Free National Forest campground | Established Campground
United States
Details
- Verified:
- 11 months ago
- GPS:
- 45.43231, -111.15859
- Altitude:
- 1786.3 masl
- Website:
- None
- Phone:
- None
- Contributor:
-
texasking
Amenities
- Electricity:
- No
- Wifi:
- No
- Kitchen:
- No
- Restaurant:
- No
- Showers:
- No
- Water:
- Natural Source
- Toilets:
- Pit Toilets
- Big Rig Friendly:
- No
- Tent Friendly:
- Yes
- Pet Friendly:
- Yes
- Sanitation Dump Station:
- No
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Description
Beautiful, creekside, unadvertised, developed national forest campground on Storm Castle Road about 2 miles past the developed primitive campground, in designated dispersed camping region of Gallatin National Forest. The area is an extension of a developed trailhead. Camping is free.
20 or so gravel pull-through and back-in spots suitable for RV Class B, C, tents and trailers. On a busy Saturday in late June only half were occupied, even though all the developed NF campgrounds were fully booked. Spots are generally level, although not perfectly so.
Located in a side creek valley, the scenery is as pretty as the (pay) developed campgrounds we passed to get here. Great for kids, the gravel-bottomed creek is swift but the bank has shallow areas 2-3” deep and 3’ wide perfect for water play (in June).
The road up here is graded gravel, badly potholed, no major steep spots. 2WD even when wet. Probably not accessible in winter. Would not recommend bringing a Class A bus up here but our 24’ Class C did fine, 20 mph aside from navigating the potholed stretches.
Pit toilet. No cell service.
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Latest Check-Ins
Beautiful little campground with a variety of sized spots that just about anything can fit in. I think the spot at the end is really nice - large clearing just beside it with a fire pit and the creek running by (good hammock trees too!)
Road in is pretty bumpy but it gets a little better the further you go. It’s just potholes that you can pretty easily get around though. I’d say mid-high clearance would be nice but I did see a Prius at one of the trailheads so really you could drive anything down it if you’re patient
Report Check-InGreat free spot. Had basically no one here but a permanent resident near the back. No issues.
Report Check-InOn the road to spire rock. No more than a mile in from the main highway. We camped at the first turn off past the heliport. Great spot right on the river, perfect for one night!
Report Check-InGravel road in good shape, easy to reach small group of free campsites at Rat Lake trailhead. Nice quiet spot by the creek. There was an outhouse which had tp, but was otherwise in rough shape.
Report Check-Inperfect spot right by the bridge and creek. Stayed here a few nights while hiking in the area. No cell service
Report Check-InThis is a great FREE spot but busy when we were there. Sites filled up pretty quick but there is a large parking area at the very front that has a fire pit if you are desperate. It is 2 miles past the official campground so if you try there first and have no luck you can keep going down the road. Folks drive a bit recklessly down the gravel/washboard road so be careful at night. There was a pit toilet but it was closed which was inconvenient, no picnic tables and no garbage cans. The river is awesome and there was a buck right next to our trailer when we woke up.
Report Check-InJust stayed there for a night. A bit out of the way but it was worth it. Campsites are spread out and it wasn’t full when we arrived. It was rainy and cold, and we got to stay next to the creek.
Report Check-InBeautiful free camping area right next to a creek. Spots were pretty private and spaced out. It was a such a beautiful place to stay for the day/night. Seemed just as nice as the campsites along the way that cost $$. We didn't see too many people, the occasional ATV comes through but other than that not busy at all. The road getting there is pretty rough, tons of potholes. But huge RV's seemed to get there just as easily as my Chevy van. Just take it slow on the way in and you should be fine.
Report Check-InPulled in at sunset. Grateful for a cozy spot under a tree and nice fire ring. Set up camp and thankful for a few pieces of wood we found to have warm, intoxicating campfire. Full moon rose between the trees and all was right in our world.
Report Check-InRoad coming in is not too bad, not a full size road.
Several cool spots to pick along a small creek. Not too far from town.
Report Check-InBeautiful, creekside, unadvertised, developed national forest campground on Storm Castle Road about 2 miles past the developed primitive campground, in designated dispersed camping region of Gallatin National Forest. The area is an extension of a developed trailhead. Camping is free.
20 or so gravel pull-through and back-in spots suitable for RV Class B, C, tents and trailers. On a busy Saturday in late June only half were occupied, even though all the developed NF campgrounds were fully booked. Spots are generally level, although not perfectly so.
Located in a side creek valley, the scenery is as pretty as the (pay) developed campgrounds we passed to get here. Great for kids, the gravel-bottomed creek is swift but the bank has shallow areas 2-3” deep and 3’ wide perfect for water play (in June).
The road up here is graded gravel, badly potholed, no major steep spots. 2WD even when wet. Probably not accessible in winter. Would not recommend bringing a Class A bus up here but our 24’ Class C did fine, 20 mph aside from navigating the potholed stretches.
Pit toilet. No cell service.
Report Check-In