campgrounds scattered throughout the area, including Sather Lake and Fort Buford State Historic Site across the North Dakota border.
Camping regulations and amenities vary significantly throughout the area, with free sites typically offering minimal services while established campgrounds provide more facilities. Water access at many sites may be seasonal, particularly at Yellowstone River locations where spring runoff affects conditions. Most campgrounds remain open during summer months with limited winter accessibility. Primitive sites often have vault toilets but lack water hookups or showers. Cell service can be spotty across the region, particularly at sites farther from towns. A visitor noted, "Right along the Missouri River. Great fishing access, wooded and close to town. Have seen great wildlife, excellent summer stargazing."
Wildlife viewing represents a significant attraction at campgrounds throughout the region. At Intake Dam on the Yellowstone River, campers can watch paddlefish fishing during May and June, with fish weighing over 100 pounds being caught. The Theodore Roosevelt National Park campgrounds, though farther from Sidney, offer opportunities to see bison, wild horses, and other prairie wildlife. Many campsites along waterways provide fishing access and bird watching, with one camper reporting pelicans visible at Intake Dam's falls. Several campgrounds feature large cottonwood trees that provide welcome shade during hot summer months and display golden colors in fall. Local city parks sometimes permit camping with varying regulations and amenities, though they typically lack privacy compared to more remote options.
"There is a park for children and access to the river as well as a boat dock. The sites are mostly level and gravel."
"Awesome access to the lake"
"Small lake recreation area with 18 sites and vault toilets. Hand pump water available at the day use area. Pack in pack out. The sites are spread out in 3 loops."
"Nobody has pulled in around us. Nothing better than free camping with solitude these days! We camped here in a 35 ft 5th wheel. Lots of great history with the old forts (Buford and Union) nearby."
"We showed our Access Passes to get into the park and then proceeded to mile marker 5, where the CG is located."
"Spread our shaded spots close to the river front and away from regular traffic. First come first serve camping Things to know: No showers Seasonal host No hooks ups"
from $30 / night
Check Availability"Great fishing access, wooded and close to town. Have seen great wildlife, excellent summer stargazing. Not a very big spot and only two camp sites close to the vault toilet."
"Easy 1 mile drive on well maintained gravel/dirt road off Highway 85. The campground appears to have been recently renovated. The fire pit and barbecue have never been used."
"I truly enjoy this location. It’s quiet, clean and well kept. There is a lot of space between the spaces. Pit toilets, no showers but easily accessible from the highway."
from $10 / night
Check Availability"Off the beaten path but on our way to see the sights so convenient. 7 spots across from the park. 30/50 amp electric with water and dump. Water was not turned on when we were here."
from $10 / night
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GuideI truly enjoy this location. It’s quiet, clean and well kept. There is a lot of space between the spaces. Pit toilets, no showers but easily accessible from the highway. Conveniently located just a mile outside of the North Theodore Roosevelt NP.
GuideThis a great find. They have shaded spots under trees and open spots. I doubt this campground would ever fill up in pretty much any size RV would fit. They provide picnic tables, garbage cans along with fire rings and you can always check out Fort Union and Fort Buford in the area.
GuideThis is a great free place to stay right outside the north unit of Theodore Roosevelt NP. There are 4 rv spots along with some tent camping opportunities. The trail behind leads to a spot with amazing views.
TravelerWe had the campground all to ourselves, with only the mooing of cows to keep us company. The pump works, but you have to work pretty hard to get water. If you’re up for halfway roughing it, this is for you! *Cost is $10 on honor basis.
GuideCCC Campground has easy access down an immaculate dirt road, 1 mile from Hwy 85. The sites are spacious and there are nice views in every direction.
TR NP North Unit is just a mile away by car and a few hundred yards as the crow flies.
We were here for Memorial Day weekend. RV electric (20,30,50) sites are $10/night and the campground was about 1/3 full. Tuesday after the holiday, we were one of 2 sites occupied. We love it here.
Drinking water is technically available and there is a standard hose hookup at the hydrant. But…… although safe to drink, it’s a bit tan in color and tastes like sulfurous soap. Yuck. Other than that, I’d give it 5 stars.
GuideYou parallel park along the side of the city park, which is as big as the town. There is 110 and 50 with an adapter electric, and a water pump in the middle of the ‘park’. The pump is 100’ from the closest spot. Scott at the little Standard gas station collects the $15 for the camping spot. He is very friendly. We felt safe.
GuideLove this place. Picnic tables are covered, sites are level, campground is clean.
