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Tent camping at night.

Camping

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.

State Parks with Camping

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.

Fishing Access Sites with Camping

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. 

 

View Montana's Fishing Access Sites with camping. (Note: refer to the list under the map for individual sites.)

Wildlife Management Areas with Camping

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. 

 

View Montana's Wildlife Management Areas with camping.

State Parks Cabins

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.

Included:

  • Picnic Tables

  • Fire Grill

What You Should Bring:

  • Sleeping Bag/ Pad

  • Cooking Utensils

  • Personal Toiletries

  • Flashlight

State Parks with Tipis available:

State Parks Hike/Bike Campsites

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.

Hike/bike campsite ate Whitefish Lake State Park

Included:

  • Tent pads

  • Fire rings

  • Bear resistant food lockers

  • Potable water

  • Electrical outlets

  • Covered shelter with picnic tables

  • Bicycle racks

  • Bicycle maintenance stand

Hike-Bike sites are located at:

Bear-Proof Camping

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.”

Read the Article 
People Camping

Be Prepared

Important information for getting outside safely and responsibly.