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
- Bannack State Park
- Black Canyon Campground
- Blackfoot River Corridor
- Bloody Dick Cabin
- Cooney State Park
- Douglas Creek Cabin
- Grapevine Campground
- Greenough Lake
- Horse Prairie Cabin
- Lantis Spring Campground
- Limber Pine
- M-k Campground
- Makoshika State Park
- Miner Lake Campground
- Monture Creek Campground
- North Van Houten Campground
- Palisades Campground
- Perch Point 1 & 2
- Pine Grove Campground
- Placid Lake State Park
- Rattin Campground
- Reservoir Lake Campground
- Sacajawea Memorial Picnic Area
- Salmon Lake State Park
- Sheridan
- South Van Houten Campground
- Twin Lakes Cabin
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