Campers traveling to Wilsall, Montana find diverse camping options at elevations ranging from 4,500 to 7,000 feet in surrounding mountain terrain. The area experiences significant seasonal temperature variations, with summer days reaching the 80s and evenings dropping to the 40s. Access to many campgrounds becomes restricted after September 15 when seasonal closures begin on mountain roads.
What to do
Hiking to mountain peaks: At Fairy Lake Campground, visitors can access the popular Sacajawea Peak trail directly from camp. "Rough road getting up and can get pretty crowded when the gates open but, great access to sacagewea peak hike and cold water," notes one camper.
Fishing in alpine waters: The Grey Bear Fishing Access Area offers productive spots along the Yellowstone River. A visitor reports, "Great fishing access site. There are trains close by but that didn't bother too much. If you stay with kids there are spots where the river current is quite strong close to shore."
Exploring historical sites: Visit the Missouri Headwaters State Park Campground where three rivers converge to form the Missouri. "Experience Camping near where Captains Meriwether Lewis and William Clark and the Corps of Discovery camped at the headwaters of the Missouri river in 1805," explains one reviewer, adding that "historical signs about the Corps of Discovers stay at the headwaters of the Missouri and their journey are located through out the park."
What campers like
Accessible alpine lakes: The water access at Hood Creek draws many visitors. "The campground itself is small but well-maintained, with both tent and RV spots. The real highlight is the location—you're right at the spot where the Jefferson, Madison, and Gallatin Rivers come together to form the Missouri River," notes a recent visitor.
Spacious sites at luxury campgrounds: The Livingston/Paradise Valley KOA Holiday offers premium amenities for those seeking more comfort than typical glamping near Wilsall. "They have grass and gravel pull thrus and back ins, lots of tent areas, indoor pool. Nice and quiet!" shares one camper.
Wildlife viewing opportunities: Campers report close encounters with local fauna. "For sure there is 1 grizzly that's pretty big. He checked out our truck tent," reports one Fairy Lake visitor, who adds that "Mountain Goats will come in your camp and they will do what goats do and want to check you out. They are not scared."
What you should know
Rough access roads: The road to Fairy Lake presents challenges. "The drive up is very rough, most vehicles I saw were Toyotas and Subarus. 4 Wheel drive is recommended, however I took my Ram Promaster 3500 Campervan up to the top where the campground is," shares one visitor.
Seasonal availability: Most mountain campgrounds close by mid-September. "Signs posted this weekend that gate is closing for the season at 12:00PM 9/28/25," reports a Hood Creek camper. "Never saw a forest service staff member or any representative for the recreation area this weekend."
Reservation challenges: Popular sites book quickly, especially during peak summer months. At Hood Creek Campground, "A massive bummer that boils my blood is I had no less than 5 nearby spots all reserved for multiple nights where nobody showed during the entire weekend while others strolled thru looking for a place to camp."
Tips for camping with families
Look for swimming spots: Some locations offer safe water access for children. "The open field was perfect for letting the kiddos run around while being able to keep a close eye on them. The fields were covered in wildflowers, which is always awesome!" shares a visitor at Ibex Cabin.
Consider noise levels: Some campgrounds experience traffic or rail noise. At VangoBoon, "Biggest negative is that you can hear all the highway noise and trucks like to jake-break in this area. On the other side of the highway there were railroad tracks. The train blew its horn through this area frequently," reports a family with dogs and a toddler.
Check for playground access: Several campgrounds offer dedicated play areas. A visitor to Three Forks KOA Journey notes it's "Very family friendly. Park for children. Great walking paths. Fire pit accessible."
Tips from RVers
Site leveling requirements: Be prepared for uneven terrain. One RVer at Three Forks KOA Journey mentioned their "Spacious gravel site, although needed quite a bit of leveling."
Length restrictions: Many forest service roads have tight turns and limited space. At Big Timber-Greycliff KOA, sites vary in size: "Spacious and Clean. Very nice ladies at the office/store. Little creek runs along one side, tall pine trees... just a nice feel to the campground."
Hook-up availability: Full service sites are limited to private campgrounds like KOAs in the area. Most national forest glamping options near Wilsall offer minimal services. "We ended up here on a winter site that had electric but no water or bathroom facilities (I knew this). Site was plowed and I had plenty of room for my pickup with GFC camper to fit," reports a VangoBoon visitor.
