Camping sites near Roscoe, Montana offer diverse terrain spanning from 5,000 to 9,000 feet in elevation across the Beartooth Mountains. Most campgrounds in this region receive heaviest use between July and mid-August when mountain access roads fully clear of snow. Water temperatures remain quite cold throughout the season, with even summer temperatures rarely warming above 60°F in many mountain streams.
What to do
Fishing opportunities: Castle Rock provides dedicated river access with specialized facilities. "There's a really cool, elevated cement lookout area next to the river to set up your chairs and fish. Theres also a vault toilet and picnic spot," notes Kathi F. about this Castle Rock fishing access site.
ATV trail riding: Several campgrounds connect to extensive trail systems. Nick P. from Basin Campground explains, "This is a great area to go out and ride trails for days. The campground is really forested with water running near by. Very peaceful."
Water recreation: Beyond fishing, several lakes offer kayaking and paddling options. "The lake isn't very deep so it's great for paddle boards, kayaks and fishing," explains Danae P. about the accessible waters at Emerald Lake Campground.
Hiking access: Campgrounds serve as starting points for notable trails. Alan B. reports, "We used this as a base camp for heading up to Lower and Upper Timberline Lakes last year and were delighted by the quality of the sites."
What campers like
Riverside camping spots: Many campers value sites positioned along water. As Carol H. describes the Jimmy Joe Campground: "The sites are spaced apart very nicely, they're all along a beautiful river with views of the incredible nearby mountains."
Clean facilities: Basic amenities receive consistent praise when well-maintained. "The vault toilets were very clean. The water was available through a easy to use hand pump. The camp hosts had firewood for $5.00 per bundle," notes Tonya Y. about her Basin Campground experience.
Secluded sites: Spacing between campsites matters significantly to visitors. Elizabeth O. appreciates Jimmy Joe Campground because "Sites are well spaced, so you aren't right on top of your neighbors. We were at the end of the line, so we were well secluded from the rest."
Free camping options: Several no-cost sites exist in the area. Troy M. highlights Itch-Kep-Pe Park: "Nice level spots. The campsite is right on the Yellowstone river. Free but they do have a donation box."
What you should know
Road conditions: Many campsites require traveling unpaved roads. Scott B. notes about Cascade Campground: "Took off one star for the dirt road coming in, it was pretty rough but ok with the trailer as long as you went slow."
Bear awareness: This region requires proper food storage practices. "Bear awareness is recommended throughout the region, with many campgrounds providing bear boxes for food storage," Elizabeth O. confirms that Jimmy Joe has "Vault toilets... as clean as can be expected for as late in the season as it was when we camped."
Cell service limitations: Connectivity remains minimal throughout the area. Bob R. reports at Basin Campground: "We had no cell coverage with T-Mobile and so-so reception with Starlink due to the tree cover."
Seasonal operation: Most sites close by early September. Emerald Lake Campground operates only from "May 24 - Sep 8" according to official information, which aligns with most other wilderness campgrounds in the region.
Tips for camping with families
Campground amenities: Look for facilities that cater to different ages. Hailey L. recommends Red Lodge KOA: "Safe and clean sites with lots of fun things for the kids! Pool is great with showers close by. Super fun campground to explore!"
Spacing considerations: Site privacy matters with children. Sasha W. shares about Basin Campground: "The one thing I really liked about this place was that the camp sites were pretty big... We enjoyed hanging our hammocks and relaxing by the fire."
Wildlife viewing: Animals frequently visit campgrounds. Nancy C. reports: "We saw a moose and deer right from the campground," making these encounters educational opportunities for children.
Insect preparation: Different areas experience varying bug activity. Kim B. warns about Perry's RV and Campgrounds: "The mosquitoes in the area can carry you away so prepare your campsite for that."
Tips from RVers
Site leveling: Mountain campgrounds often feature uneven terrain. "Sites are paved and mostly level and nestled in the pine trees - gorgeous!" notes Bob R. about Basin Campground, indicating favorable conditions for RVs.
Limited hookup availability: Most forest service campgrounds lack RV amenities. Charley K. explains Perry's RV and Campgrounds provides "Nice RV Park with lots of trees and a pretty river running next to the park."
Size restrictions: Many wilderness campgrounds cannot accommodate larger vehicles. Cascade Campground is noted specifically as "NO big-rig-friendly" in its facility information.
Access road challenges: RV drivers must carefully evaluate approach roads. Elizabeth O. cautions that at Jimmy Joe Campground, "Traffic noise from the East Rosebud Road was noticeable, but not terrible."
