Top Camping Spots Near Merino, MT: Discover Nature's Best Retreats
Nestled in the rolling plains of northeastern Montana, Merino offers a diverse range of camping options that cater to outdoor enthusiasts looking to explore the stunning landscapes of the region. For RV travelers, the nearby Fort Morgan East Campground provides spacious sites equipped with essential amenities, making it an ideal stopover for those journeying through the picturesque plains. Tent campers can delight in the tranquil atmosphere at Riverside Park, where lush green spaces meet the South Platte River, offering both serene camping spots and access to fishing and hiking trails. For those seeking a more rustic experience, dispersed camping in the nearby Pawnee National Grassland allows visitors to immerse themselves in Montana’s expansive prairie environment, with ample opportunities for wildlife viewing and stargazing under the vast night sky. The area's geography is characterized by gently rolling hills, grasslands, and the occasional rocky outcrop, providing a unique backdrop for outdoor activities. Whether you prefer the comforts of an RV campsite, the charm of tent camping, or the freedom of dispersed camping, Merino, MT, is a gateway to enjoying the natural beauty and adventure of Montana.

















Dry Wolf Cabin is located in the Judith-Musselshell Ranger District, Helena-Lewis and Clark National Forest (1 hr 35 min southeast of Great Falls, MT) with an elevation of 5,558 feet. The site is open all year. Prices start at $55.00 per night. Activities include biking, fishing, hiking trails.
Judith Guard Station is located in the Judith-Musselshell Ranger District, Helena-Lewis and Clark National Forest (1 hr 45 min southeast of Great Falls, MT) with an elevation of 5,005 feet. The site is open all year. Prices start at $60.00 per night. Activities include biking, ohv trails nearby, fishing, hiking trails, archery.
Kings Hill Cabin is located in the Belt Creek-White Sulphur Springs Ranger District, Helena-Lewis and Clark National Forest (1 hr 12 min southeast of Great Falls, MT) with an elevation of 7,393 feet. The site is open all year. Prices start at $75.00 per night. Activities include biking, fishing, horseback riding, hiking trails.
Monument Peak Lookout is located in the Belt Creek-White Sulphur Springs Ranger District, Helena-Lewis and Clark National Forest (1 hr 47 min south of Great Falls, MT) with an elevation of 7,364 feet. The site is normally open from mid June to the end of October. Prices start at $45.00 per night. Activities include biking, hiking trails.
Hunters Spring Cabin is located in the Judith-Musselshell Ranger District, Helena-Lewis and Clark National Forest (2 hrs 28 min southeast of Great Falls, MT) with an elevation of 6,483 feet. The site is open all year. Prices start at $65.00 per night. Activities include biking, ohv trails nearby, fishing, hiking trails, archery.
Calf Creek Cabin is located in the Belt Creek-White Sulphur Springs Ranger District, Helena-Lewis and Clark National Forest (2 hrs 5 min southeast of Great Falls, MT) with an elevation of 5,496 feet. The site is open all year. Prices start at $55.00 per night. Activities include biking, fishing, hiking trails.
Crystal Lake Group Campsite is located in the Judith-Musselshell Ranger District, Helena-Lewis and Clark National Forest (2 hrs 40 min northwest of Billings, MT) with an elevation of 6,039 feet. The site is normally open from mid June to mid September. Prices start at $40.00 per night. Some amenities include swimming. Activities include biking, boating, fishing, horseback riding, hiking trails, floating sports.
Crystal Lake Cabin is located in the Judith-Musselshell Ranger District, Helena-Lewis and Clark National Forest (2 hrs 42 min northwest of Billings, MT) with an elevation of 6,081 feet. The site is open all year. Prices start at $60.00 per night. Activities include fishing, hiking trails, floating sports.
Thompson Guard Station is located in the Townsend Ranger District, Helena-Lewis and Clark National Forest (1 hr 45 min east of Helena, MT) with an elevation of 6,335 feet. The site is open all year. Prices start at $50.00 per night. Activities include biking, fishing, horseback riding, hiking trails.
Miller Cabin is located in the Townsend Ranger District, Helena-Lewis and Clark National Forest (1 hr 12 min east of Helena, MT) with an elevation of 5,160 feet. The site is open all year. Prices start at $45.00 per night.
Indian Flats Cabin is located in the Helena Ranger District, Helena-Lewis and Clark National Forest (1 hr 5 min northeast of Helena, MT) with an elevation of 6,529 feet. The site is open all year. Prices start at $45.00 per night. Activities include biking, fishing, horseback riding, hiking trails.
Bar Gulch Cabin is located in the Townsend Ranger District, Helena-Lewis and Clark National Forest (45 min east of Helena, MT) with an elevation of 4,699 feet. The site is open all year. Prices start at $50.00 per night. Some amenities include swimming. Activities include biking, boating, fishing, hiking trails, floating sports.
Crandall Creek Cabin is located in the Yellowstone Ranger District, Custer Gallatin National Forest (1 hr 29 min northeast of Bozeman, MT) with an elevation of 6,415 feet. The site is open all year. Prices start at $65.00 per night. Activities include fishing, hiking trails.
Hellgate Campground in Lewis and Clark County is located 39 min east of Helena, MT with an elevation of 3,838 feet. There are a total of 72 campsites. The campground is normally open from the beginning of May to mid September. Sites can accommodate RVs between 20 and 120 feet. All sites are currently reservable. Reservations can be booked up to 6 months in advance. 2 sites have electric hookups. Fees range from $10.00 to $170.00. Some amenities include boat ramp, swimming, flush toilets. Activities include boating, fishing, floating sports.
