RV parks near Roscoe, Montana offer campers access to the Beartooth Mountains where elevations range from 5,400 to over 12,000 feet. The region experiences short summers with temperatures typically ranging from 40-80°F during camping season from April through October. Most campgrounds in this region close for winter due to heavy snowfall that makes access difficult after mid-October.
What to do
Fishing access points: Itch-Kep-Pe Park provides free camping right on the Yellowstone River, perfect for anglers. "The campsite is right on the Yellowstone river. Free but they do have a donation box," notes a camper at Itch-Kep-Pe Park.
Beartooth Highway drive: This scenic byway near Red Lodge offers some of Montana's most spectacular mountain views. "Beartooth hwy was undescribable! Amazing views. Close to Red lodge," shares one visitor to Red Lodge KOA. The highway typically opens in late May, weather permitting.
Lake activities: Emerald Lake provides calm waters perfect for beginners trying paddleboarding or kayaking. "We still got to try out our new paddle boards on the lake and it was such a nice place to try them out for the first time. The lake isn't very deep so it's great for paddle boards, kayaks and fishing," reports a visitor to Emerald Lake Campground.
What campers like
Creek-side camping: Several campgrounds feature sites positioned alongside streams or rivers. "The facility is awesome and the sites at the bottom of the hill by the creek are amazing. Makes you feel like you are in the middle of nowhere," notes a guest at Perry's RV and Campgrounds.
Clean facilities: Maintaining proper hygiene ranks high on camper priorities. "The bathroom and shower facility is perfect and everything on the site is always well maintained. Have never had a bad experience here, always pleasant," shared a reviewer at Perry's RV and Campgrounds.
Proximity to towns: Many campers appreciate being close to local communities. "Nice campground with clean bathrooms. As we're all facilities. Hosts were friendly. A little noisy because it is right on the main road," comments a visitor to Mountian Ridge RV Park.
What you should know
Availability patterns: Weekends fill quickly while weekdays offer better chances for securing spots. "We got to the campground on a Thursday, by Friday evening all the RV spots seemed to be taken. It cleared out almost completely by Sunday," advises a visitor to Emerald Lake Campground.
Wildlife considerations: Bear activity can occur in campgrounds in this region. One negative review at Perry's RV mentioned a bear incident, highlighting the importance of proper food storage at all campgrounds near Roscoe.
Weather variability: Mountain climates change rapidly, requiring campers to prepare accordingly. "It rained a few of the days, but it was nice to get out of the heat in town," notes a camper at Emerald Lake Campground.
Noise factors: Highway and train noise affects several RV parks near Roscoe. "Trains can be heard occasionally while outside but inside with our fan running we never heard them," shares a guest at Mountain Range RV Park.
Tips for camping with families
Free camping options: Budget-conscious families can take advantage of no-cost sites. "It's no frills but it is lovely and perfect for a night stopover as traveling through. Easy to access. It's a pretty area with well laid out camp spots. You aren't on top of each other," writes a visitor about Itch-Kep-Pe Park.
Pool availability: Only select RV parks in the Roscoe area offer swimming pools. "Bright, friendly, family-style situation 10 minutes north of Red Lodge. They were renovating the pool as of early June but looked to be making good progress," notes a visitor to Red Lodge KOA.
Kid-friendly amenities: Some campgrounds provide designated play areas. "The north tentsite side has the benefit of river ambience, while the south side has the kid playground amenities," reports a guest at Red Lodge KOA.
Tips from RVers
Utility placement: Check hookup locations before selecting a site. "The utility connections were thoughtfully centered on the pad, making setup a breeze," shares a guest at Old West RV Park.
Cell service: Connectivity varies significantly between RV parks near Roscoe. "We had 4 bars each on both Verizon and T-Mobile, and the CG Wi-Fi clocked in at 26.5 Mbps down and 11.9 Mbps up, pretty solid for a small CG," reports an RVer staying at Old West RV Park.
Site leveling: Many campgrounds feature relatively level sites. "The RV sites were level and clean," notes a visitor to Mountain Range RV Park, which offers 73 full-hookup sites from April 15 to October 15.
Local discounts: Some RV parks offer promotions with nearby businesses. "Walking distance to the Waterhole Saloon with good drinks & food—you get a 10% discount on food and drinks when you mention you're staying at the campground," advises a visitor to Old West RV Park.