Lakeside camping near Big Sky with campfires

The name says it all—camp here to discover rolling mountains and wide open skies.

67% (23 reviews)

United States
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Montana
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Big Sky

67% (23 reviews)

Popular camping styles for Big Sky

2 top lakeside campgrounds near Big Sky with campfires

86%

(25)

Mad RIver Farm Camping

7 sites · Lodging, Tents40 acres · Ennis, MT

Please read bullet points below before you book with us. Wake up to the impressive scenery of the Greater Yellowstone Ecosystem and the sun shining over the Madison range on this nearly 50 acre farm in McAllister, Montana. You'll be camped in a wide open grass pasture JUST OFF Hwy 287, 1.5 miles from Ennis Lake and the Madison River which offers some of the most diverse fly fishing in Montana. The Madison River runs through this scenic valley and is flanked by the towering Madison, Gravelly and Tobacco Root ranges which are all visable from our campsites. Our land is filled with wildlife including fox, coyotes, sandhill cranes, bald eagles, osprey, deer and antelope. Horses in the pasture to the North and cattle to the South. Crash in our field and you're only about 1 hour from Yellowstone, without the Yellowstone prices and congestion. The town of Ennis is 7 miles and the best steakhouse in the valley is 2 minutes north up HWY 287. Plan an easy afternoon trip to the historic Old West town of Virginia City (20 miles). We are surrounded by endless trails for hiking, 4 wheeling and trail riding. Big Sky Ski Resort is an hour and 30 minutes over the Madison Range. Take an evening to go to Norris Hotsprings (9 miles). Lewis and Clark Caverns one of the most highly decorated limestone caverns in North America is only 28 miles away. The list of activities goes on and on, but there is always the option to just relax and feel comfortable doing nothing. This is the perfect place to choose to be disconnected and unplugged for a while, but not to far off the beaten path so its an easy camp. 45°26'15.5"N 111°43'53.8"W https://goo.gl/maps/i7jR4qSxP4SkU1QTA -Parking is just off HWY 287, very easy access by bike or vehicle. Vehicles will stay in the designated parking are and campers will walk to any area of the pasture they wish to set up camp! -This is a field, a pasture where grass grows to feed cattle. The views of the Madison Range and Tobacco Root Mountains is incredible. There are a few areas of trimmed grass, but for the most part this is a pasture with long grass. This area is not maintained like a KOA. This is not at all what would call "roughing it" but I grew up in Montana and we have different standards here. -We ask that you please give room to other campers, you'll have so much room it should never be an issue. -There is now a porta potty and fire pit! both of which are for all campers to use. Please do not set up camp right next to the firepit, right next to the porta potty or in the parking area. -This is a pasture alongside the road in Montana. There are no parking lot lights. There is no wifi. There are no trees or shelters. It is not private because it is an open field along HWY 287. That being said there are rarely ever more than 1-2 camping groups at a time. -The Campfire is communal. Everyone needs to be able to enjoy. There are several area to set up camp. We usualy will only have 1-2 campers at any given time. The most we have ever had at once is 4. -You're free to walk around and find your perfect spot. You can walk through the tall grass or you can camp in one of the spots that is trimmed down. You have that freedom! We trim down the "road", the firepit, a couple campsites and the area around the garbage and porta potty. We dont want to completely mow down our pasture. We like to keep it wild. When Hipcampers are not using the area its a place for deer, antelope, cyotes and sandhill cranes. If you want to have a campground with manicured walkways/camping spots this is not the green pasture for you. 🇺🇸 July 4th update FYI the 2 track road down to the canvas wall tent has irrigation water covering it. Don’t go down the path to the tent, you will get stuck. There are plenty of places to camp without driving down toward the canvas tent. There is a saw horse blocking the road. Please do not move the saw horse or drive down the road.

Booked 7 times

Starlight Retreat Yellowstone

6 sites · Lodging40 acres · Island Park, ID

Starlight Retreat sits on 40 stunning acres only 19 minutes from Yellowstone and 2 minutes off hwy 20 with meadows, aspen groves, and a pine forest to explore with miles of trails connecting directly the property, perfect for hiking or mountain biking. Henry's fork is a crystal clear world class fishing river a short walk down the road. Henry's lake, only a few minute drive, is a world famous fishing lake. In every direction you'll find world class hunting and fishing. Crystal clear rivers leading to stunning waterfalls. You are in the heart of what's become known as "sportsman's paradise".

Nearby parks

Explore the area’s public lands.

I wonder why they call this Artist Point...

94%

(339)

Yellowstone National Park

Wyoming

100%

(1)

Henrys Lake State Park

Island Park, Idaho

Lakeside camping near Big Sky with campfires guide

Overview

With a name like Big Sky, it's easy to imagine pitching a tent under the Milky Way in the Montana Rockies. This ski resort town puts you at the foot of looming peaks and Gallatin Canyon. The best part—it's just a stone's throw from Yellowstone. It may be a vacation hot spot, but Yellowstone National Park has no shortage of camping options. Choose from over 2,000 campsites across 12 campgrounds, or bask in the isolation of a remote backpacking site. For secluded camping in the wilds of Montana, venture into Gallatin National Forest. The whopping 3.1 million acres of rugged mountains and buttes are home to endless wildlife. Keep an eye out for moose, mountain goats, and bighorn sheep. Want easy access to Big Sky? Discover the seasonal campgrounds of Gallatin Canyon. The towering rock walls invite you to enjoy world-class rafting, fishing, and hiking. Just over 6 miles from Big Sky Montana on the Gallatin River, you find Red Cliff Campground. Another popular spot is Swan Creek Campground, where you can sleep under fir and spruce trees at 5,800 feet. While Big Sky campgrounds lend themselves more to tents, you can still find RV camping. Just keep in mind the closest dump stations are in West Yellowstone and Bozeman. For no-stress camping, you can always hunker down in an RV park with Wi-Fi, private picnic tables, and fire rings. Want to enjoy Big Sky skiing in the winter? Get cozy in a heated cabin.