The best camping near Elkhorn State Park

Discover the most magical spots to pitch your tent or park your rig on your next Elkhorn State Park adventure.

Elkhorn State Park offers a glimpse into frontier history.

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Community favorites near Elkhorn State Park

Top-rated campgrounds near Elkhorn State Park

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Big-Enough Ranch

2 sites · Lodging40 acres · Boulder, MT

Horse ranch on 40 acres located just outside of Boulder, MT. Exceptional views and peace and quiet at this retreat cabin. 20 acres to the East has and old hunting cabin alongside a creek. Also an old mining test pit from the late 1800’s mining boom, as well as a hand built irrigation ditch that runs through the property.

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Montana Red Devon Ranch

4 sites · RVs, Tents500 acres · Harrison, MT

Montana Red Devon Ranch is owned and managed by Jenny Kahrl. Her boys Riley and Kiril were raised on the ranch and often help with cattle, land, and maintenance. We have chosen Red Devon cattle for their history (originally from Devonshire England, Devons arrived in North America in 1624!), their docility, and their gourmet beef. Our cattle eat only grass, hay, and forages, as Nature intended. We manage our land to protect wildlife and clean water for all, to improve soils, preserve open space, and feed hundreds of our neighbors. All our grassfed beef is sold within 50 miles of the ranch. We also have a deep commitment to sharing our love of land and animals with our community, both near and far. We have hosted international visitors from France, Russia, Japan, Brazil, New Zealand, Australia, Canada, and many many Americans. Jenny Kahrl speaks French fluently. We hope to share our love of this land and its riches with many visitors, for it is only by knowing where our food originates that we can appreciate each farm and farm family for their work to feed America and the world.

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Madison Islands

15 sites · RVs24 acres · Three Forks, MT

This property is located on the Madison River at the headwaters of the Missouri River! It has views of surrounding mountain ranges including the Bridgers, Tobacco Roots, & the Spanish Peaks. It is also minutes from downtown Three Forks, MT for dining and shopping. On-site activities include fishing , swimming, hiking, biking, boating/floating, wildlife viewing, bird watching, and stargazing under the big sky. The camping area even has enough space to accommodate grazing horses. With open grassy fields and a large wooded area there is plenty to be explored in this Montana outdoor paradise. Address and Directions: On I-90 exit on 278 you will be on "Frontage Rd" go east to "Old Town Road" than turn east on "Old Town Main Street" LOOK FOR THE YELLOW ARROWS (they say Madison Islands). Once you’re off the freeway and on old town Road come to an intersection which is old town Main Street. Turn right at old town Main Street and very quickly on your left. You’ll see an old rustic building on your left with a fifth wheel parked next to the fence. You enter the property between the old rustic building and the fifth wheel RV to get into the field and you’ll see several reflectors with numbers on them. Easiest entry is off of Main Street. Enter just in front of the Parked RV and make your way into and through the field.

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Gallatin River Getaway

2 sites · RVs, Tents250 acres · Three Forks, MT

This property has been a farm and ranch since 1863 it was used as a stage stop for travelers going to the gold fields in Bannock and Virginia City Montana. Come check us out.We offer two private campsites on the Gallatin River near Logan, Montana, 1/4 mile apart on a working farm and ranch. Ranch also is located below ATT and Verizon cell towers. Five minutes from entrance gate to interstate ninety. We are thirty minutes from Bozeman, six miles from Three Forks, MT, three miles from Headwaters State Park (Headwaters of the Missouri River), 12 minutes from the Copper City Mountain biking trails, 20 minutes from Lewis and Clark Caverns, eight miles from Madison Buffalo Jump. Yellowstone National Park is two hours south of the property. Easy full recreational access to the Gallatin River, including fishing if you follow Montana FWP rules and regulations. Gallatin River is a blue-ribbon trout stream and there are four additional blue-ribbon trout streams that are within close proximity. Inhabited by most major indigenous species of Montana, except bison and mountain goats. This is a working farm and ranch and equipment and activities related to the operation should be expected also a train runs close to property. Host lives on the property and is available to contact.

