Carbella Recreation Site
BLM
Write a Review Tom Miner Creek Rd. Emigrant, MT 59027 406-533-7600 Official WebsiteGPS: 45.2124, -110.9005
Overview of Carbella Recreation Site
Accessibility is not guaranteed, always scout ahead before driving down dirt roads. Learn more: Boondocking 101.
Last Price Paid: $0
Reported by a8z5 on 9/22/2023
Longest RV Reported: 44 feet (Fifth Wheel)
Reported by Jackiehollander on 6/15/2023
Number of Sites 16
Pad Type gravel
Elevation 4,986 ft / 1,519 m
Max Stay 14
Tent Camping Yes







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Q&A - Ask the Community about Carbella Recreation Site
To ask questions of the owner or manager please contact the campground directly. 406-533-7600

Howie asked on 2/4/2021
Can anyone tell me what the odds are of getting a camping site in Early August of 2021 based on others experience. Th...
Mward asked on 9/6/2021
Does anyone know if Carbella Recreation Site is open in November? Thanks!

Boondachshunds asked on 8/19/2021
Has anyone worked off their Verizon data plan here? Just checking on speeds/experience attending Zoom video calls etc...
Reviews of Carbella Recreation Site 72 people have reviewed this location.
“Too few sites ”
Reviewed 9/22/2023
Nightly rate: | FREE! |
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Nice location and site, but unfortunately it was full when I was here. There are multiple "don't camp in parking lot" notices so you can't stay if you don't get a numbered site. I think there were 20 sites?
Pit toilet.
Road was fine for a sedan/Prius in August/September.
This review is the opinion of a Campendium member and not of Campendium.com
“Windy with a chance of fishing ”
Reviewed 8/23/2023
Nightly rate: | FREE! |
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Days stayed: | 2 |
Site Number: | 3 |
Decently maintained campground. The first pit toilet was surprisingly full, though. One campsite had a couple dogs who bayed most the evening. Rafters floated by both days. A couple naked rafters enjoyed the day. Fishing is right there but definitely not the best fishing in the state. We will stay again.
B3autyOfB3cks would stay here again
This review is the opinion of a Campendium member and not of Campendium.com
“Overnighter”
Reviewed 8/15/2023
Nightly rate: | FREE! |
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Days stayed: | 1 |
RV Length: | 10' (Teardrop Trailer) |
Not many sites and only a couple open at noon on a Monday. Have the creek and the backdrop, otherwise nothing 5o write home about. OK, it's free, so there's that.
This review is the opinion of a Campendium member and not of Campendium.com
“The Views !”
Reviewed 8/4/2023
Nightly rate: | FREE! |
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Days stayed: | 14 |
Site Number: | 6 |
Beautiful site - we stayed in 6. 360 view of mountains. Could hear the river flowing all night when windows are open letting the cool august air in. The smell of pine trees, especially when fires are around in the fire rings at each campsite. Sites are numbered easily. Pretty level spot to be honest for free camping. Has tent camping a... more
Beautiful site - we stayed in 6. 360 view of mountains. Could hear the river flowing all night when windows are open letting the cool august air in. The smell of pine trees, especially when fires are around in the fire rings at each campsite. Sites are numbered easily. Pretty level spot to be honest for free camping. Has tent camping as well. Bear box for trash at each site. Picnic table that is not wood- so 10 extra points for that. Can stay for 14 days, no hook ups and the closest dump / potable water location is 10-15 mins away in gardiner for $20.
Quick access to Yellowstone about 22 mins drive. And overall just felt very safe, comfortable, in touch with nature, and happy. If you can’t tell I would absolutely come back.
camper-757995 would stay here again
This review is the opinion of a Campendium member and not of Campendium.com
“What A View!”
Reviewed 8/2/2023
Nightly rate: | FREE! |
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Days stayed: | 1 |
Site Number: | 10 |
We arrived at dusk with 40 ft motor home. It’s best to arrive while it’s still light out as the road in the campsite is one way and it’s hard to see the sites. Each has a picnic table and a fire ring. Signs indicate to camp only where there are designated sites. Most are by the River. This is the first site we did not use our privacy ... more
We arrived at dusk with 40 ft motor home. It’s best to arrive while it’s still light out as the road in the campsite is one way and it’s hard to see the sites. Each has a picnic table and a fire ring. Signs indicate to camp only where there are designated sites. Most are by the River. This is the first site we did not use our privacy blinds as we were flanked by mountains. Definitely a gem!
Maximus Memories would stay here again
This review is the opinion of a Campendium member and not of Campendium.com
“This Is A Must !”
Reviewed 7/28/2023
Nightly rate: | FREE! |
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Days stayed: | 7 |
Site Number: | 14 |
So …. We drove in not knowing what to expect. Plus we anticipated not finding a site…. 10:30 AM late July multiple spots were open and we took a pull thru. Best time to pull in is 10 to 1 but look again they do open up. At the end as you enter there are multiple tent car sites that never fill up …. This is an amazing place and loca... more
