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 Choosehappy on 1/6/2024
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 73 people have reviewed this location.
“Great BLM spot! ”
Reviewed 9/29/2018
Nightly rate: | FREE! |
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Days stayed: | 1 |
After spending all day in Yellowstone we just needed a basic overnight stop before heading to Billings the next day. Mammoth campground was full by the time we rolled by around 7pm. We assumed Eagle Creek Campground was also full so we headed for Carbella. We’re glad we did! There were a few spots left around 8pm. We chose a private si... more
After spending all day in Yellowstone we just needed a basic overnight stop before heading to Billings the next day. Mammoth campground was full by the time we rolled by around 7pm. We assumed Eagle Creek Campground was also full so we headed for Carbella. We’re glad we did! There were a few spots left around 8pm. We chose a private site with a picnic table. It was super quiet and peaceful. No complaints! Great free spot on your way to or from Yellowstone! Vault toilet. No AT&T service. Be careful driving the main road, especially at night and in the morning. The speed limit is higher than it should be with so many big wild animals. We had a bighorn sheep almost cross in front of us at night and elk crossing the road in the morning.
Hannah would stay here again
This review is the opinion of a Campendium member and not of Campendium.com
“Great dispersed camping!”
Reviewed 8/13/2018
Nightly rate: | FREE! |
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Days stayed: | 13 |
RV Length: | 38' |
We just loved being here over the last 2 weeks! We arrived to Carbella while the area was still a bit busy but found a few sites we could have fit in. It wouldn't have been hard, the sites are less than defined. A few had picnic tables and fire rings but most were just "pull-over" type sites. I realize that other reviewers were a bit t... more
We just loved being here over the last 2 weeks! We arrived to Carbella while the area was still a bit busy but found a few sites we could have fit in. It wouldn't have been hard, the sites are less than defined. A few had picnic tables and fire rings but most were just "pull-over" type sites. I realize that other reviewers were a bit taken back by the scenery, as we were the first few days.
After a couple of days into our stay a prime spot opened up and we went for it. (Just beating out the next camper that came in) This site was, in my opinion, the best site in the area. It had the perfect view of the Yellowstone River, a small stream that fed into it and a horse pasture directly across the river. Paradise, right? Well it really was for a majority of our stay, then.... When the heat of the day came, and it did while we were here, the hatchlings started swarming around us. No real big deal, bugs come with the gig. Then we caught a mouse in one of the bays, darn it. Again, no big deal. The big deal (to us) was the seemingly endless amount of dust generated by the stream of boaters coming to launch at the boat ramp and the total amount of rocks you have to drive over to get in and out.
Don't let our review sway you from staying here, it is really a nice BLM property. Just giving others our perspective of our experience.
There was a pit toilet at the entrance to the boat ramp but we only used it once. It seemed acceptable for us, we just prefer "home turf".
Verizon service was really good. Watched from our ROKU most nights.
This review is the opinion of a Campendium member and not of Campendium.com
“A Little Too Excited About This Location”
Reviewed 7/17/2018
Nightly rate: | FREE! |
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Days stayed: | 6 |
Site Number: | N/A |
We were all very excited pulling into this site. We had found a great spot just next to the Yellowstone river. I was so excited in fact that I disconnected our fifth wheel and then proceeded to pull away WITHOUT first dropping the landing gear. This location is THAT great. So yes, that damped my experience and I blame this beautiful ca... more
We were all very excited pulling into this site. We had found a great spot just next to the Yellowstone river. I was so excited in fact that I disconnected our fifth wheel and then proceeded to pull away WITHOUT first dropping the landing gear. This location is THAT great. So yes, that damped my experience and I blame this beautiful campsite for my error. Thankfully only my truck and pride were hurt.
Leave your windows open at night and the sound of the rushing water will give you some of the best sleep of your life. Just make sure you have screens in your windows, because at dusk the flying bugs are thick, which is really the only negative of this place.
T-Mobile: No Service
Verizon: 18.4 down / 23.6 up
SurrenderSuburbia would stay here again
This review is the opinion of a Campendium member and not of Campendium.com
“Close to Yellowstone!”
Reviewed 7/5/2018
Nightly rate: | FREE! |
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Days stayed: | 1 |
RV Length: | 18' |
Great location, has a toilet. Heaps of space. Just up the road is a local's secret - great place to view grizzly bears!
meagandanker would stay here again
This review is the opinion of a Campendium member and not of Campendium.com
“ Easy to find campsite. Great views. No hassle with getting in or finding it after dark. ”
Reviewed 5/30/2018
Nightly rate: | FREE! |
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Days stayed: | 1 |
Site Number: | 6 |
Easy to find campsite. Great views. No hassle with getting in or finding it after dark.
