Is Afterbay Campground first-come first-served or reservation?

Afterbay Campground operates on a first-come, first-served basis. Arrive early, especially on weekends and holidays, to secure a spot.

Can I see photos of campsites at Afterbay Campground before I book?

Yes! Afterbay Campground has 4 campsite photos on Outdoorithm, contributed by campers who've stayed there. Browse real photos of individual sites to see what to expect before you reserve. You can also add your own photos after your trip to help the next family plan theirs.

Are there showers at Afterbay Campground?

Afterbay Campground does not have shower facilities. Plan accordingly—nearby alternatives may include day-use areas or towns.

How many campsites does Afterbay Campground have?

Afterbay Campground has 22 campsites. Sites vary in size, privacy, and amenities. Arrive early for the best site selection.

Are dogs allowed at Afterbay Campground?

Yes, pets are allowed at Afterbay Campground. Dogs must typically be kept on a leash (usually 6 feet or shorter) and under control at all times. Be sure to clean up after your pet and check for any breed or size restrictions.

What amenities are available at Afterbay Campground?

Afterbay Campground offers: Restrooms, Potable Water, Dump Station, Electrical Hookups, Water Hookups, Pets Allowed. See our detailed campground page for the full list of facilities and features.

Afterbay Campground

4.17

26 reviews

Afterbay Campground, Rte 200, Fort Smith, MT 59035, USA

Top 9% in MTFall

Summer Destination

Featured in:Hidden Gem Campgrounds Montana

Real-Time Availability

Select a month, then check for open campsites

Quick Facts

3,196 ft

Price

Varies

Booking

Walk-in Only

Sites

22 campsites

Season

Year-round

Cell

No Service

Pets

Very Pet Friendly

Partial Hookups

Book on Crow Tribe of Indians Official Website

Get Directions

Real-Time Availability

Select a month, then check for open campsites

Quick Facts

3,196 ft

Price

Varies

Booking

Walk-in Only

Sites

22 campsites

Season

Year-round

Cell

No Service

Pets

Very Pet Friendly

Partial Hookups

Book on Crow Tribe of Indians Official Website

Get Directions

Afterbay Campground

No fees available

Campsite Fees

No paid fee categories listed.

Get Notified When Available

We'll monitor this campground and alert you the moment sites become available.

Free to start · paid plans add 2-min scans

256,000+ sites monitored · Email, SMS, or in-app notifications

Learn more about alerts →

Share this campground

Recreation Dot Gov

Provider

(406) 666-2333dyanna.threeirons@crow-nsn.gov

I manage this campground

Been here recently?

Campers like you keep our info accurate. Fix a detail in under 30 seconds.

Plan a trip to Afterbay Campground

Compare with similar sites, watch availability, and build a packing list — Camp Sage handles all of it.

Campground Map

Afterbay Campground, Rte 200, Fort Smith, MT 59035, USA

Afterbay Campground

Afterbay Campground, Rte 200, Fort Smith, MT 59035, USA

Nearby places

Fort Smith, MT (approximately 1 mile away).

Weather at Afterbay Campground

Best Time to Camp at Afterbay Campground

Best season: fall. Fall is the standout season at Afterbay Campground for cooler, stable weather (daytime highs typically 50–70°F, crisp mornings 30–45°F) and exceptional wildlife activity—big game rutting and waterfowl migration make wildlife viewing and photography excellent. Lake levels and calmer winds in September–October create great conditions for fishing and peaceful boating, while crowds thin after the summer holiday period. Expect fewer people at campsites and boat launches compared with July and August, Peak months: September, October, June, July Avoid: January, February

Best

Fall(Sep-Nov)

4.5 / 5

Top 9% in MT

Fall highlighted: calmer waters, good fishing conditions, big-game rut and waterfowl migration.

Planning Tips

About Afterbay Campground

Afterbay Campground sits in the Montana foothills within Bighorn Canyon National Recreation Area, operated by the Crow Tribe of Indians near Fort Smith. This small campground offers electric and water hookups, a dump station, and vault toilets, serving tent and RV campers who come for lake access and wildlife viewing. Fall brings cooler temperatures, big game rutting, waterfowl migration, and calmer conditions on nearby Yellowtail Lake.

Afterbay Campground provides versatile camping options, including both RV and tent sites. Group camping, cabins, and glamping are not available.

