163 campgrounds · Check availability for any dates.
Livingston, Montana serves as a gateway to diverse camping options between Yellowstone National Park and the Gallatin National Forest. Public lands around the city support established RV parks like Livingston/Paradise Valley KOA Holiday with full hookups, while the nearby Pig Farm Fishing Access provides free dispersed camping along the Yellowstone River. Accommodations range from primitive tent sites and pull-through RV spaces to cabin rentals at places like Yellowstone Edge RV Park. Most campgrounds operate seasonally, typically from May through October, with the highest concentration of options along the Highway 89 corridor south toward Gardiner.
Road conditions and seasonal closures significantly impact camping access in the region. The majority of developed campgrounds near Livingston remain closed during winter months, with most opening around May 1st and closing by early October due to Montana's harsh winter conditions. Campgrounds along the Yellowstone River, such as Loch Leven and Mallard's Rest, provide river access but have limited amenities compared to commercial sites. Many visitors note the importance of advance planning during peak summer months when tourism to Yellowstone creates high demand. According to one visitor, "We showed up late one night on my way to Big Sky and was lucky enough to get a spot. There are plenty of amenities such as toilets, fire pits, and tables."
Waterfront camping generates the most positive reviews in the Livingston area, with numerous sites offering Yellowstone River access. Mallard's Rest and Loch Leven fishing access sites provide direct river frontage with mountain views, though both offer only basic facilities like vault toilets. Several visitors mentioned proximity to downtown Livingston as a benefit, allowing campers to enjoy both outdoor recreation and small-town amenities. Paradise Valley camping spots south of town generally receive higher ratings for scenery but experience more tourism traffic. Campers regularly mention the quality of stargazing and wildlife viewing, particularly at sites away from Highway 89. RV parks closer to town provide more amenities but less solitude compared to fishing access sites and Forest Service campgrounds in the surrounding mountains.
"The KOA is tucked away from the main road. Is has beautiful views of the mountains and is very quiet. The staff is extremely friendly and helpful!"
"Bad: Mile long dirt road to get to entrance. Would I stay again: ?, I might try West entrance next time."
"Right next to the river and right off the interstate (kind of noisy from traffic) there were a couple trucks working the railroad but don’t bother us."
"There are train tracks nearby, which wasn't necessarily negative for us since we live next to train tracks at home ."
from $45 - $55 / night
Check Availability"Got a beautiful spot just feet away from the Yellowstone River. Wasn't sure how long we would stay but decided to stay the full week allowance immediately upon getting set up."
"We are right on the Yellowstone River, and snow covered peaks beyond , approximately 12 miles south of Livingston, MT and 20 miles north of the north entrance to Yellowstone NP."
"We stayed in Osens RV park in Livingston, Montana in September 2021. This is a very nice quiet Park with pull-thru sites with FHU."
"Nice dump station at exit. They also have full hookups which I believe were around $15 more per night. Our rate was about $60"
"All the sites in the area were full when we arrived to Livingston (Sunday of labor day weekend)."
"Close to Livingston. Very bumpy road coming in."
"Referred to by locals as the “homeless encampment” there are 1-2 spots that seem to be people staying long term and maybe not the best conditions but we found our own space away from there and had no issues"
"However this site is a couple hundred acres and there’s plenty of room to find a spot that is away from every one else."
"Fun little hike behind the campground to see the hills and valley. Pool is great, does get busy in the middle of the day."
"This park was in a great location and overlooked the whole valley. W/E only for us but there were some full hookups. Very clean facilities and friendly staff, right down the street from Bozeman."
from $49 / night
Check Availability"Right on the edge of the Yellowstone River, about 90 minutes north of Yellowstone NP. This is an RV Park, so no tents are allowed. The view of the river and the mountains is fantastic."
"Great location with easy drive south to Yellowstone or dining in Livingston a few miles north. Clean modern shower & bath, plus laundry and store."
"Great bathrooms, wonderful location in proximity to Yellowstone and downtown Livingston while still being off the beaten path."
from $35 - $300 / night
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ScoutI've only been there about 150 times, but no one has ever mentioned a pet policy. I have been there with 2-3 dogs for the last 20 years, although I try to visit during the week when others are rarely present.
GuideAbout 1/2 dozen spots but it’s a great escape from Gardiner.
Plenty of elk, rabbits, and bears. The carcasses speak for themselves so campers beware.
