Ranch camping in Montana with wildlife watching

Soak in hot springs, hike through wilderness, or just take in the views of Big Sky Country.

92% (2467 reviews)
92% (2467 reviews)

Popular camping styles for Montana

Dog-friendly getaways

Under $50

12 top ranch campgrounds in Montana with wildlife watching

84%
(707)

VanGoBoon Campground

19 sites · Lodging, RVs, Tents5 acres · Bozeman, MT
Welcome to our campground! We are a "Roadside" Campground that offers the convince of easy on/off access to Hwy 90 and the close proximity to Bozeman. We are adjacent to Hwy 90 and the Montana Rail System. We have a variety of options that should suit just about anyone. We are near Yellowstone National Park as well as Bozeman, MT which offers all types of recreational opportunities e.g. hiking, fishing, climbing, skiing, cycling and running trails. VanGoBoon is the perfect "Pull-in for the Night" as well as week-long stays! Most of our sites are SELF-CONTAINED. We have 4 sites that have electric and water hookups. (20,30,50amp) The lawn area has horseshoes, frisbee golf, and corn toss. We mostly offer dry campsites for overnight stays for vans, tents or RVs . Most sites are on concrete slabs so they are level and the property has grass areas with trees as well. FYI: Great site if you like trains! An important part of Montana’s commerce is transportation by rail so there will be highway and train noise. If you are a light sleeper, you may want to have noise-cancelation devices handy. Private spots between trees but near freeway for easy access. Our 2 horses have been a favorite with young campers along with the open yet private campsites! We look forward to welcoming you!
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from 
$30
 / night
92%
(309)

Glacier Acres Guest Ranch

10 sites · RVs, Tents5 acres · Columbia Falls, MT
!!NEW family-style showerhouse for tenting guests!! Outdoor shower also coming soon! Once part of a sprawling ranch on the Flathead Valley floor, we've managed to capture five acres of some of the most beautiful country in Montana for your enjoyment. You will love the peaceful country setting with spectacular mountain views! We are less than 20 minutes from the west entrance of Glacier National Park, less than 30 minutes from enjoyment of Flathead Lake, and less than 15 minutes from many city amenities. Additionally, a family water park is just 5 minutes away. Come enjoy!
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$26.10
 / night
99%
(167)

Creekside getaway

6 sites · Lodging, RVs, Tents81 acres · Victor, MT
Stunning creekside campsites, glamping on a working ranch with views of the Bitterroot and Sapphire Mountains, and stunning star gazing. Historic homeland of the Salish (Flathead) tribe. Eighty acres featuring an old apple orchard, boulders, two creeks, and open areas for hiking, birding, stargazing, and wildlife watching. Bathroom provided next to RV site. Potable water at nearby well head and table provided. Numerous hiking and farm experiences are nearby. Some of the property could have cows grazing, depending on the time of the year. We also have wildlife come through including deer, elk and eagles. This mostly applies to the RV spot we have. Pets are welcome, so bering them along! You are also allowed to have campfires so snuggle up with your favorites by the warm glow at night!
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$20
 / night
98%
(141)

Wineglass Ranch

4 sites · RVs, Tents12 acres · Wineglass, MT
We are a horse boarding ranch south of Livingston that caters to people traveling with horses or other people traveling and camping. We have an outdoor arena, indoor arena, a bathroom, barn stalls, barn stalls with runs and paddock areas for horses. We are located exactly 2 miles from the interstate south of the lovely town of Livingston. We will not allow large party gatherings for local concerts. Learn more about this land: Quiet, private place with views of the Crazy mountains and the Absaroka mountains south of Livingston that caters to overnight people camping with their horses.  We are allowing people to stay without horses. There is plenty of room for larger rigs. Electricity may be available depending on availability and the area you chose to camp in. We are 2 miles exactly from the interstate south of Livingston and 50 miles from Yellowstone Park. There is a bathroom with a sink and toilet for usage by guests. We have a playground open for use by our guests. Our place is close to shopping, restaurants, and fuel stations. We are also less than a half mile from the Yellowstone River. Horses can be boarded for $25 a night per horse.
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from 
$40
 / night
97%
(510)

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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$40
 / night
86%
(119)

