Dispersed camping near Silver Gate, Montana provides equestrians and outdoor enthusiasts with access to the rugged wilderness of the Beartooth Mountains. Located at elevations ranging from 6,000-8,000 feet, the area experiences cool summer nights with temperatures often dropping below 50°F even in July and August. Weather conditions can change rapidly with afternoon thunderstorms common during summer months.
What to do
Mountain hiking trails: 15+ trail networks extend from Eagle Creek Campground into surrounding national forest land. "Great, inexpensive campground minutes from the north entrance of Yellowstone. Nice creek on one side. Huge variety of site sizes, some fit 3 or 4 tents, some barely 1," notes Alexis C.
Wildlife watching: Dawn and dusk hours offer prime viewing opportunities around Pilot Creek Dispersed Camping. "We stumbled on this trailhead/OHV site and ended up staying here for the night. There are multiple dispersed sites that back up to the Pilot Creek Trail. Plenty of spots in the grass for big rigs and trailers," shares Lauren C.
Fishing nearby streams: Access points within 5-10 miles of most area campgrounds. A camper at Eagle Creek mentions, "Eagle Creek runs along some of the sites, which can make mosquitos an issue. There is a corral for horses and a large turn around area for trucks with trailers."
What campers like
Proximity to Yellowstone: Under 30 minutes from the northeast entrance at Silver Gate. As William C. from Eagle Creek MT explains, "Stayed here for two nights in late June, to facilitate visits to Yellowstone. Bear lockers are provided for you to secure your food and other 'smellies' away from bears (this is grizzly country)."
Night sky viewing: Minimal light pollution throughout the region creates excellent stargazing conditions. Dexter I. notes, "Campground was nice and quiet at night with great view of the night sky. No cell service."
Horse-friendly facilities: Corrals and pasture access at select locations. West Bridger Cabin offers "a 40 acre pasture fenced to turn horses in with a creek running through it. There is also a nice little Corral if you have any horse that doesn't get along with other animals or one that you can't catch very easily," according to Kathi F.
What you should know
Bear safety protocols: Required food storage in all camping areas. William C. emphasizes, "Bear lockers are provided for you to secure your food and other 'smellies' away from bears (this is grizzly country)."
Limited cellular coverage: No service in most locations. Roman P. at Eagle Creek Campground Custer Gallatin National Forest confirms, "No at&t like in the Yellowstone."
Water access considerations: Bring filtration systems for creek water sources. According to Dexter I., "No water or trash service. I filtered water from the creek."
Road conditions: High clearance recommended for many access roads. At Eagle Creek, "Access road is steep and rough," warns William C., while Kathi F. notes about West Bridger Cabin, "It's a bit of a tight squeeze to get a big horse trailer in there I would not recommend anything much over 30 feet."
Tips for camping with families
Bear box availability: Check before booking as not all sites have them. Sara V. at Eagle Creek notes, "Our site was also supposed to have a bear box and it didn't. It would have been helpful but it wasn't a huge deal."
Site privacy considerations: Research site layout before arrival. Sara V. advises, "Great location but be prepared for no privacy! This campground did the job. We wanted to stay close to Yellowstone and it was pretty cheap... it was packed though."
Safer options for solo travelers: Choose established campgrounds with hosts. At Eagle Creek, bryn V. reports, "It isn't quite as remote as some of the other sites in the area and feels very safe as a single female camper!"
Weather preparedness: Pack for cold nights even in summer. Kristin from Hogan Reservoir BLM Campground suggests, "The reservoir is perfect for fishing, floating and cooling off after a hike," but temperatures drop significantly after sunset.
Tips from RVers
Site size limitations: Maximum lengths under 30 feet at most horse campgrounds near Silver Gate, Montana. At West Bridger Cabin, Kathi F. advises, "It's a bit of a tight squeeze to get a big horse trailer in there I would not recommend anything much over 30 feet."
Limited hookups: Bring alternative power sources for extended stays. Chaz in S. at Eagle Creek warns, "First, it requires hard shell — no tents."
Parking surface considerations: Look for level sites especially for larger rigs. Lauren C. notes at Pilot Creek, "Plenty of spots in the grass for big rigs and trailers," but soft ground can be problematic after rain.
Dispersed options: More space but fewer amenities on Forest Service roads. "Like most people, we had hoped to stay across the street along the Clarks Fork of the Yellowstone River. That area has 2 pretty shaded spots, and both were taken. We headed over to Pilot and we were pleasantly surprised," shares Rebecca B., indicating the need to have backup plans for dispersed camping.
