Montana
Overview
Montana offers exceptional public land camping across over 30 million acres of state and federal lands. As of 2024, Montana State Parks implemented significant reservation changes: camping windows reduced from 6 months to 3 months advance booking, maximum consecutive stay shortened from 14 to 7 nights, and 20% of campsites now reserved for walk-up/first-come access (80% max reservable). Reservations are available from the third Friday in May through the third Sunday in September. National Forest lands have a 16-day stay limit per site and 32 cumulative days per calendar year restriction (effective through 2025). Dispersed camping is permitted on BLM lands (16-day max), National Forests, and most state trust lands with a Conservation License. Montana residents enter state parks free (camping fees still apply), while non-residents need entrance passes. Fire restrictions vary seasonally and by region—Stage I typically allows fires only in established grates at state parks; Stage II prohibits all campfires. Always check mtfireinfo.org for current restrictions before your trip. Approximately 1.5 million acres of public land remain landlocked by private property. Glacier National Park's Many Glacier Ranger Station will not issue wilderness permits in 2025 due to utility work.
Top Campgrounds
- Axolotl Cabin
- Basin Montana Campground
- Blackfoot River Corridor
- Bloody Dick Cabin
- Brush Lake State Park
- Douglas Creek Cabin
- East Rosebud Campground
- Ekalaka Park Campground
- Greenough Lake
- Henneberry House
- Horse Prairie Cabin
- Jimmy Joe Campground
- Line Creek Rental Cabin
- Macnab Pond Campground
- Medicine Creek Campground
- Miner Lake Campground
- Monture Guard Station Cabin
- North Van Houten Campground
- Notch Cabin
- Palisades Campground
- Perch Point 1 & 2
- Pine Grove Campground
- Placid Lake State Park
- Sacajawea Memorial Picnic Area
- Sage Creek Campground
- Sheridan
- South Van Houten Campground
- Twin Lakes Cabin
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