The Sanctuary

63 sites · Lodging, RVs, Tents300 acres · Superior, MT
YIPPIE-KI-YAY WINTER IS OVER AND WE ARE OPEN WITH FULL SERVICES!! IT'S IN THE 70°S, 80°S, 90'S DURING THE DAY! Welcome Patriots of America and Canada! At the sanctuary you will find like-minded people that love our countries and love the outdoors! Remember you are in Montana, "while in Rome be a Roman", thus when in Montana be a Montanan! We love our land and we love our wild animals please respect both! We are a multipurpose off-grid campground. We have designated camping spots like all other commercial campgrounds, but we also have cabin rentals, we have multiple sized group campgrounds, we have bike camp for bicycles and motorcycles, we have off the grid wolf camps, and we have winter hunting camping. We offer restrooms and showers, we have an RV dump, we have steel safety fire pits, we have hiking trails with incredible views, we have ATV roads, and we have four wheel drive roads, we have volleyball and badminton courts. We also have the best views in all of Mineral County. Don't be fooled by other farmers and ranchers on hip camp that tell you to go over next to a swamp or a pond, or at riverbed and let your fend for yourself with no amenities and charge you more than we charge you. If you want to be pure off grid, we have our Wolf Camp Mountain, but at least you can come back to the main compound and get a shower and relax at the lodge. We are just 3 miles off of Interstate 90, exit 47, in the small town of Superior, Montana. We have 5 restaurants, 4 bars with 3 casinos. Darlows is a wonderful grocery store including full service deli, beer, wine, and liquor and five churches of different denominations. The Sanctuary is up the canyon mountain via Pardee Creek Road. We are backed up into 50K of USFS acreage! The Clark Fork River on edge of property provides boating, rafting, and fishing fun! Our property plus USFS property provides miles of hiking, ATV, horseback, motorcross roads and trails. There are three cabins to rent, 25 RV dry spaces, 4 Group areas, and can accommodate over 200 tents! Heat in the winter is wood stove. We have restrooms, showers, cooking facilities, and a lodge with satellite internet connection.
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$37.77
 / night
80%
(63)

Rainbow Gulch Farm

6 sites · RVs, Tents21 acres · Clinton, MT
A small family farm working toward sustainability. Easy to access from I-90, drive in camping for a stop overnight or a home base while you explore the many attractions nearby. Learn more about this land: We are 20 miles east of Missoula, MT near the Kettlehouse Ampitheater in Bonner. Our location is halfway between Yellowstone and Glacier National Park. There are mountain bike paths, river access points for paddling, rafting or fishing within minutes of our land. We can even help you know where to go. Our land is surrounded by Nature Conservancy land with a public recreation easement, so you can hike and take your horse for a ride very easily, just let us know and we will point you in the right direction. Our child had a significant medical emergency that required a lot of travel to Seattle Children's and 3 brain surgeries all year, so we don't have the active garden going this year, but the chickens and sheep are happy. In a vehicle, you can pull into one of our pastures for your stay. Where you are depends on which field the sheep are eating! Tents also work in the field. We do not have any hookups. The fields are that - pasture fields. There are quiet neighbors across the fence. We are happy to offer advice about local attractions via messaging. This is pack it in, pack it out During the pandemic we ask that you wear a face covering if you have a reason to talk with us, even across the fence out of an abundance of caution since most of you are traveling from out of state. Tours are also temporarily suspended.
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$18
 / night
99%
(85)

The Lazy Loon

4 sites · RVs, Tents10 acres · Whitefish, MT
Welcome to The Lazy Loon! Learn more about this land: The Lazy Loon Ranch offers each site (2) parking spaces for cars/truck campers/vans, (1) tent platform, and an additional mowed area for a second tent if needed for its guests. There is also a picnic table, and outdoor shower available for use. Recently added is also a full indoor bathroom with sink, toilet, and shower. There are beautiful views of Glacier National Park in the distance where several peaks come into view on a clear day! We are just 10 minutes from downtown Whitefish and 25 minutes from the West Glacier entrance to Glacier National Park. Each campsite includes One (1) tent platform that measures 110" x 110", One (1) additional area of mowed grass to pitch a second tent if needed, and two (2) parking spaces for a car, truck camper, or van. If you plan on utilizing the ground spot for a tent we recommend having some kind of ground cover (tarp, blanket, etc.) to protect your tent from moisture or grass stalks. Shared spaces among campers include: -Sink, bathroom, shower, fire pit, and picnic table.
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$50
 / night
100%
(47)

