Is Carbella first-come first-served or reservation?

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

Are there showers at Carbella?

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

Can I have a campfire at Carbella?

Fire policies at Carbella: Campground provides fire rings/grills at sites; specific fire restrictions or current fire danger/closure information not provided in available sources—check BLM for current restrictions.. Always check current fire restrictions before your trip, as conditions change seasonally.

Are dogs allowed at Carbella?

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

What amenities are available at Carbella?

Carbella offers: Restrooms. See our detailed campground page for the full list of facilities and features.

What activities can I do at Carbella?

Popular activities at Carbella include Hiking, Fishing, Boating, Wildlife Viewing. The surrounding area offers plenty of outdoor recreation opportunities for all skill levels.

Carbella

4.28

55 reviews

Carbella

Featured in:Mountain Camping Montana

Quick Facts

Price

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Booking

Walk-in Only

Sites

Varies

Season

Year-round

Cell

Unknown

Pets

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RV Friendly

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Quick Facts

Price

Varies

Booking

Walk-in Only

Sites

Varies

Season

Year-round

Cell

Unknown

Pets

Check Policy

RV Friendly

Check Availability Official Website

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Carbella

No fees available

Campsite Fees

Most sources describe Carbella as a free basic BLM campground; some reviewer reports conflict (one reviewer mentioned a $15 nightly fee and another...

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Campground Map

Carbella

45.2128, -110.9004

Nearby places

Emigrant

Gardiner

Yellowstone National Park (nearby)

Weather at Carbella

Best Time to Camp at Carbella

June through early fall works best for camping here. One visitor stayed 12 days in June without issue. Mosquitoes can be thick during wetter periods. Winds sweep through the river corridor and require secure tent stakes. Montana weather shifts quickly, so pack layers even in summer.

Best

Summer(Jun-Aug)

4.0 / 5

June–early fall is best; visitors report long comfortable stays in June.

Planning Tips

About Carbella

Carbella Recreation Site is a primitive BLM campground on the Yellowstone River south of Livingston, Montana. The campground has 5 to 17 sites (reports vary) with vault toilets, picnic tables, fire rings, and a boat ramp. No drinking water or trash service. Most visitors camp free or pay a minimal fee.

A primitive BLM-managed campground with well-spaced individual riverfront sites; sites are reported as level/graveled and suitable for large rigs.

Weather and SeasonsJune through early fall works best for camping here. One visitor stayed 12 days in June without issue. Mosquitoes can be thick during wetter periods. Winds sweep through the river corridor and require secure tent stakes. Montana weather shifts quickly, so pack layers even in summer.

Natural Features and ScenerySites sit as close as 20 feet from the Yellowstone River. Cottonwood trees provide scattered shade and host ravens and songbirds. The river corridor opens to views of surrounding hills. Rafters drift past while campers fish from the bank. The northern gateway to Yellowstone National Park lies within a short drive, placing this spot in the Greater Yellowstone ecosystem.

Geological RegionYellowstone River corridor / Yellowstone River valley

Scenic ViewsDirect river views of the Yellowstone River from many campsites; reviewers also note surrounding hills and mountain views in the area.

Best Campsites

Curated by campers, for campers

Reveal picks

Reserving a campsite

Amenities available

Vault toilets, picnic tables, fire rings/grills, boat ramp/launch and parking. No showers or drinking (potable) water provided. Cell coverage is variable by carrier.

Fire rings

Picnic tables

Vault toilets

I manage this campground

Activities you can enjoy

Activities center on the Yellowstone River: fishing, boating/rafting and wildlife viewing, with nearby hiking opportunities toward Yellowstone National Park and riverside walking.

Hiking

Fishing

Boating

Wildlife viewing

Planning your trip?Check out our camping packing checklist

Policies & Safety

Hazards & AlertsPrimitive facilities—no drinking water or showers—require self-sufficiency. Visitor reports note bites from mosquitoes, occasional high winds, fluctuating river water levels, and past issues with transients and trash in some reviews. Boating and river access carry typical river hazards; users should exercise caution.

No Potable WaterThis campground does not have potable water on-site. Bring all the water you need for drinking, cooking, and cleaning.

