Month: May 2020

Capitol Rock, located in the Long Pines land unit in Montana, is a massive white sandstone remnant which originated as a volcanic ash deposit. This unique formation resembles the Nation's Capitol Building in Washington, DC.

It is one of two National Natural Landmarks on the Sioux R.D.

Directions

From Camp Crook, SD go 3 miles west on Hwy 20. At fork, turn right on Forest Road 3116 (Capitol Rock Road) and follow road approximately 7 miles to Capitol Rock.

GPS Coordinates

Latitude 45° 49′ 35.0000″ N

Longitude 104° 27′ 19.0001″ W

Located about 50 miles south of Red Lodge and Billings, MT, in the Pryor Mountains, this remote interpretive site has a short walk (0.2 miles) down a steep path to a wooden platform. You can view the always present ice floor in the first room of the cave.

• Interested on how the cave was formed and why there is ice? Click here.

The Big Ice Cave Picnic Ground has 5 picnic sites for day-use only.

• For a detailed road map, which shows recreation sites and campgrounds, please see our Motor Vehicle Use Map (MVUM and legend).

Directions

GPS Coordinates

Latitude 45° 9′ 42.6240″ N

Longitude 108° 24′ 5.8212″ W

The West Rosebud Lake Fishing Access is one of several fishing access parking sites in the West Rosebud drainage. There is a fully accessible fishing pier and pathway. West Rosebud lake is stocked regularly by the State of Montana and offers wonderful opportunities for trout fishing. Pine Grove Campground, Emerald Lake Campground, Emerald Lake Fishing Access and Mystic Lake Trail (#19) are also located in the West Rosebud drainage.

For a road map of the area, which shows locations of recreation sites and campgrounds, see our Motor Vehicle Use Map (MVUM).

Directions from Beartooth Ranger District office:
Drive north on US Hwy 212 for 2.1 miles and turn left (west) onto MT-78. Drive 30 miles and turn left (west) onto MT-419 towards Fishtail. Drive 4.4 miles (through Fishtail) and turn left (south) onto West
Rosebud Rd. Drive 6.5 miles and turn left (south) to continue on West Rosebud Rd. Drive 12.9 miles to West Rosebud Lake, on your left.

Fish Your National Forests: This site can be accessed by Passenger Car; Fish available include: Trout; Types of fishing available include: Wade, Shore, Motorized boat, Float tube, Fly, Spin, Bait; ADA Accessible fishing access with fishing pier and boat launch

Directions

GPS Coordinates

Latitude 45° 15′ 9.6444″ N

Longitude 109° 42′ 33.5232″ W

The Emerald Lake Fishing Access is one of several fishing access parking sites in the West Rosebud drainage. Emerald Lake is stocked regularly by the State of Montana and offers wonderful opportunities for trout fishing.

For a road map of the area, which shows locations of recreation sites and campgrounds, see our Motor Vehicle Use Map (MVUM).

*Small boats are allowed on the lake, provided they do not create any wake.

Directions

From Absarokee, MT take Hwy 78 2 miles to County Road 419 (Nye Road) towards Fishtail. From Fishtail, go 1 mile west on County Road 419. Turn left on County Road 425 (West Rosebud Road). Go south 6 miles and turn left on Forest Road 2072. Go approximately 12 miles on Forest Road 2072 to fishing access on left (just before Emerald Lake Campground entrance)

GPS Coordinates

Latitude 45° 15′ 28.7028″ N

Longitude 109° 41′ 37.6368″ W

This free campground is located on the West Fork Stillwater Road and is near the West Fork Stillwater Trail (#90). The campground is maintained from Memorial Day to Labor Day, but is opened the rest of the year without services. There is a 16 day stay limit for all Beartooth Ranger District campgrounds.

For a road map of the area, which shows campground locations, please see our Motor Vehicle Use Map (MVUM)

• Camp sites: 6
• Host: No
• Max Trailer Length: 20 ft
• Accessible Facilities: none
• Trash Pickup:No
• Firewood:No

Reservations
No Reservations. This campground does not use a reservation system, it is managed on a first-come, first-served basis. Be aware the campground may fill up on weekends & holidays during the summer months and you should arrive in the early afternoon to ensure there is a space available for the night. There is a 16 day stay limit.  Some sites in campground have bear resistant food storage lockers. Individual camp sites vary in size, but the max trailer length is 20ft.

