Small campgrounds and dispersed camping on Beartooth Highway?

Dughlas Stiubhart · Apr 8, 2015

In late July I'm planning a trip to the Tetons and Yellowstone and I'd like to spend much of the time camping outside the ultra-busy parks. Normally I would just show up and take my chances but this trip I'll be travelling with a 7yr old and his mom so I want to do a bit more advanced planning.

Who has suggestions about small National Forest/BLM CGs and dispersed camping east of the Grand Teton NP? East of Yellowstone? What about along the Beartooth Highway north of Yellowstone?

Thanks in advance.

ski3pin · Apr 8, 2015

Doug, take a look at the Turpin Meadows area east of Teton and south of Yellowstone. We spent one night in the small campground last summer. There were a few dispersed areas also.

Dughlas Stiubhart · Apr 8, 2015

That looks like winner 3pin! Lightly used and only 15 miles from the park entrance. Thanks for the tip!

Casa Escarlata Robles Too · Apr 8, 2015

Stew have you looked into the camp sites on Grassy Lake Rd?
It's in the area between Yellowstone and Teton, at the Flag Ranch area.
Many camp sites some along the Snake River. They used to be free but now there is a minimum charge and you have to get camp "pass" before you camp.
The info is on the Teton park site.
Also in the area east of the big Gros Ventre campground near Slide Lake,Atherton CG.
Several years ago we stopped into several campgrounds in the Beartooth area very nice but don't know about camper restrictions.
If you have never been to Pebble Creek,Slough Creek in Yellowstone they are nice and quiet,plus there are a lot of animals there.
But they are first come first serve.
Usually what we do is reserve a spot at Madison CG than head out early in the morning and can usually find a spot at one of them.
Have fun camping.

Frank

Dughlas Stiubhart · Apr 8, 2015

Thanks for the info, Frank! I'll check them out.

rotti · Apr 8, 2015

Lots of 4wd roads leading off of the Beartooth.
I camped down this trail near the top on the south side of the pass.
Lots of griz in the area.

Dughlas Stiubhart · Apr 8, 2015

Thanks Rotti! Here is a map of where FR149 heads south from Beartooth Highway. Wow, looks like great, open tundra at almost 10k feet. How far do you go out FR149 to camp? Or will anyplace out of sight of the highway do? What are "food regulations" in that country and are our pop-ups safe from the griz? Not sure I want to trust bear spray . . .

longhorn1 · Apr 9, 2015

Stew, looks like a great trip. I will be looking for feedback. jd

rotti · Apr 9, 2015

Doug Stewart said:
Thanks Rotti! Here is a map of where FR149 heads south from Beartooth Highway. Wow, looks like great, open tundra at almost 10k feet. How far do you go out FR149 to camp? Or will anyplace out of sight of the highway do? What are "food regulations" in that country and are our pop-ups safe from the griz? Not sure I want to trust bear spray . . .

I probably went 5 or 6 miles from the highway down closer to one of the lakes. It is a rough 4wd road after about two miles......a beautiful area. Dress warm as it can snow anytime of the year up there. There is also a campground on the west side of the highway, Island in the Sky I believe, which is also a great spot. Take a drive in just for the view.

Just common sense as far as food goes....don't leave anything sitting out and maybe no bacon?

My Hawk hard side is 8' off the ground so I'm comfortable (as is the Forest Service) that any griz is going to have a problem getting in. I do sleep better with a shotgun loaded with buckshot though. Never had a problem with bears though....highway accidents are a much bigger concern.

This sign was up after one or two tenters were killed back in 2010. I was there soon after and FWC were allowed due to the heigth of the hard side. Pop up trailers were not due to the low height of the hardside. Seems to me the minimum was 5 or 6'.

Anyway don't worry about bears, I feel lucky just to see them once and awhile.
A parting shot of the bear tooth:

MarkBC · Apr 9, 2015

When I was in the same area last June all the side roads in the very-cool highest areas of the Beartooth, that part just south of the MT border, were blocked by snow. So I camped down off the north side of the plateau along Rock Creek, where there are official campgrounds as well as lots of dispersed spots.

I REALLY wanted to camp high, but couldn't at that time.

Every campground I was in in WY, MT, ID for that trip all had bear regulations...which I more-or-less followed where possible. As far as "are our pop-ups safe?: Bears can tear the doors off cars -- even relatively puny black bears in Yosemite Valley have done this -- so no camping rig is guaranteed safe. But I didn't worry about it. I just made sure I didn't leave food outside the camper and I put my garbage sack in the cab of the truck at night.

