Parkside

Campground · Montana · 28 bookable sites ·

Managed by the USDA Forest Service

Custer National Forest (NF) · Open Access

28
Bookable sites
50 ft
Max rig length
up to 50
People per site
9
Accessible sites
7,195 ft
Elevation
ps-hero
Photo: GCC · Recreation.gov

Overview

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. Glacier Lake, Hellroaring and Lake Fork Trailheads are nearby.

Recreation

The Main Fork of Rock Creek and nearby 5-acre Greenough Lake offer rainbow trout fishing. The lake is also open to canoeing and kayaking.

The Beartooth Wilderness can be accessed via the Hellroaring and Lake Fork Trailheads, both nearby. Visitors also enjoy mountain biking and hiking on the Parkside National Recreation Trail. Hellroaring Road is open to off-road vehicles.

Facilities

The campground offers two group sites and several single-family sites, three of which are accessible. Picnic tables and campfire rings are provided, as are accessible vault toilets and drinking water. Trash can be deposited at the Greenough Lake Campground.

Natural Features

The campground sits in the shadow of the Beartooth Range on the banks of Rock Creek. A forest of aspen and pine covers the area. A variety of wildlife, including grizzly bear, deer and elk, make their home in the surrounding area.

Contact Info

For facility specific information, please call (928) 537-8888.

Nearby Attractions

The charming town of Red Lodge, Montana offers a variety of dining and lodging options, galleries, shops and summer events. The Home of Champions Rodeo is held on the Fourth of July weekend, Beartooth Bike Rally and Iron Horse Rodeo in mid-July, Mountain Man Rendezvous in late July and the Festival of Nations in early August.

The Beartooth Highway was deemed "the most beautiful drive in America" by the late Charles Kuralt. It snakes across the rugged Beartooth Mountains from Red Lodge to Cooke City, Montana, and is the highest elevation highway in the Northern Rockies. Along the way, visitors are treated to sweeping views and plentiful outdoor recreation opportunities.

Yellowstone National Park's Northeast Entrance is 55 miles from the campground via the Beartooth Highway. The park offers unparalleled wildlife viewing opportunities, as well as breathtaking scenery and unique geological features.

Charges & Cancellations

Refunds: Refund requests made through www.recreation.gov will be charged a $10 processing fee. This cancellation processing fee is retained by the reservation service contractor along with the non-refundable reservation fee. All requests for the return of the non-refundable reservation fee and the cancellation processing fee will be declined by the campground concessionaire as they did not receive these fees (these are the fees retained by the reservation contractor, a different entity).

The facts

  • Season: 5/26 - 9/8 Full service, Reduced service in shoulder season — USDA Forest Service, Aug 24, 2026
  • 28 bookable sites
  • 9 accessible sites
  • Vehicles up to 50 ft
  • Up to 50 people per site
  • Loops: AREA PARKSIDE, LOWE, UPPE

Site types

  • 26 Standard Nonelectric
  • 1 Group Standard Area Nonelectric
  • 1 Group Standard Nonelectric

Amenities

  • Campfires allowed
  • Fire pits
  • Picnic tables
  • Shade
  • Pets allowed

Not recorded upstream: electric hookups, water hookups, sewer hookups, grills.