RangerGreat experience at this campground. Toilets, water, trash/recycling. Park Rangers provide educational classes from Thursday-Sunday evenings. Stunning views and wildlife experiences. Not a good park for walking dogs.
TravelerBare bones camping. Has a clean toilet, well pump, picnic tables and fire rings. Quiet. Pitch black at night. Great for stars.
Camping options near Sidney, Montana extend beyond the city limits into eastern Montana and western North Dakota, with most sites situated within a 50-mile radius. The region experiences hot summers with temperatures often exceeding 90°F and cold winters dropping well below freezing. Several campgrounds remain primitive with minimal facilities, while others provide more developed options for campers seeking additional amenities during the variable continental climate conditions.
Fishing opportunities: At First Responders Park in Alexander, ND, campers can access fishing spots within walking distance of their sites. "Off the beaten path but on our way to see the sights so convenient. 7 spots across from the park," notes a camper who appreciates the proximity to water access points.
Wildlife viewing: Juniper Campground at Theodore Roosevelt National Park offers exceptional wildlife encounters right in the campground. "While we were camped here, 2 small herds of bison grazed through the camp," reports one visitor. Another camper mentioned, "Plenty of trees provide privacy in this nice National Park campsite that's just a short walk to the banks of the Little Missouri River."
Historical exploration: Visit Fort Buford State Historic Site to learn about regional history. "Amazing place to learn about history of North Dakota. This is where Sitting Bull and his son surrendered and Lewis and Clark Trading Post. They do demonstrations on old time trades," shares one visitor who enjoyed the educational aspects of camping in this historically significant location.
Budget-friendly options: Many appreciate that Sather Lake charges only "$10 use fee per night" while providing "18 sites and vault toilets. Hand pump water available at the day use area." The campground features "sheltered picnic tables" and "sites spread out in 3 loops," offering good value for minimal cost.
Night sky viewing: Several campgrounds in the region provide excellent stargazing conditions. A Sather Lake visitor noted it gets "Pitch black at night. Great for stars." The rural location with limited light pollution creates ideal conditions for astronomy enthusiasts.
River access: Richland Park provides convenient water access for boaters and anglers. "They have fire pits, picnic tables, toilets and garbage. There is a park for children and access to the river as well as a boat dock," notes a camper who appreciated the riverside amenities.
Limited services: Most campgrounds near Sidney offer basic facilities only. At Juniper Campground, "There is a dump station, but no potable water for RV tanks. Drinking water is available at the wash house. The drinking of the water at the fill station is discouraged due to high levels of fluoride."
Permit requirements: Some sites require permits or have specific registration procedures. At Richland Park, "In order to stay here, you must visit the local sheriff's office and obtain a permit. The camping is free and you can only stay for 3 days."
Cell service limitations: Several campgrounds have poor connectivity. One camper at Sather Lake noted "no Verizon service" and advised to be prepared since the campground is "16 miles from nearest store in beautiful surroundings so be prepared and don't forget anything."
Playground access: Some campgrounds include recreational facilities for children. Richland Park features "a park for children and access to the river" making it suitable for families with young campers who need activity options.
Educational programs: At Juniper Campground, "Park Rangers provide educational classes from Thursday-Sunday evenings" which can engage children in learning about the local ecosystem and wildlife. A visitor mentioned their "kids especially enjoyed the ranger presentation on prairie dogs."
Wildlife encounters: Children often enjoy the animal sightings common at Snowden Bridge where campers report having "seen great wildlife" during their stays. This wooded location along the Missouri River provides natural habitat viewing opportunities without requiring extensive hiking.
Site selection: At Juniper Campground, an RVer advised, "When this place was built, they never envisioned large rigs. So if you have one over 30 feet, just be aware you might have to wiggle your way into a site." Another mentioned, "Pads are asphalt and smallish," indicating preparation for tight maneuvering might be necessary.
Hookup availability: First Responders Park offers "30/50 amp electric with water and dump," though seasonal restrictions apply as "Water was not turned on when we were here" according to one RVer who visited in early season.
Leveling challenges: Several campgrounds have uneven sites requiring leveling equipment. At Richland Park, "The sites are mostly level and gravel," but many other campgrounds in the region require more substantial leveling gear for comfortable setup.
Frequently Asked Questions
Which is the most popular campground near Sidney, MT?
According to TheDyrt.com, the most popular campground near Sidney, MT is Richland Park with a 4-star rating from 1 review.
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