How much does camping cost at Makoshika State Park?

Camping fees at Makoshika State Park range from Free. Prices may vary by site type (standard, hookup, premium) and season. Book online to see exact pricing for your dates.

Is Makoshika State Park first-come first-served or reservation?

Makoshika State Park accepts online reservations. We recommend booking in advance, especially during peak season (typically summer weekends). Use campsite alerts to get notified when spots become available.

Can I see photos of campsites at Makoshika State Park before I book?

Yes! Makoshika State Park has 21 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 Makoshika State Park?

Makoshika State Park is open Campground Open year round. 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 Makoshika State Park?

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

Can I have a campfire at Makoshika State Park?

Fire policies at Makoshika State Park: Campfires are allowed in designated areas only.. Always check current fire restrictions before your trip, as conditions change seasonally.

Are dogs allowed at Makoshika State Park?

Yes, pets are allowed at Makoshika State Park. 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 Makoshika State Park?

Makoshika State Park offers: Restrooms, Potable Water, Pets Allowed. See our detailed campground page for the full list of facilities and features.

What activities can I do at Makoshika State Park?

Popular activities at Makoshika State Park include Hiking, Biking, Wildlife Viewing. The surrounding area offers plenty of outdoor recreation opportunities for all skill levels.

Makoshika State Park

3 reviews

1301 Snyder Ave, Glendive, Montana, 59330, United States

Top 9% in MTFall

Featured in:Best Campgrounds Montana

Real-Time Availability

Select a month, then check for open campsites

Quick Facts

2,484 ft

Price

Free

Booking

Reservable

Sites

Varies

Season

Year-round

Cell

Unknown

Pets

Very Pet Friendly

RV Friendly

Book Online Official Website

Get Directions

Real-Time Availability

Select a month, then check for open campsites

Quick Facts

2,484 ft

Price

Free

Booking

Reservable

Sites

Varies

Season

Year-round

Cell

Unknown

Pets

Very Pet Friendly

RV Friendly

Book Online Official Website

Get Directions

Makoshika State Park

$0.00 - $0.00 / night

Campsite Fees

Campsite fees range from $4-$34 per night, depending on season and available amenities.

No paid fee categories listed.

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Campground Map

1301 Snyder Ave, Glendive, Montana, 59330, United States

Makoshika State Park

1301 Snyder Ave, Glendive, Montana, 59330, United States

Nearby places

Glendive is the closest city, no further distances to additional cities are specified.

Weather at Makoshika State Park

Best Time to Camp at Makoshika State Park

Fall delivers the best conditions, with daytime highs in the 50s to 70s°F and crisp nights that make hiking comfortable. Low sun angles bring out the rock layers' colors, and wildlife becomes more visible as animals prepare for winter. Crowds drop after Labor Day. Summer brings warmth but also dust and limited shade at campsites. Reviewers consistently mention bringing your own cover. Winter turns the badlands frigid and snow-dusted. Spring sees wildflowers against the stone, though conditions can be unpredictable.

Best

Fall(Sep-Nov)

4.5 / 5

Top 9% in MT

“Fall delivers the best conditions” with crisp days and enhanced rock colors.

Planning Tips

Operating Season: Campground Open year round

About Makoshika State Park

Makoshika State Park sits in Montana's badlands near Glendive, offering tent, RV, and group camping at 2,484 feet elevation. The campground provides access to hiking, biking, and a disc golf course through layered rock formations, though campers should bring shade structures since tree cover at sites is limited.

The campground within Makoshika State Park caters to both tent and RV camping. Group camping is also available, and campsites are ADA-accessible with specific restrictions.

Historical Significance

Fossilized remains of Tyrannosaurus rex and Triceratops have been found in these rock layers, making Makoshika one of North America's significant paleontological sites. The sedimentary formations preserve evidence from the Late Cretaceous period, when this region supported different ecosystems before the terrain shifted to today's arid badlands.

Weather and SeasonsFall delivers the best conditions, with daytime highs in the 50s to 70s°F and crisp nights that make hiking comfortable. Low sun angles bring out the rock layers' colors, and wildlife becomes more visible as animals prepare for winter. Crowds drop after Labor Day. Summer brings warmth but also dust and limited shade at campsites. Reviewers consistently mention bringing your own cover. Winter turns the badlands frigid and snow-dusted. Spring sees wildflowers against the stone, though conditions can be unpredictable.

Natural Features and SceneryErosion has carved pinnacles, canyons, and ridges from sedimentary rock layers that shift between rust, amber, and gray. Pine and juniper trees scatter across the terrain, their green contrast against the weathered stone most dramatic in fall when grasses turn gold. The formations rise abruptly from the surrounding plains, creating close-up views of badland geology. Wind and dust are part of the experience here. This landscape doesn't soften itself.