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

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Tips from campers

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Reviews

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From Booking Sources

4.3

55 reviews

Satisfactory

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

Reviewers praise the riverside location, spacious private sites, boat access and basic amenities (picnic tables, fire rings, vault toilets). Commonly described as a clean, peaceful, largely free or low-cost primitive BLM campground, though some report mosquitoes, transient activity and variable cell coverage.

Review Summaries

Based on 55 reviews

What Campers Love

Riverside sites very close to the Yellowstone River, well-spaced sites, picnic tables, fire rings and bear boxes, boat ramp/launch, level/graveled sites suitable for big rigs, scenic views and quiet...

Based on 55 reviews

Common Concerns

Common issues are minimal facilities (no hookups and often no potable water), consistently windy conditions that make tent staking important, and variable cell service (reviews report both full 4G...

Based on 55 reviews

Site-Specific Reviews

Several reviews mention numbered, level/graveled campsites with picnic tables, fire rings and bear boxes; some sites are large enough for big rigs and have good spacing and afternoon shade from...

Based on 55 reviews

Pro Tips & Recommendations

Bring your own drinking water and supplies, pack out all trash, be prepared for primitive conditions and mosquitoes, and verify current campground status before arrival.

Based on 55 reviews

Seasonal Insights

Reviewers note variable river levels (one visit had water up to waist height) and snow outside summer months; several comments reference early‑season conditions and road improvements. Wind is...

Based on 55 reviews

Camper Quotes

Free! And best of all.. NO cell service!; Gorgeous free campsites, with toilets!!; Each campsite is generously spaced out with a picnic table, fire pit & bear box.

Based on 55 reviews

Accessibility Features

No explicit accessibility accommodations are reported in reviews. Notes that may help mobility: sites are described as level/graveled and roads are in good condition, but facilities are limited to...

Based on 55 reviews

Pet-Friendly Features

Dog owners report that well‑behaved dogs can be off leash in areas; multiple reviewers reference camping with pets (e.g., "Emmy Lou"). No detailed pet rules provided, so bring standard pet supplies...

Based on 55 reviews

Outdoorithm Community

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Go if

Anglers, rafters, and kayakers who bring their own water and don't need hookups. Graveled, level sites handle big rigs well, the boat ramp is functional, and summer scores a solid 4/5 for a reason.

Skip if

No potable water is the hard stop for anyone who can't self-supply. Add in wind that demands serious tent stakes, mosquitoes in wet stretches, and spotty cell signal (especially T-Mobile), and comfort campers will be miserable fast.

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Big Creek Cabin sits in mid-elevation forest within Custer Gallatin National Forest, operated by the Yellowstone Ranger District of the U.S. Forest Service near Livingston. This premium rental offers a secluded base for hiking, fishing Big Creek for trout, and wildlife viewing in the surrounding meadows and woodlands. The cabin operates seasonally during peak months with a five-day stay limit, vault toilets, and fire rings on-site.

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Tom Miner Campground sits high in the Custer Gallatin National Forest near Gardiner, offering remote alpine access for tent, RV, and primitive campers. Operated by the Gardiner Office, this small campground serves as a quiet trailhead base for hikers exploring wildflower meadows and ridgelines in grizzly country. Vault toilets are the only amenity, and the rough access road reinforces the backcountry character.

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Windy Pass Cabin sits at 8,900 feet in the Custer Gallatin National Forest near Bozeman, offering a secluded alpine retreat managed by the Forest Service. The rustic cabin serves as a base for high-elevation hiking and wildlife viewing, surrounded by wildflower meadows that peak in July. Access requires preparation for remote conditions and seasonal road challenges.

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Campgrounds

CARBELLA

Carbella

Camper Report Card

How campers graded it

Rated higher than 23% of graded campgrounds

Graded on what 44 campers actually wrote - graded on 14 things that make or break a trip. Each topic is graded against every other campground on it - A is among the best, C about average. No star ratings.

Strengths

Grade A.Value
Grade B+.Welcoming
Grade B.Scenery

Watch-outs

Grade D.Bugs & weather
Grade C-.Crowds & noise
Grade C-.Staff & hosts

Every grade - tap to see what campers said

Each topic is graded against every other campground on it; a topic campers liked never grades below C−. ± shows the 95% confidence range from the sample size.

See how Montana grades overall

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Mountain Camping in Montana