Camping in Montana: Best Months, Booking and Fire Rules

Across Montana's 3 NOAA reference stations, camping weather is mild from May to June and from August to September, with average highs of 67 to 85 F and lows of 42 to 55 F. Those are the months with an average high of 60 to 85 F and an average low of 40 F or more, from NOAA's 1991 to 2020 normals. Mountains and high ground run colder than these stations, so read the station table on the page for the one nearest you.

Nights at or below freezing show up from September to May, most often in December, when they average 29.4 a month. That is the average count at Billings, Glasgow and Missoula; high elevation campgrounds freeze earlier and later.

Wildlife & Parks says: “Reservations can be made up to three months in advance of your stay, and no later than one day prior to your arrival.” Sites are booked through Montana State Parks reservations (ReserveAmerica).

Wildlife & Parks says: “Visitors need to be aware that the maximum stay per site is seven nights. This allows for at least 20 percent of state parks’ campsites to be available on a first-come, first-served basis.”

Wildlife & Parks says: “Campfires allowed within established steel fire grates at all state parks and some fishing access sites under State I Fire Restrictions—consult the FWP Restrictions and Closures page or the nearest FWP regional office for listing of fishing access sites where fires are allowed in established steel fire grates.”

Montana Fish, Wildlife & Parks posts fire restrictions at https://fwp.mt.gov/news/restrictions-and-closures/fire-restriction-definitions. The page also loads any red flag warning the National Weather Service has out for Montana right now. Check both before you light a fire, and the local fire department for a county order.

Montana Department of Natural Resources and Conservation says: “Dispersed camping is allowed on state trust land with the appropriate permit and with certain restrictions.”