Parkside Group Picnic Site
The Parkside Picnic Area has paved access and is located 12 miles south of Red Lodge, MT, in Parkside Campground. It is near the Beartooth Scenic Byway, and the Parkside, Glacier Lake and Hell Roaring Trailheads.
General Information
The picnic area is two large group sites. These sites are reservable on Recreation.gov but are also available for walk-in customers. Please note that these same sites are Parkside Campground's group camping areas. It is recommended to reserve the campsite/picnic area to ensure you have it.
- Group site A- max 50 people, 2 RV's
- Group site B- max 50 people, 2 RV's
If the area is not rented already, groups or individuals are allowed to use the picnic area for free, for up to 30 minutes. For longer day-use stays, groups or individuals will be charged 1/2 price of the standard overnight fair. There are accessible vault toilets and ample parking. Potable water, from Parkside Campground, is available for paying customers only. Please see the campground host if you have any questions regarding your stay. If you have questions before your visit, please contact Gallatin Canyon Campgrounds at 406-587-9054, or the Beartooth Ranger District at 406-446-2103.
Prices for overnight stay at Group sites/Picnic area:
- Group Site A (by restroom) 0-35 people - $80.00
- Group Site A (by restroom) 36-50 people - $100.00
- Group Site B (by river) 0-35 people - $80.00
- Group Site B (by river) 36-50 people - $100.00
For smaller groups interested in a picnic area on the forest, other options are also available on the forest: Wild Bill Lake picnic area, Sand Dunes (in East Rosebud drainage), Old Nye (in the Stillwater River drainage), Big Ice Cave (Pryor Mountains) or at our free campgrounds (M-K, Palisades, Jimmy Joe, or Initial Creek).
* Parkside Campground is open year-round. The campground has a fee and is maintained from Early-May to Late September (call district office for exact dates 406-446-2103). Outside of our peak season, the campground is ungated, free, and available for use (no services, not maintained, roads are not plowed). If you visit outside the peak fee season, please bring your own water, toilet paper (outhouse will remain open), and please pack out your trash.
Early-May
Free, if unoccupied and stay is less than 30 minutes.
If longer than 30 minutes, and for day-use only, price is 1/2 of overnight stay rate.
Rates:
Group site A- max 50 people, 2 RVs
Group site B- max 30 people, 2 RVs
1-35 people: $60
36-50 people: $
Free, if unoccupied and stay is less than 30 minutes.
If longer than 30 minutes, and for day-use only, price is 1/2 of overnight stay rate.
Rates:
Group site A- max 50 people, 2 RV's
Group site B- max 30 people, 2 RV's
- 1-35 people: $60
- 36-50 people: $80
For larger groups concerned with availability, it is recommended to reserve these sites online.
Getting There
Latitude / Longitude
Latitude: 45.06166667
Longitude: -109.4044444
Directions
Directions from Beartooth Ranger District office:
Drive south on US Hwy 212, towards Cooke City, for 10.7 miles. Turn right on the Main Fork Rd (Forest Road 2421). Drive 0.4 miles to the entrance to Parkside Campground.
Facility and Amenity Information
Accessibility
Restrooms
Restrooms are available at this site.
Water
Potable water is available at this site.
Potable water is only available during the operating season.
