Best Tent Camping near Custer National Forest
Custer National Forest offers several primitive tent camping options across its Montana side, with varying levels of amenities and seclusion. Moorhead Recreation Site provides tent camping with fire rings and picnic tables in a secluded setting along the river. Blacks Pond Campground and Ekalaka Park Campground are additional established tent camping areas in the region, though facilities at both are minimal.
Tent campers should prepare for self-sufficient camping at most sites. Moorhead Recreation Site features spring water, though campers should bring their own drinking water as potability is uncertain. While some sites like Macnab Pond offer vault toilets, many areas provide no sanitation facilities. Access to Moorhead has been affected by bridge closures on Moorhead Road, requiring alternate routes via Powder River Road. A reviewer noted, "The bridge isn't safe enough to cross with a vehicle. Can still walk across." Most tent camping areas in the region are free or have minimal fees.
Several tent campgrounds in the region offer notable seclusion and natural settings. Ekalaka Park Campground provides well-spaced tent sites in a forested area just north of town, with steep terrain contributing to privacy between sites. A camper described it as having "camping spots that are very few but well spaced and comfortable for tents." Blacks Pond Campground offers level spots in a remote location that serves as both a potential fishing spot and swimming hole. Moorhead Recreation Site features scenic cliffs on the south and east sides, creating a backdrop for camping, particularly beautiful in early summer. The region's campgrounds typically remain uncrowded, allowing for quiet tent camping experiences away from busier recreation areas.