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Monarch Ski and Bike Cabin

1 site · Lodging40 acres · Elkhorn, MT

The Monarch Cabin sits at an elevation of approximately 8,600 feet on the west side of Elkhorn Peak. It is surrounded by more than 300,000 acres of public land with 80,000 acres of that being designated as a roadless area. The nearest human inhabitance is in the Historic Town of Elkhorn situated a bit more than 3 miles to the south and a drop of about 2,000 feet of elevation. During the Summer, enjoy hiking, mountain biking, and trail running on maintained and unmaintained trails. Climb peaks with incredible views and fish in mountain lakes. Spring time provides opportunity to experience the splendor of the wild flower season. There are so many flowers that the whole area is alive with the aroma and multitude of colors. If you are lucky, you may see new born wildlife such as deer, elk, mountain goats, fox, moose and many others. Winter time lends to incredible back country skiing, split boarding, and snowshoeing. The sunsets are typically spectacular while enjoying the views and solitude. Book for a time of full moon and with a clear sky a moonlight ski or walk is amazing. From the West there is the Muskrat/Tizer Lakes trail which is a maintained, designated hiking/biking trail. To the south is an unmaintained, extremely rough forest service road leading to the cabin. To the east there is a trail to the top of Elkhorn Peak and to Crow Peak, the two highest peaks in the Elkhorn mountains. To the north there are trails leading to most anywhere in the Elkhorn Mountains. Tizer lakes are only about 3 miles away on an easy maintained trail. From there there are too many destinations to name. Hiking and biking is limited only by one's own ambition and skills. The Elkhorn endurance run is a well known event that has it's longer race route run right through the property. At the end of a hard day of adventure, relax in the wood fired sauna and enjoy the amazing sunsets. If you are lucky, you might even hear elk bugling in the valley below (September/October). Most people access the cabin by hiking, biking, snowshoes or ski's. If one choose to drive, a 4 WD truck would be a must and would still be difficult. Areas above the cabin are for non-motorized use only.

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Relax Inn Montana

4 sites · Lodging, Tents2 acres · Helena, MT

Outdoor Living at its finest : )) 2 Acres of unique quiet spaces in a park like setting - (3 Open field Tent Sites up top ) (2 Secluded Tent Sites back by the Tubs) (1 Bldg w/2 individual rooms connected by a passthrough door Blue Room aka 2 Dog Den sleeps 2 or Red Room aka Bears Den sleeps 5 ) 10 miles outside of Helena, the Capital of Montana 5 miles from 3 lakes ( Canyon Ferry Lake - Lake Helena - Hauser Lake ) There is a set of cast iron tubs that are always nice to take a soak after a hot days hike - a yin yang patio with gas firepit for a relaxing evening of sharing - a (phone free zone) gazebo - a covered BBQ area with gas grill and gas firepit to gather round - a real fire pit area with picnic table (local wind and fire restrictions allowable) - purest of potable well water - currently available 3 Tent sites - 1 building with a pass through door for two rooms if you need more than one siesta space - Solars that light the path in the night - Perfect distance for those who love to fish, boat, hike, float or just toss rocks -just around the corner you can dig for sapphires - a few hours to Glacier National Park - Yellowstone National Park - Crystal Park or maybe a boat ride at The Gates of the Mountains - A tour train of downtown Helena - Too much to list around here - I am new at this so bear with me as I navigate this process It is Rustic but not Crazy roughin' it - Great family space : ) This is my private sanctuary that I have the privilege of sharing with those who appreciate simple rustic outdoor living at its finest - I invite you, my friends and family to Relax Inn Helena to make your own amazing memories

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Wildhorse

3 sites · Lodging, RVs4 acres · Belgrade, MT

Learn more about this land: This spot is in between our barn of 40+ chickens and our 4 happy, friendly cows and our large vegetable garden. Non bird friendly dogs are NOT welcome as our chickens, our dogs named Bill, Clyde and Gus, and 3 super friendly cats are free range on our property. We are located a few minutes from downtown Belgrade, 15 minutes from downtown Bozeman, minutes to fishing, kayaking, paddling, floating on several rivers and 90 miles from Yellowstone Park which you can easily do day trips to if not wanting to bring your campers through the chaos of traffic. Campers staying more than 3 days get a dozen fresh eggs. Otherwise, they are available for sale.

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Hidden Meadow Ranch

2 sites · RVs, Tents80 acres · Deer Lodge, MT

Small irrigated ranch in the Deer Lodge Valley, surrounded by mountains, access to public lands and beautiful scenery. East side of acreage has the Clark Fork River running through it, even though the neighbors are close still lots of privacy. Enjoy blue ribbon fishing and access to lots of fresh air and scenery.Learn more about this land:Pitch your tent next to the Clark Fork River, 7 miles from Deer Lodge, MT. Site provides a handmade rock fire ring and willows for privacy. Fire may not be available if it is dry conditions. Good fishing right out of your tent, short drive to several acres of public ground, ATV access, hiking, and mountain biking. This is an 80-acre working ranch with cows, sheep and hay so you may have to drive through the cows and you may have to deal with cowpies :-). Great cell service and private property on both sides, easy access to campsite. 10-minute drive to historic Grant Kohrs Ranch, old prison museum and many other unique Montana experiences.

