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Initial Creek Campground
FSU.S. Forest Service — Montana · Custer Gallatin National Forest
| Agency | FSU.S. Forest Service |
|---|---|
| Area | Custer Gallatin National Forest |
| Location | Montana · Custer Gallatin National Forest · 45.40382, -109.95495 · Map |
| Sites | Not reported — the federal listing names no individual sites for this campground |
| Getting a site | First-come, first-served only — this campground takes no reservations. |
| Hookups | Not reported in the federal data |
| Max RV length | Not reported in the federal data |
| Months open | Not in federal data — the federal listing does not publish a season for this campground. Check the official description below or Recreation.gov. |
| Fees | Not reported — the federal listing carries no fee description for this campground. |
Check availability & book on Recreation.gov →
This site takes no reservations and shows no live availability. Source: Recreation.gov (RIDB export pulled November 5, 2026); this listing was last updated in the federal record on 2026-02-25.
From the official listing
This free campground is located on the West Fork Stillwater Road and is near the West Fork Stillwater Trail (#90). The campground is maintained from Memorial Day to Labor Day, but is opened the rest of the year without services. There is a 16 day stay limit for all Beartooth Ranger District campgrounds.
For a road map of the area, which shows campground locations, please see our Motor Vehicle Use Map ( MVUM )
Camp sites: 6 Host: No Max Trailer Length : 20 ft Accessible Facilities: none Trash Pickup: No Firewood: No Reservations No Reservations. This campground does not use a reservation system, it is managed on a first-come, first-served basis. Be aware the campground may fill up on weekends & holidays during the summer months and you should arrive in the early afternoon to ensure there is a space available for the night. There is a 16 day stay limit. Some sites in campground have bear resistant food storage lockers. Individual camp sites vary in size, but the max trailer length is 20ft.
Initial Creek Campground remains open year-round. However, in the off-season, the roads to the campground are not plowed and the campground is not maintained. There is no water and no services. Please pack out all of your trash.
Directions from district office: Drive north on US Hwy 212 for 2.1 miles. Turn left (west) onto MT-78 and drive 30 miles. Turn left (west) onto MT-419 towards Fishtail. Drive through Nye and for a total of 25.9 miles. Immediately after the Stillwater Mine, turn right (west) onto the West Fork Stillwater Rd (FR 2846). Drive 7.8 miles to the trailhead.
*The West Fork Stillwater Rd is a rough road. High clearance vehicles are advised.
Information: Beartooth Ranger District Office 6811 US Hwy 212 Red Lodge, MT 59068 (406) 446-2103
Nearest federal campgrounds
5 mi straight-line · NYE MontanaFSU.S. Forest ServiceMeyers Creek Cabin
6 mi straight-line · Nye MontanaFSU.S. Forest ServiceDeer Creek Cabin (Mt)
14 mi straight-line · LIVINGSTON MontanaFSU.S. Forest ServiceFourmile Cabin
14 mi straight-line · LIVINGSTON MontanaFSU.S. Forest ServiceEmerald Lake Campground
16 mi straight-line · Montana
Trip Card — Initial Creek Campground
Montana · Custer Gallatin National Forest
| Agency | FS · U.S. Forest Service |
|---|---|
| Location | Montana · Custer Gallatin National Forest |
| Fees | Not reported in the federal data |
| Getting a site | First-come only |
| Hookups | Not reported |
| Max RV | Not reported |
| Months open | Not in federal data |
| Sites | Not reported |
Book: recreation.gov/camping/campgrounds/239852 · Source: Recreation.gov, pulled November 5, 2026. Facility details come from federal recreation data and may be out of date — this site takes no reservations and shows no live availability; confirm details and book through Recreation.gov or the managing agency.