Jo Bonner Campground in Lewis and Clark County is located 31 min east of Helena, MT with an elevation of 3,810 feet. There are a total of 17 campsites. The campground is normally open from the beginning of May to mid September. 16 sites can accommodate RVs between 20 and 100 feet. All sites are currently reservable. Reservations can be booked up to 6 months in advance. Prices start at $10.00 per night. Some amenities include boat ramp. Activities include boating, fishing, floating sports.
Court Sheriff Campground in Lewis and Clark County is located just 29 min east of Helena, MT with an elevation of 3,827 feet. There are a total of 47 campsites including 4 tent-only sites. The campground is normally open from the beginning of May to mid September. 41 sites can accommodate RVs between 30 and 100 feet. All sites are currently reservable. Reservations can be booked up to 6 months in advance. Fees range from $15.00 to $30.00. Some amenities include swimming. Activities include boating, fishing, floating sports.
Chinamen's Campground in Lewis and Clark County is located just 29 min east of Helena, MT with an elevation of 3,890 feet. There are a total of 37 campsites including 6 tent-only sites. The campground is normally open from the beginning of May to mid September. 30 sites can accommodate RVs between 14 and 44 feet. All sites are currently reservable. Reservations can be booked up to 6 months in advance. Prices start at $10.00 per night. Activities include boating, fishing, floating sports.
Rillway Cabin is located in the Townsend Ranger District, Helena-Lewis and Clark National Forest (50 min east of Helena, MT) with an elevation of 4,678 feet. The site is open all year. Prices start at $45.00 per night. Activities include biking, fishing, hiking trails.
Riverside (Helena) Campground in Lewis and Clark County is located 30 min east of Helena, MT with an elevation of 3,661 feet. There are a total of 28 campsites. The campground is normally open from the beginning of May to mid September. Sites can accommodate RVs between 40 and 90 feet. All sites are currently reservable. Reservations can be booked up to 6 months in advance. Fees range from $15.00 to $106.00. Activities include boating, fishing, floating sports.
White Earth Campground in Lewis and Clark County is located 35 min east of Helena, MT with an elevation of 3,809 feet. There are a total of 36 campsites. The campground is normally open from the beginning of May to mid September. 32 sites can accommodate RVs between 30 and 110 feet. All sites are currently reservable. Reservations can be booked up to 6 months in advance. Fees range from $10.00 to $90.00. Some amenities include boat ramp. Activities include boating, fishing, floating sports.
Devils Elbow Rec Area in Lewis and Clark County is located just 21 min northeast of Helena, MT with an elevation of 3,721 feet. There are a total of 16 campsites including 16 boat sites. The campground is normally open from the beginning of May to the end of September. Sites can accommodate RVs and trailers between 25 and 60 feet. All sites are currently reservable. Reservations can be booked up to 6 months in advance. 1 site has electric and water hookups. Fees range from $15.00 to $140.00. Some amenities include swimming. Activities include biking, boating, fishing, hiking trails, floating sports, rock climbing.
Porcupine Cabin is located in the Yellowstone Ranger District, Custer Gallatin National Forest (1 hr 19 min northeast of Bozeman, MT) with an elevation of 6,471 feet. The site is open all year. Prices start at $65.00 per night. Activities include biking, hiking trails.
Black Sandy Campground is part of Black Sandy State Park in Montana (just 23 min northeast of Helena, MT) with an elevation of 3,657 feet. There are a total of 51 campsites including 16 boat sites. The campground is open all year. 29 sites can accommodate RVs between 36 and 39 feet. All sites are currently reservable. Reservations can be booked up to 6 months in advance. 29 sites have electric hookups. Fees range from $6.00 to $20.00. Some amenities include drinking water, boat ramp, restroom, flush toilets. Activities include boating, fishing, water skiing, floating sports.
Ibex Cabin is located in the Yellowstone Ranger District, Custer Gallatin National Forest (1 hr 24 min northeast of Bozeman, MT) with an elevation of 6,703 feet. The site is open all year. Prices start at $65.00 per night. Activities include hiking trails.
Strawberry Cabin is located in the Helena Ranger District, Helena-Lewis and Clark National Forest (32 min southeast of Helena, MT) with an elevation of 6,105 feet. The site is open all year. Prices start at $50.00 per night.
Eagle Guard Station is located in the Townsend Ranger District, Helena-Lewis and Clark National Forest (1 hr 16 min southeast of Helena, MT) with an elevation of 5,805 feet. The site is open all year. Prices start at $45.00 per night. Activities include biking, fishing, horseback riding, hiking trails.
Battle Ridge Cabin is located in the Bozeman Ranger District, Custer Gallatin National Forest (30 min northeast of Bozeman, MT) with an elevation of 6,144 feet. The site is open all year. Prices start at $65.00 per night. Activities include biking, ohv trails nearby, hiking trails.
Cummings Cabin is located in the Lincoln Ranger District, Helena-Lewis and Clark National Forest (1 hr 2 min northwest of Helena, MT) with an elevation of 5,041 feet. The site is open all year. Prices start at $45.00 per night. Activities include biking, fishing, hiking trails.
Moose Creek Cabin is located in the Helena Ranger District, Helena-Lewis and Clark National Forest (just 20 min west of Helena, MT) with an elevation of 4,854 feet. The site is open all year. Prices start at $65.00 per night. Activities include biking, fishing, hiking trails.
Granite Butte Lookout is located in the Lincoln Ranger District, Helena-Lewis and Clark National Forest (1 hr 4 min northwest of Helena, MT) with an elevation of 7,598 feet. The site is open all year. Prices start at $45.00 per night. Activities include hiking trails.