Featured Image Photo Credit: Montana Department of Commerce, visitmt.com
Montana is so much more than its natural beauty. Its beating heart lies in its small towns, where community is alive and well, where everyone is connected to each other and where all the locals have the same plans on a special summer Friday night: heading over to the county fairgrounds.
There’s no better way to get an immersive slice of Montana life than to join these community celebrations – and to camp nearby. For your next road trip through this great state, plan to experience a county fair along the way. While many fairs don’t have onsite camping, you’ll find plenty of campgrounds and public lands within easy reach. Here’s what you need to know:
Midway Magic
Montana’s county fairs are multi-day celebrations that attract locals from all over the region. During the day, you’ll see the serious business of agricultural competition – prize-winning steers, sheep, and garden displays that showcase the backbone of Montana’s economy. As the sun sets, the rodeo begins with the national anthem, then moves into events like bareback riding, barrel racing, and bull riding – each capturing Montana’s official sport in all its eight-second glory.
The evening entertainment often extends well beyond the arena, too. Live bands take the stage, couples swing dance under string lights and the crowd goes wild at the demolition derby. Food vendors serve everything from tacos to funnel cakes, and laughter from the games and rides drifts across the fairgrounds well into the night.
Photo Credit: Montana Department of Commerce, visitmt.com
The Camping Advantage
Staying put for a few days opens up the fair experience in ways most people never discover. You’ll catch the early morning exhibitors tending to their animals, the behind-the-scenes prep work that makes the magic happen, and you’ll meet locals who’ve been coming to these fairs for decades.
More importantly, camping gives you time to explore beyond the fairgrounds. County fairs are gateways to discovering local gems, like historic main streets, family-owned cafes, fishing access sites and hiking trails that locals frequent but rarely make it into guidebooks. Camping close by allows for morning coffee runs into town, afternoon explorations of rivers and trails and the kind of unhurried interactions that create lasting memories.
Photo Credit: Montana Department of Commerce, visitmt.com
Planning Your Fair Camp Experience
Many of Montana’s county fairgrounds operate on-site campgrounds, but availability during fair dates varies significantly. Some fairgrounds reserve all camping space for exhibitors and vendors during fair week while others welcome visitors on a first-come, first-served basis. The Great Northern Fair in Havre and the Sanders County Fair in Plains offer onsite camping during events, but you’ll need to check to see if you can reserve a site in advance.
If on-site camping isn’t available, snag a spot at a nearby campground and purchase a multi-day fair pass that allows re-entry. State fishing access sites often provide basic camping within reasonable driving distance of fairgrounds, though you’ll need a Montana Conservation License to access most state-managed lands. These sites offer the bonus of an early morning angling session and typically cost less than private campgrounds.
Private RV parks and campgrounds often see increased business during fair week, so book your spot early. While you may have a short drive to the fairgrounds, depending on the camping spot you choose, you may be able to enjoy amenities like full hookups, showers and laundry facilities.
Photo Credit: Montana Department of Commerce, visitmt.com
Gearing Up
When it comes to winding down at your campsite, a folding camp chair from Montana-based Crazy Creek will make all the difference when it comes to comfort. Keeping beverages cold and snacks fresh also requires serious cooler game – and Lone Mountain Coolers, another Montana company, offers all kinds of hard- and soft-sided options in fun colors. And don’t forget the basics: pack layers for temperature swings, comfortable walking shoes and rain gear in case the weather moves in.
The Deeper Experience
County fair camping connects you to Montana’s agricultural heritage in ways that drive-by tourism simply cannot match. These events are fueled by genuine community pride – they’re authentic celebrations of place, tradition and community.
When you camp at or near fairgrounds, you don’t feel like a visitor – you feel like part of the celebration, surrounded by locals eager to show you what makes their corner of Montana special. Most importantly, you’ll make memories that will last long after the carnival lights have faded from your rearview mirror.
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