Makoshika State Park

We camped at Makoshika State Park campground in mid-June surrounded by stunning views of Montana's Badlands. We had reservations at campsite #7 with amazing views of the rock formations, we paid $18 per night with our Non-resident Montana Parks Pass, and we enjoyed our location with easy access to nearby hiking trails. Each site has a fire ring and table, there are vault toilets, potable water, and trash receptacles in the campground. We had one-bar of Verizon service without a booster. This was a very well kept campground, peaceful and quiet. The hiking trails were amazing, the landscape variety throughout the park was definitely a great bonus to staying at this campground. We would certainly return again to this breathtaking place.

Right outside the town of Glendive. In fact you actually have to drive through the town including residential district. The road in the park could be improved. A bit bumpy. A great spot when you get there. Not very many sites. Fortunate to get one the Thursday before Labor Day. A great deal of hiking available. For all types of hikers. Beautiful surroundings. Reminds me of a smaller badlands in South Dakota.

Dry camping. Pit toilet but clean. We did run our generator for our slider and the evening and in the morning. If you’re there in cold weather prepare not to run your generator overnight.

It’s expensive at $28 for, a patch of gravel but the view is nice.

When we were there it was over a 100 degrees and was hard to handle that heat without any wind so we had to run the generator (but others around us where to).

I don’t think I could handle the area in a tent or without some sort of fan in those temperatures so just check beforehand

Also, it’s booked out. They do reserve sites a couple of days in advance. I showed up as a first come first in option but it was booked out and another couple of campers circled the area at the same time. There’s only a handful of sites there.

Tip. Past the campground is a drive but there is a 15% incline on a big hill.

I stayed at site 12 with my class A motorhome. At 12 feet tall I was able to get through the underpass on the way to the park, but couldn’t pull into my space as close as I would have liked to due to a tree branch. Tall RVs will do better in sites 14 & 15 (more expensive because it is the teepee site).

There is no electric or dump station. Water is at the Visitor Center on your way into the park. Everyone obeyed the quiet hours and the campground hosts were friendly and helpful.

I was informed by park rangers that I could not take my RV beyond the trailhead for switchback trail, so we had to park there and hike the switchback trail to get to the other higher trails. That was fine with me & I’m prepared for that because I don’t tow a vehicle.

I had my family and two dogs along. The dogs love hiking with us in this park.

I could not get AT&T cell reception at my campsite (1 bar, but no websites would load), but it was fine if I hiked up the hill from the trail that starts at the campground.

This is a beautiful park. We stayed in the lower campground. Sure, you are paying for dry camping, but the views are spectacular and it's a convenient/easy stop from I94. Lots of nice hiking trails. The Man reported that the upper campground is the place to stay (I was working!). Cell service poor in the lower sites, but easy hike to the top of a hill and you can host a video call. Recommend Reynold's in town for groceries.

Breathtaking beauty. But they charge $24 for out of state; $10 more than state residents.
Online, they promise a water tap in the "RV" campsite but once got there and set up our pop up camper, we found a sign that said "water only available at the visitor center" , more than 3 miles away! We had stopped at the visitor center on the way in to enquire about camping; the gentleman there was not very detailed in his park descriptions and certainly did not mention that we should stock up on water at that visitor center. Luckily we had 5 gallons with us from the last place we camped... Which was Fort Abraham Lincoln State Park, ND.(compare that ND state Park: $26 for electricity and easily accessible water tap and hot showers)

I visited here in Mid-May 2016, very few campers this time of year. The real bliss for any Class B or vans, is in the upper section, sites #20 and up. You probably can bring a trailer up there but since I was there only 2 nights didn't try it. It is a steep (15% grade) climb on loose gravel but I know a Roadtrek and Airstream Interstate that did it and loved it. I got a site in the main area and unhooked to check it out. Sites #21 and #22 have great views! Sites #20 and #23 are still good but not for views in my opinion. Site #23 will definitely hold a medium trailer if you want to go up the initial hill. If I was going to stay for a week or more, would have ventured it. So if you have a trailer, unhook and check them out before attempting. If you happen to have that lovely Class B/van, check them out before staying in the main campground. Since it wasn't busy, I had a great time in the main campground area. You will note when you enter the park, the further sites are not listed but I had talked to a ranger who told me about the sites.

Bad news, in the main campground, no cellular service most of the time. Perhaps in the upper sites you might get better service but I don't know. No dump station and if you need water, get it at the Visitors Center before going further. No shower, however vault toilets are at the main campground and at sites #20-#23. The vault toilets might be at sites above #23 but I did not venture further than site #23. I

Another note, from the main interstate, the park directions will take you under an under pass at 14' max, I have no idea if there is another way into the park but note that the under pass is 14'.

There may be a dump station in the town of Glendive, MT but the Dump Station at West Jaycees during my travels was closed.

Makoshika is the Lakota phrase for “land of bad spirits," or badlands, and this 11,500 acre park encompasses the eastern Montana badlands, which include interesting formations such as caprocks. Paleontologists are drawn to Makoshika as T Rex and Triceratops fossils have been found here. The scenery is stunningly beautiful, and we enjoyed biking and dog-friendly hiking with no crowds.

Makoshika is Montana’s largest state park, but the campground was nearly empty during our stay. Only dry camping is offered; campsites are on asphalt and have little shade, no hookups, no showers, and no cell service. Staying here in hot weather could potentially be brutal, but we had perfectly cool temperatures during our visit, and amazing views from our door. If you’re traveling through eastern Montana, Makoshika is well worth a stop. (Note: nightly camping fee includes a $10 non-resident fee.)