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Wildhorse Trail Properties

2 sites · RVs5 acres · Belgrade, MT

Easy access from the Belgrade exit. Nice quiet area with beautiful views. Get an out of town feel close to all of the amenities that Belgrade/Bozeman has to offer. Beautiful views of the Bridger Mountains! Close to rivers and mountains. A day trip to Yellowstone or Big Sky is easy. Enjoy a level gravel pad with a picnic table. There is one 50 amp service and 3 30 amp.

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Ponderosa Pine Ranch camp

1 site · RV, Tent3 acres · Three Forks, MT

Learn more about this land: Our property is in a close proximity to the Fairweather Fishing access on the Missouri River. Camping is not allowed at the access so we would be the closest camping site to this great outdoor playground. There is opportunity for fishing, floating, boating, hunting and swimming in the summer . There are groves of mature trees and open sites available. This is directly off of paved county road. The property adjacent to ours has the original ranch house and barn and other outbuildings that were part of the Ponderosa Pine Ranch which owned most of the valley we're in. The ranch house and buildings were divided away from our part of the property several years ago, so we have our home here and what was mostly pasture. The campsites are all pasture grass with trees for shade. We do not have cell phone service here. We have one site that has 30 amp electricity. Also we do not have trash service .

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Mountain Biker's Getaway

1 site · RV20 acres · Helena, MT

We have a 20 acre parcel where we live that is right next to the trail system and also 5 minutes from downtown Helena. We love hosting our friends who come to mountain bike and enjoy Helena and are happy to host you! We have a small trail cut into the property that is available for your use and a forest for you to play in

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Serenity Sheep Farm Stay

3 sites · Lodging40 acres · Belgrade, MT

NO DOGS! This is a working farm and we have dogs, sheep, goats as well as other animals. Adding yours into the mix of animals has proven to be more hassle than what it's worth. I've been at this for 15 years. Please ask questions before booking. Sneaking your dog(s) in doesn't work. We live on 40 acres of my husband's grandfather's original 160 acre homestead. We are the only ones still farming. They rest of the family have either sold off their land for big bucks or have built homes on it. We enjoy sharing our little piece of paradise in the Gallatin Valley.

The best camping near Elkhorn State Park guide

Overview

About

Camping near Elkhorn State Park is a step back in time, as you find yourself exploring the quiet remnants of a once-thriving 19th-century mining town. Tucked away off gravel secondary roads outside Boulder, this petite state park might be among Montana's smallest, but it offers a unique window into the state's past.

Your journey takes you through the historic Fraternity Hall and Gillian Hall, both located in the privately-owned town of Elkhorn. These picturesque structures, preserved from the late 1800s, offer a unique glimpse into frontier architecture. Don't forget your camera; these buildings are so well preserved they've been recorded in the Historic American Buildings Survey.

Travel further up the main road, three-quarters of a mile outside the state park boundaries, and you'll find the town cemetery. Here, amongst the final resting places of the town's early inhabitants, you can see the tombstone of Peter Wys, the Swiss miner who discovered the silver veins in the Elkhorn Mine. His legacy, like the town itself, is a testament to the draw of the Boulder Batholith's rich mineral deposits that brought settlers to the area in 1868.

An Elkhorn State Park camping expedition offers an immersive historical experience set against the backdrop of Montana's beautiful landscapes. Perfect for the history buffs or anyone seeking a unique outdoor adventure.

When to go

Elkhorn State Park is a year-round destination, with each season offering its unique charm. Summer brings lush greenery and ideal conditions for hiking and wildlife viewing, while winter cloaks the park in a quiet blanket of snow, perfect for photographers seeking a tranquil landscape.

Know before you go

Check for any special restrictions or closures before your visit, as conditions can change due to weather or maintenance activities.
Remember to pack in and pack out, as the park operates on a leave-no-trace principle to preserve its natural beauty.
Montana residents can enjoy free daily entrance with the state parks fee included in their vehicle registration.
Nonresidents should be prepared to pay a day use entrance fee of $8 with a vehicle or $4 as a walk-in.
For a safe and enjoyable visit, familiarize yourself with the park rules and Recreate Responsibly guidelines.