Swan Creek Campground
Swan Creek Campground is located in the scenic Gallatin Canyon, on the Bozeman Ranger District of the Gallatin National Forest, in southwestern Montana. It is 31 miles south of Bozeman. The surrounding area offers many outdoor recreational opportunities, including fishing, rafting, hiking and viewing local wildlife.
More like this: reservable in Montana · pets allowed in Montana
Check availability on Recreation.gov ↗
Site mix
| Standard, no hookups | 13 |
Site guide
13 sites in 2 loops. Tap a filter to narrow the list; the map follows.
| Site | Loop | Entry | Fits, ft | Surface | Shade | Water / sewer | People / vehicles | Fires |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 001 | LOWE | Back-in | 38 | Gravel | Partial | No / No | 8 / 2 | Yes |
| 002 | LOWE | Back-in | 24 | Gravel | Partial | No / No | 8 / 2 | Yes |
| 003 | LOWE | Back-in | 35 | Gravel | Partial | No / No | 8 / 2 | Yes |
| 004 | LOWE | Back-in | 30 | Gravel | Partial | No / No | 8 / 2 | Yes |
| 005 | LOWE | Back-in | 30 | Gravel | Partial | No / No | 8 / 2 | Yes |
| 006 | LOWE | Back-in | 35 | Gravel | Partial | No / No | 8 / 2 | Yes |
| 007 | UPPE | Back-in | 50 | Gravel | Partial | No / No | 8 / 2 | Yes |
| 008 | UPPE | Back-in | 38 | Gravel | Partial | No / No | 8 / 2 | Yes |
| 009 | UPPE | Back-in | 38 | Gravel | Partial | No / No | 8 / 2 | Yes |
| 010 | UPPE | Back-in | 40 | Gravel | Partial | No / No | 8 / 2 | Yes |
Per-site records as published by the managing agency on Recreation.gov. Blank cells mean the agency listed nothing for that site. Check-in 2:00 PM, checkout 12:00 PM.
Amenities & rules
| Pets | Allowed |
| Campfires | Allowed, subject to restrictions |
| Fees | The first two vehicles are included in the reservation fee and a $8.00 fee for each additional vehicle will be collected at the campground. |
The campground offers single-family campsites. Vault toilets, drinking water and trash collection are provided. Roads within the campground are paved, but parking spurs are gravel. Firewood is available at Greek Creek Campground for $8.00 per bundle.
Individual sites vary. Confirm on Recreation.gov or with the managing office.
Season & status
| Season | 5/15 - 10/15 Weather Dependent Limited Service 10/15 - 12/31 |
| Forest | Custer Gallatin National Forest |
| Booking | Reservations: http://www.recreation.gov 1-877-444-6777 |
| Fees | Off Season, there is no fee and no amenities available. Peak Season, there is a $24.00 fee which includes 2 driving vehicles. $9.00 each additional vehicle. Interagency Passes not applicable toward additional vehicle fees |
Weather by month
Getting there
From Bozeman, travel south on Highway 191 for 30 miles to the Swan Creek turnoff. Turn left and go a half-mile to the campground. From West Yellowstone, travel 58 miles north on Highway 191. Turn right at Swan Creek turnoff and go a half-mile to the campground.
| Coordinates | 45.3725° N, 111.1681° W · Directions ↗ |
Fire nearby
- PrescribedShenango Pile Rx
7 mi from the campground
- PrescribedNorth Bridger Brackett Creek Pile Burning Rx
35 mi from the campground
- PrescribedRx Hell'S Canyon
37 mi from the campground
Distance is to the reported incident point, not the fire edge. Call the managing office before you drive.
Supplies & services
| Outdoor gear | Grizzly Outfitters ↗ | 10.4 mi |
| RV sales & service | Valley Trailer Sales Inc ↗ | 26.1 mi |
Locations © OpenStreetMap contributors. Call ahead; hours change seasonally.