Book on Recreation.gov

28 campsites at Parkside

Check-in 2:00 PM · Check-out 1:00 PM

SiteLoopTypeEntrySurfaceGradeWaterMax rigPeople
AAREA PARKSIDEGroup Standard Area NonelectricBack InPavedSlight——50 🐾
BAREA PARKSIDEGroup Standard NonelectricBack InPavedSlightRiverfront—25 🐾
16LOWEStandard NonelectricBack InPavedSlight—40 ft8 🐾
17LOWEStandard NonelectricBack InPavedSlightRiverfront42 ft8 🐾
18LOWEStandard NonelectricBack InPavedSlightRiverfront30 ft8♿ 🐾
19LOWEStandard NonelectricBack InPaved—Riverfront30 ft8♿ 🐾
20LOWEStandard NonelectricBack InPaved——45 ft8♿ 🐾
21LOWEStandard NonelectricBack InPavedSlightRiverfront45 ft8 🐾
22LOWEStandard NonelectricBack InPaved—Riverfront45 ft8 🐾
23LOWEStandard NonelectricBack InPavedSlightRiverfront45 ft8 🐾
24LOWEStandard NonelectricBack InPavedSlight—30 ft8♿ 🐾
25LOWEStandard NonelectricBack InPavedSlight—40 ft8♿ 🐾
26LOWEStandard NonelectricPull ThroughPavedModerate—25 ft8 🐾
01UPPEStandard NonelectricBack InPavedSlight—45 ft8 🐾
02UPPEStandard NonelectricBack InPavedSlightRiverfront26 ft8 🐾
03UPPEStandard NonelectricBack InPavedSlight—26 ft8 🐾
04UPPEStandard NonelectricBack InPavedSlight—35 ft8 🐾
05UPPEStandard NonelectricBack InPavedSlight—32 ft8 🐾
06UPPEStandard NonelectricBack InPavedSlightRiverfront45 ft8 🐾
07UPPEStandard NonelectricBack InPavedSlightRiverfront45 ft8♿ 🐾
08UPPEStandard NonelectricBack InPavedSlightRiverfront50 ft8 🐾
09UPPEStandard NonelectricBack InPavedSlightRiverfront50 ft8♿ 🐾
10UPPEStandard NonelectricBack InPavedSlightRiverfront50 ft8 🐾
11UPPEStandard NonelectricBack InPavedSlight—40 ft8♿ 🐾
12UPPEStandard NonelectricBack InPavedSlight—50 ft8♿ 🐾
13UPPEStandard NonelectricBack InPavedSlight—45 ft8 🐾
14UPPEStandard NonelectricBack InPavedSlight—35 ft8 🐾
15UPPEStandard NonelectricBack InPavedSlight—35 ft8 🐾

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.

45.06194, -109.40889 · 45°3'43.0"N 109°24'32.0"W

Directions (Google Maps) · Directions (Apple Maps)

Typical weather

JanFebMarAprMayJunJulAugSepOctNovDec
High °F————————————
Low °F————————————
Precip in0.91.41.72.74.12.71.41.21.62.41.91.1

1991–2020 averages from the nearest NOAA station, 9 mi away — not measured at the facility itself, and elevation can make a real difference over that distance.

Map

Fees and stay limits

The first vehicle is included in the basic fee; A second will be charged an extra $10 fee and collected at the campground, if your site will accomodate it. Two group sites are available: Parkside A: maximum 50 people Parkside B: maximum 25 people Firewood bundles can be purchased from the campground host.

From Recreation.gov, which is not always current. The operator's own page is the authority on what you will be charged.

More photos

ps-preview
Photo: GCC · Recreation.gov
Parkside Group Site
Photo: GCC · Recreation.gov

Member photos

Common questions about Parkside

Can you reserve a site at Parkside?
Yes, Parkside is reservable through Recreation.gov.
How many campsites does Parkside have?
28 sites.
What is the maximum RV length at Parkside?
50 ft. That is the longest vehicle the sites here are recorded as taking; individual sites may be shorter.
Are pets allowed at Parkside?
Yes, pets are allowed at Parkside.
Are campfires allowed at Parkside?
Campfires are allowed at Parkside. Check for a current fire restriction before you go.

Also listed by

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

USDA Forest Service — data as of Aug 24, 2026

  • $10 each additional vehicle
  • $6 day use campground fee for over ½ hour
  • 1/2 price fees with Interagency Senior and Access Pass holders
  • Group sites: A - max 50 people, 2 RV’s; 1-35 people= $65
  • 36-50 people= $85
  • B - max 25 people, 2 RV's: $65

Accessibility:

  • Accessible Facilities: Vault toilet and 2 campsites. Visit Recreation.gov for details.

USDA Forest Service's own page

Camping near Parkside

Comments

Contact

Recreation.gov last updated this record on 2026-03-11.

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