White Bridge Lane Private Campsite

2 sites · RVs, Tents25 acres · Boulder, MT
Dawson Family Ranch is a family-run business with a focus on sustainable land and agriculture practices. The ranch is located along a mile of the Boulder River between the Elkhorn and Bull Mountain Ranges. The river offers fishing for rainbow and brown trout. Public land access is within a short drive (2-7 miles depending on direction) and offers different recreational opportunities including hiking, hunting, and motorized recreation. Boulder Hot Springs is less than 4 miles away.
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$45
 / night
96%
(363)

Ellison Ranch

5 sites · RVs, Tents2000 acres · Mc Leod, MT
This ranch was homesteaded in 1896 by a German immigrant, and has been in the family for 120 years. We enjoy sharing that history with anyone who is interested. We have 5 designated drive-in sites along the West Boulder River. Each is separate and well spaced. Only #1 has any close traffic - and that is occasional ranch vehicles.
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from 
$40
 / night
89%
(57)

God's Country Camping

1 site · RV, Tent12 acres · Lolo, MT
This property is so beautiful and peaceful no lights out here at night, just moonlight when it's out. Spring fed pond, Ponderosa pine trees, fallen white birch, rustic and gorgeous. Some of my camp spots are on rough terrain. I always suggest you get out and walk around to see what you can manage with your vehicle. The idea of my place is more wilderness camping, there is wildlife that comes around. RV camp spots on the east and west end of the pond. Camp spot out by the wooden round pen on the west side. Learn more about this land: Completely private, borders 2000 acres of a bird sanctuary. Two blocks from Bitterroot river canoeing, kayaking, fishing, swim, trails, hiking, scenery, wildlife. Spring fed pond on property for fishing, swimming and adventures. My pond is spring fed, which means that is goes up and down with the seasons and run off from the snow in the mountains. So as the summer goes on the pond levels go way down, please be aware of that.
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$35
 / night
96%
(57)

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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$35
 / night

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Ranch camping in Montana with wildlife watching guide

Overview

Few places in the Lower 48 feel more wild and remote than Montana. This northwestern state on the border with Canada is home to both Glacier National Park and a section of Yellowstone National Park along with a wide range of state parks and recreation areas, friendly cities, spooky ghost towns, and more than its fair share of hot springs. While most visitors comein summer—when weather is pleasant enough for camping and hiking—the Treasure State offers unique experiences in every season, with fantastic winter skiing opportunities, spring wildflowers, and gorgeous fall colors.

Where to go

Glacier Country

Northwestern Montana's Glacier Country is characterized by massive forests, craggy peaks, and long expanses of wilderness, with plenty of wildlife to boot. It's also home to Glacier National Park, where you'll find hundreds of miles of hiking trails along with tons of developed and backcountry camping options.

Southwest Montana

In the heart of Montana's Big Sky country, just west of Yellowstone National Park, this region is characterized by cute towns (notably Butte and Helena), historic ghost towns (a remnant of the region's historic mining industry), and relaxing hot springs. Popular camping areas include Lewis & Clark Caverns State Park and Bannack State Park.

Yellowstone Country

If you're headed to Yellowstone Country, it's likely with a visit to Yellowstone National Park in mind, but there's plenty more to do in the region, from hiking the Lake Fork Trail to checking out the restaurant and brewery scene in Bozeman. Yellowstone itself is, of course, a must-visit, but if you can’t find camping in the massive—and ever so popular—national park, you may have better luck snagging something in Custer Gallatin National Forest.

Central Montana

Central Montana offers all sorts of opportunities for outdoor recreation, rain or shine. Summer activities include fishing, horseback riding, and camping, while spots such as Showdown Mountain, Teton Pass Ski Resort, and Bear Paw Ski Bowl offer skiing and snowboarding. The region also has plenty of state parks, including Sluice Boxes State Park, Giant Springs State Park, and First Peoples Buffalo State Park.

Eastern Montana

Vast and expansive, eastern Montana features sparse landscapes dotted with the occasional herd of cattle, and plenty of room to get out and explore. You can take in views of the Badlands from Makoshika State Park or the Badlands Wilderness Study Area, or camp under the open sky in the expansive Custer National Forest. If you'd like to get out on the water, the Bighorn Canyon National Recreation Area is the place to go, with boat rentals available.

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