Is Dayboard 9 Campground first-come first-served or reservation?

Dayboard 9 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 Dayboard 9 Campground before I book?

Yes! Dayboard 9 Campground has 1 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.

What is the best time to visit Dayboard 9 Campground?

Dayboard 9 Campground is open Opens during the summer season (Memorial Day through Labor Day).. The best time to visit depends on your preferences—summer offers the warmest weather and most activities, while spring and fall provide fewer crowds and milder temperatures. Check current conditions before your trip.

Are there showers at Dayboard 9 Campground?

Dayboard 9 Campground does not have shower facilities. Plan accordingly—nearby alternatives may include day-use areas or towns.

Are dogs allowed at Dayboard 9 Campground?

Pets are not allowed at Dayboard 9 Campground. This policy helps protect local wildlife and other campers. Consider nearby pet-friendly campgrounds if traveling with animals.

Dayboard 9 Campground

0 review

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

Summer Destination

Featured in:Mountain Camping Montana

Real-Time Availability

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Quick Facts

4,541 ft

Price

Varies

Booking

Walk-in Only

Sites

Varies

Season

Opens during the sum...

Cell

Unknown

Pets

Check Policy

Book on National Park Service Official Website

Get Directions

Real-Time Availability

Select a month, then check for open campsites

Quick Facts

4,541 ft

Price

Varies

Booking

Walk-in Only

Sites

Varies

Season

Opens during the sum...

Cell

Unknown

Pets

Check Policy

Book on National Park Service Official Website

Get Directions

Dayboard 9 Campground

No fees available

Campsite Fees

No paid fee categories listed.

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Provider

(307) 568-5406BICA_media@nps.gov

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Campground Map

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

Dayboard 9 Campground

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

Nearby places

Okabeh Marina (approx. 9 miles by water), Barry's Landing (approx. 27 miles by water).

Weather at Dayboard 9 Campground

Best Time to Camp at Dayboard 9 Campground

Best season: summer. Summer is the clear highlight for Dayboard 9 — the campground opens Memorial Day through Labor Day and offers prime boating, paddling, and canyon-view camping when Bighorn Lake is at its most accessible. Expect daytime highs commonly in the low 60s to 70s°F with cool nights around the upper 40s to mid-50s°F, clear skies for stargazing, and calm mornings ideal for launching boats from Okabeh Marina (9 miles north). Water-based activities (boating, fishing, swimming for hardy swimmers) and long, d Peak months: July, August, June, May Avoid: October, November, December, January

Best

Summer(Jun-Aug)

4.0 / 5

Open Memorial Day–Labor Day; summer offers best lake access and onsite floating facilities.

Planning Tips

Operating Season: Opens during the summer season (Memorial Day through Labor Day).

About Dayboard 9 Campground

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.

Dayboard 9 Campground offers a primitive camping experience with minimal facilities, accessible only by boat.

Weather and SeasonsBest season: summer. Summer is the clear highlight for Dayboard 9 — the campground opens Memorial Day through Labor Day and offers prime boating, paddling, and canyon-view camping when Bighorn Lake is at its most accessible. Expect daytime highs commonly in the low 60s to 70s°F with cool nights around the upper 40s to mid-50s°F, clear skies for stargazing, and calm mornings ideal for launching boats from Okabeh Marina (9 miles north). Water-based activities (boating, fishing, swimming for hardy swimmers) and long, d Peak months: July, August, June, May Avoid: October, November, December, January

Elevation4541 ft above sea level

Natural Features and SceneryBighorn Lake fills a canyon carved over millions of years, creating a sharp contrast between layered canyon walls and calm reservoir water. The campground sits at 4,541 feet elevation along the lake's edge. Canyon walls rise above the shoreline in shades of red and gold. The area supports diverse wildlife, and raptors like golden eagles and peregrine falcons use thermals rising from the cliffs.

Lodging & AccommodationsThe campground is primitive, and there is no indication of lodge-style accommodations being available.

Programs & ActivitiesThe campground does not appear to offer cultural or educational programs.

Best Campsites

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Reserving a campsite

Guests Allowed Per Site

Unspecified

Tents

Tents are allowed

RV vehicles

RV vehicles are not allowed

Primitive

Primitive camping is allowed

Reservable

Reservations are not allowed

Reservation PlatformsNot applicable, as Dayboard 9 Campground is non-reservable.

Site SizeThe campground includes primitive gravel campsites.

PrivacyThe campground's privacy level is not described.

Recommended SitesNo site-specific recommendations provided.

Amenities available

Dayboard 9 Campground is a small, primitive campground accessible only by boat. It features gravel campsites equipped with picnic tables, bear boxes, and fire pits. During the summer season (Memorial Day through Labor Day), campers can benefit from a courtesy dock and a floating comfort station.

Fire rings

Picnic tables

I manage this campground

Activities you can enjoy

The campground is set in a serene environment perfect for those seeking a remote, boat-accessible camping experience. Specific recreational activities are not detailed, but opportunities may include enjoying the lake and its surroundings.

Winter Activities

Water Sports

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Reviews

From Booking Sources

0.0

0 reviews

Limited Reviews

Dayboard 9 Campground has limited reviews, placing it in the bottom % of campgrounds based on reviews

There are no user reviews available for Dayboard 9 Campground.

Review Summaries

What Campers Love

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Common Concerns

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Site-Specific Reviews

No reviews specific to individual campsites or areas within the campground are available.

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Go if

You want no-frills lake access for paddling and canyon views during Montana's summer boating season.

Skip if

You need hookups, shoulder-season availability, or amenities beyond fire rings and picnic tables.

Nearby Campgrounds

2.9

(7)

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.