Canyon Campground

Star4.27
89 reviews
US Rt 89 North, 12.9 miles from Gardiner, MT

Quick Facts

5,100 ft

Price

$7 - $10/night

Booking

First-Come

Sites

15 campsites

Season

Open all year.

Cell

Unknown

Pets

Check Policy

Opens Gallatin National Forest site

Official Website
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Canyon Campground
$7.00 - $10.00 / night
Campsite Fees
Overnight use costs $10 per night for a single campsite, with an additional $5 fee per vehicle. Interagency Senior/Access Recreation Pass holders...
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Standard Site Fee$10.00
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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What Campers Say

4.27

Satisfactory

Based on 89 reviews

73 Google reviews

Most mentioned

sceneryprivacyquietsites

Some mention

noise

"User reviews consistently highlight the campground's beautiful setting, privacy, and affordability. However, critiques include its proximity to the highway, lack of amenities like potable water, and rocky terrain."

Read all reviews

Campground Map

US Rt 89 North, 12.9 miles from Gardiner, MT

Canyon Campground

US Rt 89 North, 12.9 miles from Gardiner, MT

Driving directionsFrom Gardiner, MT take US Rt 89 north 12.9 miles to the campground on the right. Campground roads are not suitable for vehicles longer than 48’.
Campground is accessible year-round via US Rt 89, but roads within the campground are not suitable for vehicles longer than 48 feet.
Nearby places
Gardiner, MT: 12.9 miles
Livingston, MT: null
Yellowstone National Park North Entrance: 19.8 miles
Nearby supplies
Closest supplies, including groceries, potable water, and camping essentials, can be found in Gardiner, MT.

Best Time to Camp at Canyon Campground

Experience the dramatic seasons of the Northern Rockies at Canyon Campground, which welcomes adventurers year-round. Winter transforms the canyon into a crystalline wonderland, with snow blanketing the landscape and temperatures that demand warm gear and hardy spirits. As summer arrives, the mercury climbs into the pleasant 70s and 80s, creating perfect conditions for hiking and riverside exploration under Montana's famously clear, dry skies.

Best
Summer(Jun-Aug)
4.0 / 5

Summer reviews call it 'quiet and peaceful' with lots of shade; mosquitoes noted in July.

Fall(Sep-Nov)
3.5 / 5

Described as experiencing dramatic Northern Rockies seasons; explicit fall reviews limited.

Spring(Mar-May)
3.0 / 5

Open year-round; spring conditions not detailed and likely variable with runoff/mud.

Winter(Dec-Feb)
3.0 / 5

Open year-round; 'crystalline wonderland' in winter but services and access may be limited.

Planning Tips
  • Peak Season: No specific peak season dates mentioned.. Book 2-3 months ahead.
  • Operating Season: Open all year.
  • Current Alerts: No current alerts or advisories explicitly mentioned.

About Canyon Campground

Tucked away in the dramatic Yankee Jim Canyon, just 12.9 miles north of Gardiner, Montana, Canyon Campground offers an authentic wilderness experience for those seeking solitude and natural beauty. This intimate National Forest campground features 15 thoughtfully spaced sites, each naturally separated by massive boulders that create private sanctuaries among the rugged landscape. While embracing its primitive nature with fire pits, grills, picnic tables, and vault toilets, the campground invites you to disconnect from modern amenities—there's no potable water or electricity here, just pure Montana wilderness and the nearby rush of the legendary Yellowstone River.
Canyon Campground provides varied camping options with a rustic, primitive setting. It features a mix of tent and combined-use sites. RVs and larger vehicles may face challenges due to limited space and rough terrain.
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Reserving a campsite

Check-in
Open 24 hours.
Check-out
Open 24 hours.
Stay Limit
Maximum stay is 14 consecutive nights.

Amenities available

Fire rings
Food storage lockers
Picnic tables
Vault toilets

Activities you can enjoy

Campers can enjoy a variety of activities including hiking, fishing, wildlife viewing, and rafting. The campground is situated in a scenic location near the Yellowstone River and offers access to nearby wilderness areas.
HikingThe Joe Brown trail #381, a 14-mile foot and horse trail, is located nearby and provides access to the Absaroka-Beartooth Wilderness.
FishingFishing is available in the Yellowstone River, which features Brown, Rainbow, and Cutthroat trout as well as Whitefish.
Wildlife viewingUser reviews frequently mention sightings of bighorn sheep, elk, and bison near the campground.
Winter Activities
Water Sports
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Policies & Safety

Hazards & AlertsBear encounters are possible; food storage practices are necessary. Rocky terrain may make some sites difficult for tents. Proximity to the highway may result in some traffic noise.
Active AlertsNo current alerts or advisories explicitly mentioned.
No Potable WaterThis campground does not have potable water on-site. Bring all the water you need for drinking, cooking, and cleaning.
Food Storage RequiredFood lockers are available and necessary for safe food storage practices due to bear activity.

Weather at Canyon Campground

Reviews

4.3
89 reviews
Satisfactory
Satisfactory
Canyon Campground is satisfactory, placing it in the bottom 60% of campgrounds based on reviews
User reviews consistently highlight the campground's beautiful setting, privacy, and affordability. However, critiques include its proximity to the highway, lack of amenities like potable water, and rocky terrain.
Review Summaries
Based on 89 reviews

What Campers Love

"Sites are curtained by massive boulders, providing privacy." (Kate Best) "Very quiet and beautiful scenery." (Mike Costner) "Affordable rates at $7 per night." (Jillian Gilbey)
Based on 89 reviews

Common Concerns

Proximity to the highway leading to noise concerns (several reviews). Lack of potable water and flush toilets. Some users found vault toilets in poor condition.
Based on 89 reviews

Pro Tips & Recommendations

Bring your own water and firewood. Be prepared for rocky and uneven terrain at some campsites. Smaller RVs and tents are more suitable due to site size limitations.
Based on 89 reviews

Seasonal Insights

Several users mention that traffic noise decreases significantly at night, making the campground quieter. Mosquito presence was noted in the summer months (e.g., July).
Based on 89 reviews

Camper Quotes

"We loved being nestled into the rocks." (Shasta Langenbacher) "Bathrooms were good though, and you can use your generator." (Jillian Gilbey) "Lots of shade, tight for larger RVs." (Gary Williamson)
Based on 89 reviews

Site-Specific Reviews

No specific site numbers were highlighted as better or worse, but users frequently noted that some sites are rocky and uneven.
Based on 89 reviews

Accessibility Features

Accessibility is not extensively reviewed, but no wheelchair-friendly toilets are available.
Based on 89 reviews

Pet-Friendly Features

No specific reviews address pet policies or experiences.
Based on 89 reviews

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Last updated January 13, 2026
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