Top 10 Best Camping & Outdoor Destinations in Montana (With Travel Guide)
Montana, known as the "Treasure State" and famously promoted as "Big Sky Country," is a paradise for outdoor enthusiasts. With its vast wilderness areas, towering mountains, crystal-clear lakes, and abundant wildlife, Montana offers some of the most breathtaking and remote camping experiences in the United States. Whether you're seeking mountain adventures, alpine lakes, or national park wonders, Montana has it all.
Below are the 10 best camping destinations in Montana, each with:
✅ Unique attractions & activities
✅ Best time to visit
✅ Nearby amenities (food, gas, lodging)
✅ Important tips & safety advice
1. Glacier National Park (West Glacier) – Crown of the Continent
🏔️ Highlights:
Over 700 miles of hiking trails (including the iconic Highline Trail)
Glacial lakes (Lake McDonald, St. Mary Lake) with turquoise waters
Going-to-the-Sun Road (scenic drive through the Rockies)
Wildlife (grizzly bears, moose, mountain goats, bighorn sheep)
🗓️ Best Time to Visit:
July–September (best for hiking & driving, 50-80°F)
Summer (60-80°F) - warm but cool at higher elevations
Fall (40-60°F) - fewer crowds & golden larch trees (mid-Sept to Oct)
Spring (30-50°F) - snow possible, limited access
🛒 Amenities & Accessibility:
Campgrounds: Many campgrounds (Apgar, Fish Creek, St. Mary)
West Glacier (10 mins) has lodges, restaurants & gas stations
Kalispell (30 mins) for more services
⚠️ Things to Know:
Bear safety is critical—carry bear spray & make noise
Going-to-the-Sun Road has shuttle buses (reservations needed)
Weather changes quickly—pack layers & rain gear
2. Yellowstone National Park (Gardiner) – America’s First National Park
🌋 Highlights:
Geysers (Old Faithful), hot springs & mud pots
Wildlife (bison, wolves, elk, grizzly bears)
Grand Prismatic Spring (colorful hot spring)
Hiking & wildlife viewing
🗓️ Best Time to Visit:
June–September (best for wildlife & hiking, 40-80°F)
Summer (50-80°F) - warm but cool at night
Fall (30-60°F) - fewer crowds & elk rutting season
Spring (30-50°F) - snow possible, limited access
🛒 Amenities & Accessibility:
Campgrounds: Mammoth, Canyon, Grant Village
Gardiner (5 mins) has basic services
Bozeman (1.5 hours) for more services
⚠️ Things to Know:
Bison & bears are dangerous—keep distance
Crowds peak in July & August—visit early/late season
Some roads close in winter (snowmobile access only)
3. Flathead National Forest (Kalispell) – Wild & Scenic Rivers & Lakes
🌲 Highlights:
Hungry Horse Reservoir & Swan Lake (boating & fishing)
Wildlife viewing (grizzlies, moose, deer)
Hiking trails (including Continental Divide segments)
Scenic drives (Camas Road, Bob Marshall Wilderness)
🗓️ Best Time to Visit:
June–September (best for outdoor activities, 50-80°F)
Summer (60-80°F) - warm but shaded trails
Fall (40-60°F) - fewer crowds & foliage
Spring (40-60°F) - snow possible in higher elevations
🛒 Amenities & Accessibility:
Campgrounds: Many dispersed & developed sites
Kalispell (30 mins) has supermarkets & gas stations
Whitefish (20 mins) for more services
⚠️ Things to Know:
Grizzly bears are present—carry bear spray
Some areas require high-clearance vehicles
Weather changes quickly—pack layers
4. Big Sky Resort Area (Bozeman) – Skiing & Summer Adventures
⛷️ Highlights:
Big Sky Resort (skiing, mountain biking, hiking)
Gallatin River (fly fishing & rafting)
Wildlife (elk, deer, bighorn sheep)
Scenic views of the Spanish Peaks
🗓️ Best Time to Visit:
December–March (best for skiing, 10-30°F)
Summer (June–Sept) - 50-80°F - hiking & biking
Fall (30-60°F) - fewer crowds & foliage
Spring (30-50°F) - snow possible
🛒 Amenities & Accessibility:
Campgrounds: Near Bozeman & Big Sky
Bozeman (45 mins) has full services
Gallatin Gateway (20 mins) for basics
⚠️ Things to Know:
Winter driving requires chains/snow tires
Altitude sickness possible above 8,000 ft
Wildlife crosses roads—drive carefully
5. Beartooth Highway & Absaroka-Beartooth Wilderness (Red Lodge) – Alpine Adventure
🏔️ Highlights:
Beartooth Highway (one of the most scenic drives in America)
Alpine lakes (Granite Peak, the highest in Montana)
Hiking & backcountry camping
Wildlife (mountain goats, bighorn sheep)
🗓️ Best Time to Visit:
July–September (best for hiking, 40-70°F)
Summer (50-70°F) - cool at high elevations
