Strawberry Hill Recreation Area allows dispersed camping with pets on BLM land near Terry, Montana. This free camping area features primitive sites suitable for tents and smaller RVs, with a steep access road that requires AWD or 4WD vehicles. No designated campsites, fire pits or tables are provided, but the area offers stunning views for stargazing. The dirt road ends approximately one mile in where vehicles must turn around. Campers report finding small fire rings at some sites, though broken glass has been noted at certain locations.
Short Pine OHV Area provides another pet-friendly dispersed camping option near Terry, functioning primarily as a recreation area for off-road vehicles. The area includes a clean portable toilet but lacks water and other amenities. Camping is permitted for up to 14 days in what resembles a gravel parking lot. The site experiences some traffic from large trucks throughout the night and OHV activity that can continue past midnight. For established campgrounds, Terry RV Oasis and Small Towne RV Campground both accommodate pets with full hookup sites, though amenities vary. BLM Mathews Recreation Area offers free camping for up to 16 days with vault toilets, picnic tables, fire rings, and a covered patio with barbecues. Most sites are walk-in from the parking area with concrete walks for mobility access. The peaceful riverside location includes boat access.
"Close to 94, so some highway noise. The water in Terry has a lot of iron, I'm sure it's potable, but it looks cloudy and brown. Not the campgrounds fault."
from $25 / night
from $45 / night
"We had planned to travel through the area but hadn’t planned to stop—until we hit the Tourist Center at the Montana border and found a brochure for thus park."
"This is a beautiful area of Montana that goes under visited and under appreciated. The campground is just as nice as you would find in one of the national parks."
from $28 / night
"Walking paths very, very clean."
"We found shade for van adjacent to toilets and picnic pavilion."
"This place is very relaxing a great little heated pool, playground and dog park (our dog loves being off leash!) super clean bathrooms and a great communal pavilion with grills to use."
"The dog park is very small, more of a kennel area, but you can easily walk down to the pond and city park for more exercise."
from $58 - $70 / night
"Absolutely stunning views with calling off the beaten path. You definitely need awd or 4wd as the terrain is rugged getting to sites. The first one or two aren’t terrible."
"There is a highway nearby but almost no traffic."
"This was an excellent spot for jeeps/off road vehicles. Very private, lots of fun if you have dirt bikes or four wheelers with you to explore."
"This location was perfect way stop on our trip east. It was easy to find and level."
"Great staff close to lots of trails and west Yellowstone entry"
"Place was clean and well kept but like a typical RV park spaces were pretty much right next to each other."
"We spent the weekend fishing and had a great time, catching channel cats. It's a beautiful place to camp, fish, and relax."
"Right next to the creek/dam, you can fish or play in the water with your dog. The 2 vault toilets were always clean & stocked."
LegendThere's a number of different spots. All which can be very private, depending on where you choose to stay. Little stream runs through the area down to Yellowstone and the view is very, very nice. I think there's at least a 1/2. A dozen of us here. All the spots are exposed, so the summer would be brutally warm. But you have the water to play in. There are toilets and trash.
RangerI arrived on a Monday afternoon. One other person was camping. 7 day limit camping. There are a number of spots with a fire ring and picnic table. I counted 7 spots but I might have missed a few. The grass had been mowed and area clean. No dumpsters but No trash. Let's keep it that way. One pit toilet. Very clean when I checked. No potable water. The river was running slow and shallow. Lots of mosquitoes. I would stay atsin
GuideDo NOT rely on the online booking system as it is not used/accurate. Call or text to confirm availability. Squishy sites. No picnic tables. One flush toilet and a shower. Not an ideal stop but covered the basics in an area with few options.
TravelerStopped for one night 07/19/26 without a reservation, while traveling west on HWY I94 in our 30' RV pulling a motorcycle trailer. Exit #213 HWY 16 north 1/2 mile to Green Valley Ln. Hard to find as the sign on HWY 16 is illegible. The place looked deserted with the exception of 3 seasonal campers, a couple of abandoned campers, and a delapidated trailer house. The only people we saw during our stay was an elderly lady leaving one of the seasonal campers, and a group of MT WIldlife & Fisheries biologist, who had staged their boats and equipment at the campground for a Paddlenose Sturgeon survey they were conducting on the nearby Yellowstone river. The grounds may have been mowed this season, but was littered with downed branches. It was obvious that this campground has been neglected for many years, and gets very little use by local, and transient campers alike. The previous owners were an elderly couple, and the current owner is an elderly man (or so we were told). It has potential under new (younger) ownership, and an infussion of $$$ and labor. We used the 30A power to run our AC during the evening without any issues, but didn't use the water or sewer (but they were there). Payment is cash on the honor system, paid through a slot on the office building door ($30 for site w/elect). Why did we stay? I was too exhausted to drive any further. Would we stay again? NO.
TravelerThe owner was very welcoming! No frills campground with everything you need for a comfortable stay. Free single shower and restroom, large 24hr laundry, full hookups and a gas station near by.
GuideThis location was perfect way stop on our trip east. It was easy to find and level. These spots are great to roll into, make a quick dinner, have a propane fire, call it a night, and the catch some amazing sunrises right down the the road.
GuideThere are 2 gravel lots right when you pull in, if you have a big rig or low clearance car, stay there. Going further, the road is pretty rough and steep. Half way down the road, there is a lot and another at the end. As well as a gate, possibly leading to more spots? I saw lots of broken glass and bullet shells. Overall it was very peaceful and a gorgeous spot. Would come back.
