Initial Creek Campground
Open year-round. Maintained from Memorial Day through Labor Day with vault toilets available. Off-season access requires self-sufficiency as roads are unplowed and no services are provided. First-come first-served only with a 16-day stay limit.
Winter Storm Warning issued October 9 at 7:00PM MDT until October 12 at 12:00PM MDT by NWS Billings MT
* WHAT...Periods of heavy snow expected. Total snow accumulations between 10 and 18 inches, greatest above 8000 feet. Winds gusting as high as 35 mph. * WHERE...Absaroka/Beartooth Mountains and Crazy Mountains. * WHEN...From 6 PM Saturday to noon MDT Monday. * IMPACTS...Recreation in the high country will be impacted by harsh wintry conditions. Be prepared.
About
Initial Creek Campground is a free, primitive campground nestled in the Custer Gallatin National Forest on the West Fork Stillwater Road. The campground provides access to the West Fork Stillwater Trail (#90), making it an ideal basecamp for backcountry exploration in the Beartooth Range. With just 6 sites available on a first-come first-served basis, the campground fills quickly on summer weekends and holidays. The campground operates year-round but is only maintained from Memorial Day through Labor Day. During this period, vault toilets are available and some sites feature bear-resistant food storage lockers. No potable water is provided, so campers must bring their own supply. Trash service is not available; all waste must be packed out. Access requires navigating the West Fork Stillwater Road (FR 2846), a rough road where high clearance vehicles are advised. The maximum trailer length is 20 feet due to site constraints. In the off-season, the road is not plowed and no services are provided, though camping remains permitted for those who can reach the site.
Directions
From Red Lodge, drive north on US Hwy 212 for 2.1 miles. Turn left onto MT-78 and drive 30 miles. Turn left onto MT-419 towards Fishtail and drive through Nye for 25.9 miles total. Immediately after the Stillwater Mine, turn right onto West Fork Stillwater Road (FR 2846) and drive 7.8 miles to the campground. High clearance vehicle advised.
Location
Amenities
| Water | No |
| Fires Allowed | — |
| Toilets | Yes |
| Dump Station | No |
| Wifi | No |
| Pets Allowed | — |
| Showers | No |
| Electric Hookups | — |
| Water Hookups | — |
| Sewer Hookups | — |
| Camp Store | No |
| Price | $0 |
Vehicle
| Max RV Length | — |
| Max Trailer Length | 20ft |
| 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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