Pet friendly camping near Roscoe, Montana offers access to the Beartooth Mountains with elevations ranging from 5,000-11,000 feet. The area sits at the junction of West Fork Rock Creek and Rock Creek, providing campers with cold mountain streams for fishing and cooling off. Summer temperatures typically range from 45-80°F with cooler nights even during July and August.
What to do
Hiking from camp: Basin Campground provides immediate trail access across from the campsites. "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. While staying here it's also a good idea to head up and over Beartooth Pass if you haven't already by going to Yellowstone!" according to Alan B. from Basin Campground.
ATV adventures: The forest service roads around Roscoe open up miles of exploration opportunities. Nick P. from Basin Campground notes, "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."
Fishing access: Multiple spots along the rivers provide excellent angling. Kayko S. says Basin Campground offers "Waterfront sites right on Rock Creek. Great fishing area makes this site ideal for anglers or anyone that enjoys being right on the water with a stunning view."
Visit nearby towns: Red Lodge is only 7 miles from most campgrounds with restaurants and shops. "The Beartooth Highway is a must when in the area as well as a visit to Red Lodge. We loved it here!" recommends Bob R.
What campers like
Privacy between sites: At Cascade Campground, campers appreciate the layout. "There are 30 sites total, so it feels like a combo of seclusion and community. You're just left in awe of your surroundings," writes Bjorn S. The campground's design creates natural separation between neighbors.
Natural noise buffers: Creeks and rivers provide white noise that minimizes campground sounds. One camper staying at Perry's RV and Campgrounds noted, "tent sites give you a primitive feel and are right on the heavy flowing Rock Creek making sleeping nice."
Well-maintained facilities: Many campers comment on clean bathrooms and sites. "The vault toilets were very clean and there is water available at several pump spigots throughout the campground," reports Bob R. about Basin Campground.
Wildlife viewing: The area offers frequent animal sightings. "We saw a moose and deer right from the campground," reports Scott B. about Cascade Campground, making it ideal for nature photographers and wildlife enthusiasts.
What you should know
Reservation requirements: Many popular sites fill up quickly, especially in summer. Sasha W. advises for Basin Campground: "It was summertime when we came and it was super busy. We had to reserve our spot ahead of time, otherwise we wouldn't have received a spot. Even the 'walk-in' spots were all taken. Recommend reserving ahead of time in the summer."
Road conditions: Some campgrounds require driving on dirt roads. Scott B. mentions 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."
Weather preparedness: Mountain weather changes rapidly regardless of season. "It was hot, but we made it work. Tons of bugs because it's close to a river. Bring your bug spray!" recommends Sasha W.
Limited connectivity: Cell service varies widely between campgrounds. Bob R. notes, "We had no cell coverage with T-Mobile and so-so reception with Starlink due to the tree cover."
Tips for camping with families
Choose sites with space for kids: Many campgrounds offer larger sites ideal for families. At Itch-Kep-Pe Park, Andrea B. found "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."
Secure food properly: Bear boxes are provided at many sites for safety. At Parkside Campground, one reviewer noted, "All sites have firepits and picnic tables. Vault toilets and campground sites were kept clean and firewood is available for sale."
Consider peak season crowds: Some campgrounds become noisier during holidays. Shannon T. observed at Parkside Campground: "Arrived during the labor day weekend. The campground was super crowded. The campsites were large and spacious. Campground management was very active keeping up with the vault toilet cleaning very well."
Bring extra water: Mountain sun can be intense despite shade. This is especially important for kids and pets during summer months when creekside temperatures can be deceiving.
Tips from RVers
Pull-through options: Several campgrounds offer easy-access sites. At Red Lodge KOA, deb K. found "The hook ups are awesome, heated pool, immaculate facilities, and awesome trail off the CG. The only drawback was spotty WiFi and limited channels using antenna. Sites were level, patio sites are beautiful."
Leveling considerations: Mountain terrain means some sites require adjustment. Luckybreak R. at Itch-Kep-Pe Park noted, "Mostly level gravel sites, well spaced, some with shade and some sunny. Restrooms are well maintained."
Know your campground amenities: Facilities vary greatly between sites. "We stayed on the South Shore and it was clean, quiet and decent fishing!" shares Mary E. about Cooney State Park, demonstrating that pet-friendly camping options near Roscoe include both full-service and more primitive experiences.
Legend
