Tent campsites near Roscoe, Montana sit at elevations ranging from 4,000 to 9,000 feet in the foothills of the Beartooth and Absaroka mountains. The area experiences dramatic temperature fluctuations, with nighttime temperatures often dropping 30-40 degrees from daytime highs even in summer months. Most primitive camping locations in this region require visitors to pack out all trash, as waste facilities are minimal or nonexistent.
What to do
Fishing access points: Rosebud Isle offers dedicated fishing access with 8 designated spots where anglers can try their luck. "Only 8 spots available. Too close to civilization as we had cell service," notes camper Thomas F., suggesting this is a good option for those who want to stay connected while fishing.
Mountain hiking: Near Initial Creek Campground, visitors can find multiple trail systems. "You can hear the West Fork of the Stillwater River from each site and trails lead down to the river. The trailhead to other hikes is 1 mile up the road," shares Jessica, who appreciated the quiet atmosphere.
Wildlife observation: Pilot Creek Dispersed Camping offers excellent opportunities to watch local wildlife. One camper reports, "I watched cows grazing down the power line clearing through the trees and at one point watched eight cows walking by single file right by my site."
What campers like
Privacy and separation: Swinging Bridge Fishing Access Site receives praise for its layout. "This is a great campsite. You are along a fast moving creek and the campsites are well spaced out with trees, vegetation or roads between each site," writes Stacey N.
Natural sounds: Many visitors appreciate falling asleep to river sounds. At Lady of the Lake Trail on Lulu Pass, one camper mentioned, "We truly loved this place. It was so isolated and peaceful."
Simple amenities: Basic facilities are sometimes available even at primitive sites. "Seven miles down a gravel road. Nice camp site along the Boulder river. Just two camp sites, first come first serve," notes Sasha P. about camping options in the area.
What you should know
Limited sites: Most campgrounds have very few designated spots. At East Boulder Campground, "There are only 2 sites here but they are spacious and private! There is a toilet, fire ring, and picnic table," reports Alyson M.
Access challenges: Many roads to camping areas are rough. At Lady of the Lake Trail, Ron D. shares, "I came up the road which starts out very nice gravel but then gets pretty rough and rocky. Came across maybe three or four people camping but really not much selection for sites."
Wildlife encounters: Bear awareness is essential. One camper at Lady of the Lake Trail notes, "We didn't know this when we set up camp but there was a few Grizzly spotted on the trail around where we camped."
Tips for camping with families
Look for sites with bear boxes: At Pilot Creek Dispersed Camping, "There are at least half a dozen wooded spots, setback. Three have bear boxes and are right by a hiking trail," which provides extra safety for families with food storage.
Consider the toilet situation: Bathroom facilities vary widely. At Swinging Bridge, Taylor T. notes, "The clean bathroom and privacy between sites are probably the two best aspects about the campground."
Watch for insects: Bug activity can be intense in some areas. "Another drawback was that there were A LOT of bugs here," reports a camper at Swinging Bridge, something families should prepare for with appropriate repellents.
Tips from RVers
Size restrictions: Most sites accommodate only smaller vehicles. At Swinging Bridge, Jeff K. advises, "Would not recommend for trailers or campers, even a small teardrop would be tough to maneuver."
Road conditions: Access roads can be challenging for larger vehicles. "The narrow dirt road is really only wide enough for one vehicle. Perhaps this isn't the best spot for big rigs," cautions Art S. about Swinging Bridge Fishing Access Site.
Unexpected noise: Some sites have nearby activity. At East Boulder Campground, Michael M. mentions, "Awesome campsite if you can forgive the occasional semi or dump truck," referring to nearby road construction traffic.