100acrehuphalump · Apr 9, 2015

Ditto for Atherton Creek CG just outside the southeast entrance to Tetons. Beautiful unpopulated lake CG.
http://www.fs.usda.gov/recarea/btnf/recreation/camping-cabins/recarea/?recid=71623&actid=29

Casa Escarlata Robles Too · Apr 9, 2015

MarkBC said:
When I was in the same area last June all the side roads in the very-cool highest areas of the Beartooth, that part just south of the MT border, were blocked by snow. So I camped down off the north side of the plateau along Rock Creek, where there are official campgrounds as well as lots of dispersed spots.

I REALLY wanted to camp high, but couldn't at that time.

Every campground I was in in WY, MT, ID for that trip all had bear regulations...which I more-or-less followed where possible. As far as "are our pop-ups safe?: Bears can tear the doors off cars -- even relatively puny black bears in Yosemite Valley have done this -- so no camping rig is guaranteed safe. But I didn't worry about it. I just made sure I didn't leave food outside the camper and I put my garbage sack in the cab of the truck at night.

Mark,a CLEAN camp IMO is the best prevention to bears in camp.They might come through but if there isn't anything there they should move on.There is always that exception to the rule.Just be as clean and safe as possible.We leave NOTHING out.
Frank

Dughlas Stiubhart · Apr 11, 2015

rotti said:
I probably went 5 or 6 miles from the highway down closer to one of the lakes. It is a rough 4wd road after about two miles......a beautiful area. Dress warm as it can snow anytime of the year up there. There is also a campground on the west side of the highway, Island in the Sky I believe, which is also a great spot. Take a drive in just for the view.

Just common sense as far as food goes....don't leave anything sitting out and maybe no bacon?
My Hawk hard side is 8' off the ground so I'm comfortable (as is the Forest Service) that any griz is going to have a problem getting in. I do sleep better with a shotgun loaded with buckshot though. Never had a problem with bears though....highway accidents are a much bigger concern.

This sign was up after one or two tenters were killed back in 2010. I was there soon after and FWC were allowed due to the heigth of the hard side. Pop up trailers were not due to the low height of the hardside. Seems to me the minimum was 5 or 6'.

Anyway don't worry about bears, I feel lucky just to see them once and awhile.
A parting shot of the bear tooth:

Love the Bear Tooth photo!

Dughlas Stiubhart · Apr 11, 2015

100acrehuphalump said:
Ditto for Atherton Creek CG just outside the southeast entrance to Tetons. Beautiful unpopulated lake CG.
http://www.fs.usda.gov/recarea/btnf/recreation/camping-cabins/recarea/?recid=71623&actid=29

Yep, Lump, looks like a great place!

Dughlas Stiubhart · Apr 11, 2015

MarkBC said:
When I was in the same area last June all the side roads in the very-cool highest areas of the Beartooth, that part just south of the MT border, were blocked by snow. So I camped down off the north side of the plateau along Rock Creek, where there are official campgrounds as well as lots of dispersed spots.

I REALLY wanted to camp high, but couldn't at that time.

Every campground I was in in WY, MT, ID for that trip all had bear regulations...which I more-or-less followed where possible. As far as "are our pop-ups safe?: Bears can tear the doors off cars -- even relatively puny black bears in Yosemite Valley have done this -- so no camping rig is guaranteed safe. But I didn't worry about it. I just made sure I didn't leave food outside the camper and I put my garbage sack in the cab of the truck at night.

I sure hope Griz doesn't rip the door off my the ATC!

MarkBC · Apr 11, 2015

Doug Stewart said:
I sure hope Griz doesn't rip the door off my the ATC!

But Doug, just think was an exciting part of a trip report that would be! Especially if photo-documented.
Lemons --> Lemonade.

Taku · Apr 12, 2015

Another place is further up the Gros Ventre, even past Atherton Campground. Lot's of dispersed camping, look on Google Earth for Goosewing Guard Station. Good fishing and good hikes - Crystal Creek is very nice.

Taku · Apr 12, 2015

Does not look like Goosewing shows up, but look at the photos in GE for Breakneck Flat area.

Dughlas Stiubhart · Apr 14, 2015

Taku, I noticed that the road went past Atherton when checking the maps. I was wondering about dispersed camping in the area. Thanks for the information.

Casa Escarlata Robles Too · Apr 14, 2015

Stew,Red Rocks is a nice place to view waterfowl and large animals.
We took a side trip there in Sept of 06.
The campground didn't seem much used and right on the lake.
There are Aspens to give some wind protection.
The road is dirt and not bad unless it has rained than it turns to a nasty red mud in spots.

Frank

Small campgrounds and dispersed camping on Beartooth Highway?

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