Montana / Gallatin County / Custer Gallatin National Forest

Battle Ridge Campground

Open — Open year-round, weather dependent. Winter access may require skiing or snowshoeing from the highway depending on snow conditions.

About

Battle Ridge Campground is a primitive, no-fee campground located at 6,500 feet elevation in the Bridger Mountains of Custer Gallatin National Forest. Situated on the Bozeman Ranger District, this small 5-acre campground offers 13 first-come, first-served campsites surrounded by evergreen-forested slopes and mountain meadows. The campground is located 22 miles north of Bozeman on Montana Highway 86, providing convenient access while maintaining a remote mountain atmosphere. The area offers excellent opportunities for wildlife viewing, with potential sightings of elk, deer, moose, black bear, and a variety of bird species. The Basin Lakes National Recreation Trail begins a short distance from the campground, providing access to upper and lower Basin Lakes via a 4-mile forested climb that passes a waterfall. The campground serves hunters during hunting season and is popular with hikers and nature enthusiasts in summer and fall. This is a truly primitive campground with basic amenities. Each site includes a picnic table and fire pit, and vault toilets are available. There is no drinking water, so campers must bring their own. The campground can accommodate RVs and trailers, with parking spurs averaging 12 feet by 30 feet. Winter access is weather-dependent and may require skiing or snowshoeing from the highway. Battle Ridge Campground offers a rustic mountain camping experience at no cost for those seeking solitude in the Bridger Mountains.

Directions

From Bozeman, drive north on 19th Avenue to West Oak Street. Turn right onto West Oak and drive east to North Rouse Avenue. Turn left onto US Highway 86 and drive north for 22 miles. The campground is on the east side of the Bridger Mountains along Highway 86.

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