Looking for the ultimate pet-friendly camping experience near Shawmut? The Dyrt can help you find the best campsites for you and your dog. Search nearby campgrounds that allow pets or find top-rated spots from other campers.
$5 - $18 / night
Chief Joseph Park is located in Harlowton in central Montana. Groceries, restaurants, museums, gas stations, a municipal swimming pool, and 7 churches are within a 1-mile radius. Tent sites and RV sites with electricity are available. A playground, fishing pond, and picnic areas with grills are on site.
$20 / night
Map: https://www.blm.gov/sites/blm.gov/files/Acton_GeoRef_2019.pdf Located approximately 18 miles north of Billings, the Acton Recreation Area consists of an extremely diverse landscape. With Cretaceous Age upland bluffs of Eagle sandstone, minor badlands, steep drainages, weathered shale, and scattered ponderosa pine, this 3,800 acre parcel of land allows for many wildlife viewing opportunities. Open to camping, hiking, horseback riding, mountain biking, and hunting (during season), Acton provides multiple possibilities for use year-round. About 6.6 miles of mapped roads are open for motorized use. The Acton Recreation Area is located within the Hoskins Basin Archaeological District, an area containing the remains of both conical and cribbed aboriginal wooden dwellings. Both types are increasing rarities on the northwest plains. Reports of early explorers indicated that dwellings of this type were once common. Due to loss through natural causes (weathering, floods, and fire), many of the structures have been lost. Their use for firewood and fence posts account for other losses. Distribution of the both the cribbed and conical dwellings is quite limited. The cribbed type is reported to have been spotted only from south-central Montana to northern Wyoming. The conical types have a wider range but are not as common in southcentral Montana as the cribbed. Only a limited number of these dwellings are known to exist. Sites with both types represented are fewer still. No off-road motorized vehicle use is permitted to protect the archaeological sites and wildlife habitat.
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
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.
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.
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
$25 - $55 / night
Legend
Deadman’s Basin Montana FWP Campground 10/24 Stopover for one night in 10/24. The reservoir along which this cg lies is low this time of year. Reservoir must be prettier in the spring and early summer when the water level is higher. (Scale 1- bad, 5-Very good
(72 yr olds in 27’ trailer.)
Overall Rating: 4
Price 2024: See pricing in photo. Contrary to posted signs the website says that camping is free. Screenshot of website is also provided in photos .
Security: no
Usage during visit: our loop empty.
Visual Privacy Between Adjacent Sites: no
Site Spacing: good
Pad surface: dirt
Reservations: First come first serve
Campground Noise: According to signage some action has been taken.
Outside Road Noise: no
Through Traffic in campground: no
Electric Hookup: no
Sewer Hookup: no
Dump Station: no
Potable Water Available: no
Generators: sb allowed
Bathroom: a clean pit toilet
Showers: no
Pull Throughs: yes
Cell Service (AT&T): 1 bar
Setting: near reservoir
Recent Weather: clear and w highs in70s and 80s.
Solar: very good
Insects: none
Host: no
Rig Size: large rigs should fit in some sites.
Sites: see pics.
Scout
Great place to pull off to get some rest at drive up campsites. The road right before getting to the park was washboard like (late Sept. 2024). Can drive quite a ways down but make sure your vehicle has Clearance cause the dirt road gets rough.
Scout
Easy to find off of I90. Nice clean and safe place. Once the rafters and fisherman rolled out in the evening it was peaceful. Will return.
Guide
Worth the drive, had great scenery and a vault toilet. I checked out the first couple groups of sites with my Subaru Crosstrek pulling a square drop trailer without issue. About half the sites were available just before sun down, didn't have an issue picking a great spot for the night. Some cool trails to walk the dog and bike leading from the area. Cool little place to stay.
Traveler
Windy, free range cattle, no trees but beautiful.
TravelerGreat spot short drive into Billing’s but in the countryside
TravelerPretty nice spot. A few spots were open. Need 4x4 to get down road all the way down, but few spots before it gets rough. Got there late and there was a few spots left. Overlooks a ridge line. Spots have firepits and picnic tables. Bring wood. Awesome spot and definitely recommend.
Guide
We called last minute for an overnight and there was one spot left. We were welcomed and taken care of even arriving after hours. Nice pull through sites, clean bathrooms and showers, (laundry too, although we did not use this stop), and a nice area with horse shoes and another toss game. Trains can be heard occasionally while outside but inside with our fan running we never heard them.
