Emerald Lake Campground

Campground · Montana ·

Managed by the USDA Forest Service

Custer National Forest (NF) · Open Access

6,355 ft
Elevation

Emerald Lake is in the West Rosebud drainage and is nestled in the trees between Emerald Lake and West Rosebud Lake.  West Rosebud Trail (#19), Pine Grove Campground, Emerald Lake Fishing Access and West Rosebud Lake Fishing Access are also located in the West Rosebud drainage.

There is a 16 day maximum stay in all Beartooth Ranger District campgrounds. For a road map of the area, with locations of campgrounds, please see our Motor Vehicle Use Map (MVUM).

  • Camp sites: 32
  • Host: No
  • Max trailer length: 30ft
  • Accessible Facilities: Toilet
  • Trash Pickup:  Centrally located Bear resistant dumpster
  • Firewood: No.  Don't move firewood to other areas or bring in outside firewood. Prevent the spread of tree-killing insects by obtaining firewood near your destination and burning it there.

Reservations:
No Reservations: This campground does not use a reservation system; it is managed on a first-come, first-served basis. Be aware that the campground is very popular and may fill up on weekends & holidays during the summer months. You should arrive early to ensure there is a space available for the night. There is a 16 day stay limit.  Some sites are equipped with bear resistant food storage lockers.

This campground is maintained from approximately Memorial Day to Labor Day (call district office for exact season dates). During these dates there is a fee to stay in the campground (listed below).

Outside of the peak summer dates (Memorial Day- Labor Day), the campground remains ungated, free, and available for use (no services, not maintained, roads are not plowed). If you visit outside the peak fee season, please bring your own water, toilet paper (outhouse will remain open), and please pack out your trash.

Directions from district office:
Drive north on US Hwy 212 for 2.1 miles and turn left (west) onto MT-78. Drive 30.0 miles and turn left (west) onto MT-419 towards Fishtail. Drive 4.4 miles (through Fishtail) and turn left (south) onto West Rosebud Rd. Drive 6.5 miles and turn left (south)  to continue on West Rosebud Rd. Drive 12.4 miles to the campground, on the left.

Information:
Beartooth Ranger District
6811 US Hwy 212
Red Lodge, MT 59068
(406) 446-2103

The facts

  • Season: 5/26 - 9/6 Full service, reduced services in shoulder season — USDA Forest Service, Aug 24, 2026

Recreation.gov's own page

Getting there

45.25340, -109.70029 · 45°15'12.2"N 109°42'1.1"W

Directions (Google Maps) · Directions (Apple Maps)

Typical weather

Typically 75°F in Jul, down to 33°F in Dec.

JanFebMarAprMayJunJulAugSepOctNovDec
High °F353441485766757466524033
Low °F191722273543505042322418
Precip in1.11.52.02.74.13.02.31.92.02.51.91.4

1991–2020 averages from the nearest NOAA station, 1.6 mi away — not measured at the facility itself, and elevation can make a real difference over that distance.

Map

Member photos

Common questions about Emerald Lake Campground

Can you reserve a site at Emerald Lake Campground?
No. Emerald Lake Campground is not reservable through Recreation.gov, so sites are first-come, first-served or booked elsewhere.

Also listed by

Emerald Lake Campground also appears in other federal recreation data. Facts below are matched by name and location, not confirmed by Emerald Lake Campground's operator.

USDA Forest Service — data as of Aug 24, 2026

  • $5 each additional vehicle
  • 1/2 price fees with Interagency Senior or Access Pass

Accessibility:

  • Accessible Facilities: Toilet

USDA Forest Service's own page

Camping near Emerald Lake Campground

Comments

Contact

Recreation.gov last updated this record on 2026-02-25.

Facility information and photographs from Recreation.gov (RIDB). SpotOpened is not affiliated with Recreation.gov or any federal agency.