Weather and SeasonsBest season: fall. Fall is the standout season at Afterbay Campground for cooler, stable weather (daytime highs typically 50–70°F, crisp mornings 30–45°F) and exceptional wildlife activity—big game rutting and waterfowl migration make wildlife viewing and photography excellent. Lake levels and calmer winds in September–October create great conditions for fishing and peaceful boating, while crowds thin after the summer holiday period. Expect fewer people at campsites and boat launches compared with July and August, Peak months: September, October, June, July Avoid: January, February

Elevation3196 ft above sea level

Natural Features and SceneryAfterbay Lake sits within Bighorn Canyon's limestone cliffs, where ancient seabeds have been carved into dramatic walls. The lake provides calmer water than the main canyon, attracting waterfowl during fall migration. Wildlife activity picks up significantly during autumn, when big game rutting season brings increased viewing opportunities. The landscape is open with limited natural vegetation at the campsites themselves.

Lodging & AccommodationsThere are no hotel-style lodging accommodations available at this campground.

Programs & ActivitiesNo cultural or educational programs are noted for this campground.

Best Campsites

Curated by campers, for campers

Reveal picks

Reserving a campsite

Stay Limit

Campsite occupancy may not exceed 14 cumulative days within a 28-day period.

Tents

Tents are allowed

RV vehicles

RV vehicles are allowed

Primitive

Primitive camping is not allowed

Reservable

Reservations are not allowed

Reservation PlatformsReservations are not needed for this campground.

AccessibilityAll campsites and restroom facilities are ADA accessible. Campsites 6, 7, and 19 are designated accessible sites.

Site SizeSites are standard-sized back-in sites suitable for RVs and tents.

PrivacySites generally offer limited privacy; the open layout lacks shade, grass, and significant barriers between sites.

Total Campsites22 campsites

Recommended SitesSelect sites with views of Afterbay Lake for scenic beauty. Accessible sites include 6, 7, and 19.

Best CampsitesSites 6, 7, and 19 are accessible. Reviewers recommend visiting nearby Ok-A-Beh Marina for canyon views and boat launch access.

Amenities available

Afterbay Campground, located near Fort Smith, Montana, offers 22 RV and tent sites situated on the south shore of Afterbay Lake. Amenities include back-in sites equipped with fire rings, picnic tables, and electric and water hookups. Additional features include composting vault toilets, a seasonal RV dump station located near the Headquarters building, bear-proof food storage lockers, and seasonal trash/recycling collection. However, there are no shower facilities, no camp store, and no firewood available for purchase on-site.

Potable water

Electricity hookups

Water hookups

Dump station

Fire rings

Food storage lockers

I manage this campground

RV details

Activities you can enjoy

Afterbay Campground provides opportunities for fishing, wildlife viewing, and relaxing by the lake. While hiking or biking trails are not directly mentioned, the scenic area is suitable for exploration. Nearby attractions include Ok-A-Beh Marina and Yellowtail Lake, which offer additional recreational activities.

Water Sports

Planning your trip?Check out our camping packing checklist

Policies & Safety

No Cell ServiceCell phone service is not available at this campground. Plan accordingly for emergencies and download offline maps before arriving.

No Flush ToiletsFlush toilets are not available; only composting vault toilets are provided, which are accessible year-round.

Food Storage RequiredMetal locked boxes are provided for food storage to prevent bear activity.

Trip Planning Tools

Set an AlertGet notified when sites open up Check WeatherHistorical weather data Gear for This TripMatched gear recommendations Packing ListCustomizable checklist

Questions & answers

Researching this campground? Ask anything — other campers and our team will weigh in. No visit required.

Tips from campers

Short heads-ups about the road in, gear quirks, timing, and more. You don't have to have been here to share what you know.

Reviews

From Booking Sources

4.2

26 reviews

Satisfactory

Afterbay Campground is satisfactory, placing it in the bottom 60% of campgrounds based on reviews

Reviews are generally positive, with campers appreciating the location's scenic beauty, tranquility, and proximity to attractions like Yellowtail Lake. However, privacy, shade, and grass at campsites are limited. Bear activity has been noted. 'Beautiful spot to camp!'

Review Summaries

Based on 26 reviews

What Campers Love

Campers praise the campground as a 'beautiful spot to camp' with quiet surroundings and opportunities for relaxation. The availability of electric hookups and vault toilets are appreciated. Proximity...

