Looking to go glamping near Shawmut and enjoy a rustic retreat into nature? Glamping is not only a fun alternative to traditional tent camping, but also allows you to pack more or less gear as you see fit. You're sure to find glamping for your Shawmut camping adventure.
The Crystal Lake Group Campground is located in the beautiful Big Snowies south of Lewistown, Montana, at 5,700 feet. Home to the Crystal Lake recreation area, visitors enjoy hiking and fishing in the Snowies.
The lake provides opportunities for swimming, fishing and canoeing. The various trails that stem from the Crystal Lake complex provide excellent views and interesting photo opportunities. One trail displays old hieroglyphs in a cave allowing visitors a glimpse of the past.
Water is available via a spring faucet and is just down from the camping site. An outhouse is provided next to the parking area for the group site. There is room for parking behind the gate in a parking area or to have two (up to 35___) campers parked there as well. Asphalt walkways and tent pads are present but room in the adjacent meadow can be used for bigger tents. Two large picnic tables are on site and a metal fire ring.
Settled in the basin of Crystal Lake, the group site offers great access to trails and ta short drive or walk to the lake. Some trees are around the campsite but may not offer much shade.
Ice Caves Trail, Cascade Trails and the lake are all located in the complex.
$40 / night
Guide
I love this place so much. This was my first time camping in Montana. It was breathtaking for me. The lake was so peaceful and clear. The trail around the lake is a nice walk to see all the different views around it. The meadows were full of wildflowers in the summer. The campground is a small loop and spaced out, the lake trail also had a couple of backcountry spots to set up. There’s also a few more trails in the area that were very pretty!!
Traveler
Very nice campground about 6 miles out of Big Timber Montana. Shady campground....very loud trains at night...overall a nice place to stay....fishing can be decent.....vault toilet...no water...no trash.
ScoutThis use to be the most beautiful campgrounds in Montana, until the USFS said the trees were dangerous. They had every tree in the campgrounds cut down and hauled off. Not much privacy now as every camp site can be watched by all the other campers in the other campsites.
GuideGreat area for hiking and wildlife spectating. Great sites.
GuideCrystal Lake is a nice area. To get there it's a mix of about 20 miles of gravel and 1 lane paved roads. The gravel roads are well maintained. The 1 lane paved roads are a little iffy if you're pulling a trailer and its a busy travel day. The lake is beautiful and small enough hike around it if you have a few hours. The surrounding area is gorgeous as well. The campground isn't very big, there's about 20 or so sites in the loop and I believe they are all first come first serve. There is a Group campsite and a cabin which are reserveable. We reserved the Group Site which sits closer to the trail head. ONE thing to know if you reserve the Group site, call ahead during the week and get the lock pass code. We overlooked that requirement and almost had to stay in the regular camping area because the gate was locked. Luckily during the evening the camp host came down to see if we paid the nightly fee and he had the code. That said, the camp host wasn't clearly identified anywhere and apparently they were camped out behind the cabin. It appears that at one point either there was a fire or beetle kill in the meadow that the camp sites are in as there are no trees in the immediate area. Its kind of like an large open area that has a lot of overgrowth. The Group site area has what appears to be a great tent camping layout but the brush is way overgrown and you cant really tell. The regular campground looks the same. Don't get me wrong, the Crystal Lake area is stunning, its just seems like the campgrounds haven't been really tend to in a few years. We saw a few fish being pulled out of the lake, lots of hikers heading up the trails and a few deer passing through the meadow. Overall it was a nice experience. Good hiking trails and beautiful (smaller) lake to play or relax on. One thing it lacked, for us at least, is trees in the campground and area's to ride our SxS.
GuideCrystal Lake is a beautiful area, very much worth the drive. There is a lot of gravel and one lane roads going in with a few sketchy spots where you are looking straight down off the side. Campground is not kept mowed as well as others we've been too, but really adds to the pristine natural environment around you! We had abundant wildlife sightings with multiple deer right at our campsite.
ScoutThis would have been a 5 star review, but most of the trees that made this area magical have had to be cut down due to beetle infestation. Lake is gorgeous and crystal clear. Hiking trails to an overlook and the ice cave are marked.
Guide
Pretty straight forward KOA nothing near by we ended up moving but would stay again
TravelerOk like the last reviewer we could not find a site in and around the Bozeman area and were headed east anyway so we call this site and finally was able to get a spot. It was really just a place to sleep for the night for us - not much to see unless you head over to the river. Sort of noisy so close to the highway so I’d ask for a back-in spot because those are somewhat more secluded and off the road. Clean bathrooms and cute shop in the office.
GuideThe campground was nice, typical KOA experience, which is good. Downside is spots are close together and LOTS of freeway noise
TravelerVery nice ladies at the office/store. Little creek runs alone one side, tall pine trees…just a nice feel to the campground. The showers had plenty of hot water and great water pressure. It was nice that they have a little off leash enclosed dog run. Just right for our 1 year old puppy. Saw kids enjoying the huge bouncy “platform”. We have this on the list to come back if we journey this way again.