Initial Creek Campground remains open year-round. However, in the off-season, the roads to the campground are not plowed and the campground is not maintained. There is no water and no services. Please pack out all of your trash.

Directions from district office:
Drive north on US Hwy 212 for 2.1 miles. Turn left (west) onto MT-78 and drive 30 miles. Turn left (west) onto MT-419 towards Fishtail. Drive through Nye and for a total of 25.9 miles. Immediately after the Stillwater Mine, turn right (west) onto the West Fork Stillwater Rd (FR 2846). Drive 7.8 miles to the trailhead.

*The West Fork Stillwater Rd is a rough road. High clearance vehicles are advised.

Information:
Beartooth Ranger District Office
6811 US Hwy 212
Red Lodge, MT 59068
(406) 446-2103

Nearby Activities

• Camping
• Horseback riding
• Picnicking

Directions

GPS Coordinates

Latitude 45° 24′ 13.7412″ N

Longitude 109° 57′ 17.8272″ W

Sage Creek Campground is the only campground in the Pryor Mountains. It is located along the banks of Sage Creek.  Big Ice Cave Picnic Ground, and the Bureau of Land Management Pryor Mountain Wild Horse Range are also located in the Pryor Mountains. Numerous motorized trails are located in the Pryor Mountains. See the current year’s edition of motor vehicle use map (and legend) for the area and road closures.

There is a 16 day maximum stay in all Beartooth Ranger District campgrounds 

• Camp sites: 12
• Host: No
• Max Trailer Length: 30ft
• Accessible Facilities: Vault toilets
• Trash Pickup: No
• Firewood: No. Don’t move firewood to other areas or bring in outside firewood.Prevent the spread of tree-killing insects by obtaining firewood near your destination and burning it there.

Reservations:
No Reservations. This campground does not use a reservation system, it is managed on a first-come, first-served basis.

* Please be advised that there is not consistent potable water here. Call the district office to learn if there is water, or plan ahead and bring your own.

Directions from the town of Bridger:
[This route is not advised for campers or horse trailers. High clearance vehicles are recommended] Drive south of Bridger for 2.8 miles and turn left on Pryor Mountain Road. Drive 12.2 miles until the road dead ends. Turn right to continue on Pryor Mountain Road/ Railroad Grade Rd. Drive 2.8 miles and turn left onto Pryor Mountain Road/ Railroad Grade Rd. In 2.2 miles, turn right onto Railroad Grade Rd. This becomes Forest Road 2500 (Powerline Road). We recommend high clearance vehicles for this section of road. It is rocky and a single track. Drive 6.9 miles and turn right onto Pryor Mountain Road/ Forest Road 2308. Drive 0.3 miles and turn left onto Sage Creek Rd. Drive 0.3 miles to Sage Creek Campground.  Roads in the Pryor Mountains become impassable when wet.

• Powerline Road Access Map

For access with campers or trailers, it is recommended to access the Pryor Mountains from the south, via the Crooked Creek Road. From Bridger, drive 21.5 miles south on Hwy-310 to Warren (a conveyeor belt for a quarry goes over the road). Turn left onto Quarry Rd and drive 6.9 miles (at 4.3 miles, the road name changes to Helt Rd). Veer to the right onto Gyp Springs Rd and drive for 7.1 miles. Turn left onto Helt Rd and drive for 0.2 miles, then veer to the right onto Crooked Creek Rd. Drive 6 miles to the Forest Service boundary. Continue another 3.4 miles to Tie Flats. Turn left onto Pryor Mountain Rd (Forest Road 2308) and drive 7.6 miles. Turn right onto Sage Creek Road and drive 0.3 miles to Sage Creek Campground, on your right. [approximate driving time from Bridger, MT: 2.5 hours].