Based on 26 reviews

Common Concerns

Some concerns include the lack of privacy, shade, and grass at campsites. Additionally, the absence of shower facilities is noted, and fishing success can depend on the lake's stocking schedule....

Based on 26 reviews

Site-Specific Reviews

Campsites 6, 7, and 19 are designated accessible sites and are likely the best options for individuals with mobility needs.

Based on 26 reviews

Pro Tips & Recommendations

Bring your own shade structures as the sites lack natural cover. Be prepared for potential bear activity by using the provided food storage lockers. Visit Ok-A-Beh Marina for stunning views and to...

Based on 26 reviews

Seasonal Insights

During peak seasons (Memorial Day to Labor Day), the campground tends to be busier but remains quiet. Campers recommend visiting in late spring or early fall for optimal weather and fewer crowds.

Based on 26 reviews

Camper Quotes

1. 'Beautiful spot to camp!' 2. 'No privacy, no shade, no grass, but if you want to visit the area on the Montana side and stay in a public campground, there aren’t many options.' 3. 'It’s fun and...

Based on 26 reviews

Accessibility Features

Accessibility is excellent, with all sites ADA accessible and specific sites (6, 7, 19) designated for accessibility. Restrooms are also wheelchair-friendly.

Based on 26 reviews

Pet-Friendly Features

Pets are allowed, but they must be leashed at all times and cannot be left unattended. No further pet-specific amenities are reported.

Based on 26 reviews

Outdoorithm Community

Be the first to review this campground

Every adventure creates another. Share what you learned so the next camper feels a little more prepared heading out.

Go if

You want electric and water hookups close to the lake with strong fall wildlife activity and access to Ok-A-Beh Marina.

Skip if

You need shade, privacy, or grassy sites in an open foothills setting.

Nearby Campgrounds

0.0

(4)

Grapevine Campground

Bighorn Canyon National Recreation Area

Grapevine Campground sits at 3,196 feet in Bighorn Canyon National Recreation Area near Fort Smith, Montana, operated by the Crow Tribe of Indians. This 14-site campground offers tent and RV camping with vault toilets, potable water, a dump station, and fire rings. Summer brings mid-70s to low-90s°F days ideal for boating and fishing on Afterbay Lake, with cool nights in the 40s–50s°F.

Black Canyon Campground

P.O. Box 7458, Fort Smith, MT, 59035, USA

Black Canyon Campground sits on the Montana shore of Bighorn Canyon National Recreation Area, accessible only by boat during summer months when docks are installed. Operated by the National Park Service, this small, primitive site offers vault toilets and shoreline tent camping in a secluded foothill setting near Fort Smith. Visitors boat in to fish, swim, and camp along the canyon's edge, though bear activity occasionally prompts temporary closures.

Medicine Creek Campground

20 Highway 14A East, Lovell, WY, 82431, USA

Medicine Creek Campground sits in the foothills of Bighorn Canyon National Recreation Area near Lovell, Wyoming. Operated by the National Park Service, this very small primitive site offers fewer than 10 spots for tent campers seeking backcountry-style access to the canyon and reservoir. Visitors use the campground as a base for boating, paddling, and hiking the canyon rims during the warm summer months.

Barry's Landing & Trail Creek Campground

20 Highway 14A East, Lovell, WY 82413, USA

Barry's Landing & Trail Creek Campground sits along Bighorn Canyon in the foothills near Lovell, Wyoming, operated by Hidden Treasure Charters within Bighorn Canyon National Recreation Area. This small campground offers tent and RV sites with vault toilets, bear-proof storage boxes, and a quiet atmosphere ideal for boaters and anglers accessing the canyon's waters. The exposed, sun-drenched setting provides unobstructed canyon views but offers little natural shade.

Campgrounds you may also like

0.0

(4)

Grapevine Campground

Bighorn Canyon National Recreation Area

Basin Montana Campground

FOREST ROAD 2071, RED LODGE, MT 59068, USA

Basin Montana Campground sits at 6,900 feet in the Custer Gallatin National Forest, just outside Red Lodge along West Fork Rock Creek. Operated by Recreation Resource Management of America, this small mid-elevation forest campground serves as a staging point for day hikes into the Absaroka-Beartooth Wilderness. Campers fish the creek, bike forest roads, and return to well-maintained sites with vault toilets and potable water.

