Soda Butte Campground

Star3.83
51 reviews

Quick Facts

7,858 ft

Price

$8 - $9/night

Booking

First-Come

Sites

27 campsites

Season

"Open late June - La...

Cell

No Service

Pets

Check Policy

RV Friendly

Opens "Gardiner Office" site

Official Website
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Real-Time Availability

Select a month, then check for open campsites

January 2026

Real-Time Availability

Select a month, then check for open campsites

January 2026
Soda Butte Campground
$8.00 - $9.00 / night
Campsite Fees
"Camping fees are $9 if made through the contact center and $8 if made online. Fees may vary by location and activity."
Standard Site Fee$0.00
Hookup Site Fee$0.00
Premium Site Fee$0.00
Hike and Bike Site Fee$0.00
Group Site Fee$0.00
Food Storage Locker Fee$0.00

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Provider
"(406) 848-7375"
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What Campers Say

3.83

Mixed Reviews

Based on 51 reviews

43 Google reviews

Most mentioned

viewscleansites

Some mention

mosquitoes

"User reviews suggest Soda Butte Campground is a well-loved and frequently visited destination near Yellowstone. Common themes include its proximity to Lamar Valley, clean vault toilets, and helpful hosts. Negative feedback includes issues with mosquitoes and an instance of a rude campground host."

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Campground Map

Soda Butte Campground

45.0242, -109.9120

Driving directions"1 mi E of Cooke City on US 212"
"The campground is accessible via paved roadways. However, due to its proximity to mountainous terrain, visitors are advised to drive with caution especially during adverse weather conditions. Seasonal closures can affect driving accessibility."
Nearby places
"Cooke City (1 mile, approximately 5 minutes driving)."
Nearby supplies
"Cooke City provides access to groceries, fuel, camping supplies, and other essentials."

Best Time to Camp at Soda Butte Campground

Experience the gentle embrace of mountain summers where temperatures rarely climb above a comfortable 78°F, creating perfect conditions for hiking, wildlife watching, and stargazing. While the warm months bring their share of mosquitoes—nature's reminder that you're truly in the wild—the crisp mountain air and cool evenings provide natural relief from these tiny companions.

Best
Summer(Jun-Aug)
3.5 / 5

Open late June–Labor Day; good weather and wildlife, but mosquitoes reported as severe.

Fall(Sep-Nov)
Not recommended

Campground closes around Labor Day; fall season generally not available.

Spring(Mar-May)
Not recommended

Opens late June; spring is outside operating season.

Winter(Dec-Feb)
Not recommended

Closed in winter; not discussed in seasonal reviews.

Planning Tips
  • Peak Season: "Peak season is from late June through Labor Day.". Book 2-3 months ahead.
  • Operating Season: "Open late June - Labor Day, weather dependent."
  • Current Alerts: "No active alerts have been reported in the provided data."

About Soda Butte Campground

Escape to the untamed beauty of Beartooth Country at Soda Butte Campground, where 27 secluded sites await adventurous souls seeking an authentic mountain retreat. Perched within the Gardiner District, this hard-sided camping haven opens its gates from late June through Labor Day, weather permitting. Here, the wilderness doesn't just surround you—it embraces you, offering a rare chance to disconnect from the modern world and reconnect with nature's raw magnificence.
Soda Butte Campground accommodates hard-sided camping only, and tents or pop-ups are strictly prohibited. The campground has 27 sites and operates on a first-come, first-served basis.
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Amenities available

Potable water
Food storage lockers
Picnic tables
Vault toilets

Activities you can enjoy

Soda Butte Campground offers opportunities for hiking, fishing, wildlife spotting, and exploring nearby attractions like Yellowstone and Lamar Valley. "Activities in the area include Motorcycling, Horseback riding, 4x4 trails, Hiking, Fishing & wildlife spotting," according to one reviewer.
HikingHiking opportunities are available, with trails in the vicinity offering picturesque views. The campground is also located near Lamar Valley, Chief Joseph, and The Beartooth.
FishingFishing is mentioned as an activity in the area, with options for anglers to enjoy nearby streams and rivers.
Wildlife viewingWildlife viewing is highlighted as a popular activity given the campground's proximity to Lamar Valley and Soda Butte Creek. "Wildlife spotting" is specifically mentioned in reviews.
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Policies & Safety

Hazards & Alerts"The area is frequented by bears, so campers must follow bear safety guidelines strictly. Mosquitoes are reported to be extremely abundant in summer."
Active Alerts"No active alerts have been reported in the provided data."
No Cell ServiceCell phone service is not available at this campground. Plan accordingly for emergencies and download offline maps before arriving.
Food Storage Required"Bear-proof food storage lockers are available at campsites."

Weather at Soda Butte Campground

Reviews

3.8
51 reviews
Mixed Reviews
Mixed Reviews
Soda Butte Campground has mixed reviews, placing it in the bottom 85% of campgrounds based on reviews
User reviews suggest Soda Butte Campground is a well-loved and frequently visited destination near Yellowstone. Common themes include its proximity to Lamar Valley, clean vault toilets, and helpful hosts. Negative feedback includes issues with mosquitoes and an instance of a rude campground host.
Review Summaries
Based on 51 reviews

What Campers Love

Highlighted positives include private and well-spaced sites, cleanliness, helpful hosts, and scenic views. "Lovely little campground with the most helpful hosts and clean vault toilets!" shared one...
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Based on 51 reviews

Common Concerns

Mosquitoes were described as "absolutely horrendous" by one reviewer, who noted, "I have NEVER in my life experienced mosquitoes like we did at this campsite." Another camper reported an unpleasant...
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Based on 51 reviews

Pro Tips & Recommendations

Arrive early during peak season to secure a spot, as the campground fills up quickly. Use bear boxes for food storage and avoid bringing tents or pop-ups as they are not permitted. Bring bug...
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Based on 51 reviews

Seasonal Insights

Summer reviews generally emphasize the campground's proximity to Yellowstone and Lamar Valley. Campers have reported high mosquito activity during mid-year months. Winter conditions are not...
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Based on 51 reviews

Camper Quotes

"Stayed here the 2nd week of August 2020 for 2 nights. Lovely campground. It provides a true feeling of camping in the mountains." "Roy & Susan are the best campground hosts ever!!" "Spent one night...
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Based on 51 reviews

Site-Specific Reviews

Site-specific feedback indicates some spaces can accommodate large trailers, while others are more suited for smaller campers. Sites are described as level and private; "Camp sites are far enough...
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Based on 51 reviews

Accessibility Features

Accessibility is good, with facilities like food boxes and tent pads provided. However, the campground is strictly hard-sided camping, which may exclude tent campers.
Based on 51 reviews

Pet-Friendly Features

No specific information about pet policies or experiences is provided.
Based on 51 reviews

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Last updated January 5, 2026
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