This review is the opinion of a Campendium member and not of Campendium.com
“Not open yet, apparently”
Reviewed 5/27/2018
Nightly rate: | FREE! |
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Days stayed: | 0 |
Got good att signal on the road leading up, but it isn’t open yet. Wish I knew when it did.
This review is the opinion of a Campendium member and not of Campendium.com
“Great place to camp”
Reviewed 9/17/2017
Nightly rate: | FREE! |
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Days stayed: | 14 |
Site Number: | dispersed |
RV Length: | 35' (Class A) |
We stayed 2 weeks in August. I found that other reviews were accurate, but if you take it slow getting in & out, you won't have any problems with the rocks. They are well rounded and no sharp edges. We met other Campendium members while there, and had a great time.
rvdoc would stay here again
This review is the opinion of a Campendium member and not of Campendium.com
“Busy area but plenty of space for all”
Reviewed 8/17/2017
Nightly rate: | FREE! |
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Days stayed: | 7 |
RV Length: | 34' |
We stayed at Carbella in late July. We arrived on a Thursday and had no trouble finding a space. The sites run along Yellowstone River and most have a fire ring and picnic table. The spaces are very rocky but we just took it slow and had no problems. When we arrived, there were 4 other campers and still plenty of room for several m... more
We stayed at Carbella in late July. We arrived on a Thursday and had no trouble finding a space. The sites run along Yellowstone River and most have a fire ring and picnic table. The spaces are very rocky but we just took it slow and had no problems. When we arrived, there were 4 other campers and still plenty of room for several more without feeling too crowded. The weekends see a lot of traffic with river rafting tours-the parking area fills up in the morning and empties by evening. We stayed about a week to explore Yellowstone-the north entrance is about a 30 minute drive. In that time, one small camper was at the site with us the entire time but other campers (RVs and tents) came and left on a daily basis.
There are vault toilets available at the site and we filled up water in Yellowstone. Good Verizon service-no trouble streaming Netflix or browsing the internet.
Great free spot for easy access to Yellowstone.
RoadNoise would stay here again
This review is the opinion of a Campendium member and not of Campendium.com
“Quiet BLM area with awesome views”
Reviewed 6/30/2017
Nightly rate: | FREE! |
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Days stayed: | 8 |
RV Length: | 38' (Class A) |
Easy access by dirt road, sites are parallel to the river and some under trees, most of these spaces have picnic tables and a fire ring. The north side is accessed via a dirt track but the south side is across a rocky field though that didn't deter travel trailers and 5th wheels. AT&T 2 bars to non existent, the iPhone 6+ got enough... more
Easy access by dirt road, sites are parallel to the river and some under trees, most of these spaces have picnic tables and a fire ring. The north side is accessed via a dirt track but the south side is across a rocky field though that didn't deter travel trailers and 5th wheels.
AT&T 2 bars to non existent, the iPhone 6+ got enough signal to make and receive calls well, the iPhone 5s had no service even with the WeBoost on, the AT&T iPad Pros got a signal but hardly usable even with the WeBoost. Verizon JetPack worked a treat with the WeBoost averaging 6 to 7 mb down with 2-3 mb up.
Very quiet although if you stay near the boat launch the pickup buses and trailers for the white water rafters may disturb you a little.
SonjaB would stay here again
This review is the opinion of a Campendium member and not of Campendium.com
“Nice, relaxing spot on the Yellowstone River”
Reviewed 8/27/2016
Nightly rate: | FREE! |
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Days stayed: | 6 |
RV Length: | 27' |
We found this area by using the GPS listed on Campendium. If you look on Google Maps, there is a "Carbella Campground" on the map, but this is not the right location. Follow the GPS on Campendium. First, you cross over a cattle guard and you'll see the Carbella sign. The road is fine but it does get BUMPY on the way in and there ar... more
We found this area by using the GPS listed on Campendium. If you look on Google Maps, there is a "Carbella Campground" on the map, but this is not the right location. Follow the GPS on Campendium.
First, you cross over a cattle guard and you'll see the Carbella sign. The road is fine but it does get BUMPY on the way in and there are about 3-5 potholes. We made it through slowly.
Once you make it around the bend you'll start noticing spots. We stayed in the first one on the left. There are some LARGE rocks in this spot but we got our truck and Airstream in there. We did have to back up into the field in order to get out. This spot is right on the river and you can see it through the trees. Plus, it is private and you won't have neighbors. There is a little walking trail that you can take to the bridge.
Further down, there are some larger, more easily accessed spots for RVs and such.
This review is the opinion of a Campendium member and not of Campendium.com
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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
Nearby
Sixmile Creek Dispersed Camping
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- camper-826103
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