Custer Gallatin National Forest — lakeside, fishing, hikingLive availability via Recreation.gov· synced every 30 min
RED LODGE, MT, MT★ 4.5 (159 reviews)From $20/nightFederal campground · book on Recreation.gov
Parkside Campground is located 12 miles south of Red Lodge, Montana, just off the scenic Beartooth Highway. The area is a popular location for fishing, hiking and scenic driving. Greenough Lake less than a mile away.
Best for:AnglersHikersBoatersFamiliesSites:TentRV
LIVE · weather + fire + AQI + availability + wildlife
Verified facts
RIDB / Recreation.gov official databaseCheck-in2:00 PM
Check-out12:00 PM
SeasonMay through October
Stay limit14 days
Max RV50 ft
HookupsNo hookups. Suitable for self-contained RVs.
ADA sites9 sites
Pull-throughsAvailable
PetsAllowed
CampfiresAllowed
Max/site6 people
Amenities
RIDB /facilities /campsites · owner-verifiedEssentials
Fire RingsDrinking Water
Recreation
Picnic TablesFishing
Family & Pets
Vault Toilets
Straight talk
CamperWatch intel · curated from camper reportsKnown issues, each with the workaround. Read before you book.
Known issuesFederal campground — book early. No hookups at most sites. Seasonal operations.
Skip it if:✕ You need RV hookups—no hookups available at most sites✕ You require winter camping—seasonal operations May through October only✕ You prefer solitude—this is a popular location with a loyal following
Insider tips & when to go
CamperWatch intel · hand-curated entryBook early
this is a popular federal campground with only 28 sites
Level, well-spaced sites mean you're not crowded with other campers
Greenough Lake is less than a mile away for fishing, canoeing, and kayaking
Best: July-August
Peak summer season with campground open and accessible via Beartooth Highway; reviewers report visiting in July
Best: May-October
Seasonal operating window
Things to do nearby
RIDB /activities /recareas + intelConditions today
LiveCell signal
FCC BDC · quarterly datasetT-Mobile
4G · 0%
Verizon
4G · 0%
AT&T
4G · 0%
FCC maps are theoretical — camper reports confirm signal.
Wildlife nearby
iNaturalist · research-grade · 8 kmAlert: Grizzly Bear present in area. Also: Shiras Moose, Mountain Goat, Golden-mantled Ground Squirrel, Yellow-bellied Marmot, Dusky Grouse, Black Rosy-Finch, White-crowned Sparrow, Western Terrestrial Garter Snake.
Location
Leaflet · OpenStreetMap tiles
406-587-9054· Custer Gallatin National Forest
Getting there →
From U.S. Highway 212, turn off at Rock Creek Road (Forest Road 2421). Go 0.3 miles to the campground entrance on the right.
Campground entrance
Google Maps APICommunity
#community · posts, photos & Q&A · AI-moderated (Claude Vision)Pro tips
- Book on recreation.gov exactly 6 months ahead at 10am ET — Custer Gallatin National Forest fills fast in peak season.
- Check current road conditions at Custer Gallatin National Forest before arrival — seasonal closures common.
- Bear country — store all food in bear boxes or locked vehicle at all times.
Frequently asked questions
RIDB facts + intel · FAQPage schema, speakableHow much does Parkside cost per night?+
Parkside costs $20 per night. Hookup options: No hookups. Suitable for self-contained RVs.
What season is Parkside open?+
Parkside is open May through October. Check-in is 2:00 PM, check-out is 12:00 PM.
Does Parkside have hookups?+
No hookups. Suitable for self-contained RVs.
What is the maximum RV length at Parkside?+
Parkside can accommodate RVs up to 50 feet.
How do I make reservations at Parkside?+
Parkside is a federal campground — book 6 months ahead at Recreation.gov. Set a free CamperWatch cancellation alert to be notified the moment a site opens.
What is the cell service like at Parkside?+
According to FCC coverage maps, cell signal at Parkside is rated none. FCC maps show theoretical coverage — actual signal in remote or heavily forested areas may be weaker.
What season is Parkside open, and what are check-in times?+
Parkside is open May through October. Check-in is 2:00 PM, check-out is 12:00 PM.
Official resources
●Data sources on this page
Recreation.gov — Live site availability — updated every 30 min
recreation.gov · RIDB API
National Weather Service — Live hourly forecast + active alerts
api.weather.gov · open-meteo.com
Google Air Quality API — Live AQI at exact campground coordinates
airquality.googleapis.com
iNaturalist — Research-grade wildlife within 8km
api.inaturalist.org
Google Pollen API — Today’s tree, grass & weed pollen forecast
pollen.googleapis.com
FCC Broadband Map — Verizon, AT&T, T-Mobile 4G/5G coverage data
broadbandmap.fcc.gov · quarterly
Sunrise-Sunset.org — Sunrise, sunset & golden hour for today
api.sunrise-sunset.org
Google Street View — Campground entrance & access road imagery
maps.googleapis.com
RIDB — ADA sites, hookups, toilets, pets, campfire rules, bear boxes, max RV, activities, contact, directions
ridb.recreation.gov · /facilities /campsites /activities /links /recareas
CamperWatch never fabricates data. Where data is unavailable, it is not shown.
$20 /night★ 4.5 (159)
SeasonMay through October
Check-in2:00 PM
Check-out12:00 PM
Dates full? Get an availability alert
FAQ
How much does Parkside cost per night?+
What season is Parkside open?+
Does Parkside have hookups?+
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