Emerald Lake Campground
Open year-round. Full services including potable water, maintained vault toilets, and trash collection available Memorial Day through Labor Day at $15/night. Off-season camping is free but primitive with no water or trash service. A food storage order is in effect through December 1, 2026 on the Beartooth Ranger District.
Red Flag Warning issued October 9 at 12:48AM MDT until October 9 at 9:00PM MDT by NWS Billings MT
* IMPACTS: Low humidities, unseasonably warm temperatures, and strong gusty winds will create erratic fire behavior and rapid spread for new or existing fires. * AFFECTED AREA: In North Central WY Fire Zones...274...284. In South Central MT Fire Zones...123...124...126. * COUNTIES AFFECTED: In Central MT...Wheatland. In North Central WY...Big Horn...Johnson...Sheridan...Washakie. In South Central MT...Carbon...Park...Stillwater...Sweet Grass. In Southwest MT...Gallatin. * WIND: Southwest 15 to 30 mph with gusts up to 45 mph. * HUMIDITY: As low as 7 percent. * TEMPERATURES: 84 to 90 degrees, warmest over Zone WY274. * ADDITIONAL DETAILS: The worst conditions are expected across the lower to middle elevations in fine fuels. The strongest winds are expected in mountain locations and the foothills west of Billings. Zone WY274 will see lower wind gusts of 15 to 25 mph.
Winter Storm Watch issued October 9 at 12:39AM MDT until October 12 at 6:00AM MDT by NWS Billings MT
* WHAT...Heavy snow and blowing snow possible. Total snow accumulations greater than 12 inches possible. Winds could gust as high as 35 mph. * WHERE...Absaroka/Beartooth Mountains and Crazy Mountains. * WHEN...From Saturday evening through late Sunday night. * IMPACTS...Travel could be very difficult to impossible over the Beartooth Pass, and in and around Cooke City. Recreation in the back country will be impacted. * ADDITIONAL DETAILS...
About
Emerald Lake Campground occupies a forested setting in the West Rosebud drainage of the Custer Gallatin National Forest, positioned between Emerald Lake and West Rosebud Lake at the gateway to the Absaroka-Beartooth Wilderness. The 32 sites accommodate tents and trailers up to 30 feet and operate strictly first-come, first-served with no reservation system. Some sites are equipped with bear-resistant food storage lockers. During the peak season from Memorial Day through Labor Day, the campground offers hand-pumped potable water, maintained vault toilets, and a centrally located bear-resistant dumpster. Fees are $15 per night for a single site and $5 per additional vehicle. Interagency Senior and Access Pass holders receive a 50% discount on single-site fees. Outside the fee season, the campground remains open and ungated but operates as a primitive facility with no services, no water, and pack-out-only trash. Campers should bring their own water and toilet paper. A 16-day maximum stay applies year-round. Firewood is not provided; visitors should obtain firewood locally rather than transporting it to prevent the spread of tree-killing insects.
Directions
From Red Lodge, drive north on US Hwy 212 for 2.1 miles and turn left onto MT-78. Continue 30 miles and turn left onto MT-419 toward Fishtail. Drive 4.4 miles through Fishtail and turn left onto West Rosebud Road. Continue 6.5 miles and turn left to stay on West Rosebud Road. Drive 12.4 miles to the campground on the left.
Location
Amenities
| Water | Yes |
| Fires Allowed | Yes |
| Toilets | Yes |
| Dump Station | No |
| Wifi | No |
| Pets Allowed | — |
| Showers | No |
| Electric Hookups | — |
| Water Hookups | — |
| Sewer Hookups | — |
| Camp Store | No |
| Price | $0 - $15 |
Vehicle
| Max RV Length | — |
| Max Trailer Length | 30ft |
| Big Rig Friendly | No |
| Pull Through Sites | — |
Contact
| Phone | +1 (406) 446-2103 |
Cell Service
| AT&T | None |
| Verizon | None |
| T-Mobile | None |
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