Beartooth Lake

I grew up visiting the Beartooth Mountains every year, but never actually camped there until last weekend and I'm mad I didn't do it sooner. The campground is very clean, with access to water and vault toilets that are well maintained (honestly the only vault toilet I haven't dreaded going into). It was nearly full when my friend and I went and it still felt like we had privacy. There is a creek that runs behind the site we were at which was perfect - we just used my Sawyer squeeze filter with that water and it tasted amazing. The lake was great as well. We brought our kayaks and made a loop around half of the lake. It was absolutely gorgeous and we will definitely be going again! We went labor day weekend and it got down to 29°F at night so bring appropriate gear.

Very nice little campground albeit a little pricey. If you are looking for a good base camp to go adventuring along the Beartooth Highway, this is a great option. Right along Beartooth Lake, vault toilets in each of the 3 loops and running water in Loop B. Loop C is set the farthest back and some of the sites aren't the most level. I opted for Loop B and it was quite pleasant. You have to get your payment envelope at Loop A. The road can be a bit rough. At $15 a night it seemed like a lot for what I needed. No service with Verizon. Great access to hiking trails.

We came to Beartooth Lake via Red Lodge on the Beartooth Highway. It’s a remarkable drive with views for days.

We didn’t have reservation coming up here, but found a beautiful site FF. We ended up in C19 and I’d highly recommend coming down to the last loop as there are only 4 sites and back here and two babbling brooks running down to the lake.

Sites were well maintained, spacious and protected from others. Toilets were FS toilets and got the job done.

We took a hike to the backside of the lake which had numerous shallow creek crossings and great vistas across the lake.

I don’t have any other campgrounds to compare to up here, but I would without hesitation come back.

Nice campground on the Beartooth Scenic Byway! Site had plenty of room and were spread apart. Mosquitos here are no joke but disperse quickly when camp boundary sprayed. Store nearby with very nice owners. Follow the byway all the way to Red Lodge for some fantastic views! No cell service!

What a place! Site 19 is right on a rapidly flowing river that enters Beartooth Lake. It’s a large site in loop c. We’re the only ones this far down but we passed campers in the other two loops. The water sources in all loops are not working so be prepared. Clean vault toilets are in each loop. Hail greets us just after setting up- and this is July! It’s 50 degrees at 1 so we’re planning to try and stay warm. The sun popped out right away so the weather seems temperamental. 

Beartooth highway is narrow and closes due to weather at times. The scenery is amazing and well worth stopping at all the overlooks. 

Be sure to check out the lake. There is a day use area with a boat launch. Mosquitoes were out even as we set up. Bear signs are around so be aware of those grizzlies. 

This is a great find for only$15.

Phenomenal camping in the Beartooth Wilderness. Up over 9000 feet, prepare for cold nights and large mosquitoes in the summer. Don't let this turn you away though, as the mountain views and air are worth it.

A well named campground as the grizzly bear activities in the campground precluded us actually spending the night in the campground in July of 2015. The ranger actually closed the campground down as we were pulling up, saying poor camper habits with food storage had attracted a sow and cub to the campground. He was going to set up a live trap and hopefully move them to a new home territory. That said, we were able to take a quick look at the campground before being shooed out. Nice, clean, about 20 sites not too close to each other with picnic tables, fire rings, food storage boxes, and vault toilets. We were able to hike around the outside edge of the campground (note the picture of the fresh bear print in the mud) to get to the Claw Lake Trail, an 8 miler that winds up over 9,000 feet past several beautiful named and unnamed lakes, including Claw Lake and Beauty Lake. Carry bear spray and mosquito spray!!