So …. We drove in not knowing what to expect. Plus we anticipated not finding a site…. 10:30 AM late July multiple spots were open and we took a pull thru. Best time to pull in is 10 to 1 but look again they do open up. At the end as you enter there are multiple tent car sites that never fill up ….
This is an amazing place and location we stayed a week …. 14 days max … it’s free….
Lower Yellowstone river is right next to your site I caught several fish.
DARK quiet nights … the sound of a river flowing … minimal bugs … and it’s a terrain that won’t get your pets filthy.
TRASH …. There is a trash refuse station as you enter dump all your trash there free and easy 😄😄😄
Firewood ….. at the same location as you enter the area there is FREE firewood……….
BOAT LAUNCH …… in your camping area is a boat launch …. Mostly rubber rafts for rapids and fishing the river flows pretty fast
Just a great place …
You also get a fire ring and picnic table …
This is what it’s all about enjoy ….
This review is the opinion of a Campendium member and not of Campendium.com
“Perfection ”
Reviewed 6/22/2023
Nightly rate: | FREE! |
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Days stayed: | 6 |
Beautiful well maintained BLM campground with designated sites wide apart and river access. It was about 15 miles to the gas station for water/ dump and 25 minutes to the Yellowstone gate. We didn’t want to leave…. It was so nice. We saw antelope daily and some elk down the road. There was a den of foxes with babies there too. We did... more
Beautiful well maintained BLM campground with designated sites wide apart and river access. It was about 15 miles to the gas station for water/ dump and 25 minutes to the Yellowstone gate. We didn’t want to leave…. It was so nice.
We saw antelope daily and some elk down the road. There was a den of foxes with babies there too.
We did have some major suspension issues with our trailer and it was really hard to get a mobile welder all the way out here to help us unfortunately but that was the only drawback.
DO NOT FOLLOW GOOGLE AND TURN DOWN OLD YELLOWSTONE TRAIL ROAD. This will take you 3 ish miles down a dirt road that no longer has a bridge connecting you to the campground- it was destroyed last year during the flood. There’s a small place to turnaround where the bridge was but no where before that. Just keep following 89 past that turnout to where the small power station is.
Casey M would stay here again
This review is the opinion of a Campendium member and not of Campendium.com
“Nice but not totally great.”
Reviewed 6/20/2023
Nightly rate: | FREE! |
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Days stayed: | 4 |
Site Number: | N/A |
RV Length: | 32' (Class A) |
This is a nice area but you will get a bit of road noise that usually quiets down as the evening does on. The sites are right next to the river with metal fire pits. This is a loading/ unloading area for some of the rafting outfits. You'll be on the edge of the trees next to some grasslands so there's sun for the solar panels if need b... more
This is a nice area but you will get a bit of road noise that usually quiets down as the evening does on. The sites are right next to the river with metal fire pits. This is a loading/ unloading area for some of the rafting outfits. You'll be on the edge of the trees next to some grasslands so there's sun for the solar panels if need be.
Previous reviews mention the access road but I found it to be very good.
This review is the opinion of a Campendium member and not of Campendium.com
“Windy is about the only negative. ”
Reviewed 6/19/2023
Nightly rate: | FREE! |
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Days stayed: | 3 |
Fire rings with grills, newer picnic tables, bear boxes at each site.
camper-807763 would stay here again
This review is the opinion of a Campendium member and not of Campendium.com
“Big Rig Friendly, Arrive Early 👊🏻”
Reviewed 6/15/2023
Nightly rate: | FREE! |
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Days stayed: | 6 |
Site Number: | 6 |
RV Length: | 44' (Fifth Wheel) |
You will want to turn on Tom Miner's Creek Road. the directions link will take you past the entrance so you need to look for that road. There are no signs on Highway 89 for Carbella Recreation Site only the road sign. This site is awesome! 16 designated sites. Great gravel road, very large sites and right on the river. You'll want to... more
You will want to turn on Tom Miner's Creek Road. the directions link will take you past the entrance so you need to look for that road. There are no signs on Highway 89 for Carbella Recreation Site only the road sign. This site is awesome! 16 designated sites. Great gravel road, very large sites and right on the river. You'll want to arrive early!!
Jackiehollander would stay here again
This review is the opinion of a Campendium member and not of Campendium.com
“Access Road Is Closed”
noted 9/15/2022
Passing by September 13, 2022 the access road is closed. Possibly due to the flooding that occurred in June of this year.
“Access Road Is Closed”
noted 9/15/2022
Passing by September 13, 2022 the access road is closed. Possibly due to the flooding that occurred in June of this year.
noted 6/16/2020
Here is a link to more information about the site:
http://www.rvhive.com/free-camping-north-of-yellowstone-national-park-at-carbella-recreation-site/
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Amenities
Hookups
- dry camping
Recreation
- boat ramp
- fishing
- picnic area
- water access
Site Amenities
- big rig
- fire ring
- picnic table
- pull thru
Facilities
- restrooms: vault
Pets
- pets
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