Geological RegionWelcome to Montana's largest state park, a geological masterpiece where millions of years of erosion have sculpted extraordinary badland formations. These pine and juniper-studded canyons and pinnacles showcase layers of sedimentary rock that chronicle Earth's ancient history, creating one of the most distinctive and scientifically important landscapes in the American West.

Scenic ViewsFeatures whimsical badland landscapes and rock formations.

Lodging & AccommodationsNo hotel-style accommodations were mentioned in the source material.

Programs & ActivitiesNo cultural or educational programs are explicitly mentioned.

Best Campsites

Curated by campers, for campers

Reveal picks

Reserving a campsite

Check-in

2:00pm local time

Check-out

1:00pm local park time

Stay Limit

The maximum capacity at each numbered campsite is 8 people
Double Site capacity is 16.

Guests Allowed Per Site

Maximum of 8 people per camping unit.

Groups

Group sites are available and allow for up to 16 people and two camping units.

Tents

Tents are allowed

RV vehicles

RV vehicles are allowed

Primitive

Primitive camping is not allowed

Reservable

Reservations are allowed

Cancellation PolicyReservations are non-transferable. Proof of disability is required for ADA sites.

AccessibilityADA-designated campsites are available and may only be reserved and occupied by eligible parties with proof of disability.

Site SizeSites are designed to accommodate a single camping unit such as a tent, motorhome, or camper, with a maximum capacity of 8 people. Double sites allow for 16 people and two camping units.

PrivacyNo specific details regarding site privacy were mentioned.

Need help booking Makoshika State Park?

Reservation tips, booking windows, and free cancellation alerts.

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Booking tips & windows

When to Book

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Cancellation Alerts

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Amenities available

Makoshika State Park offers a range of basic and unique amenities. Officially listed amenities include an amphitheater, fire rings, picnic tables, a picnic shelter, and potable water. Toilet facilities available are of the pit/vault variety. Other features include an interpretive center, geological formations, and opportunities for bird watching, photography, and wildlife viewing. Reviewers have highlighted the availability of hiking trails of varying difficulty levels but noted limited cellular coverage and the need for campers to bring their own shade due to minimal natural shading.

Potable water

Flush toilets

Fire rings

Picnic tables

Vault toilets

Group Sites

I manage this campground

RV details

Activities you can enjoy

Makoshika State Park is rich in recreational opportunities, including hiking, disc golf, wildlife viewing, and photography. Reviewers frequently praise the hiking trails and dog-friendly environment.

Hiking

Biking

Wildlife viewing

Winter Activities

Water Sports

Planning your trip?Check out our camping packing checklist

Policies & Safety

Hazards & AlertsUser reviews indicate limited cellular coverage. Fireworks are explicitly prohibited for safety.

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

0.0

3 reviews

Limited Reviews

Makoshika State Park has limited reviews, placing it in the bottom % of campgrounds based on reviews

User reviews are overwhelmingly positive, focusing on the park's natural beauty, hiking opportunities, and disc golf course. A common theme is the need for additional shade in camping areas.

Review Summaries

Based on 3 reviews

What Campers Love

Positive comments include 'Great State Park. Excellent hiking areas,' and 'This is such a great state park that lets you get up close to the Badlands of Montana.' The dog-friendly trails and variety...

Based on 3 reviews

Common Concerns

The most common complaint from reviewers is the lack of natural shade at campsites, which can be an issue during the summer months: 'If you are camping in the summer bring your own shade. The camping...

Based on 3 reviews

Site-Specific Reviews

No reviews specifically addressing individual campsites were provided.

Based on 3 reviews

Pro Tips & Recommendations

Reviewers suggest bringing your own shade for summer visits due to limited natural shading. One user noted, 'If I lived closer, this would be my every weekend hiking spot,' emphasizing the park's...

Based on 3 reviews

Seasonal Insights

Reviews suggest that summer can be challenging due to heat and limited shade at campsites. However, the park's natural beauty and hiking opportunities make it a popular destination year-round.

Based on 3 reviews

Camper Quotes

- 'This is such a great state park that lets you get up close to the Badlands of Montana.' - 'Great State Park. Excellent hiking areas.' - 'My only hack is that if you are camping in the summer,...

Based on 3 reviews

Accessibility Features

No reviews specifically addressing accessibility features were provided.

Based on 3 reviews

Pet-Friendly Features

The park is described as dog-friendly, with one user stating, 'Dog-friendly trails.'

Based on 3 reviews

Outdoorithm Community

Be the first to review this campground

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Go if

Fall hikers and dog owners get the best of it: cooler temps, gold grasses against the rock layers, thinner crowds after Labor Day, and trails reviewers call worth driving a long way for.

Skip if

Summer campers who run hot should know the sites have almost no natural shade and Glendive gets genuinely hot, so pack a canopy or wait for fall. Cell signal is also limited throughout.

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