Best Dog-Friendly Camping near Silver Gate, MT
Beartooth Scenic Byway Camping offers free, dispersed sites along the Yellowstone River with several pet-friendly spots just off the highway from Joseph Highway west to the Montana border. Most turnoffs accommodate three or four different camping groups, and dogs are welcome throughout the area with standard national forest regulations. The vault toilets are notably clean, and sites are available for all camping styles including tent, RV, and van camping. Multiple reviews confirm excellent river access for dogs who enjoy water, with several camping spots positioned directly beside the river where pets can cool off. Bear boxes are provided at some sites for safe food storage, an important consideration when camping with pets in bear country.
Lady of the Lake Trail on Lulu Pass provides isolated, pet-friendly dispersed camping with sites scattered throughout trails, offering privacy between campers. The road can be rough and rocky in sections, so vehicles with higher clearance are recommended when bringing pets. Wildlife sightings are common, including moose, deer, and bears, requiring pet owners to maintain control of dogs at all times. Temperatures drop significantly at night even in August, so extra bedding for pets is advisable. Colter Campground, located minutes from Yellowstone's northeast entrance, also welcomes pets but enforces hard-sided camping only due to grizzly bear activity. Clean pit toilets, bear lockers, potable water, and fire rings make this a comfortable option for campers with dogs, though the $20 fee is higher than dispersed alternatives.
