Black Canyon Campground

For Montanans who crave a truly secluded and rugged outdoor adventure, **Black Canyon Campground** offers a unique and unforgettable experience. Located within the stunning landscape of the **Bighorn Canyon National Recreation Area (BICA)**, this campground is distinguished by its **boat-in only** accessibility. This feature immediately filters out crowds, ensuring a peaceful, deep-wilderness feel that is often hard to find at drive-up campgrounds. The remoteness and scenic beauty are immense, featuring pristine, crystal-clear water and an abundance of pine trees along a quiet cove.

Black Canyon Campground is nestled on the northern, Montana portion of the Bighorn Canyon, specifically near the **Crow Reservation** land. It is a primitive tent-camping haven, featuring **17 dedicated tent sites** that offer an authentic connection with the natural environment. Visitors frequently describe the spot as **"Great campground kind of hidden"** and the area as simply **"Beautiful,"** underscoring the reward for making the effort to reach this destination. While it is primitive—meaning no RVs, no hookups, and limited amenities—it provides essential comforts like picnic tables, fire rings, and food storage lockers, catering perfectly to the self-sufficient Montana outdoor enthusiast ready to disconnect and explore the dramatic canyon scenery.

**Black Canyon Campground** is geographically situated within the **Bighorn Canyon National Recreation Area**, near the border of the Crow Reservation. The general area is Wyola, MT, USA, though the campground itself is remote, making its mailing address simply tied to the reservation area.

The defining characteristic of its accessibility is that **Black Canyon is a boat-in only campground**.

• **Access Point:** Campers must launch their boat, often from the **Ok-A-Beh Boat Ramp** (approximately five lake miles north), or potentially from a southern launch like Barry's Landing on the Wyoming side.
• **Vehicle Restriction:** Due to the boat-in nature, **RVs, trailers, and even cars cannot access the campground**. It is strictly a walk-to/boat-to tent camping area.
• **On-Site Terrain:** Once at the dock, the campsites are generally primitive, featuring **uneven walkways**, which may be challenging to navigate. The dock system, including the ramp to the campground, may also be difficult depending on lake levels and seasonal installation.
• **Proximity to Activities:** Despite its remoteness, it is perfectly positioned for exploring the lake, including the dramatic canyon walls and excellent fishing spots on **Bighorn Lake**. It is also centrally located for exploring the rich history and vast public lands of the surrounding region, including nearby attractions like the Yellowtail Dam and the Little Bighorn Battlefield National Monument (though these require boating back out and driving).

Its location on the Crow Reservation and within a National Recreation Area means campers should be aware of and respect the regulations and guidelines of both the National Park Service (NPS) and the Tribal authorities.

As a developed but primitive campground managed by the NPS, Black Canyon offers core facilities essential for comfortable, low-impact camping. Services are limited, reflecting its secluded nature and boat-in accessibility.

• **Primitive Tent Sites:** There are **17 designated tent-only sites**. These sites are primarily **walk-to/boat-to** and are available on a **first-come, first-served** basis (no reservations).
• **Campsite Amenities:** Each site is equipped with a **picnic table** and a **fire ring** for cooking and campfires.
• **Food Storage:** **Bear boxes (food storage lockers)** are provided year-round at the dozen or so sites to ensure safe food storage from local wildlife, which is mandatory in this area.
• **Sanitation:** A **floating vault toilet** is typically available seasonally, generally from Memorial Day weekend until the middle of September, providing basic, accessible sanitation facilities on the water near the camp.
• **Water:** **Potable water is NOT available** at the site. Campers must **bring all their drinking water** for the duration of their stay.
• **Docks:** A **dock system** is installed seasonally (Memorial Day through Labor Day), providing a necessary landing area for boats and access to the floating vault toilet.
• **Waste Disposal:** **Trash/Recycling Collection** is available seasonally. Campers are expected to practice Leave No Trace principles, especially outside of the operating season.

Black Canyon Campground’s unique setting provides several compelling reasons why it is a favored destination for seasoned Montana adventurers.

• **Ultimate Seclusion (Boat-In Only):** The **boat-in only access** ensures a truly **quiet and hidden** environment, making it an exclusive escape from the crowds and noise of front-country camping.
• **Pristine Natural Beauty:** The campground is located at the end of a beautiful cove, featuring **pristine, crystal-clear water** and an abundance of **Douglas fir and Ponderosa pine trees**, offering superb natural scenery and photography opportunities.
• **Excellent Fishing:** The site is well-known for offering **excellent fishing** opportunities on Bighorn Lake, which is home to various species of fish, drawing anglers from across the region.
• **Wildlife Viewing:** The surrounding Bighorn Canyon National Recreation Area is home to diverse Montana wildlife, including **bighorn sheep, bison, black bears, elk, and wild horses**, providing fantastic opportunities for wildlife observation.
• **Stargazing:** Due to the campground's remote location and lack of light pollution, the **night sky and lightscape are exceptional**, offering spectacular views of the stars.
• **Near Dramatic Canyon Vistas:** While nestled in a cove, campers are within easy boating distance of the massive, dramatic **Bighorn Canyon walls**, a geologic wonder that defines the recreation area.
• **Rustic and Authentic Camping:** By offering primitive, tent-only sites, Black Canyon provides an **authentic, rugged camping experience** that connects visitors directly with the raw beauty of Montana's landscape.

Since Black Canyon is a remote, boat-in site, the contact information is for the Bighorn Canyon National Recreation Area office, which manages the campground.

**Address:** Wyola Crow Reservation Area (Managed by BICA) Fort Smith, MT 59035 (General Area Office)

**Phone (Bighorn Canyon NPS Office):** (307) 548-5406

**Mobile Phone (Alternative Contact for NPS Office):** +1 307-548-5406

For Montana adventurers who own a boat and are searching for a true wilderness escape, **Black Canyon Campground** is uniquely worth choosing. It is not just a campsite; it is an exclusive, picturesque experience defined by its inaccessibility to vehicles. You should choose Black Canyon because it delivers the reward of a **beautiful, quiet, and completely hidden** destination, offering the kind of solitude that larger, drive-up parks simply cannot match.

The combination of the **pristine, clear water** for swimming and excellent **fishing** right off the dock makes the effort of boating in well worthwhile. This is a place for the self-reliant camper—one who embraces the primitive setting (no running water, no electricity) and respects the need for bear safety protocols. By choosing Black Canyon, you are reserving a piece of unspoiled Montana wilderness on the majestic Bighorn Lake, guaranteeing an unforgettable trip filled with dramatic canyon views, abundant wildlife, and exceptional stargazing. It’s the ultimate destination for Montanans ready to fully disconnect.