• Pryor Mountain Access Map

Information:
Beartooth Ranger District
6811 Hwy 212
Red Lodge, MT 59068
(406) 446-2103

Nearby Activities

• Camping
• Picnicking

Directions

GPS Coordinates

Latitude 45° 12′ 49.9572″ N

Longitude 108° 33′ 16.6644″ W

Jimmy Joe Campground is a free campground on the banks of East Rosebud Creek in the East Rosebud drainage.  East Rosebud is considered one of the more scenic drainages in the Beartooths . East Rosebud Trail (#15), Spread Creek Trail (#13), and Phantom Creek Trail (#17).  East Rosebud Lake Campground and Sand Dunes Picnic Ground also located in the East Rosebud drainage.

• Camp sites: 12
• Host: No
• Max Trailer Length: 30ft
• Accessible Facilities: Vault toilets
• Trash Pickup: No
• Firewood: No

For a road map of the area, including campground locations, please see our Motor Vehicle Use Map (MVUM).

Reservations:
No Reservations. This campground does not use a reservation system; it is managed on a first-come, first-served basis. Be aware the campground may fill up on weekends & holidays during the summer months and you should arrive in the early afternoon to ensure there is a space available for the night. There is a 16 day stay limit.  Some sites in campground have bear resistant food storage lockers. Individual camp sites vary in size, but the max trailer length is 30ft.

Directions from district office:
Drive north on US Hwy 212 for 2.1 miles. Turn left (west) onto MT-78 and drive 19.7 miles. Turn left (south) onto Roscoe Rd. Drive 2.3 miles, cross the bridge and turn right (south) onto East Rosebud Rd. Drive 6.5 miles and until the campground, on your right.

Information:
Beartooth Ranger District
6811 US Hwy 212
Red Lodge, MT 59068
(406) 446-2103

Nearby Activities

• Camping
• Picnicking

Directions

GPS Coordinates

Latitude 45° 13′ 53.1048″ N

Longitude 109° 36′ 10.4148″ W

East Rosebud Campground is nestled in the trees, not far from East Rosebud Lake. East Rosebud is considered one of the more scenic drainages in the Beartooths and the campground is a short distance from the East Rosebud Trail (#15), Spread Creek Trail (#13), and Phantom Creek Trail (#17).  Jimmy Joe Campground and Sand Dunes Picnic Ground also located in the East Rosebud drainage.

*Please be advised that much of the area directly around East Rosebud Lake is private property. Fishing or boat access to the lake is limited. Please call the district office for more information.

• Camp sites: 14
• Host: No
• Max Trailer Length: 20ft
• Accessible Facilities: None
• Trash Pickup: Bear resistant trash container centrally located on site during peak season only.
• Firewood: No

Reservations:
There are no reservations for this campground. This campground does not use a reservation system; it is managed on a first-come, first-served basis. Be aware that the campground is very popular and may fill up on weekends & holidays during the summer months. You should arrive early to ensure there is a space available for the night. There is a 16 day stay limit.  Some sites in campground have bear resistant food storage lockers. Individual camp sites vary in size, but the max trailer length is 20ft.

This campground is maintained from approximately Memorial Day to Labor Day (call district office for exact season dates). During these dates there is a fee to stay in the campground (listed below).

Outside of the peak summer dates (Memorial Day- Labor Day), the campground is ungated, free, and available for use (no services, not maintained, roads are not plowed). If you visit outside the peak fee season, please bring your own water, toilet paper (outhouse will remain open), and please pack out your trash.

Directions from district office to East Rosebud Campground:
Drive north on US Hwy 212 for 2.1 miles. Turn left (west) onto MT-78 and drive 19.7 miles. Turn left (south) onto Roscoe Rd. Drive 2.3 miles, cross the bridge and turn right (south) onto East Rosebud Rd. Drive 10.5 miles to the campground, on your left.

Nearby Activities

• Camping
• Fishing
• Hiking
• Horseback riding
• Picnicking

Directions

GPS Coordinates

Latitude 45° 11′ 57.9912″ N

Longitude 109° 38′ 3.3612″ W

Pine Grove Campground is located in the West Rosebud drainage. It is in the trees, along the banks of West Rosebud Creek. Emerald Lake Campground, West Rosebud Trail (#19), Emerald Lake Fishing Access and West Rosebud Lake Fishing Access are also located in the West Rosebud drainage.