$20.00 - $33.97 / night

Less Visited

4.4

(43)

Beartooth Lake Campground

Beartooth Lake Campground, Cody, WY

Beartooth Lake Campground sits at 9,000 feet on the shore of its namesake alpine lake in Shoshone National Forest. The 21 sites are split across three loops tucked into stands of Lodgepole Pine, with Beartooth Butte rising overhead. It's 30 miles from Yellowstone and directly on the Beartooth and Chief Joseph Scenic Highways. Fees run $25/night. Cell service is nonexistent.

$25.00 - $25.00 / night

0.0

(0)

Dayboard 9 Campground

Dayboard 9, Bighorn Lake, Fort Smith, MT, USA, 59035

Dayboard 9 Campground sits at 4,541 feet in Bighorn Canyon National Recreation Area near Fort Smith, Montana, offering primitive tent camping with direct access to Bighorn Lake. Open Memorial Day through Labor Day, this National Park Service site provides fire rings and picnic tables for boaters and paddlers seeking canyon-view camping. Daytime highs typically reach the low 60s to 70s°F with cool nights in the upper 40s to mid-50s°F.

MT HIGHWAY 419 (NYE ROAD)

Woodbine Campground sits in Custer Gallatin National Forest near Nye, Montana, at 5,300 feet elevation. Operated by Recreation Resource Management of America, this mid-sized campground offers tent, RV, and group sites with vault toilets, potable water, and fire rings. Campers come for hiking, fishing, mountain biking, and wildlife viewing in the surrounding forest and alpine terrain.

$20.00 - $40.00 / night

FOREST ROAD 424, TEN SLEEP, WY 82442, USA

Lakeview Bighorn sits at high elevation in Bighorn National Forest near Ten Sleep, operated by Gallatin Canyon Campgrounds. This small alpine campground offers tent, RV, and group sites with vault toilets, potable water, and fire rings. Campers come for lake views, wildlife sightings including moose and bald eagles, and access to Meadowlark Lake for fishing and paddling.

$20.00 - $40.00 / night

FOREST ROAD 432, TEN SLEEP, WY 82442, USA

Sitting Bull Campground sits at high elevation in Bighorn National Forest near Ten Sleep, Wyoming, operated by Gallatin Canyon Campgrounds. The mid-sized campground offers tent, RV, and group sites with vault toilets, potable water, and fire rings. Summer visitors hike into Cloud Peak Wilderness, fish alpine lakes, bike forest roads, and watch for wildlife in a pristine mountain setting with spacious, private campsites.

$20.00 - $40.00 / night

4.0

(47)

Island Lake Campground

Shoshone National Forest

Island Lake Campground sits high in the Absaroka-Beartooth Wilderness of Shoshone National Forest, offering direct access to alpine trails and excellent trout fishing. The small, high-elevation campground accommodates tents, RVs, and primitive campers with vault toilets, potable water, fire rings, and picnic tables. Visitors come for hiking, wildlife viewing, and proximity to Island Lake's clear waters, though grizzly country protocols apply.

FOREST ROAD 2421A, RED LODGE, MT 59068, USA

Parkside sits in the Custer Gallatin National Forest near Red Lodge, offering high-elevation alpine camping along Rock Creek. Recreation Resource Mgmt. of America operates this seasonal campground where campers fish, hike, bike, and launch boats into mountain water. Sites accommodate tents, RVs, and groups, with vault toilets, potable water, fire rings, and picnic tables spread across creek-side locations praised for cleanliness and attentive hosts.

$20.00 - $20.00 / night

Campgrounds

Bighorn Canyon National Recreation Area

Afterbay Campground

About Bighorn Canyon National Recreation Area

Context for the broader area surrounding Afterbay Campground, sourced from the federal Recreation.gov rec-area record.

The vast, wild landscape of Bighorn Canyon National Recreation Area offers visitors unparalleled opportunities to immerse themselves in the natural world, and experience the wonders of this extraordinary place. With over 120,000 acres, one can find an astounding diversity in ecosystems, wildlife, and more than 10,000 years of human history to explore.

Directions

Bighorn Canyon has two districts that are separated by a three hour drive. To get to the North District at Fort Smith, MT from Billings, take Interstate 90 south to Hardin, MT. Turn at exit 495 onto State Highway 313 to St. Xavier and then to Fort Smith, Montana. To get to the South District at Lovell, WY from Billings, MT, take Interstate 90 west. Turn at exit 434 at Laurel, MT. Turn onto US 310 East/US 212 South. Turn at US 310 East to Lovell. The visitor center is on the east side of Lovell.