Camping Sweet Grass County

Camping Tips and Recommendations 

     There are a few recommendations that the Forest Service makes to enhance the camping experience. Make it a challenge to leave no trace when camping. Backpackers scrounging for firewood have created what foresters call a "human browse line" around many of the lakes and campgrounds. Try to bring in your own fuel and firewood- regular charcoal in the bottom of a fire ring makes for a long burning and nice campfire and is available at local grocery stores. Several fires by backcountry travelers can seriously disrupt a fragile natural system and quickly wipe out what took a century to develop. Camp only in the designated camping pads, as campsites denuded of vegetation and fragile soils compacted by informal trails through meadows create an unsightly scene. Be sure to remove all personal property and trash.

     Be considerate of other campers by keeping noise levels down and maintaining a clean campsite. The Forest Service in Sweet Grass County does not have a garbage pickup service, therefore making camping free. To keep future camping free, what is packed in should be packed out.

      The camping sites are located in areas where there are animals, including raccoons, skunks, and occasionally bears, that are attracted to food. Animals are attracted to the smell of food, so storage of your food especially in grizzly bear recovery areas is essential. (See food storage recommendations and regulations). The key to food storage is making it un-accessible and controlling the scent food gives off. Clean off your dishes and utensils promptly. Store food in scent tight containers and put in an inaccessible area like your vehicle or hanging up in a tree away from your camping spot. At designated campgrounds, food should be stored in vehicles. Back country users south of Fourmile creek of the Boulder River Valley must hang their food between trees due to the Grizzly Bear Recovery Area Rules, and cooking should be done away from tents or sleeping areas. Don't sleep in clothes that contain food odors and dispose of garbage immediately.

     Horses are not allowed in the campgrounds, although a corral is located at the Four Mile trailhead in the Boulder River Valley.

     Campers should be aware of the danger of forest fires. Check with the fire restrictions listed with the Forest Service, as at some times of high fire danger, fires may be limited or prohibited. Make sure you build fires only in fire rings, stoves, grills that are provided for that purpose. Also, be sure that your fire is completely extinguished before you leave. A good way to do this is to pour enough water to make a soup out of the coal bed. If dry conditions exist due to little precipitation, then grasses and trees catch fire quickly. In many areas The Forest Service provides rings for campfires, but the fires should not be left unattended and the fire remains should be completely cold when the camper leaves the campsite.

     In recent years drinking water has also become a concern. In some mountain streams there is an organism called Giardia lamblia that can cause an intestinal disorder. In some of the camping areas there are water pumps and the Forest Service tests the water from them once a month to be sure it is safe. Always pay attention to signs as the Forest Service sometimes has to close the water pumps. Any stream water should be boiled or purified before it is used. Water purifiers and other camping supplies are available locally at  The Fort.