Explore
Video
Overnight Camp at Little Swan Creek Campground on the Trace
Worth a stop
- 12 miBlackmore Picnic Area ↗Day use
- 12 mi
- 12.6 miTwin Cabin Trailhead ↗Trailhead
- 12.9 miPalisade Falls Trailhead ↗Trailhead
Trails nearby
- 0.3 miSwan Creek (snowmo)3.7 mi trail · snowmobile, snowshoe, ski
- 1.1 miLine Creek (snowmo) ↗7.4 mi trail · snowmobile, snowshoe, ski
- 1.1 miSwan Creek ↗10.5 mi trail · hiking, horse, bike, motorcycle and 2 more
- 1.1 miMoose Creek (snowmo)2.8 mi trail · snowmobile, snowshoe, ski
- 1.8 miKarst ↗7.2 mi trail · hiking, horse
- 2.4 miPine Tree (snowmo) ↗8.9 mi trail · snowmobile, snowshoe, ski
Trail and trailhead records are the Forest Service's. Distances are straight-line to the nearer trail end. Trail conditions are not tracked here.
Public land it sits in
Lee Metcalf Wilderness begins about 7.7 miles away, and it is the closest of these.
- 7.7 miLee Metcalf Wilderness ↗Wilderness · BLM/FS · 242,068 acres
- 13.8 miCuster Gallatin National Forest ↗National Forest · Forest Service · 3,412,203 acres
Each unit is published as a centre point and an acreage rather than a boundary, so this section stands it in for a circle of the same area. Whether a campground is inside, and how far it is from one it is outside, are both approximate.
Other campgrounds nearby
Cabin and lookout rentals nearby
On the National Register nearby
- Crail Ranch BuildingsBuilding · Gallatin Gateway · 10.3 mi
- Spanish Creek SchoolBuilding · Gallatin Gateway · 11.4 mi
- Little Bear SchoolBuilding · Gallatin Gateway · 12 mi
Natural features
The campground sits next to scenic Swan Creek, a tributary of the Gallatin River. It is just off Highway 191, at an elevation of 5,800 feet. A beautiful, dense forest of spruce and fir trees covers the campground. A variety of wildlife makes its home in this scenic canyon. Visitors can often glimpse bald eagles, bighorn sheep, moose, elk, mountain goats, deer and coyotes. Black bears and grizzly bears also live in the canyon.
Recreation
Great opportunities for hiking, fishing, scenic driving and wildlife viewing are available in the area surrounding the campground. Anglers cast for rainbow, brown, brook and cutthroat trout, whitefish and Arctic grayling on the Gallatin River. Rafting and kayaking are popular activities as well. Many trails can be found in Gallatin Canyon. The Swan Creek Trail begins within the campground. Golden Trout Lakes Trail begins up nearby Portal Creek Road, five miles south of the campground.
Guidebooks for Montana
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Titles come from Open Library's catalog, matched by subject heading or by title.
Reference
Questions people ask
Do I need a reservation at Swan Creek Campground?
Sites at Swan Creek Campground are reservable on Recreation.gov. Reservations: http://www.recreation.gov 1-877-444-6777 Any walk-up sites are listed on the booking page.
Source: Recreation.gov
How much does it cost to camp at Swan Creek Campground?
The first two vehicles are included in the reservation fee and a $8.00 fee for each additional vehicle will be collected at the campground.
Source: Recreation.gov
What time is check-in at Swan Creek Campground?
Check-in 2:00 PM, checkout 12:00 PM.
Source: Recreation.gov
How many sites does Swan Creek Campground have?
13 sites, including 13 standard sites without power.
Source: Recreation.gov
Are pets allowed at Swan Creek Campground?
Yes, pets are allowed at Swan Creek Campground. Leash rules apply.
Source: Recreation.gov
Can I have a campfire at Swan Creek Campground?
Fires are allowed in the provided rings under normal conditions. As of 2026-10-16, there are 3 active fires within 50 miles, so check current restrictions before you light one.
Source: Fire nearby
What is there to do at Swan Creek Campground?
Great opportunities for hiking, fishing, scenic driving and wildlife viewing are available in the area surrounding the campground. The Recreation section on this page has the rest.
Source: Recreation
What if Swan Creek Campground is full?
The nearest public campgrounds are Greek Creek Campground (0.9 mi), Moose Creek Flat Campground (1.1 mi), and Moose Creek Group Site (1.5 mi).
Source: Campgrounds nearby