Camping is a great way for families to experience our state parks and many remote areas. Enjoy the wonderful smells of nature, the sound of the wind in the trees, and the peaceful birdsongs.
Twenty of Montana's 55 state parks have more than 500 campsites to reserve. It's easy! Book in advance and take the stress out of your trip, leaving more time to explore Montana's nature, culture and recreation heritage.
Campsites are reservable from the third Friday in May through the third Sunday in September. You can make reservations six months in advance of your stay, and no later than two days prior to your arrival at most parks, up to one day in advance at Whitefish Lake, Beavertail Hill, Placid Lake, Salmon Lake, Lewis & Clark Caverns, Black Sandy and Tongue River Reservoir state parks.
For a unique camping experience try one of Montana State Parks' cabins, yurts, or tipis, or a hike-in/bike-in site.
Many of Montana's Fishing Access Sites offer camping accomodations. The availability, fees, and amenities are unique to each site. So make sure to access the individual site's information before planning your trip.
Many of Montana's Wildlife Management Areas offer camping accomodations. The availability, fees, and amenities are unique to each area. So make sure to access the individual area's information before planning your trip.
The camping cabins at Lewis & Clark Caverns are a peaceful, comfortable retreat at the end of a day of adventuring. Cabins accommodate 4 people.
Included:
One Double Bed
One Set of Bunk Beds
Table and 4 Chairs
Electrical Outlets
Electric Heat
Lights
Grill for Outdoor Cooking
What You Should Bring:
Bedding
Cooking Utensils
Personal Toiletries
Charcoal
State Parks Yurts
Big Arm State Park invites you to the latest in circular camping comfort. These yurts are made of a wood lattice frame covered with insulated canvas walls. They have skylights that open, screened windows, solid floors and locking doors. The smaller yurts accommodate 4 people; the large yurt accommodates 6.
Included:
Single/Double-Sized Bunk Bed (depends on size of yurt)
Futon Sofa that converts to a double bed (only in 20' yurt)
Rollaway Bed
Electrical Outlets
Table and 4 Chairs
Electrical Heat and Lights
Campsite Includes:
Fire Pit
Picnic Table
Water Hydrant
What You Should Bring:
Bedding
Cooking Utensils
Personal Toiletries
Campstove
Flashlight
Camp Chairs
State Parks Tipis
A tipi is the perfect solution for the adventurous. Several Parks offer tipi rentals for an authentic step back in time. The canvas tipis are around 18 feet in diameter and have no furnishings. Tipis accommodate a maximum of 6 or 8 people, depending on the size of the tipi.
For those arriving by foot or peddle-power, hike/bike campsites are designed just for you! A hike-bike site accommodates up to 10 tent spaces, available on a first-come first-served basis.
Easy ways to ensure that black bears and grizzlies stay away from your family ’s campsite this summer.
“Bears can be anywhere in western, central, and southern Montana,” says Erik Wenum, Montana Fish, Wildlife & Parks bear management specialist, who explains that the state’s black and grizzly bear populations continue to grow and expand. “We have bears showing up where they haven’t lived in 30 years. Even if people don’t see them, they’re there, because bears are experts at not being seen.”
