Campgrounds and RV parks near Baker, MT

Medicine Rocks State Park south of Baker is the main attraction. Visitors come for photography, hiking, biking, wildlife viewing, picnicking, and camping in this remote state park, with three short trails: the 0.3-mile Sunset Loop Trail, the 0.3-mile North Rock Trail, and the 0.8-mile Dalton Trail. The park has been designated an International Dark Sky Sanctuary, making it a strong stop for stargazing families. A short drive puts travelers at the Carter County Museum in nearby Ekalaka, which documents the Native American tribes that lived in the Medicine Rocks area and chronicles paleontological finds in the region, with complete triceratops and tyrannosaurus skulls on display. At Makoshika State Park near Glendive, the badlands offer scenic drives, hiking trails, camping sites, a group picnic area, an outdoor amphitheater, and a disc golf course.

Southeastern Montana has a semi-arid steppe climate with hot summers and cold, snowy winters. Winter snow and subfreezing temperatures typically run from November through April, so most camping here occurs between May and October, with July and August the warmest months. Prime RV season runs from late May through mid-September, when overnight lows stay reliably above freezing and hookups are in full operation. Spring can be muddy and windy, with the wettest stretch of the year falling in late May and June. Late summer typically dries out and delivers the clearest skies for stargazing, followed by a short, crisp fall that is often the least crowded time to visit. By November, temperatures drop sharply and snow begins to accumulate, although snowfall totals are still lighter than in the depth of winter. Winter travel is possible but demanding: expect subzero cold snaps, blowing snow, and reduced services at seasonal parks. Only travelers with fully winterized rigs should attempt overnight stays between December and February.

This is remote, sparsely populated country. Cell coverage is spotty outside town, distances between services are long, and travelers should top off fuel and water in Baker before heading to the state parks. Highway 7 south to Medicine Rocks and Interstate 94 west toward Makoshika are the two main corridors. Expect basic facilities at the state park campgrounds. None of the sites at Medicine Rocks are designed exclusively for RV use, sites can be unlevel, and drinking water is located only at the entrance to the campground, with no trash receptacles, so pack-in, pack-out practices apply. At Makoshika, hookups are not provided, water is available year-round, and both flush and vault toilets are available. Bring leveling blocks, extra fresh water, and layered clothing. Wildlife including mule deer and pronghorn is common along area roads at dawn and dusk.