TravelerMade it up easy in our 24ft Class C motorhome. Little bumpy near the end but not bad at all. Great view of the valley on one side and rock hill on the other.
TravelerI stayed at Carbella Recreation Site for a full week, using it as our primary base camp for exploring the northern section of Yellowstone National Park. Overall, it’s a fantastic, affordable spot if you are self-contained.
The Good Prime Location for Yellowstone: Located just 19 miles north of the North Entrance (Gardiner, MT), making daily trips into the park easy and hassle-free. Well-Equipped Campsites: Every site comes outfitted with a picnic table, a fire pit, and a secure bear locker for food storage. Easy First-Come, First-Served Access: With around 15 to 16 total sites, we noticed there were almost always a few vacant spots available, even over the weekend. Simple Self-Check-In: Self-registration at the entry kiosk is quick and painless—just fill out the registration form or punch in your information to claim your vacant site. Riverside Atmosphere: The campground sits right along the Yellowstone River. The mature trees along the riverbank offer nice shade, and listening to the flowing river at night is wonderful. Stunning Views: You get incredible, unobstructed views of Electric Peak—the tallest mountain in northern Yellowstone. Exceptionally Clean Restrooms: The two vault/pit toilets on-site are very well-maintained, clean, and surprisingly low-odor. Unbeatable Price: At $15 per night (or $7.50/night with an Interagency Lifetime Senior Pass), you won't find a better deal this close to the park.
Things to Keep in Mind (The Cons) Dry Camping / Pack It In, Pack It Out: There is no potable water and no garbage service (no trash cans). Plan to bring all the fresh water you need and take all trash with you when you leave. Hard-Sided Vehicles Only (Seasonal Ban): Due to high grizzly bear activity in the area, tent camping and soft-sided pop-ups are strictly prohibited from June 2 through December 31. You must be in a hard-sided camper/RV or vehicle during this period.
GuidePulled in to one of the last two spots and woah!!!
Yes, it’s right on the gravel/dirt road but it’s not a freeway so it gets quiet really fast.
Zero complaint from me when I can get prime real estate right on the water with this view.
Plan for mosquitoes, you will be eaten alive.
GuideGreat pit-stop on the way to/from you-name-it.
You can still hear traffic no matter how far you go but it’s faint. Harleys on the road and the train going through town are however annoying af and very audible.
Still, the location is very nice, convenient, and, - were it not for the above- would be ideal for longer stays. Tons of room to spread out, and “the homeless” are people too who seem to mind their own business so don’t sweat it. 👍
I also was pleasantly surprised at how clean it was. Great job, humans!!
GuideI loved camping here, even when it started pouring for an hour or so. Short road from Gardiner into tons of really cool spots, amazing overlooks, I was a little late on a Wednesday in July and still got an incredible spot. Pretty rough road, nothing a normal car couldnt do by going slow though.
TravelerWe would rather find a totally undeveloped spot, but for those mot wanting total isolation this is nice. Must get a site with trees. Those out without are surely hot. Yellowstone river is moving right along and there is a public boat ramp at end of campground so lots get in and out here. Fun to watch boaters go by.
TravelerParked in the trees for shade. Yellowstone river accessable but high. Floaters liked it. Train is very close but not obnoxious. Ya hear it almost as loud in nearby Big Timber. Mosquitos are abundant and hungry.
Dispersed camping options surround Livingston, Montana at elevations ranging from 4,500 feet in town to 6,000+ feet in nearby mountain areas. The Absaroka mountain range creates a rain shadow effect that keeps camping areas relatively dry compared to other Montana regions, with summer high temperatures averaging 80-85°F. Seasonal considerations significantly impact campsite availability, with most dispersed camping areas requiring self-sufficiency in waste management.
Fishing access: 12-minute drive from Livingston. The Yellowstone River flows directly through several camping areas, offering prime fishing opportunities. Pig Farm Fishing Access Camp provides direct river access with a boat ramp. "Great ramp for launching boats or kayaks or fishing from. Yellowstone on one side and beautiful mountains on the other and it's free!" reports Steve M.
Hot springs visit: 30-minute drive south. Chico Hot Springs is a popular day trip from nearby campsites. Loch Leven serves as a convenient base camp with a prime river location. "Small but nice campsite... steps away from the Yellowstone River - awesome view," notes Jonas. The campground costs $18 per night for non-residents without a fishing license, or $12 with a license.