TravelerWe came up thru the Rockies and Yellowstone with no available camp sites and it was getting late and we found a space here. We were originally planning on staying one night but stayed 3. The staff was so friendly and attentive. The bathrooms and showers were clean. The pool was nice and refreshing. There are raspberries bushes around the pool that you can pick. We made raspberry jam on the fire. Chokecherry trees surround the camp grounds that can also be picked. There’s a stream that runs around the back. While you stay check out natural bridge falls only 30 minutes away. Tent site was about 37 a night.
ScoutNicely maintained KOA with friendly staff. Lots of shade. New management has renovated the lodge. AT&T service was excellent.
GuideUpside: friendly, family oriented Downside: spaces very close together, bathrooms were worn, no propane fill (exchange only), and noisy from highway and trains ( which I know the owners can’t control)
GuideUsually we stay at KOAs for stopover convenience, but being tired of driving we decided to stick around for an extra night. For a KOA, this was a really decent spot. The sites were bigger than most other KOAs, yet still boasted the great amenities. There was a nice playground, pool, enormous jumping pillow (I had never seen one before - this was definitely a treat, even for adults!) and a small dog run area. Great WIFI and AT&T coverage. We would definitely stay here again on our way through town.
Be sure to stop by at Prairie Dog Town State Park (walkable distance from campground). It’s simple but a cute place to watch prairie dogs and check out the local flora.
TravelerThis was our families first stay at a KOA. We really enjoyed our time. We tent camped. We had electric and water at our site, and we were just a short walk to an inflatable trampoline, a heated pool, the camp store, showers, restrooms, and laundry facilities. The staff were very helpful with anything we needed. Great campground to stay at!
ScoutThis campground is very good. The pool is great and small. The campsites are great the grill was so close to our trailer. Our dogs loved it. It's a great campground you have to go
ScoutWe upgraded from a tent site to a cabin because there was a storm coming through as we were driving. We enjoyed the cabin quite a bit, and we'll do it again. We love the campground, but the traffic noise and occasional trains were quite irritating
GuideVery clean and management was friendly and accommodating
ScoutThis campground was right off the interstate and close to the tracks. We went to go park and our site was occupied. They did accommodate us in an overflow spot near long term. They have a bounce pad for the kiddos, must have measured 20ft x 50ft.
TravelerGrear trees, shade, tables, grass, pet area, nice staff. Close to hwy but we will return
GuideThis campground is really nice like most KOA's, but it is backed up to the interstate which makes it pretty noisy throughout the night. The showers were nice as well as most everything else about the grounds. It did seem like I was never going to reach the campground as I came in on Old Hwy 10 from the west. It's better to exit off the interstate just east of the campground.
GuideMe and my family really enjoyed staying here. The manager and front desk person were really friendly.
Guide
Great spot not too far in from Big timber. Lots of river running through the campground and low enough to enjoy a swim, fish, or get your feet wet. Restroom is located here. Not far from town so for dinner or anything else you might have forgot.
LegendWe LOVED it here. This is primitive. Not water or hook ups or trash but there is a pit toilet. Right by a beautiful stretch of the river, perfect for spending the day lounging in the water, swimming, fishing etc. There are prob 5 sites here and it was BUSY mid week in August when we were here. Lots of folks fishing/here for the day and all sites full for overnight. Some sites have picnic tables and all have rock fire rings. Really, so lovely and relaxing. Would def stay again and again if we are in the are. Best of all…it’s free!! Pack in/pack out. Be respectful of others. Keep your dogs on a leash and pick up after your self. Keep this place as lovely as we found it!!
RangerRough gravel road to get to the spots & there are only 5 of them . 2 are on the river & looked pretty decent with some shade. The other 2 sit back further from the river but are a quick walk over to the waters edge . These spots looked shady too & tucked away. The only other spot is right as you pull into the area & doesn’t really even look like a spot . It was the only 1 open & we had to get out to double check that it was even a spot at all. Unfortunately it was absolutely filthy with trash & covered in dog feces . I get that it’s a free area but we’ve used a lot of free dispersed camping & fishing access spots over the past 2 weeks & they were all treated with the utmost respect. I’m sad that this place looked like it it. Not cool. We hightailed it outta there & stayed in the Walmart parking lot since nothing was available nearby.
TravelerStayed during a cross country trip. Awesome location, 10 minutes from the expressway and on the river. About a half dozen sites with a pit toilet that was stocked and clean. My site was perfect for a tent, my dog and I enjoyed a peaceful night. Will certainly stay here again when traveling through the area.
Frequently Asked Questions
Which is the most popular glamping campsite near Shawmut, MT?
According to TheDyrt.com, the most popular glamping campground near Shawmut, MT is Big Timber-Greycliff KOA with a 4.1-star rating from 16 reviews.
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