Fall (30-50°F) - early snow possible
Spring (30-50°F) - roads closed by snow
🛒 Amenities & Accessibility:
Campgrounds: Cooke City (near park entrance)
Red Lodge (30 mins) has basic services
Billings (1.5 hours) for more services
⚠️ Things to Know:
Road opens late June (weather dependent)
High elevation—pack layers & sun protection
Grizzly bears are present—carry bear spray
6. Bighorn Canyon National Recreation Area (Fort Smith) – River & Cliff Views
🌊 Highlights:
Bighorn Lake (boating, fishing, swimming)
Yellowtail Dam & dramatic cliffs
Wildlife (bighorn sheep, eagles, ospreys)
Hiking & boating trails
🗓️ Best Time to Visit:
May–September (best for water activities, 50-85°F)
Summer (60-85°F) - warm but breezy
Fall (40-60°F) - fewer crowds
Spring (40-60°F) - cooler but peaceful
🛒 Amenities & Accessibility:
Campgrounds: Near Lovell & Fort Smith
Lovell (30 mins) has small grocery stores
Billings (1.5 hours) for more services
⚠️ Things to Know:
Boating requires life jackets
Winds can be strong on the lake
Bighorn sheep are often seen near cliffs
7. Missouri River Breaks National Monument (Lewistown) – Remote River Camping
🌾 Highlights:
Missouri River (float trips & fishing)
Badlands & prairie landscapes
Wildlife (bison, pronghorn, eagles)
Scenic byways (Charles M. Russell National Wildlife Refuge)
🗓️ Best Time to Visit:
May–September (best for floating, 50-85°F)
Summer (60-85°F) - warm but shaded river areas
Fall (40-60°F) - fewer crowds
Spring (40-60°F) - cooler but peaceful
🛒 Amenities & Accessibility:
Campgrounds: Dispersed along the river
Lewistown (1.5 hours) has supermarkets
Great Falls (2 hours) for more services
⚠️ Things to Know:
River trips require planning & permits
Remote—bring all supplies
Wildlife is common—keep distance
8. Glacier View Ranger District (Seeley Lake) – Forest Lakes & Fishing
🏞️ Highlights:
Seeley Lake (fishing & kayaking)
Hiking trails through lodgepole pines
Wildlife (black bears, deer, loons)
Cool summer temperatures
🗓️ Best Time to Visit:
June–September (best for fishing, 50-80°F)
Summer (60-80°F) - mild but pleasant
Fall (40-60°F) - foliage & fewer crowds
Spring (40-60°F) - snow possible
🛒 Amenities & Accessibility:
Campgrounds: Seeley Lake Campground
Seeley Lake (5 mins) has small services
Missoula (1 hour) for more services
⚠️ Things to Know:
Bears are present—secure food
Mosquitoes can be thick in summer
Weather changes quickly
9. Lewis & Clark Caverns State Park (Whitehall) – Historic Caves
🕳️ Highlights:
Lewis & Clark Caverns (guided tours)
Hiking trails & wildlife viewing
Scenic overlooks of the Jefferson River
Cool cave temperatures (50°F year-round)
🗓️ Best Time to Visit:
May–September (best for cave tours, 50-85°F)
Summer (60-85°F) - warm outside, cool in caves
Fall (40-60°F) - fewer crowds
Spring (40-60°F) - cooler but peaceful
🛒 Amenities & Accessibility:
Campgrounds: Near Whitehall
Whitehall (10 mins) has basic services
Bozeman (1.5 hours) for more services
⚠️ Things to Know:
Cave tours are chilly—bring a jacket
Bats may be present—do not disturb
Bring bug spray for above-ground areas
10. Medicine Lake Wilderness (Stanley) – Remote Alpine Lake
🏔️ Highlights:
Medicine Lake (glacial lake with no outlets)
Hiking in the Marble Mountains
Wildlife (bears, moose, eagles)
Dispersed camping in pristine wilderness
🗓️ Best Time to Visit:
July–September (best for hiking, 40-70°F)
Summer (50-70°F) - cool at elevation
Fall (30-50°F) - early snow possible
Spring (30-50°F) - roads closed by snow
🛒 Amenities & Accessibility:
Campgrounds: Dispersed camping only
Stanley (30 mins) has basic services
Missoula (2.5 hours) for more services
⚠️ Things to Know:
No facilities—bring everything you need
Grizzly bears are present—carry bear spray
High elevation—pack layers
Final Tips for Camping in Montana
✔ Reservations are recommended in summer (especially Glacier & Yellowstone)
✔ Bears are common—carry bear spray & follow food storage rules
✔ Weather changes quickly—pack layers, rain gear & sun protection
✔ Remote areas require self-sufficiency—bring extra supplies
Montana’s untamed wilderness, towering peaks, and abundant wildlife make it a dream destination for campers. Whether you want glacier lakes, alpine hikes, or river adventures, these 10 destinations will give you an unforgettable Montana outdoor experience. 🏕️🌲🐻