Itch-Kep-Pe Park

Stayed here from 8/28/19 to 8/30/19. Honestly I don't have anything bad to say about this place, except maybe the amount of noise from all the kids and families. I stayed here right before Labor Day weekend though, so that's to be expected. I've been in Western Montana for most of the month so I think I've been spoiled by all the amazing views and everything at other campgrounds, which this one does not have. However, this park is right on the Yellowstone River, which my dog and I had a lot of fun swimming in.

I needed a place to stay a couple nights on my way through Montana and this park was perfect for that. I think it's awesome the city offers this place for free. They have dumpsters, a water spigot, and restrooms (which i never went in, so I can't comment on the quality of those). They also have a large pile of scrap wood that you can take for firewood for free. When you get there a volunteer comes and gives you a paper with the rules and then an envelope if you'd like to give a donation.

I chose site #21 mostly because I wanted something in the sun so my solar would work. There are a lot of sites that have tons of trees and shade though if that's what you're looking for. My site was a back-in but it looked like there were places you could also pull-through. The site was pretty level and I had a nice picnic table and fire ring. The sites seemed to fill up pretty quick (again this was right before labor day weekend) however, there was a sign saying there were additional campsites further down the road. I never went down there, but I heard there were a ton more.

Overall this is a basic park, but it was exactly what I needed for a two night layover.

Good free place to stop over while passing through. Two water fill areas, dumpster on site, most sites have both picnic tables and fire pits. Running water bathroom in first loop but did not use. Most sites are pretty level and a few are right on the yellowstone river. Solid LTE for both AT&T and Verizon. Can be busy especially on weekends as several local raft companies run using the boat launch. No dump station, can get very dusty during peak times. Good place to stay when passing through but not a destination.

Itch-Kep-Pe Park is a city park on the Yellowstone River in Columbus, Montana. The park is a short distance from I-90 and is able to accommodate rigs of any size.

This park is free with a 10-day camping limit. Donations are accepted.

Columbus Police Department does patrol the park periodically which helps to avoid problems. A caretaker or volunteer also makes rounds and drops off a sheet of paper with park rules.

The park is generally quiet at night, but may be busy during the day as it is also popular with local residents. A boat ramp at the further camping area results in a fair bit of traffic each evening around dark as people are leaving with boat trailers. Occasional night traffic also occurs. A train runs through Columbus and it can be heard, but it is not very loud at the park.

This is a riverfront campground so there are many large trees. Sun exposure for solar is a problem at many sites, but there are also sites that are in an open, grassy area where sunlight is better.

Amenities include picnic tables, fire pits, a dumpster, and restrooms with flush toilets in the main park area. Firewood is sometimes available near the dumpster. A vault toilet is available in the other camping area near the boat launch.

Cell coverage for Verizon and AT&T is decent at the campground. On my last visit I had four bars of Verizon and two of AT&T. Both networks were usable for work.

Access is easy and convenient. Take Highway 78 south out of Columbus and turn left into the park just before the bridge over the Yellowstone River.

I have stayed at Itch-Kep-Pe Park a number of times over the past 15-20 years and still rely on it for a convenient stop-over when passing through this area.

Dry camping. All around, this is a solid place to stay, especially for free. Two water spigots to fill fresh water, dumpster, picnic tables and fire pits. No dump station. Flushing toilets but bathrooms are pretty run down. Right on the Yellowstone River. Sites are pretty level and easy access. Somewhat busy and noisy but large grassy fields with shade for kids and pets. It’s a pretty park and not run down but could use some TLC. Park runs in donations so considering that, it’s a win. We’d certainly stay again if ever passing through, but wouldn’t go out of our way. Within 30 minutes of Billings! Within 5 minutes of laundromat, hardware, grocery, gas, restaurants and major interstate.

this campsite is large and can handle any size rig we found the campground easy and found a spot quickly completely free but they do ask for donations, there is free water at the bathhouse you can fill your rv asked a city worker and he said no problem also they have a dumpster for your garbage, right on a river, campground is split into front half and rear half, the town is very rv friendly and a great place for food and fun, check out the video to see this gem of a campground

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=S0SW1ldycU0&t=5s

We were here in early November, so it was pretty well empty except for a couple other campers. We had a spot right on the Yellowstone River that was plenty big enough for our 38’ trailer. The roads were a bit rough, but just take it easy. We arrived after dark and did not have any problem finding or navigating the campground. There is a bathhouse, dumpster and free firewood. No water or dump station. The city does have a donation box for helping out with the upkeep. Would stay again without hesitation. There was of coarse some train noise, not too unbearable though. Great AT&T service.

We stayed in site #5, which is about a mile into the park over a dirt road with some potholes. But there are good spots closer to the entrance. This is a city run park, monitored by local police. The park is supported by the donated overnight fees; we paid $10. There are no hookups, but it's located right on the Yellowstone river, it's quiet, it's close to I-90 and it's safe. Perfect for an overnight or two.

While walking around the park we saw some garbage that had been discarded by a previous camper. So we picked it up and tossed it in the trash. 'pack-it-in-pack-it-out'