There is a 16 day maximum stay in all Beartooth Ranger District campgrounds. For a road map of the area, with locations of campgrounds, please see our Motor Vehicle Use Map (MVUM).

• Camp sites: 46
• Host: No
• Max Trailer Length: 30ft
• Accessible Facilities: Toilet
• Trash Pickup: Bear resistant dumpster on site
• Firewood: No.  Don’t move firewood to other areas or bring in outside firewood. Prevent the spread of tree-killing insects by obtaining firewood near your destination and burning it there.

Reservations:
No Reservations. This campground does not use a reservation system; it is managed on a first-come, first-served basis. Be aware that the campground is very popular and may fill up on weekends & holidays during the summer months. You should arrive early to ensure there is a space available for the night. There is a 16 day stay limit.  Some sites equipped with bear resistant food storage lockers.

Directions from Beartooth Ranger District office:
Drive north on US Hwy 212 for 2.1 miles and turn left (west) onto MT-78. Drive 30 miles and turn left (west) onto MT-419 towards Fishtail. Drive 4.4 miles (through Fishtail) and turn left (south) onto West Rosebud Rd. Drive 6.5 miles and turn left (south) to continue on West Rosebud Rd. Drive 9.1 miles to the campground, on the left. There are two entrances to the campground.

Information:
Beartooth Ranger District
6811 US Hwy 212
Red Lodge, MT 59068
(406) 446-2103

Nearby Activities

• Camping
• Fishing
• Hiking
• Picnicking

Directions

GPS Coordinates

Latitude 45° 16′ 33.1068″ N

Longitude 109° 38′ 43.9188″ W

Emerald Lake is in the West Rosebud drainage and is nestled in the trees between Emerald Lake and West Rosebud Lake.  West Rosebud Trail (#19), Pine Grove Campground, Emerald Lake Fishing Access and West Rosebud Lake Fishing Access are also located in the West Rosebud drainage.

There is a 16 day maximum stay in all Beartooth Ranger District campgrounds. For a road map of the area, with locations of campgrounds, please see our Motor Vehicle Use Map (MVUM).

• Camp sites: 32
• Host: No
• Max trailer length: 30ft
• Accessible Facilities: Toilet
• Trash Pickup:  Centrally located Bear resistant dumpster
• Firewood: No.  Don’t move firewood to other areas or bring in outside firewood. Prevent the spread of tree-killing insects by obtaining firewood near your destination and burning it there.

Reservations:
No Reservations: This campground does not use a reservation system; it is managed on a first-come, first-served basis. Be aware that the campground is very popular and may fill up on weekends & holidays during the summer months. You should arrive early to ensure there is a space available for the night. There is a 16 day stay limit.  Some sites are equipped with bear resistant food storage lockers.

This campground is maintained from approximately Memorial Day to Labor Day (call district office for exact season dates). During these dates there is a fee to stay in the campground (listed below).

Outside of the peak summer dates (Memorial Day- Labor Day), the campground remains ungated, free, and available for use (no services, not maintained, roads are not plowed). If you visit outside the peak fee season, please bring your own water, toilet paper (outhouse will remain open), and please pack out your trash.

Directions from district office:
Drive north on US Hwy 212 for 2.1 miles and turn left (west) onto MT-78. Drive 30.0 miles and turn left (west) onto MT-419 towards Fishtail. Drive 4.4 miles (through Fishtail) and turn left (south) onto West Rosebud Rd. Drive 6.5 miles and turn left (south)  to continue on West Rosebud Rd. Drive 12.4 miles to the campground, on the left.

Information:
Beartooth Ranger District
6811 US Hwy 212
Red Lodge, MT 59068
(406) 446-2103

Nearby Activities

• Camping
• Fishing
• Hiking
• Picnicking

Directions

GPS Coordinates

Latitude 45° 15′ 12.2328″ N

Longitude 109° 42′ 1.0512″ W