GuideLocated just outside the town of Miles City. Matthew’s Recreation Area is a great little spot. It has 3-4 FCFS campsites with tables and fire rings. Our site (not numbered) is the first site off the parking lot area, nestled along the feeder creek and the river. It is convenient, clean, includes vault toilets and some sites have grills. There is even one large group camp site.
GuideSpent 2 nights here. Other than the occasional train was nice and quiet. Plenty of space. Nicely maintained grounds and pit toilets.
Dispersed camping options near Terry, Montana include BLM lands in an area characterized by rolling grasslands and badlands formations at an elevation of approximately 2,200 feet. The region experiences significant seasonal temperature variations with summer highs reaching 90°F and winter temperatures often dropping below freezing. Most primitive camping areas lack reliable cell service and require preparation for variable weather conditions.
Hike the badlands formations: Short Pine OHV Area offers more than just vehicle recreation. As one visitor noted, "This was an excellent spot for jeeps/off road vehicles. Very private, lots of fun if you have dirt bikes or four wheelers with you to explore... Pit toilet was clean and unlocked. There was a map of the entire park as well. Probably one of my favorite spots." The area provides opportunities for hiking among unique geological formations.
Explore nearby state parks: Makoshika State Park Campground features extensive hiking trails ranging from easy to moderate difficulty. A camper shared, "The hiking was ...well... Awesome! You can actually walk through the hills and on top and around. There were rabbits appearing and disappearing. There were benches in interesting places. Informational markers and interesting spots." Located approximately 25 miles from Terry, this park offers educational opportunities with dinosaur fossils.
Fishing access: Located along the Yellowstone River, Fallon Bridge provides river access for anglers. While primarily a fishing access point rather than a dedicated campground, one visitor clarified, "This is a spot that provides fishing access not really a campground. I believe you could stay here but there are no real designated spots, it is right next to the road, no trees, nothing really to do." Bring your own fishing gear as no rentals are available.
Affordable stays: BLM Mathews Recreation Area offers no-cost camping options. A visitor confirmed, "Upto 16 days camping and it is free." This makes it an economical base for exploring the Terry area.
River access: Riverside locations provide water recreation opportunities. At BLM Mathews Recreation Area, a camper described it as a "Nice scenic location by the river side with boat access." The concrete paths make this area more accessible than many primitive sites.
Stargazing opportunities: Strawberry Hill Recreation Area Dispersed Camping offers exceptional night sky viewing. One visitor commented, "Views were beautiful and stargazing was awesome top tier." The minimal light pollution creates optimal conditions for astronomy enthusiasts.
Road conditions: Access to many dispersed camping areas requires appropriate vehicles. At Strawberry Hill, a visitor advised, "You definitely need awd or 4wd as the terrain is rugged getting to sites. The first one or two aren't terrible... Explored a bit further and wouldn't advise as it's very rough and didn't see much for quality camping."
Limited amenities: Most dispersed sites lack basic facilities. A camper at Strawberry Hill noted, "There are no designated areas off the road, no fire pits or tables." Pack accordingly with sufficient water and waste disposal plans.
Potential noise issues: Some camping areas experience unexpected noise disturbances. At Miles City KOA, a camper mentioned, "This is your typical KOA, very nice staff, very clean but lots of people. It is also RIGHT next to a train track which ran all night." Similarly, at BLM Mathews Recreation Area, another reported "6 trains in the night just a quarter mile away."
Kid-friendly parks: Makoshika State Park offers educational opportunities for children. A visitor recommended, "Kids would love this park... The hiking was awesome! You can actually walk through the hills and on top and around. There were rabbits appearing and disappearing... Excellent place to bring the kids."
Playground access: Big Sky Camp & RV Park previously featured playground facilities, though recent visitors note changes. A reviewer mentioned, "The playground is gone now," so verify current amenities before planning a family stay with children expecting play equipment.
Swimming options: During warm months, some facilities offer swimming. At Miles City KOA, a visitor appreciated, "A very nice taken care of campground! This place is very relaxing a great little heated pool, playground and dog park... super clean bathrooms and a great communal pavilion with grills to use."
Dump stations: Most dog friendly campgrounds near Terry have limited waste disposal facilities. At Small Towne RV Campground, visitors can access sanitary dump stations, though one visitor warned about water quality: "The water in Terry has a lot of iron, I'm sure it's potable, but it looks cloudy and brown. Not the campgrounds fault."
Hookup availability: For those requiring electrical connections, options exist despite the remote location. One camper at Small Towne RV Campground noted, "About half pull through and half back in... Excellent value for going to see the Terry Badlands and Mikoshako. $25/night for full hook ups."
Clearance issues: RVers should note potential obstacles. At Miles City KOA, a visitor warned, "Pay attention to the directions given to get into the campground as there is an 11' clearance bridge in town." Plan routes accordingly to avoid clearance problems with larger rigs.
Frequently Asked Questions
Which is the most popular dog-friendly campsite near Terry, MT?
According to TheDyrt.com, the most popular dog-friendly campground near Terry, MT is Small Towne RV Campground with a 3.3-star rating from 3 reviews.
What is the best site to find dog-friendly camping near Terry, MT?
TheDyrt.com has all 18 dog-friendly camping locations near Terry, MT, with real photos and reviews from campers.
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