Dan Bailey Fishing Access Site

This campground is small and tight with about 4 campsites. It’s $18 a night for non MT residents, plus a new Conservation License that’s $10 for non MT residents that you can get online. The sites are pretty small and not for much bigger than my 20ft trailer and truck. Its good for fishermen or maybe a stop over on the way to Yellowstone.

We stayed on a Thursday night in early June. Picked the last of 4 spots that comes with a picnic table, fire ring and a place to park your truck if pulling a trailer. We came in a class B, so no need for the extra parking spot. We pulled up and were met by our neighbor in spot 2, who was a really nice local and good guy to meet. The views of the river and mountains were amazing, and the sounds of the gushing Yellowstone River were the only noises we could hear. At about 8:30 PM, some people with MT plates in a truck camper and a trailer decided to make their home in our extra parking spot. They made noise until past midnight, and hurriedly left at around 7 AM. We also noticed 3 other campers leaving in the same fashion around the same time. They presumably also parked illegally, and didn’t pay the required fee to stay the night. Such a shame as the area is really nice, but ruined by others who seem entitled to stay where they want without following the posted rules. Would only return as a last resort.

This place was nice! You can hear the traffic from the road but mostly the river. It’s 18.00 if you’re not from MT and also don’t have a fishing license, 12.00 if you have a license, 9.00 & 6.00 for vets, elderly, and disabled folk. There are 4-5 spots clustered together, all next to the river. There’s a restroom! I arrived at 6pm and there were plenty of spaces open but by morning they were all filled. You can stay for 7 days. Payment is honor system basically.

This is an angler’s dream! A little confused with the name, but happy just the same! Turns out it is the same access site as “Paradise” Access. It’s small-only 4 seemingly level sites. We’re here on a Monday night and no one else is here! Very organized about how to make payment. Fire ring and picnic table at each site. Clean toilet stall as well. Would definitely stay again!!

The campground has only three sites nestled into the trees on the banks of the river. We had only a few over-night neighbors during our week here, but the place seems well enough known by the locals who come out to fish for a few hours here and there. They can leave a little bit of a mess behind so bring an extra trash bag to clean up after them.

The sites can be tight for larger rigs (trees) and short (27" trailer fills it up) and you will not get much solar (again, the trees), but each does come with a good fire ring and table. A single pit toilet will ease the minds of tent campers or those wanting to save their black tanks. No trash cans so pack it out.

It is a short drive from here to Chico Hot Springs or Livingston and both are worth some nights out of camp to explore. The river and trees provide a great place to watch all sorts of birds as well.

Propane can be had right as you enter Livingston (two places, next door to each other) and water is easily found at the national forest campgrounds up the road (either Pine Creek or Snow Bank campgrounds)

This is what you might think of as Montana RV camping: off the beaten trail, alongside a blue ribbon trout river, amongst the most rugged mountain ranges and inexpensive.

This is a sportsmen's fishing access with facilities for boat launch and retrieval for float trips down this historic and beautiful river.

Campsites are dirt, no facilities for water or elec. or dump/garbage. You have to do your part to keep the C/G clean and welcoming.