Stargazing: Best June-September. Clear mountain air and minimal light pollution create exceptional night sky viewing. "We did lose our white famepoint Siamese cat here in June. We stayed in the middle site just across the little road from the river. All the sites were pretty nice," mentions Crystal R. about her Loch Leven stay, highlighting the remote camping experience.
River proximity: Prime waterfront sites. Campers consistently rate waterfront sites highest among Livingston-area camping options. Yellowstone Edge RV Park offers premium riverside locations. "We parked on one of the river sites, and the river was about 15 feet from our back door, absolutely beautiful!" says Dawn R. The campground operates seasonally from May 1 to October 10.
Music events: Summer concert access. The area hosts summer concerts that can be heard from certain campsites. Jammin Jackalope Campground offers this unique experience. "Even more amazing when there are shows next door as you can hear the whole concert," notes Elizabeth H., highlighting this distinctive feature that separates it from other camping options.
Mountain views: Absaroka Range visibility. The eastern horizon features dramatic mountain scenery visible from many campsites. "Great little KOA. Awesome views of the Absaroka range. Book early. Tent sites were great. Nice dog park, small though," reports Justin S., emphasizing the importance of advance reservations during peak season.
Train noise: Regular freight traffic. Railroad tracks run through the area with trains passing regularly. "Beautiful spot by the Yellowstone River. Train whistles woke us up four times," reports Prudence T. about her stay at Pig Farm Fishing Access Camp.
Limited amenities at fishing access sites. State-managed fishing access areas offer minimal facilities. "No water, but right on the Yellowstone River. You hear the road noise at night but if you need a beautiful spot as part of the Yellowstone excursion it's a good one nighter," explains Erica T. about Mallard's Rest.
Road conditions: Variable access. Some camping areas require navigating unpaved roads. "The road is a bit rough, not well maintained but I'm sure you could drive a big rig in here just take it slow," notes Steven L. about Pig Farm Fishing Access, providing important information for larger vehicles.
Pool facilities: Beat summer heat. Several campgrounds offer swimming pools for family recreation. "Beautiful campground with kind staff and wonderful patrons. Be prepared to be close to your neighbors. A lovely place - would visit again!" reports Abigail L. about Livingston/Paradise Valley KOA Holiday.
Playground availability: Limited options. Family-friendly recreational facilities vary significantly between campgrounds. "Definitely a great spot if you're looking for all amenities. Great if you're camping with little ones too, nice playground and activities for the family. Very clean restrooms & showers," shares Ashley M. about Livingston/Paradise Valley KOA.
Wildlife viewing considerations. Children may enjoy prairie dog sightings at certain campsites. "Beautiful views & shared our site with some curious but shy prairie dogs," Carmen notes about her Loch Leven experience, highlighting a natural attraction for children.
Site spacing variations. RV spaces range from spacious to compact depending on the campground. "Mostly a gravel lot, close sites. Don't think I would stay again. Overpriced because close to Yellowstone," reports Donna T. about Osen's RV Park by Starry Night Lodging.
Full hookup availability. Several campgrounds offer complete utility connections. "Very nice RV Park. All sites are gravel, the grass areas are really green and well taken care of. Great dog play area, large," notes Charley K. about Osen's RV Park.
Entrance challenges. Some RV parks have difficult access points. "Not the best experience. The entrance is quite tricky and very steep. We missed the entrance and had to find a place to unhook and turn around. (We're in a 36' RV pulling a Jeep)," warns MaryAnn B. about Bear Canyon Campground, providing crucial information for drivers of larger rigs.
Frequently Asked Questions
What camping is available near Livingston, MT?
According to TheDyrt.com, Livingston, MT offers a wide range of camping options, with 163 campgrounds and RV parks near Livingston, MT and 30 free dispersed camping spots.
Which is the most popular campground near Livingston, MT?
According to TheDyrt.com, the most popular campground near Livingston, MT is Livingston/Paradise Valley KOA Holiday with a 4.1-star rating from 22 reviews.
Where can I find free dispersed camping near Livingston, MT?
According to TheDyrt.com, there are 30 free dispersed camping spots near Livingston, MT.
What parks are near Livingston, MT?
According to TheDyrt.com, there are 10 parks near Livingston, MT that allow camping, notably Gallatin National Forest and Custer Gallatin National Forest.
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