RangerBeautiful location with several spots. All have fire pits but picnic tables are in bad shape. Going to sleep with sound of Rushing Water 20 ft away from me. Good cell reception on T-Mobile but no trash, water or power hookups. However, only 3 mi from Big Timber and very easy to get here. Beautiful, almost unbeatable spot.
LegendPlenty of room. A few special spots. Beautiful views on the river.
TravelerCampground is what is described; a field where you can choose where you want to set up. Nice and clean pit toilet and looks like a good boat launch. Beware if you are close to the eastern (close to the double-barbed wires fence), the irrigation sprinklers turned on around 1030pm…would have been unfortunate if I was tenting.
Traveler
Other than BNSF it’s a real cool stop over spot for a day or two
TravelerBeautiful camping area well maintained would expect it to be an actual fee Campground but it's disbursement. Each site has a picnic table and barbecue ring. Only bathrooms are at the entrance so bring your own. AT&t has decent signal
GuideOne of the nicest BLMs if that’s what’s called. 30 min from Billings, easy access, nice gravel even road, well marked entrance and even leveled sites. We got some screaming teenagers passing in the car but soon they stopped. We had a restful night to continue our roadtrip.
Traveler
Full hookups available. Basically, downtown in a population 96 town of 4 blocks. Showers laundry available. Biggest attraction for us was a very nice and friendly little bar in easy walking distance. If you have a quarter, you can hamme r it in the wall at the bar and sign your name.
Traveler
Very 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.
Scout
Nice and friendly management. Easy access from Hwy. both back in and drive through sites. Full hookups.
ScoutPost says no permit required, but signage and website requires permit.
https://www.visitmt.com/listings/general/fishing-access-site/otter-creek-fishing-access-site
Guide
Well maintained. Pay per camp
ScoutRolled up to Billings and needed a place to post up for the night. A quick 30 minutes and I made it to Acton. Lots of cool spots to camp, great view as I was able to back right up to a ledge. Some nice trails which were fun to crawl around.
Guide
Not sure this is an actual campsite
GuideThe Google map directed me to the park. I couldn't see how to park nor could I determine if it was pay to stay
Guide
Quiet. Close to the musselshell river. Some town traffic. Non camping traffic.
LegendWe followed our RV GPS right to the campground (CG), which is a favorite of ours for a two-night stay. Check-in was quick and easy. We proceeded to Deluxe River site 18 with 30 AMP and water. You can angle the rig in as you want to get set up on the wide pad area. The utilities were in the middle of the gravel pad, and we could park where our 9’ patio could come out to enjoy the gorgeous view of the river. They have free WiFi, but it was not very fast, and we used our Starlink. There are mature trees here, but we got a clear shot north for Starlink. We got 3 bars on Verizon. The water pressure was okay. Talking to our next-door neighbors, who have stayed here over the years, this CG is under new management by a couple who also owned a KOA in Billings. There are already changes, such as getting rid of the cabins and putting in some new FHU sites. There may be plans for new cabins in the future. We also noticed that from staying here in September 2019, the ponds are now state-stocked, and you need a Montana fishing license following regular fishing regulations versus no-license pay for the trout you catch. They also have a military and senior discount, but this wasn't mentioned/given when we made our reservations online. We mentioned it to the lady who checked us in, but she didn't offer to refund us the discount like other CG's have done in the past. There is no dog park, but there’s plenty of area to walk your dog. Someday we are going to plan a longer than two-day stay so we can further explore the area and fly fish the river.
GuideCurrently rooftop tent camping all over Montana had stopped here for the night ran into a guy and was told this was the Last river that does not have dams and that the locals are fighting to keep it that way
GuideThe campground was nice, typical KOA experience, which is good. Downside is spots are close together and LOTS of freeway noise
Scout
Small areas. there is a vaulted toilet. I had a camper so never used it so I can’t comment on that. Meet up with friends and we all had campers. Plenty of room for all of us. Lots of mosquitoes so bring bug spray!!
If you're looking for pet-friendly camping options near Shawmut, Montana, there are several great spots where you and your furry friends can enjoy the great outdoors together.
Frequently Asked Questions
Which is the most popular dog-friendly campsite near Shawmut, MT?
According to TheDyrt.com, the most popular dog-friendly campground near Shawmut, MT is Deadmans Basin with a 4.3-star rating from 7 reviews.
What is the best site to find dog-friendly camping near Shawmut, MT?
TheDyrt.com has all 29 dog-friendly camping locations near Shawmut, MT, with real photos and reviews from campers.
