Falling asleep to the sound of rushing water with Pilot Peak visible on the horizon is a common first-night experience along this stretch of dispersed camping in Shoshone National Forest. Multiple turnoffs line the Beartooth Highway between the Joseph Highway junction and the Montana border, each accommodating a few groups at a time. Most pull-offs sit close enough to the river that the water is audible from camp. Some sites have bear boxes; others do not, so campers should plan accordingly.
Cell service is essentially nonexistent here. Reviewers consistently note that the bistro in Cooke City provides WiFi with a meal, which makes it a practical stop for downloading maps or confirming reservations before heading out. Cooke City also carries basic supplies and sits roughly ten to fifteen miles west of the camping area, with Yellowstone's northeast entrance accessible in under twenty minutes. Clarks Fork Yellowstone River Dispersed — Shoshone NF (US 212) and Pilot Creek Dispersed Camping are nearby alternatives along the same corridor.
Weather can shift fast at this elevation. One camper arrived to snow and high winds in July, ultimately retreating to Red Lodge rather than tenting through the storm. Bringing layers and a solid shelter is not optional here. Chad K. notes that Crazy Creek, a waterfall area across from Crazy Creek Campground, is "very worth the short hike." The camping is free, open to all, and requires full self-sufficiency, including waste pack-out. Campers who come prepared and time their visit around stable weather will find this corridor worth the planning.
RV Road Trip Guides
Map & DirectionsBeartooth Scenic Byway Camping is located in Wyoming near Cooke City
Dispersed CampingCoordinates
44.95815699 N
109.81068282 W
Connectivity
T-MobileNo CoverageVerified by 2 usersLast on 8/14/26- VerizonNo Coverage
- AT&TNo Coverage
Connectivity
- T-MobileNo CoverageVerified by 2 usersLast on 8/14/26
- VerizonNo Coverage
- AT&TNo Coverage
Access
- Drive-InPark next to your site
- Walk-InPark in a lot, walk to your site.
Site Types
- Dispersed
Features
For Campers
- ADA Access
- Alcohol
- Pets
- Fires
For Vehicles
- Pull-Through Sites
- Big Rig Friendly
DISPERSED CAMPING
Enjoy dispersed camping on government land and leave no trace. Pack in and pack out. No (or limited) services at this camping area. Permit may be required.
PERMIT might be REQUIRED
We curate permit requirements across the US for our PRO members. Try PRO to see if Beartooth Scenic Byway Camping needs a permit.
Drive Time
- 2 hrs 34 min from Billings, MT
- 3 hrs 50 min from Bozeman, MT
- 5 hrs 14 min from Helena, MT
- 7 hrs 4 min from Idaho Falls, ID
