Colter Campground

Closed — Closed for the season. Opens July 1, 2026 through September 7, 2026, weather dependent. First-come, first-served only.

About

Colter Campground sits in the rugged Beartooth Country of the Custer Gallatin National Forest, just 2 miles east of Cooke City on US Highway 212. The campground offers 18 sites available on a first-come, first-served basis and is designated for hard-sided camping only due to bear activity in the area. Located near the northeast entrance to Yellowstone National Park, it serves as an excellent base camp for exploring both the park and the renowned Beartooth Scenic Byway. The campground provides essential amenities including flush toilets, drinking water from a hand pump, fire grates, bear-proof food storage boxes, and picnic tables at each site. Trash collection is provided. Sites average 22 feet by 66 feet for parking spurs, though the access road is not suitable for vehicles longer than 48 feet. The facility is ADA accessible with designated accessible features including parking, tables, fire grates, and facilities. Due to its proximity to Yellowstone and location along the Beartooth Highway, this campground can fill up quickly on summer weekends and holidays. Visitors should plan to arrive in early afternoon to secure a site. The area offers excellent opportunities for scenic driving, wildlife viewing, fishing, and exploring the Greater Yellowstone Ecosystem.

Directions

Located 2 miles east of Cooke City on US Highway 212. Campground access road is not suitable for vehicles longer than 48 feet.

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