The top campsites near Bozeman offer a variety of experiences.

There's arguably no better way to take in the breathtaking mountain views surrounding Bozeman than by packing a sleeping bag and camping under the vast Montana sky. The invigorating aroma of pine needles, the glow of a crackling campfire, and the flavors of outdoor cooking are essential parts of a Montana summer.

A fantastic selection of campsites awaits you within an hour's drive from Bozeman, each with its own appeal. Spend your days hiking, biking, or fly fishing, then unwind in a camp chair with s'mores by a blazing fire. It’s the ultimate spot to relax. Here are some tips to enhance your adventures.

Remember to bring cash.

It's easy to overlook important items when embarking on your first camping trip of the season. Prepare a checklist ahead of time and make sure to pack matches, charging cables, flashlights, spare batteries, and bug spray. If you plan to visit a Forest Service campground without a reservation, carry a variety of bills since payment is often required in exact change.

Book your reservations well in advance.

Campgrounds near Bozeman are in high demand during the summer, especially on weekends, and they get busier as you approach Yellowstone National Park. Most campsites accept reservations through Recreation.gov, so it's wise to secure your spot ahead of time, ideally a few weeks out.

Always take precautions for bear safety.

Many campgrounds around Bozeman are located in grizzly territory, so it's crucial to follow safety precautions—store your food and toiletries outside your tent, ideally in your car, and never leave food out overnight. When backpacking, hang a food bag from a tree. Carrying bear spray is advisable, especially in backcountry areas.

Forest Service campgrounds come equipped with a fire ring and table.

All the Forest Service campsites mentioned here include a fire ring and picnic table, but they only have vault (not flush) toilets and no RV hookups. Most sites are open from mid-May to mid-September and charge $34 per site. Dispersed camping is permitted only at numbered sites or at least half a mile away from any road.

Spire Rock Campground provides access to excellent hiking trails.

Hikers adore Spire Rock Campground for its access to two challenging hikes: the 7170ft Storm Castle Peak (with nearly 2000ft elevation gain in two miles) and the longer Garnet Mountain (2800ft elevation gain, 8 miles round trip), both offering breathtaking views. Rock climbers frequent this area for its local granite, while families enjoy rafting and zip-lining at nearby Montana Whitewater. The well-known Lava Lake day hike is also close by.

This secluded campground is located 3 miles off Hwy 191, down Squaw Creek Rd, with one-third of its 19 sites right on the banks of Storm Castle Creek for convenient tent-side fishing. It's 27 miles from Bozeman.

If you're traveling to or from Yellowstone, consider stopping at Pine Creek.

Nestled along the stunning Paradise Valley, Pine Creek Campground sits halfway between Bozeman and the northern entrance to Yellowstone National Park.

There’s an abundance of activities to enjoy here, both natural and man-made. A well-loved hiking trail leads from the campground to Pine Creek Falls (an easy 2-mile round trip) and, for the more adventurous, to Pine Creek Lake (10.5 miles, approximately six hours, with a 3400ft elevation gain), nestled deep in the Absaroka-Beartooth Wilderness. This location also serves as a great base for visiting the hot springs and lively saloon at Chico Hot Springs, located 16 miles to the southwest, or the artistic town of Livingston, just 15 miles to the north.

If cooking over a campfire doesn’t appeal to you, take a 3-mile drive downhill to Pine Creek Lodge for delicious meals, weekend brunches, and fantastic live music.

The 25 campsites provide stunning views over the northern Paradise Valley. RVs may find it challenging to navigate the winding road up to the campground.

Visit the Hyalite Canyon campgrounds for a variety of outdoor adventures.

Hyalite Canyon is a favored weekend getaway for outdoor enthusiasts. There’s plenty to do here, from challenging single-track mountain biking and ambitious hikes to Blackmore or Hyalite Peaks, to leisurely paddling on Hyalite Reservoir. The three Forest Service campgrounds in the area offer an excellent base for car camping.

Langohr is the closest campground to Bozeman, just 12 miles away (a 30-minute drive), making it perfect for anglers seeking Arctic grayling and brook trout.

Five miles further up the valley lies Hood Creek with 25 campsites. Its proximity to Hyalite Reservoir makes it a fantastic spot for paddlers, sunset enthusiasts, and family activities.

Just a mile beyond, the quieter 10-site Chisholm offers the closest access to the popular trail leading to Palisade Falls and features hiking and mountain biking opportunities on the stunning Hyalite Creek and Emerald Lake trails.

Hike, bike, or snowshoe your way to one of the Forest Service cabins.

A unique blend of lodging and camping can be found in the remote cabins provided by the Custer Gallatin Forest Service. Most of these cabins are reachable only by foot, mountain bike, or cross-country ski (and sometimes by snowmobile) and feature rustic accommodations. You'll find a wood stove, bunk beds, a table, and an outhouse, but no electricity or running water. Everything you need must be packed in and out. Cabins cost $65 for up to four guests, and reservations can (and should) be made up to six months in advance, offering a fantastic opportunity for an authentic adventure.

For breathtaking views, the former fire lookout cabin perched atop 8245ft Garnet Mountain in the Gallatin Valley is hard to surpass. It's a steep -mile hike via the Garnet Mountain Trail or a challenging winter trek along the 10-mile snowshoe, ski, or snowmobile path from Rat Lake. The cabin includes a stove, propane cooker, mattresses, and an outhouse, along with stunning 360-degree views and spectacular sunsets from the balcony, but you will need to bring your own water. Consider bringing Phillip Connors' captivating book Fire Season, which chronicles his years as a fire lookout, or channel the spirit of writers like Jack Kerouac or Gary Snyder, who spent time in similar lookout cabins.

Another hidden treasure is the Mystic Lake Cabin, perfect for lakeside fishing, wildlife watching, and hiking. You can hike, mountain bike, ride a horse (there are two corrals at the cabin), or ski the eight to ten miles from Sourdough Canyon Trailhead in the southeastern suburbs of Bozeman.

Also worth exploring is the summer-only Windy Pass Cabin, built in 1934 and located along the stunning Gallatin Divide Trail.

Relax in the hot springs at Bozeman Hot Springs Campground.

This family-friendly campground, located just a 15-minute drive west of Bozeman, is the only one that stays open year-round. It offers a more comfortable experience rather than a wilderness setting, featuring amenities like showers, laundry facilities, wi-fi, RV hookups, and simple cabins. Live music is hosted at the springs every Thursday and Sunday until 10 PM. Best of all, each booking includes two passes for the hot springs.